On day three or four of an extended family fast, my wife came rushing in to the room early one morning to share a Scripture she read and was excited about.

Zechariah 11:17 reads, ‘Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arms shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall utterly be darkened.”

I‘ve likely read this Scripture easily 50+ times, but it never stood out to me as it has this year.

My walk with God has been filled with its ups and downs as many could testify. I have also seen my share of miracles, signs and wonders and been present in phenomenal revival Services with great outpourings of the Holy Ghost.

I have been living for God now some 22 years, having grown up knowing nothing about the Truth I pay particular attention to try not to take anything for granted from the Bible and if I don’t understand it – I pray, study and seek Godly counsel until I feel I have a good understanding of the matter.

This particular Scripture has slipped by without diligence to this principle until now.

Something stood out to me about the latter part of this verse, “…and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.” I have always understood the word, “right” to be representative of power with God and it appeared to me that this Scripture was speaking only to our vision.

I also made the assumption that this text was only a warning to the shepherds that left their flock, based on the beginning of the verse.

Determined to have a better understanding, I sought the Lord in prayer and began to study – and what was revealed to me really blew my mind!

Finnis Jennings Dake in the Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible states that, “Some have tried to force the meaning of this before the proper time of fulfillment and have therefore interpreted the prophesy as referring to the late Kaiser of Germany; but the prediction concerns no man except the future Antichrist, and in him it will have a literal fulfillment when the time comes.”

Although I don’t claim to be smarter than Mr. Dake, and certainly not more educated – I couldn’t disagree more!!! Much of the verse referenced hints to antichrist-like traits but to suggest this warning is directed to the antichrist seemed a bit absurd to me to say the least.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary states, “Perhaps, therefore, the reference is to the shepherds who left the flock to Antichrist’s rapacity, and who, in just retribution, shall feel his “sword” on their “arm,” which ought to have protected the flock but did not, and on their “eye,” which had failed duly to watch the sheep from hurt. The blinding of “the right eye” has attached to it the notion of ignominy” Referencing (1Sa 11:2).

Although I mostly agree with this thought, I do not agree with the later part hinting of a “notion of ignominy” (Ignominy – disgrace, dishonor, and shame). In all respect, I believe the very beginning of the verse implies more than a hint of shame – it screams complete and utter disgrace!!!

The first thing that really stood out to me during study was my misunderstanding of the word, “Woe”. I knew it to be a warning of sorts, but did not realize the emphasis until reading it in the Hebrew.

“Woe” is the Hebrew word, “howy” which derived from the word, “owy” and is “a passionate cry of grief or despair”. It is usually screamed or yelled very loudly.

I’m reminded of a time as a child my father put me on a pony in attempts to teach me to ride. I didn’t grow up with this side of the family, so I was not accustomed to riding horses as my other brother and sisters were.

While riding, I began to get nervous as the horse sped up and I started to say, “Woe” to the horse in attempts to get it to slow down. It quickly dawned on me the horse had a mind of its own as it picked up speed….

I guess I knew how to properly speak the Hebrew intent of the word, “WOE!!!” better than I knew how to stop a horse because I began to passionately cry out of grief and despair!!!

Zechariah was pointing out that this verse was not a mere suggestion, or a casual piece of advice – but that it was of dire consequences that we take note of what was to come next.

I do like what Matthew Henry’s Commentary says, “God, having showed the misery of this people in their being justly left by the Good Shepherd, shows their further misery in being abused by foolish shepherds. The description suits the character Christ gives of the scribes and Pharisees. They never do anything to support the weak, or comfort the feeble-minded; but seek their own ease, while they are barbarous to the flock. The idol shepherd has the garb and appearance of a shepherd, receives submission, and is supported at much expense; but he leaves the flock to perish through neglect, or leads them to ruin by his example. This suits many in different churches and nations, but the warning had an awful fulfillment in the Jewish teachers. And while such deceive others to their ruin, they will themselves have the deepest condemnation.”

Regardless of how many likely already had this understanding in the faith, I felt this was something worth sharing, so here is what I discovered in the Hebrew – certainly worth studying out as a shepherd in a new dawn of the mantle OF GOD.

‘Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arms shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall utterly be darkened.”

The word “idol” or “eliyl” in the Hebrew means, “good for nothing, empty, worthless”.

A “shepherd” here is referencing a “Pastor”.

The word “leaveth” here is not merely going from one location to another, but literally means, “relinquishes, lets alone, neglects”, as in the expression, “I will let loose the reins, I will not constrain it”.

The “sword” is the Hebrew word, “chereb”, which means “a sharp edge”, but is also referred to as a “drought” It is derived from the root word, “charab” meaning, “to lay waste, in ruins or desolate”.

And here’s where it gets even more interesting….

The word, “arm” or “zerowa” is a symbol of power, force or might. Further study reveals that the root word here is “zara”, which means to “sow, yield or produce seed”. (As in Genesis 1:11, Leviticus 25:3-4)

The word “right” is synonymous with strength.

The word “eye” or in Hebrew, “ayin” can mean quite literally the eye, but also represents a “fountain” or “presence”. (Reference Proverbs 25:7, Psalms 17:2)

“Clean dried up” in Hebrew is “yabesh” or “a drought, desolate, to destroy or kill, to decay” (Reference Jeremiah 23:10, Ezekiel 19:12)

And then lastly, the words “utterly” and “darkened” actually come from the same root word in Hebrew, “kahah”, which means “to fail, to grow weak”.

It wasn’t until I had researched all of these words thoroughly that I learned what I believe the interpretation of this warning was actually to the Pastors and Ministers of the End Times.

“Woe (SCREAMING A PASSIONATE WARNING) to the idol (GOOD FOR NOTHING, EMPTY) shepherd (PASTOR) that leaveth (NEGLECTS OR DOES NOT CONSTRAIN) the flock (THE CHURCH)! The sword (A DROUGHT) shall be upon his arm (SEED or YIELD), and upon his right (STRENGTH) eye (FOUNTAIN or PRESENCE): his arms (SEED or YIELD) shall be clean dried up (KILLED, DESTROYED or DECAYED), and his right (STRENGTH) eye (FOUNTAIN or PRESENCE) shall utterly be darkened. (FAIL)”

I believe that this is nothing less than a clear warning to the End Time Pastors and Ministers who have let down their standard, “eased up on their preaching” and allowed compromise in to the pulpit.

God’s Word is SCREAMING at us that we will experience a drought in our soul winning, our strength and the fountain of the Presence of God will be destroyed – ultimately failing.

As stewards entering a new dawn of the mantle of God, passed to us from the pioneers of the Faith, it is up to us to continue the path set forth; a path that is straight, uncompromising and based on the Word – not what the ideologies of “post-modern religion” suggest.

I am young, I’m zealous, and I’m even impatient at times! I want to grow our Church as quickly as possible. But I will follow the examples of great leaders in my life, such as; Reverend Kenneth Marshburn, Reverend Rick Olson and Reverend David T. Elms – I will do so without compromise!

I will do this so that when it is my turn to pass the mantle of God I will be able to do so holding my head high, knowing that I served God and HIS Flock without compromise!

My testimony will not be that as of Judas Iscariot; that I walked with God while it was convenient and then compromised when it seemed the times were tough.

It will be that of Paul as he stated in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

My prayers are that all who hold the highly esteemed, God-appointed office of Apostle, Prophet,  Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher; do so with such diligence that they do not listen to the voices quietly whispering that we will grow the Kingdom of God by preaching “soft” or leaving out the parts that some may not want to hear.

Matthew E. Drake, Associate Pastor with Reverend Kevin H. Wallace in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Serving Marines, Sailors and Saints of God along with his wife; Stacy and four children; Taylor Renee, Macayla Kristine, Arianna Brooklyn and Thalon Eben.

I understand fully that there may be some things here in life that you feel to hold on to, but could you agree with me – that these are things that you cannot take to Eternity with you??

I want to provoke you with some questions….

Are you holding on to some things of your past?

Are you holding on to your successes?

Maybe traditions?

Or your friendships and the fun you have with those friends?

I want to ask you what you are holding on to? Or maybe more importantly - What is it that is holding on to you?!?!?

And is that thing that you hold so dearly worth the risk of missing the rapture?

1 Chron.28:6-10

 ⁶And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

⁷Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.

⁸Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

⁹And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

¹⁰Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

I think we could take the time to go in many directions from this text  – how that God commanded to do His Commandments or the necessity of serving God with a willing mind and a perfect heart – and maybe we will come back to these at some point – but for today I would like to focus your attention to verse 10…

Take heed.

We are chosen.

Be strong.

Do it!!

II. Get Ready

Religion seems to have three parts

-        The first is knowing there IS a God.

-        The second is knowing WHO God is.

-        The third is actually worshipping God.

David seemed to have to make this point very clear to the Children of Israel – when he said, “Know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind.

God is made known by His Works and Word.

It seems in my few short years of living for God that an understanding of who He truly is only comes by revelation – only to those that are sincere and want to know who He is.

The natural man (or our flesh if you will) cannot receive this knowledge of God.

Our command seems to be from the Word of God is to GET READY!!!

To GET READY – we must study His Word, we must Apply His Word, we must LIVE HIS WORD!!!

Isaiah 11:2 says, “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;”

We NEED THIS SPIRIT!!!

Far too long have we said to ourselves, “I need to start going to Church” or “I really need to get things together”…

The time is NOW!!!!

I’m tellin you folks…… we better get on our marks!!!!

We better GET READY!!!!

Jesus Christ is coming back for His Church!!!

We don’t know the hour!!! We don’t the day!!!

But there is one thing you can be rest assured of – HE IS COMING!!! And He is coming soon!!!

III. GET SET!!!

Alright – so we have now had the realization there is a God. We know we need to have His Spirit and we know we need to worship Him!

What’s next?!?! Glad you asked!!!

Phil.3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

We have got to have a goal in mind! The Bible says, “Without a vision the people perish”!!

We must purposely and intently GET SET!!!

2 Tim.4:1-4 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

We have GOT to get to the place in our minds that come Hell or High Water we are going to serve God!

Our minds have got to be SET upon the Lord.

We have got to get our minds made up, our feet on the Rock!!!

IV Grow!!!

I was awakened at 0212 early one morning with a thought….

As I studied, I came across something that interested me…

I discovered there was a fourth-century Greek dramatist by the name of Titus Maccius Plautus, who wrote a play titled, “Bacchides”.

Bacchides is a Latin play where revolves around the misunderstandings surrounding two sisters, each called Bacchis, who work in a local house of ill-repute. It includes Plautus’ frequent theme of clever servants outwitting their supposed superiors.

One very famous line out of a character of this not so famous writer’s play was a Latin Phrase, “Quem di diligunt, adolescens moritur.” Which means, “Whom the gods love dies young.”
It is also translated as, “Only the good die young.”
I find it odd that in some cultures dying young is considered honorable or something one might seek to do…

In America it is quite common to hear people say they want to grow old together with the one they love…

When you die – you stop growing!!!

The Latin translation for the word Grow is Crescere.

1. I come to be.
2. I become visible, spring from, arise,come forth.
3. I increase, rise, grow, thrive; multiply,augment.

It is time we increased!

It is time we rise up!!!

It is time we multiplied!!

Church it is time we thrived!!!

On your mark, get set…. A mark is the position from which one prepares to run!

I Corinthians 9:24 says, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? SO RUN that ye may obtain!” RUN CHURCH RUN!!!

It is time to RUN!!!

It is time to make up our minds that we are going to “GET READY, GET SET – GROW”!!!!

There are so many hurting people in this Country! Every time I turn around I bump in to people that would like counseling – in their marriage, with their own personal problems, with their family….

People struggling with Drug addictions.

People fighting the temptations of pornography – which ultimately leads to immoral sexual desires that grow in to addictions people never dreamed they would have.

There are hurting people in this world today. Folks that have come to a Church Service with the mentality that if something didn’t change they were giving up…

There’s something about the altar. There’s something about the changing power of God that is present at the altar….

The Bible says, 2 Corinthians 6:2 – For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

That means we are not promised a tomorrow. In fact we’re not promised a today.

SO many people say, “I’ll wait until tomorrow.”

“I’ll wait until I feel it.”

“I’ll wait until the time is right….”

I suggest that the time is NOW!!

God speed my friends!

Pastor M.E. Drake

Somebody once said, “When people are ready to, they change. They never do it before then, and sometimes they die before they get around to it. You can’t make them change if they don’t want to, just like when they do want to, you can’t stop them.”

When I was growing up, we always had a family joke, that my step-dad would do something when he got around to it. So eventually my mom found his a “round tuit”! A small wooden token that read, “tuit” on each side!!! So any time my step-dad would try to procrastinate, she would hand him one of those “round tuit”’s

One thing we must understand with all clarity is that change is inevitable! We have no more control over change than we do death!

Jesus said in Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. “

If I have learned one thing having lived in North Carolina for nearly 15 years is that Tarheel’s are pretty reluctant to change! Jacksonville, not so bad as we understand going to Church here that change is a constant!!! Our Servicemen and women and their spouses get change of Duty Stations. And as a Church, our Leadership changes as a result.

Some changes we go through are small, some are more of the “crisis” variety. Some affect only us, some affect everyone around us. Some are changes to our appearance – good or bad – nonetheless – change…. Other changes are external, some internal. Change of heart, change of mind, change of perspective – looking at things in another light or from another angle.

Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

This Scripture is commonly referenced when referring to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28: ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In essence He was saying, “Go change your world”!!!!

I like what Mahama Gandhi said regarding change, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Some other great quotes regarding change…

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” – Anatole France

And the all too familiar one…

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

“I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.” – Aldous Huxley

“The best thing you can do is the right thing; the next best thing you can do is the wrong thing; the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt

I am very much like most Americans. At least in this regard! When I go places, I don’t go expecting change… When I go to the car dealership – my expectations are for them to do something to my vehicle. I don’t expect change to myself. When I go to the mall with my wife and kids, I don’t expect to leave differently – just for my wallet to be changed! About the only place I go to an anticipate something is going to change about myself is the barber!

If we were to be brutally honest, the majority of us would have to admit we do not come to Church in anticipation of changing.

Come, let’s be straight up! I  kind of like who I am.

When I get up in the morning, I feel pretty good about myself. I get up early to pray in the morning and I feel pretty good in my soul.

Truthfully, I don’t always go to Church  expecting to be changed.

Think I‘m wrong about change?!?

Alright, try going to the gym tomorrow morning in an effort to change your body!! Try going to the college tomorrow to learn calculus or trigonometry. For those of you that are late sleepers – try getting up at 3:00 am tomorrow!

Or for those of you that are accustomed to going to bed early, try staying up until 1:00am!! OR… here’s a fun one… those of you who are always late, try making it to prayer meeting on time!!!

Ooh no, I went from blogging to meddling, I better move on!!!

In speaking with my Pastor regarding revival – Pastor Kenny Marshburn encouraged me on this subject!!! He said, “Here, There and Everywhere – or NO where at all.”

For us here in Jacksonville and me personally – I see it like this …… Here – Jacksonville, There – Richlands, Everywhere – Quebec City / Gouverneur, NY.

Here, There and Everywhere is a figurative form of speech which simply put means everywhere or at all points.  I came across something interesting while studying.

Luke 2:39-49, Jesus said, “And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.  42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

I find that in this passage, Jesus was very clear that no one was excused from witnessing. No one was excused from teaching the Word of God. No one was excused from being busy about the Master’s Business! I was not excused from the Great Commission!!! You were not excused from the Great Commission!!! Nobody was excused from the Great Commission!!!!

When Jesus comes back for His Church He will not ask you what was your Political affiliation!!!! He will not ask you whether you are Black, White, Latino or Asian!!! He will not ask to see your Bank Account or what development or Project you are from!!!

When that great and terrible day of the Lord comes, Jesus is going to ask you whether you have fulfilled His Great Commission!! Ooh please, don’t hear me wrong – I’m not saying that your work is going to get you in to Heaven…

Following The Word and its explicit clarity on Salvation is going to do that!

“Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!!” “Repent, be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!!!”  “Follow after holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord…” These are Scriptural imperatives – no if’s, and’s or but’s about it…..

Those my friends are the requirements to get our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life… But once we have done that – there is going to be something required of us!!!

This, I submit to you  is the, “Here, There and Everywhere…. OR NO-Where at All!!!!”

We have been commissioned to go out in to the highways and the byways and to compel them to come and some of us have a hard time even making it in to the prayer room!!! Some folks are more worried about what their hair looks like or talking before Church than theyare making it in to the Prayer Room!!! If you’re more concerned with telling somebody about your new job or your new car than you are begging God to change His mind about the Lost than I submit you need to wake up and see what time it is in the Spiritual Realm!!

Gabriel is on the backside of a hill somewhere with the Trumpet up to his lips preparing to blow the Trumpet of the Lord!!! We are fastly approaching the Coming of the Lord and it is HIGH TIME we awoke out of our slumber and did something for God!!!

Read your newspaper, get online and look at the news – am I the only one that sees that this whole thing is wrapping up?!?!? We don’t have a single moment to be idle! We don’t have a single minute, hour or day to not be in prayer and witnessing that the Coming of the Lord is soon upon us!

Jesus IS

The Rock

The First and Last

The “I am”

The Soon and Coming King

The Redeemer and Savior

The Creator

Most people will get right behind someone when they preach on that, but when they start preaching change, or when they start preaching work…. That’s another thing!!!!

General Conference was all about One God, One Church, One Mission…. The whole theme of Revival, Evangelism and Church Growth was centered around the Church awakening for the End Time Revival… About the Church waking up and getting busy about the Master’s Business!!!

So let’s get out there and win some souls!!

God speed!

Pastor M.E. Drake

Two simple goals I had in preparation for this message

1.)  SHOW someone the truth of who God is.

2.)  HELP someone to share this truth with others in a different light.

You see the Truth is the Truth. He does not need anyone act as lawyer – nor prosecutor, only a messenger!!!

My calling from God was not to come to Jacksonville and become Pastor of the month!!! My job as a Pastor today is not to see how many people I can win over this morning. So my expectations are not that I will win any popularity contests. What I am here to do is to fulfill the command of God…

((Acts 20:28))) Paul said, “ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

I received a revelation of the Truth at about 2 or 3:00 in the morning across the waters of the Mediterranean Sea while sitting in a passageway of the ship I was serving aboard while in the Navy. One lady received the Holy Ghost while standing washing dishes in her kitchen staring out the window. Another received a revelation of who Jesus was right in the middle of a Bible Study in her living room. The topic that night was on Judges – NOTHING to do with Jesus.  The point is God seems to choose revelations with who he wants when He wants…. I think the task today is to be in a position to be able to receive a revelation!

Revelation 4:1-5  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. ² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. ³ And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. ⁴ And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. ⁵ And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Come on somebody tell me– how many throne are we going to see in Heaven?!?!?

But wait Pastor – John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Yes… AND….. I John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down HIS life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Hey… we’re on a role – let’s look at 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The God of John 3:16 is the same God of I John 3:16 which is still the same God of I Timothy 3:16 – and His Name is Jesus!!!!!

II.  Strong FOUNDATION

It is important to have a good foundation. A house that is built on sand will not stand the storm. The same can be said of our walk with God. I think it is eternally important for young Christians – whether that be someone who has strived for Truth their whole life and only just received the Holy Ghost in the past 1 to 2 years or a person that has just come for the first time – to build themselves a solid foundation.

The storms WILL come – it is up to us individually to be prepared for them once they get here…

The devil will attempt to do everything within his power to destroy you. He will start things between you and your Church family, he will try to make your Pastor appear to be wrong or that he handled a situation wrong. He will try to twist the Scripture just enough that you begin to get disoriented and do not know which way is truth.

Having a foundation is essential in our walk with God. That said, the base foundation I can think of is to go back to the beginning…..

Genesis Chapter 1 ¹ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The word for God here in the Hebrew is el-o-heem’ which means divine ONE, RULER, the TRUE GOD. It’s definition refers to the “plurality of attributes of God”, not a plurality of gods” or a “plurality of persons”!! I’ve read this many times in teachings, but the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 6, God clearly tells the Children of Israel how they were to live.

¹ Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:   ² That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.  ³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:  (Sh’ma Yis ‘ raeil Adonai El Heinu Adonai echad!!!”) ⁵ And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. ⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  ⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up

It was imperative to God that the Children of Israel keep the message alive…. This is why they had such a struggle to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the promise of the Father – because they were sold so plainly and clearly that there was only one God…

The word “ONE” is defined as the following: Being or amounting to a single unit or individual or entire thing, item, or object rather than two or more; a single existing, acting, or considered as a single unit, entity, or individual. Being a particular, unique, or only individual, item, or unit.

Jesus taught that the most important commandment was to believe in only ONE…

Mark 12: ²⁸ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? ²⁹ And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is ONE Lord: ³⁰ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Ephesians Chapter 4: ⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

James 2: ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

So we understand that there is ONLY ONE GOD.

III.  Who is this Jesus then?

Well… who then, is this Jesus – the man who split time in half – from BC to AD (the year of our Lord…)

Jesus IS

The Rock – Matthew 16:17-19, Isaiah 28:16

The First and Last – Revelations 1:17, Revelations 22:13

The “I am” – John 18:5-8

John 8:24-28

The King – Matthew 2:1-6, Revelations 19:11-16

The Redeemer and Savior – Jude 25, 1 Peter 1:10-11, Titus 1:1-4, Philemon 3:20

The Creator – John 1:10, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 3:9, Colosians 1:12-17, Hebrews 1:8-12

How is this possible – these are things that were said of GOD in the Old Testament….. Glad you asked….

Isaiah Chapter 9: ⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

IV.  And Now… The Revelation

300 times the Scripture declares there is but ONE GOD!!

Old Testament – ONE GOD

New Testament – ONE GOD

THREE manifestations of ONE GOD

1.)  He was the Father in Creation

2.)  He was the Son in Redemption

3.)  He is the Holy Ghost (Spirit) IN us today

IV. Closing thoughts

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

This word, Immanuel is not merely a name – it is two words translated – Hebrew words “im” and “el” – “im” simply means in. But the word “el” is so much more complicated!!! It means, “GOD, the mighty ONE

The ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD of Israel. The God who is the joy of my exultation. The Living GOD. The ALL knowing GOD. The everlasting GOD. The faithful GOD. The GOD that let’s HIMSELF be seen. THE GOD

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

John 1:1, 14: ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

You see Church – the bottom line is this – the Word is complete – the resounding message from God throughout HIS WORD was that He IS ONE, He WAS ONE and He will ALWAYS be ONE!!

It wasn’t until 325 AD, at the Council of Nicea that Baptism in the titles, Father, Son and Holy Spirit were ever introduced – it was not Biblical.

The Bible repeatedly shouted to us that GOD is a jealous God – and that ALL Power was given to Jesus…

So my hopes and prayers are that you receive this Word from God – pray for the revelation of Jesus…

God Speed….

Pastor M.E. Drake

As I gathered illustrations and supporting Scriptures, it dawned on me that this was not an original thought of mine, so I began to attempt to “dig out” where I had heard this message prior.

One of my pet peeves is someone preaching a message without at least trying to give credit to the author. One guy told me that Jesus Christ was the real author – and all others are plagiarists, but I struggle with that. “Give credit where credit is due….”

Having sat under Kenny Marshburn in Lexington,NC for many years my mind raced to old messages preached by him. After scouring through old notes to no avail, I decided to “Google” this thought to see if I came across anything.

Searching through somewhere around a dozen websites, I came across a website with a Sermon from Allan C. Oggs Sr. titled, “You Gotta Have the Want To” and it dawned on me that I had heard Bro. Oggs preach this message over 10 years ago, and following I purchased that same book title.

II. History of “The Want To”

Who invented the light bulb – do you know? Many answer with Thomas Edison, but actually Sir Humphry Davy created the first incandescent light by passing the current through a thin strip of platinum, chosen because the metal had an extremely high melting point. It was not bright enough nor did it last long enough to be practical, but it was the precedent behind the efforts of scores of experimenters over the next 75 years.

On October 14, 1878 Thomas Edison submitted for a US Patent under the title, “Improvement in Electric Lights” – Mr. Edison had “The Want To”.

It was January 27, 1967, a sun shiny day at Pad 34 in Cape Canaveral,FL, formerly known as Cape Kennedy. A crew of three was scheduled to depart for the moon, with hopes of the first man to walk on the moon, aboard Apollo 1, a Saturn 204 spacecraft.

Their plan was simple; to fly to the moon, land and walk on its surface, but a horrific accident occurred when their aircraft burst in to flames, killing all aboard.

Many considered the notion of man on the moon only a child’s riddle, but a young man had determined in his mind that he would do that very deed.

11 years piloting Naval Aircraft, with over 900 flights as a research pilot, flying over 2,450 hours on 50 different types of airplanes with countless crashes – the odds were against him.

It wasn’t until over 2 ½ years later, when Neil Armstrong piloted the Apollo 11 that a man was able to walk on the moon. He had the “Want To”.

III. The Great Commission

All four of the Gospels record a version of the “Great Commission”. Each with their

own passion, their own take, but all with the same message from Jesus Christ – “Go and

tell.”

Now, this should suffice for us, but maybe others need more convincing! – let’s look at what Jesus was asking those 11 Disciples to do….. Matthew 28:19,  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

What’s HIS Name?!?

Lord, tell them to be baptized in YOUR name?!?!

No matter the cost, no matter the pain, the Disciples were commanded by Jesus to “go…and teach all nations” – sounds great Lord, but will they listen?

He said, “I am that I am.”

Won’t they stone us to death? Won’t they ridicule us, and won’t they persecute us???

“Be not afraid…” (Matthew 28:10) “… ALL power is given unto me…..” (Matthew 28:18)

Peter, Paul, John – If this Gospel is going to be spread – you’re going to have to have the want to!!!!

IV. YOUR Commission

Church – when do we take the me, me, me attitude out of the Gospel? When does this Gospel become personal to us? When do we take “self” out of the way?

Moses – tell them the “I am hath sent you”. Had the want to!!!!

Jesus, “Let this cup pass…..”  - Had the want to!!!!

Paul, “Lord, take this….thorn” – Had the want to!!!!

Somebody had to “Have the Want To” – or the Gospel would never be spread throughout the world. Thank you Peter, Paul, John – for “Having the Want To” –

What will this be said of after this generation is gone???

Who will tell our cities the Message that Jesus COMMANDED to be preached in HIS Name, beginning in Jerusalem?

I know it’s against tradition, I know it’s against the common message preached in many Churches across America, I know it’s not “how many were raised” – but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong!!!

Some things worth having are things worth fighting for – digging out – discovering – without the “Want To” – you may NEVER really know who God is!!!

There are things hidden today – that are of great value – with the right level of “Want To” – you can find them…..

John 5:39 – ³⁹Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Psalm 51:6  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Acts 2:1-4 – The Promise is Given

Acts 2:38 – Direction Given

Acts 8:12-17 – Simon of Samaria Given The Holy Ghost

Acts 10:44-48 – Gentiles Given The Holy Ghost

Acts 19:1-6 – John the Baptist’s Disciples Given

Ephesians 4:5-6 – Clarification Given

How many Lord’s??? How many Faiths??? How many Baptisms???

So who should we believe – the way we were raised – or the Bible?

Without “The Want To”, Allan C. Oggs would have possibly stayed the young man that was -destined to never walk, talk or see – but somewhere deep within his soul, he yearned to do more.

Allan C Oggs fulfilled that desire until he passed away on September 22, 2007. While researching for this message I came across a website hosting his obituary – the same night I received this message, Allan Oggs had passed away!!!!!!

Thank you Bro. Oggs for challenging Young Preachers to stay the call, no matter the cost.

Thank you Bro. Oggs for once again challenging this (STILL) Young Preacher!!!!

And most of all – thank you Lord – for giving ME the want to.

There have been times in my life, in my walk with God that I was unsure of my future. I had failed God in a big way, and I was unsure of His desire to keep me. I lost my footing, I failed.

People in the Church judged me, they shook their heads at me and spoke behind my back.

Others, who I had previously witnessed to, decided that the God I serve must not be any different than at any other Church they had gone to – all Christians were hypocrites!

I disgraced my family, my friends, even my co-workers felt I was a failure…

And although I had backslidden in my heart and my actions were not those conducive to a child of God, I never stopped going to Church.

I never stopped going to the altar.

I never stopped praying.

I never stopped falling on my face in repentance…

I had failed God – but He had not failed me! I STILL had the Want To!!!

Do you want to become more for God today?

Do you want to receive something you may have never received before in your life?

Do you want to do something for God?

Then you simply have to have the Want To!!!

God speed!

Pastor Drake

For fear of stating the obvious, I am hesitant to say this, but one thing that stands out to me is the need for balance in the Church.

I have met so many people in my walk with God – genuine, sincere people – that struggle with balancing that which is Spiritual and that which is Carnal. I am not referring to necessarily Heaven or hell issues – just life.

I once heard it said, “Don’t be so Heavenly minded that you are no earthly good, but don’t be so earthly minded that you are no good to Heaven….”

In a nutshell – balance!!

I would like to say that every day I wake up, I look through my Holy Ghost Goggles and see the world as though I were looking through the eyes of God… but I simply don’t.

I also do not look at everything as though there is no Spiritual implication either – I look at much in life througha common sense approach WITH prayer… Balanced…

When someone gets sick – I don’t immediately pronounce it as an attack of the enemy and call everyone I know to a month of prayer and fasting – casting out demons and binding infirmities.

On the other hand, I also do not allow things to creep in to my life or the lives of my children without addressing the Spiritual connotations surrounding them!

When someone is struggling wiht sin in their life – it is very obviously a Spiritual Battle that they are going through – but there are also those times when life is just tough sometimes!!!

Praise and Worship is all about magnifying and lifting up the Lord.

It is NOT about stomping on the devil. Some folks have it so mixed up…

Praise is defined as the expression of approval or admiration of… Synonyms of Praise are; glorify, commend, extol, exalt and compliment.

(((((NO WHERE in the definition does it say to put down the enemy of, or spend time beating up the enemy of…)))))

Woship is defined as an expression or feeling of reverence and adoration…. Synonyms of Worship are; adore, idolize, revere.

(((((Again, NOTHING to do with he enemy…)))))

Our focus as a Child of God should not be on the enemy of our soul. Our focal as a Child of God should not be on the enemy of the Church. Our Church Services should not be filledwith fighting the devil or fighting the effects of sin – our FOCUS should be on Praising and Worshipping GOD!!

Please don’t read in to something I am not saying… I DO believe in the effects of sin and that they need to be addressed – but let’s stop giving te devil credit for things he half the time doesn’t even know are going on and had nothin to do with them…

Some times life is just hard! Sometimes the lights get cut off, somthing people get sick and cars break down and the devil had nothing to do with that!!

When we give the devil credit for everything bad that happens in our lives than we are stating that God either doesn’t care about us or that He is not in control – neither of which I subscribe to!

I beleieve in balance and that our focus should weigh heavily toward God!

Let’s not focus on the bad things that aregoing on in peple’s lives, but on the many times that God has interveived in people’s lives to make things better!!

Don’t focus on the times God chose not to heal, but on the times He DID, and the fact that He IS a Healer!!

Don’t focus on the situations where bad stuff happened, but on the times that God didn’t allow bad things to happen and that He is a Provider!

At the end of the day – God is still Sovern and He cares for us! He is a Healer, He is a Provider, He is a Miracle Working God – He loves us and these are the things we must focus on.

Being a good stweard is not only paying our tithes and taking care of the things God gives us – it is also being a good steward of how we act in front of guests and visitors at our Church – SHOWING them how awesome our God is.

If all we do is focus on the enemy and the bad stuff the visitors is going to thik this Church doesn’t have anything different than any other place I’ve been in town. NO POWER HERE….

Let’s keep it simple – Praise and Worship is bragging on God!

Maybe its stating the obvious – but let’s do it! BRAG on what an awesome God we serve!

Lift Him up, Praise His Name, Glorify Him – and let’s not give the devil any credit – he doesn’t deserve it!!!

God speed,

Pastor Drake

Introduction:

The subject of water baptism has long been called a great issue and no doubt has been made such by many church leaders of the past and present. In our study of it, let us first consider its importance, or the necessity of being baptized.

The Importance of Water Baptism:

Christian water baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. If it is not important in the plan of God, why did Jesus command it in Matthew 28:19? And why did Peter follow up by saying, “Be baptized every one of you,” and by commanding the Gentiles to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:48)? We must remember two points about the importance of water baptism. First, whatever Christ definitely established and ordained cannot be unimportant, whether we understand its significance or not. Second, Christ and the apostles showed the importance of this ordinance by observing it. Jesus walked many miles to be baptized, though He was without sin, saying, “For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (See Matthew 3:13-16.)

It is true that water itself does not contain any saving virtue, but God has chosen to include it in His plan of salvation. Peter explained, “Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). According to Luke 7:30, “the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized.”

The Mode of Baptism

According to the Scriptures, the proper mode of baptism is immersion. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). “And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38). “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death” (Romans 6:4). A corpse is not buried by placing it on top of the ground and sprinkling a little soil on it, but by covering it completely.

According to the World Book Encyclopedia, “At first all baptism was by complete immersion” (vol. 1, p.651). And the Catholic Encyclopedia states, “In the early centuries, all were baptized by immersion in streams, pools, and baptisteries” (vol. 2, p.263). Immersion was not convenient after the Catholic church instituted infant baptism; thus the mode was changed to sprinkling. (See Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., vol. 3, pp.365-66.)

Repentance identifies us with the death of Christ, and baptism identifies us with His burial. Coming forth from the watery grave of baptism and receiving new life in the Holy Spirit identifies us with His resurrection.

The Formula for Baptism

Jesus commanded His disciples to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). He did not command them to use these words as a formula, but He commanded them to baptize in “the name.” The word name is used here in the singular, and it is the focal point of the baptismal command. The titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost describe God’s relationships to humanity and are not the supreme, saving name described here, which is Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus is the name in which the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are revealed. The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph, “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s name,” and, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,…the Father will send in my name” (John 5:43; 14:26). Thus by baptizing in the name of Jesus, we honor the Godhead. “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

Luke 24:45-47 records that just before His ascension, Jesus opened the disciples’ understanding. It was necessary that their understanding be opened, and many today need this same operation in order to understand the Scriptures. Then Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.” The disciples had their understanding opened so that they could grasp the vast importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Verse 47 describes the commission that Jesus then gave: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations [Jews and Gentiles], beginning at Jerusalem.”

Peter was one of that number to whom Jesus had spoken and whose understanding had been opened. After having listened to these instructions, a few days later he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to preach on the Day of Pentecost. The hearts of the hearers were pierced and, feeling condemned, they cried out to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter did not hesitate but boldly answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

Some say that Peter told them to be baptized in Jesus’ name because they were Jews and this baptism was to make them acknowledge Jesus Christ. But let us go with Peter to the house of Cornelius several years later. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, yet there again Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). (Most translations actually say, “In the name of Jesus Christ.”) If Peter was wrong on the Day of Pentecost, he surely had ample time to be corrected before he went to the house of Cornelius.

Was Peter wrong on the Day of Pentecost? When the hearers were prickled in their hearts, they spoke to Peter and to the rest of the apostles (Acts 2:37). This included Matthew, who wrote Matthew 28:19. Moreover, when Peter preached, he stood up with the eleven Acts 2:14). Matthew was there, yet we find no words of correction from him. He surely would have spoken up if Peter had disobeyed the Lord. But all the apostles understood and carried out the Lord’s commission. As Jesus said in prayer, “I have manifested thy name unto the men [the apostles] which thou gavest me out of the world…and they have kept thy word” (John 17:6).

The Samaritans, who were not Jews, were also baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them….”But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women…. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:5, 12, 16).

Let us see how Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, baptized. He went to Ephesus many years after the Day of Pentecost and found some disciples of John the Baptist there. “He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:2-5). Although these disciples had already been baptized, the name of Jesus was so important as to cause them to be rebaptized in His name.

We do not believe that Paul changed the formula or mode of baptism when he baptized Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15) or the Philippian jailer. The latter came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas, saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night [shortly after midnight], and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:30-33). How can we doubt that Paul baptized these people using the same mode and formula that he used elsewhere, that is, immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Paul was not with the apostles when Jesus gave his finial instructions to them in Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47, yet Paul baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. How did he know what to do? He said that his gospel was not a tradition of men but a revelation from God. “I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul was chosen to bear Jesus’ name to the Gentiles, and he wrote many divinely inspired epistles to the church. To this apostle, God revealed the mystery of the church, “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:5). Paul claimed to have divine authority: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (I Corinthians 14:37). And Paul wrote, Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Water baptism is done in both word and deed. We cannot afford to overlook this command to the church.

The church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). The apostles not only preached baptism in Jesus’ name, but they practiced it. Nowhere can we find that they baptized using the words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Instead, we find them baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In baptizing in Jesus’ name, they fulfilled the command of the Lord in Matthew 28:19. Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Let this be a solemn warning to us.

Some say that they will accept the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 but not those of Peter in Acts 2:38. But Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Peter was one of the apostles, and to him had been given the keys of the kingdom, so we have no right to discredit his words.

In Mark 7:8 Jesus said, “Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men.” History tells us that it was not until many years after the apostles that the mode and formula of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ were changed. (See Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible, vol. 1, p.241.) Which means more to you, the command of the Lord or the tradition of men?

Taken from the Word Aflame Tract “Why We Baptize in Jesus’ Name” #6109

I believe in simpleness. And because of that – I believe the Scripture has simple Truths that we must adhere to in order to make Heaven our home…

Belief in One True God

Repentance

Baptism in Jesus’ Name

Receiving the Holy Ghost

Living a Holy lifestyle

Prayer, fasting, Bible Reading, Church attendance.

I do what I can to compartmentalize the issues of life – especially the ones I cannot change. Basically, deal with the things I can and leave the ones I cannot to God. He is obviously much more capable of dealing with things than I. Sometimes it is difficult to trust Him to the degree that I leave it completely in His Hands, but that is what I must do…

I think the point here is that we should no doubt address the issues that will affect our Eternity and let many of the others fall where they may.

I have seen people in my time in the Ministry get so caught up with issues if you will that they seem to neglect the more weightier matters of life – salvation, obedience to God’s Word, Church Attendance, Obeying those that have rule over them, etc….

I’m not trying to be over simplistic here, but seriously – there only seems to be so much time allotted to us in a day – work, family, kids, etc. – time for prayer, time for studying God’s Word, time for witnessing – all seem to be dwarfed in the cares and affairs of this world…

So let’s look to simplify our lives a bit – learn to say “no” once in a while! It won’t kill somebody to look for someone else to help them fix their car or clean their garage or whatever it is that they can’t seem to do without you!!!

Slow down, smell the roses – relax…

And spend some more time with God – He missed you!

God speed,

Pastor Drake

I said, “TODAY is the day we bring the fight to him!!!!”

“It’s time we stopped sitting down, laying down and shutting up when the enemy of our soul is reeking havoc in our lives!!!

It’s time we pointed our index fingers in his face and command him by the authority given to us in Jesus Name to leave us alone!!! Satan get behind me!!! You have no place in my life. You have no place in the lives of my family, friends and coworkers.

Its time he stopped messing in our finances, in our marriages and our health!!! It’s time we take authority over him….

It’s time the devil heard our War Cry!!!”

Today we live in a day and time that is much different than that of our parents and certainly that of our Grandparents. Much like the Carman song of the 90′s, “We Need God in America Again” – the student problems in the 40′s and the 50′s were chewing gum and talking – but today it is a much different problem. It is a problem of Godlessness!

People are more concerned with being PC than they are for standing up for that which is right.

If God’s Word states homosexuality is a sin – then pray tell me – why is it not a sin in this century?

If God’s Word states lying, cheating, stealing, living an elicit lifestyle is against the principles of God – than please explain why this is not still the case today?

If God’s Word requires we repent, be Baptized in Jesus’ Name and be filled with the Holy Ghost – why is this not being preached in Churches across America today?!?!

I would to God that the Church would let the devil hear our War Cry!!!

Shout it loud, shout it clear – WE WILL OBEY GOD’s WORD – NO MATTER HOW POPULAR IT MAKES US!!!!

The Army says, “Hooah” as their war cry. The Navy say, “HooRah”. The Marines say, “Oo Rah“.”

1 Samuel 17:45 – Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

David asked, “Is there not a cause?”

Church you and I have an obligation today. Our War Cry needs to be heard throughout your city….

The battle is raging and there is little time to rally the troops. Morale is low, supplies are low, and the troops are weak and tired. We must rally the troops!!!

There are guests and visitors that are tired of fighting with depression, weary of fighting against loneliness and weak from fending off addictions to alcohol and nicotine.

As we charge the enemy each day, can we let them hear our War Cry?!?!

Our weapons of warfare are not carnal – but mighty through God!!! Prayer, fasting, Bible Reading and Bible Studies – but when we are facing the enemy on the Battlefront, we send fear through the enemy’s camp by letting him hear our War Cry!!

It is truly time for this sleeping giant to awake – Church – we MUST arise – God is soon to be calling His Bride Home and there are sooooo many lost.

Without hearing your War Cry, they will remain lost….

God speed,

Pastor Drake

From 2001 to 2006, the U.S. Army used the slogan of “An Army of One” – indicative of unity.

All through the Bible we read of an Army of the Lord. In Joel we discover that God considers His Army to be those not who simply “know” His Word, nor those that “read” or even “quote” His Word – but those that EXECUTE His Word. (((Joel 2:11 – And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?)))

Very clear to me does the Word of God express ACTION as required to be in accordance with His Word.

As soon as I typed that I thought of the word, “Reaction” – or could it have been typed, “Re-ACTION“???

I ask the simple thought provoking question – how do you react to God’s Word? Do you take ACTION or do you simply allow It to pass you over, not prompting any change? God forbid that we ever get to the place in our relationship with God and His Word that it does not instill and invoke some sort of ACTION when we read or hear it!!!

His Word must change me.

His Word must move me.

His Word must challenge me.

If I am ever to become what The Lord wants me to be, I must defy complacency. I HAVE to get past inactivity in my soul.

Occupying a Pew on Sunday Morning does not make me a Christian; no more than sitting in an airplane makes me a pilot!

I’ll go further – Your Church “attendance” doesn’t make you right with God any more than wearing a uniform makes you a Soldier!

To be in An Army of One, you must think like a Warrior, you must act like a Warrior, you must walk like one, talk like one, live like one – YOU MUST BE ONE.

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Sh’ma Yis’ra’eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.” – literally translated to be, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One”….

We MUST allow ourselves to be a Warrior in the Army of ONE.

God was in creation the Father for us, in the New Testament the Son with us and in today’s dispensation the Holy Ghost IN US!! “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” HE IS ONE!!!

And we are commanded to be ONE……..

ONE with Him.

ONE with His Word.

ONE in the Church. (In Acts 2, they were in ONE accord, in ONE place and then – the suddenly) If we are t expect the Suddenly to happen in our Church – we MUST become ONE….

Let the clarion call of the Holy host for unity, uniformity transform us to the revival our Forefathers of Pentecost once experienced!

Revival is here – we simply have to get rid of the “Ananias & Saphira” Spirit and the “Judas” Spirit that would try to creep its ugly head in to the Church….

Come on Holy Ghost!!!

God speed,

Pastor Drake