Welcome to another Sermon Recap!

In the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart, we witness the power of one individual’s existence. The main character, George Bailey, reaches a point where he contemplates suicide, feeling that his life has no purpose. However, an angel appears and shows George what life would be like if he had never been born. The consequences of his absence are: his brother’s life is lost, the town falls under the control of  a greedy individual, and his loved ones suffer horribly. This revelation teaches us a valuable lesson: each life has the potential to make a huge difference. This is the idea we will be exploring today!

Integrity and Character

Audie Murphy, an amazing man buried in Arlington Cemetery, serves as one example of integrity and character. He turned down cigarette commercials because he understood the influence he held over young people. His selflessness and sense of responsibility were evident in this decision. Murphy’s bravery and service in WWII earned him 3 Purple Hearts and showed how one person’s determination and sacrifice can make an incredible impact on the world.

The Power of Surrender

D.L. Moody, a renowned preacher, exemplified the potential of a person who fully surrenders to God. Despite lacking formal education and good speaking skills, Moody’s dedication to spreading the Gospel led him to shake two continents and win over a million souls. His life reminds us that it is not our qualifications or abilities that determine our impact, but rather our willingness to surrender to God and allow ourselves to be vessels for change.

One Vote

History is filled with examples of how one vote can alter the course of nations. From the execution of King Charles I to the choice of the English language in America and the election of governors, these instances show the significance of individual participation in shaping the world around us. Every vote carries weight and can determine the destiny of a nation!

Answering the Call

From the Bible, we come across people like Noah, Esther, and David, who embraced their roles and made a difference. Noah (Genesis 6:5-8) was faithful to build the Ark. This saved his family from the Flood. Esther (Esther 4:14,16) had courage to approach the king on behalf of her people. This saved the Jews from destruction. David (1 Samuel 17:45) fearlessly faced Goliath. This saved the children of Israel from the Philistines at this time. These people demonstrated the power of answering God’s call and fulfilling the purpose He had for their lives. Their examples encourage us to accept our own unique roles and not harden our hearts, for we too have the potential to change lives like these people did if we surrender to God.

As we reflect on the lessons shown to us by multiple examples, it becomes clear that every life has purpose and the ability to make a difference. Our actions, no matter how small, can create a ripple effect and touch the people around us. Let’s remember that integrity, surrender to God, and a willingness to answer His call are catalysts for change. Today, let’s be grateful for our role in God’s plan and strive to be one that makes a Godly, positive impact in the lives of others.

Remember, as D.L. Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do when a man fully surrenders to Him.”

Pastor Anthony Wynn

After spending some years serving the Lord, there comes a moment when you might pause and ask, “Lord, what now?”

You’ve made significant changes in your life and you strive to live a sanctified life following your salvation. But how can you get closer to God? How can you reach the next level in your walk with Him? In this blog post, we will explore ways to deepen your relationship with God and embark on a path of growth. For most of this message we will use Psalms 42:1-5,7.

Knowing God Better

To draw closer to God, it is essential to get to know Him on a deeper level. He desires your love, friendship, and most importantly, your heart. While God is infinitely higher than us, He reveals His character, passions, and desires through His Word. Spend time studying on the Scriptures, for it is where God reveals Himself to you.

Growing in Love

As you develop a deeper knowledge of God, your love for Him will naturally deepen as well. Your desire to align with His will should outweigh your personal desires. Christianity is not solely about your pursuit of God, but rather about God’s relentless pursuit of you. He chased after you to the point of dying on the cross, desiring a relationship with you. Acknowledge His pursuit and respond by seeking Him wholeheartedly.

Seeking Holiness

Approach God with a genuine desire to be holy at any cost. Prioritize holiness over temporary happiness and ask Him to make you holy, regardless of your emotional state. A.W. Tozer said it like this: “Be assured that in the end, you will be as happy as you are holy and for the time being let your whole admission be to serve God, and be Christ-like.”

Quotes on Deepening You Walk with God

In your journey toward a deeper relationship with God, you might take some inspiration from the wisdom of others:

• D.L. Moody: “The world has yet to see what will happen when a man truly gets on fire for God.”
• Henry Ford: “Those that always walk with God reach their destination.”
• Leonard Ravenhill: “Smart men walk on the moon, and daring men walk on the ocean floor, but wise men walk with God.”
• Elisabeth Elliot: “If my life is broken when I give it to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will only satisfy one little lad.”

Healing and Restoration in God’s Presence

Just as the wounded deer seeks water to clot its bleeding, we need to thirst for God with a desire that surpasses everything else. In His presence, wounds are healed, dreams are restored, and we find peace. Run to Him, not just for a casual drink of water but as a matter of life or death (Psalm 42:1).

Deep Calling Unto Deep

God noticed David’s hunger for Him and commended him for his devotion. In Psalm 42:7, “Deep calleth unto deep,” God acknowledges the depth of David’s desire for Him. As you read through David’s life in the Bible, you will find at least five aspects of David’s relationship with God:

• David made God feel needed.
• David captured God’s attention by giving Him his all.
• David worshiped God wholeheartedly.
• David fought with integrity even when no one was watching.
• David loved his enemies, displaying a heart aligned with God’s own.

Growing closer to God requires intentional effort and a hunger for His presence. Seek to know Him better through His Word, and grow in love and holiness. Let your pursuit of God be fueled by a genuine desire to be deeply rooted in your relationship with Him, and watch as in your Christian walk you take on more joy, peace, and fulfillment. Remember, as you deepen your roots in God, your life will bear fruit that helps not only yourself but also those around you.

Thank you so much for reading. I go into more detail about how some aspects of our spiritual walk can be represented by the different parts of a tree (fruit, leaves, branches, trunk, and roots). I would love it if you could check out the sermon below. As you listen, I pray this message encourages you to strengthen your walk with God and grow in wisdom and truth as you seek Him wholeheartedly!

Pastor Anthony Wynn

If you know you have received the Holy Ghost, take a moment and praise the Lord for this wonderful gift!

John 7:37-39 – “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Ephesians 5:18. Acts 2:16-18. Imagine people so full of the Spirit of God that the sick recovered when those people laid hands on them. Imagine people so full of God’s Spirit that they prophesied of things to come and edified the body of Christ. There’s always a need for more people like that! But to be more like this, our flesh my decrease that the Lord can increase.

It isn’t always the devil we fight against.

A lot of the battles we face stem from our flesh at war with the spirit. The spirit may want to seek and pray to God, but the flesh often wants to do its own thing that has nothing to do with God. But the more we get in the altar and seek God, denying our flesh, the more God can increase in our lives.

The Holy Ghost is more than speaking in tongues.

There is no way we can understand and know all there is to know about this limitless God in the few years we live on this Earth. God has so much in store for us! How amazing would it be for us to get so close to Him that we started walking like Him and loving like Him! Imagine if could get so close to God that He could send us to help heal the broken and trust us to share His Word with a soul needing to hear from Him!

Not only does the Holy Ghost give you the ability to be a greater light in someone’s life, but it also helps you! When you face mountains too high or loads too heavy, the Holy Ghost gives you strength to be able to deal with things in life that are difficult. Not only that, the real Holy Ghost will save you and teach you how to walk and talk. We can only receive this if we are willing to spend time with God and seek Him. Because the more we seek Him, the more we find Him.

The Holy Ghost will renew you.

A car can’t run on one tank of gas forever. Eventually, that gas runs out and the car needs to be taken back to the gas station to be refilled. When we witness to the lost and reach out to the broken, we are pouring out of ourselves to help those in need. We are giving of ourselves. When we do things for God, it will cost us something, but it will drive back the darkness! Just like the car, eventually we will start to run low and feel empty. Run to God, my friend! Because just like taking that car to the gas station, we can be renewed in strength to keep going when we go to God and allow Him to fill us with His Spirit!

The Holy Ghost will lead you and fight for you. It will teach you and warn you to things going on around you and your loved ones. The devil is working all around and we need the Holy Ghost to make it through this day and age.

The devil will try to torment your mind.

When we work for God and things don’t turn out the way we think they should, the devil with throw things our way to discourage us and beat us down. Sometimes we may begin to wonder why we are in such a mess if God really loves us. My friend, do not let those thoughts fester! Shut them down and do not let the devil torment your mind and get you angry at God. The Holy Ghost can help you to learn to be content when He moves and when He doesn’t. We can learn to be content by making ourselves decrease so that the Lord can increase!

God is calling YOU.

If the devil can take a life over and destroy other lives, you better believe God is greater and we can be so full of Him that we can cast out devils! If you’ve never known anyone that full of God, why not let it be you? Acts 5:15. Peter, the same disciple that denied Jesus, ended up getting so full of God that his shadow was bigger than disease.

Come as you are to God, His love will save you! But if we are going to cast out devils and heal diseases, then we will have to decrease so that God can increase in our lives.

So, I ask, how much of Jesus do you want? It will cost you some to get to the level God is taking you. You are going to have to fight some demons, powers, and principalities. God is calling you. These things that are consuming you, they have to loose you and let you go. The Master has need of you!

If you find that you’re not so hungry for the Lord or you don’t find yourself seeking Him like you used to, let me tell you, if He touched you once, He can touch you again. God is limitless and has so much in store for us! Don’t lose your hunger for God, dear friend! The Holy Ghost doesn’t stop with speaking in tongues. There’s more where that came from! He will be strength to you and comfort you. He will lead you and reveal mysteries to you. Together, let us seek God and stir our hunger back for Him!

Ephesians 3:19 – “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Pastor Anthony Wynn