Mother’s Day 2024: Seasons

In trauma counseling, you need to revisit every wound in your life (relive it) and ask the Lord, ‘Where were You?’ God will show you He was there and He will help you overcome that trauma. 

A little girl had a traumatic experience at the age of 2. She nearly drowned. At the age of 4, she was still terrified of water. So, her parents helped her to face that fear. As she was dealing with that fear, taking her back to that awful day, her parents asked, ‘Where was God?’ That little girl saw Him right there with her and was able to overcome that fear, knowing that Jesus was right there with her, then and now, protecting her. 

Ecc 3:1-8 “For everything there is a season

 a time for every activity under heaven.

2 A time to be born and a time to die.

    A time to plant and a time to harvest.

3 A time to kill and a time to heal.

    A time to tear down and a time to build up.

4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.

    A time to grieve and a time to dance.

5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.

    A time to keep and a time to throw away.

7 A time to tear and a time to mend.

    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

8 A time to love and a time to hate.

    A time for war and a time for peace.”

We’ve gone through a cross. We’ve been through several battles.

Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment,

    but his favor lasts a lifetime!

Weeping may last through the night,

    but joy comes with the morning.”

Isa 43:1-7, 10-11, 16-21 “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

    O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

    I have called you by name; you are mine.

2 When you go through deep waters,

    I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

    you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

    you will not be burned up;

    the flames will not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord, your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;

    I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place.

4 Others were given in exchange for you.

    I traded their lives for yours

because you are precious to me.

    You are honored, and I love you.

5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

    I will gather you and your children from east and west.

6 I will say to the north and south,

    ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel

    from the distant corners of the earth.

7 Bring all who claim me as their God,

    for I have made them for my glory.

    It was I who created them.’”

10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.

    “You are my servant.

You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,

    and understand that I alone am God.

There is no other God—

    there never has been, and there never will be.

11 I, yes I, am the Lord,

    and there is no other Savior.

16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,

    making a dry path through the sea.

17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt

    with all its chariots and horses.

I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,

    their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.

18 “But forget all that—

    it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

19 For I am about to do something new.

    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

20 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,

    the jackals and owls, too,

    for giving them water in the desert.

Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland

    so my chosen people can be refreshed.

21 I have made Israel for myself,

    and they will someday honor me before the whole world.”

Phil 3:10-16 “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”

When you go through something hard, you’re fellowshipping with Him. 

Seasons come and go. We’re just somewhere in between. 

Sometimes, when you go through something, Jesus is speaking in a still, small voice in the midst of a storm. Take this truth home. He is speaking to you. You might not even realize what all you’ve been dealing with. There are people who are dealing with stuff and the devil takes this as an opportunity to attack a vulnerability. God will reveal to you when those attacks come. You can pray. He will give you direction as to what to do. 

Don’t get too busy. It’s not wrong to rest. However, you’ve got to keep listening to and for Jesus. We’ve got to ‘mother’ people spiritually. 

The Lord showed our Pastor’s wife a vision. She saw a church on fire with an umbilical cord attached shooting fire to Europe, shining bright. (These were churches being started.) 

This land belongs to Jesus. ‘In the beginning the Spirit moved over the waters…’ This whole world belongs to Jesus. It is under His authority. We are under His authority. We continue in Him. We are heirs to the Kingdom of God. 

We are joint heirs with Christ. This land is ours. 

In your daily decisions, will you tap into the Source of the River of Living Waters, or not? Choose daily to walk in His Spirit. It’s not our Kingdom. It’s His. 

This place where we are at now is a place of rest. It’s a place of doing, walking in His peace and rest. 

When you feel like an ant, rise up and realize you are a joint heir with Christ. 

In a vision, God showed the root system of His Kingdom and this church. The root system is healthy and very strong. It will flourish. 

Here is a short word from Rev. Charles Robinette: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=KsPBc6&v=452468783847866&rdid=HGMZL6J8cmvS0MOA

Heb 13:1-2 “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

The real world is the spiritual world. What you cannot see is more real than what you can. People are realizing this truth more and more. At the many attacks, we’ve handled it with grace. There is life in your soil. You will reap abundance. 

Isa 54:1-7 “Sing, O childless woman,

    you who have never given birth!

Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,

    you who have never been in labor.

For the desolate woman now has more children

    than the woman who lives with her husband,”

    says the Lord.

2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition.

    Spread out your home, and spare no expense!

3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams.

    Your descendants will occupy other nations

    and resettle the ruined cities.

4 “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.

    Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.

You will no longer remember the shame of your youth

    and the sorrows of widowhood.

5 For your Creator will be your husband;

    the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,

    the God of all the earth.

6 For the Lord has called you back from your grief—

    as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,”

    says your God. 

7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,

    but with great compassion I will take you back.”

When you go through something, the first thing you think of is not rejoicing. Yet, when you see beyond that trial, you see Jesus. God is doing something. He is strengthening you. He will multiply you. He will bring you to a good place. You will prosper. 

Rejoice because it is coming!

Psalm 57:7-8 “My heart is confident in you, O God;

    my heart is confident.

    No wonder I can sing your praises!

8 Wake up, my heart!

    Wake up, O lyre and harp!

    I will wake the dawn with my song.”

Revival will happen through your praise. 

Isa 55:12-13 “You will live in joy and peace.

    The mountains and hills will burst into song,

    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.

    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.

These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;

    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Imagine the thorns in your life. For every thorn, instead, you will have a beautiful myrtle tree. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What trials have you gone through? Have you asked Jesus to show Himself to you during those trials? How has Jesus used those trials to show His glory and goodness in your life?
3. Read Isaiah 55. What is God asking us to do in these verses? How do these verses change the way you think and live? How do these verses give you hope? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor’s wife, Layna LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am: The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

What is the Spirit of Christ?

Rom 8:9-17 “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” 

What is the Spirit of Christ?

1. Power of the Resurrection.
2. Guide, we are led by the Spirit of Christ
3. Adoption, because of Jesus, we are His sons and daughters. 

The most notable and significant event in history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s more historical and significant than His birth. Everybody is born. The resurrection is more impactful than His death, because everybody dies. The resurrection is death being rolled back.  We can’t revert death in a science lab. 

The Spirit that did that can dwell in us. 

Gen 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” If you can believe that, the rest is easy. 

This is the house of the Lord, a Spirit-filled house of the Lord. You are to participate in the things that God has for us. When the Word goes forth, something takes place when you agree with it. Faith matters. 

The Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God raised up Jesus from the dead, three days dead, revered completely. The stone was rolled away so people could see that Jesus was gone. 

That same Spirit can dwell in you. 

We have a new resurrection kind of power life. Jesus has given us this life giving power. The Spirit brings life. We can change the way we live according to the power of God. 

This means that a depressed person can have a better, more joy filled life. There is a Spiritual answer to every problem. This is life. You have access to that kind of power. Don’t let the devil lie to you.

We have a system where we say, ‘Hi, my name is such and so, and I’m an alcoholic.’ Jesus has set us free, completely. There are signs that show a person is slipping long before a person actually takes a drink. We are set free from sin. If you consider alcoholism as a disease, then the Spirit of Christ is the cure. 

Passed away is a euphemism for dead. Sin has passed away. After you have been touched by Jesus, you are changed. If you try to go back to your sin, it will be different.

There is always hope because of Jesus. 

The Holy Ghost ‘fell’ on people, like a tidal wave. The power of the resurrection is available to you. This is always available to you, no matter what else is going on in your life.

John 2:19 ““All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 

People didn’t understand what He was saying. He was talking about His own death and resurrection. We believe that the devil can talk through people. Why do we question if Jesus is speaking through people?

We are led by the Spirit of Christ. (However, it’s up to us to actually follow!)

Other religions have ‘spirit guides’. This is real, but make sure you’re led by the Spirit of Truth.

John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

It’s okay to enjoy entertainment, but be careful what you allow into your mind and life. 

‘Let this mind be in you, even the mind of Christ.’ We can’t understand the mind of God. We have no idea how to create a planet or get Jupiter to spin. However, we can have the mind of Christ.

The way we think matters. As we’re led by the Spirit of God, we walk in peace and truth. 

Rom 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

2 Tim 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Calling yourself stupid is NOT God’s will. Your thoughts matter. ‘I’m not good enough,’ that is NOT God’s thoughts about you. Don’t allow those thoughts to dwell in your mind.

1 Tim 4:1-5 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.” 

There are seducing, get-you-off-track, spirits that will pull you away from truth. It’s not about heaven or hell issues. Eating certain foods doesn’t matter nearly as much as knowing and following Jesus’ Spirit. Having a ‘spiritual checklist’ isn’t the same as having a close relationship with Jesus Christ. 

2 Pet 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.” 

If you don’t love the truth, God will turn you over to believe a lie. Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’ He didn’t say, ‘Let Me come along.’ He didn’t say, ‘Include Me in your life.’ He said, ‘Deny yourself and follow Me.’ 

Sometimes, we have a whole lot of activity, but we’re not actually following after Jesus. If you look around, is anything actually changing? Or are you just on a treadmill?  Is there a lot of activity, but no productivity? 

Before King Saul was king, God had good things to say about him. Saul was tall and a good kid. He obeyed his father and spent three days looking for donkeys. He was beloved by his father. 

1 Sam 9:27 “When they reached the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Samuel said, “Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God.”

Sometimes what is ‘best’ is not what is right. Sometimes, I feel like it’s best for me to continue to work and finish this project so that when we go on vacation we’ll have money for ice cream. BUT, the Spirit says, ‘Go home now and spend time with your family.’ 

1 Cor 2:14 “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”

God’s will and way may seem silly to you, but He has something for you. Follow His Spirit and actually be productive. 

His Spirit will help you prioritize.

Luke 10:38-42 “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Culturally, Martha did nothing wrong. Mary was supposed to help. However, the Spirit was saying something else. Martha’s spirit was so aggravated that she got angry at Jesus. Jesus’ response was, ‘If you’re led by the Spirit, you will have peace.’ Martha had chosen stress. Follow the Spirit. 

We receive the Spirit of Adoption. We get a little bit of the inheritance. Such love has been given to us. We get to be saved. We get Life.  

Meeting famous people might not change your life. It’s just a cool memory. However, we get to speak daily, throughout the day, with the King of kings. We are His children. We’re royalty because of what Jesus has done for us. You are the sons and daughters of God. 

Before Paul became an apostle of Jesus, he was knocked down to the ground by a great light. Jesus spoke through the light, ‘Why are you persecuting Me?’ 

Acts 9:3-5 “As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”

Don’t look down on yourself. Know that you are the child of God and He loves you. Follow His Spirit. Choose to live an abundant, good life. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What do you think about throughout your days? Are you following Jesus? What needs to change in your thoughts?
3. Read Rom 8. According to these verses, how are we to think and how are we to live?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am: The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Transmission: Doctrine of Laying on of Hands

Heb 6:1-3 “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”

There is a deeper realm that is available that we can tap into. It is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s not bad to receive, but there’s a ‘secret sauce’ in giving. There’s a blessing in giving and it’s not just money. 

The mere fact that the doctrine of laying on of hands is mentioned shows us there is a purpose to it. It is defined as an act whereby one person puts their hands on someone else with a definite spiritual purpose in mind. What you’re thinking about matters in this doctrine. 

Even in the natural realm, there is something in the brain waves when you think a thought. Science is exploring this now. Negative thoughts have vibrations, just as positive thoughts do. 

There’s another realm that supersedes this. A bad attitude won’t show up on an MRI. There is something happening inside of you when you have emotions–e-motion, Something is moving. We understand very little about this realm. This is still part of the natural realm. 

There is another realm, the spiritual realm, that is on another level from the natural realm. God’s thoughts are higher than ours. 

The universe isn’t measured in miles. It’s measured in how fast light travels, light years. 

Blessing is transmitting something spiritual to something natural. ‘God bless you,’ means something. We need to learn how to bless people. Speaking prophetically matters. 

Blessing and/or Transmitting, Acknowledging publicly, and to Inaugurate or Commission for ministry are three purposes of laying on of hands. 

Everything was spoken into existence except Adam. He was formed with hands. God touched man. The Spiritual and natural realm is all about God connecting with humanity. 

Lev 1:4 “Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the Lord will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him.”

Gen 48:11-20 “Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”

v12 “Joseph moved the boys, who were at their grandfather’s knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground. 13 Then he positioned the boys in front of Jacob. With his right hand he directed Ephraim toward Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand. 14 But Jacob crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys’ heads. He put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, though he was the younger boy, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, though he was the firstborn. 15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,

“May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham

    and my father, Isaac, walked—

the God who has been my shepherd

    all my life, to this very day,

16 the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—

    may he bless these boys.

May they preserve my name

    and the names of Abraham and Isaac.

And may their descendants multiply greatly

    throughout the earth.”

How you lay your hands on people matters. In this, it mattered greatly which hand was on which kid. 

v17 “But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused. “I know, my son; I know,” he replied. “Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. And his descendants will become a multitude of nations.” 20 So Jacob blessed the boys that day with this blessing: “The people of Israel will use your names when they give a blessing. They will say, ‘May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.’” In this way, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.”

Jesus talked about the thoughts and the spoken word. You can transmit your thoughts through laying on of hands. Jesus never laid His hands on demon possessed people (He just spoke), but He did a lot of healing through touch. 

Deut 34:9 “Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”

A spirit of wisdom was imparted through the laying on of hands.

Num 27:18-20 “The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. 20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.”

This is a transmission of authority through the laying on of hands. 

Faith can be transferred through laying on of hands. When the Kingdom of Heaven comes through your body, there is light coming through. Darkness doesn’t really exist. It’s simply the absence of light. We measure everything through how much light there is. It’s not about getting rid of the darkness, it’s about bringing in light. 

Let healing, Light, come into your body. 

God never created sickness. Because of sin, sickness happens. Sin is what turns down the light. 

The Three Purposes of Laying on of Hands:

1. Healing. Mark 16:17-18 “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” James 5:14 “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.” (You use your hands to pour the oil.) 

We miss out on what the Lord wants to do because of our own pride. Something from another world wants to come on you, but pride rejects it. You can make the Word of God of no effect because of your own thinking. Anointing of oil and the laying on of hands matters. We see more miracles overseas because there’s no other options. These are the places where doctors and hospitals are not.

2. Helping people receive something in the Spirit, such as the Baptism of the Spirit. There is a different experience Biblically from repenting and receiving the Spirit. Acts 8:17 “Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 “So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 19:4-6 “Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” 5 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.” 

Supernatural Gifts. These are given through the laying on of hands. We can’t get to the place God wants us to unless His Spirit is moving. If God’s Spirit is available, shouldn’t we want it? If all you want is miracles and food, you are walking in shallow waters. There should be hunger for spiritual things. Hunger and thirst after Jesus, after the supernatural. Rom 1:11-12 “For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” 1 Tim 4:14 “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.” 2 Tim 1:6 “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”

It’s so important to understand the Bible in order to stay on track and not go off the rails. In the Book, dead people lived again. 

3. Ordaining Elders. Acts 13:1-3 “Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.’ 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”

If you don’t have faith, don’t touch people. If you do, you’ve got something for others. 

It is important to understand this doctrine. Healing happens. Peter said, ‘Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, I give to you. Be healed in the name of Jesus.’ When the two touched, that man was healed. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. How have you been ‘turning down the light’ in your life? What do you need to change in your thinking in order to let more light shine through you and all around you?
3. Read Mat 5:14-16 and Gal 5:13-16. What do these verses say about letting your light shine and loving Jesus and the people around you more perfectly? How can you be more like Jesus, loving and drawing more people to Him? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am: The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Impartation

Deut 31:6 “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

‘You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce what you are.’ –John Maxwell

Deut 31:7-8 “Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

God wants to impart to you ‘no fear’. He is with you. He will not leave you. He will stay with you–forever and always. 

Josh 1:5-9 “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Don’t turn away from what you’ve been given. Don’t turn from what you’ve been taught. Think about what the Word of God actually says. Think about it, meditate on it. Keep it in your heart and mind. Then, do it. 

What do you need to be a missionary? The answer is in v8: ‘Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.’ 

If Jesus is with you, you can stand like a little kitty with a lion behind him. If something comes against you, let Jesus fight for you. ‘God is for you. What can be against you?’

Impartation is passing on something to someone. You can pass on a piece of land, a name, an anointing, authority. Police officers have both authority and power. The authority is shown through the badge and the power is on the hip (the gun). 

If you have His Spirit in you, you need to respond to Him throughout your day (and night) and walk in that Spirit. Choose to not be afraid and instead be faithful.

Scripture is full of examples of various impartations. 

Another way to think about impartation is ‘influence.’ The people you choose to hang out with matter. They influence you. They impart stuff to you. You need to separate from bad influences. There is power in separation. The reason you aren’t able to get over certain issues is because of the people you hang out with. You aren’t strong enough in your own power. If you separate, God will help you. 

Amnon had a friend.

2 Sam 13:1-3 “Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. She was a virgin, and Amnon thought he could never have her. 3 But Amnon had a very crafty friend—his cousin Jonadab. He was the son of David’s brother Shimea.”

Amnon committed a terrible sin because of the influence of his friend. 

Elisha was influenced by Elijah. Elisha hung around the prophet of God and had Elijah’s fingerprints all over him. He ended up with twice the anointing of Elijah. 

Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law.  Ruth chose her mother-in-law’s God to be her own. Because of that good choice in her life, she became the great, great, great grandmother of Jesus. 

The relationship you have today with Jesus just might be traced back to someone’s prayers. 

Heb 6:1 “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. 

The doctrine of laying on of hands is far more than healing. It’s also impartation. 

The Doctrine of the Laying on of Hands includes three things: 

1. transmitting spiritual blessing or authority, 
2. acknowledging publicly that there is something already received from God (public announcement), and 
3. publicly committing a person to God for some special ministry or task. 

The Doctrine of Laying on of Hands transmits blessing and authority. In the Old Testament there was a transfer of sin from the people to the sacrifice (the goat). This was all done through the laying on of hands. 

Jacob laid his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh.  

Be careful how you lay your hands on people. To lay your hands on someone’s head is taking authority over that person. Don’t lay hands on people if you don’t have faith.

Deut 34:9 “Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”

You can impart wisdom. Encouraging people with your mouth and spirit changes people. Spread the power of God while you transmit stuff. 

Paul wanted to lay his hands on Timothy to impart some spiritual gift. 

You are not the victim. Be careful. If you view yourself that way, you transmit that to others. 

David said, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not lack any good thing because his rod and his staff comfort me.’ The rod is for beating off the enemies. The staff is for the sheep to get back in line. 

Sheep dogs herd sheep a certain way. David said, ‘Everywhere I go, goodness and mercy follow me.’ Those sheep dogs’ names are Goodness and Mercy. God will get you where you need to be. 

Jesus said, ‘Come to me and drink…and out of you shall flow rivers of living water.’ Maybe you just wanted a drink, but Jesus wants to cause you to pass on a drink to others. We are called to be fountains. 

Peter walked on water and then fell. He reached for Jesus and was saved from drowning. In the name of Jesus, he then reached for a man who was crippled and lifted him up so that formerly lame could come into the sanctuary with him. 

We need each other. 

‘Such as I have, in the Name of Jesus, give I to you.’ 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What have you imparted to someone? What has been imparted to you? What will you do with that?
3. Read Romans 12. According to these verses, how are we to live? If we choose to live this way, what will we impart to others? How will our lives and those around us be changed?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am: The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Super Transformation

Super Transformation

Heb 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”

Rom 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Everybody loves superheroes. There is a reason Superman, Batman, Ironman, etc. are so popular. In the Bible, the disciples of Jesus were completely transformed, changed. The Apostle Paul was a terrorist until Jesus changed him. Peter was changed from fearful to fearless. 

Mark 14:66-72 “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.”

Peter completely went backwards and denied Jesus. He was so afraid. He feared for his life. 

Not even two months later…

In Acts 3, there is a story of a man who was healed in Jesus’ name by Peter and John. In Acts 4, Peter is brought before the priests and rulers. 

Acts 4:1-6 “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.”

Acts 4:7 “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”

Acts 4:8-12 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” 

Peter went from being terrified to bold. He got hold of the power of Jesus Christ.

‘Now when they saw the BOLDNESS of Peter and John…they marveled and recognized that they had been with Jesus.’

Something changed in Peter. He went from fearful to fearless. He went from being afraid of a young girl finding out about him being with Jesus to standing before the Sanhedrin, completely unafraid. 

‘Be ye transformed…’ That is talking about a metamorphosis, like a caterpillar to a butterfly. These creatures look and act and are completely different creatures. 

In Mark 14, Peter denied the Lord. In Acts 4, He professed the Lord. 

There’s another place where transformation is mentioned. However, this word actually has its root in the word masquerade. 

The devil ‘transforms’ himself, putting on a mask and pretending to be something he’s not. 

Just because you act like a Christian does not make you a Christian. You might go home to all kinds of sin. There is a difference between acting a certain way, wearing a mask, versus being actually transformed. 

Living for Jesus is more than just showing up for church once or twice a week. 

Peter says, ‘I’ve got news for you. I’m not the same guy I was in Mark 14. Who should I obey, man or God? I belong to Jesus and I fear Him more than men.’ 

What happened to Peter? Peter saw blind eyes see. He saw miracles. He saw a guy come out of a tomb that he had lain dead in for four days. All these things, he was an eye-witness. He walked on water to Jesus! He saw a Man control the weather with His eyes. He knew the teaching of Jesus. He saw the loaves and fishes of one small boy feed 5000 people + their wives and children. Yet, after seeing all this, he still denied even knowing Jesus. 

In fact, Jesus gave them the ability to perform miracles. Peter did that too. The power of God was flowing through them, but he still denied Jesus. 

What happened between Mark 14 and Acts 4? 

Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

This is the secret. Jesus gives power to be bold. We can do ‘all things through Jesus.’ 

There are four things to make this journey of transformation: 

1. Present Yourself to God. Come as you are. Don’t hide. He already knows. Rom 12:1 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” 
2. Let go of the world. In baseball, you can’t steal second base unless you get off (let go of) first base. Let go of the things you’ve been holding onto. Let go of the things you think you need and instead trust Jesus. Rom 6:12-13 “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” There are tough choices in life, but if you are not transformed, you will make wrong choices. 2 Cor 6:17 “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” It’s okay to reach for Jesus. Cry out to Him. He will respond. 
3. Put on Christ. Eph 4:24 “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Col 3:10 “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Isa 28:11 “So now God will have to speak to his people through foreign oppressors who speak a strange language!” Acts 2:4 “And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” Receiving the Holy Ghost gives so many benefits. John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”  1 John 4:4 “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
4. Move forward. Don’t move backwards. Phil 3:13-14 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” We are more than conquerors. Rom 8:38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Peter called Pentecost the beginning. 

Acts 11:15 “As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning.”

We are not moving backward. The best services are not behind us, but in front of us. The best really is yet to come. 

There are people who fight all kinds of things, everything from demonic addictions, sickness, awful circumstances. Jesus has the power to help. God wants to do things in people’s lives, but we must pray. We must tap into that power available to us in Jesus. Be filled with His Spirit. That’s where the power comes from. Walk in that Spirit, not your will, but His will. Follow. Let Him lead. 

It’s real and it’s good. 

Phil 3:14 “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What is keeping you from this ‘super transformation’ discussed above? 
3. Read Rom 8. Compare and contrast walking in the flesh vs. being filled with and walking in Jesus’ Spirit.
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am: The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Worth Fighting For

When I was in high school, my brother was very popular. I was ‘Little Vito.’ When a girl left a boy to be with my brother instead. So, that boy didn’t like him very much. The boy’s name was Raoul. Instead of fighting with my brother, he made fun of me. So, on my brother’s last day of school, he paid a visit to Raoul. A fight broke out. Teacher’s cars got dented. It was on the news. My brother’s motto was, ‘Mess with me, mess with my whole family.’ 

Some things are worth fighting for. Sometimes, you win when you walk away. Sometimes, it’s not time to fight. Be a bigger and stronger man by not engaging. When it comes to the devil, evil encroaching on my people, we don’t stand still. We’ve got a God who is powerful. We can fight on our knees in prayer. 

Sometimes, it is time to fight. The church is worth fighting for. 

What does ‘The Life Church’ mean? TLC is about the Christian life, the true purpose of life, the abundant life, the overcomer’s life, the peaceful life, the transformed life, a life of blessing, a life of the truth, a prayer life, a changed life, a found life, a life that is lived to the fulness, sharing life. It’s all about life. Thai is a hope filled life, not a hopeless life. The Life Church is worth fighting for. 

I believe in eternal life. I believe in a dedicated life. Let ‘The Life Church’ be more than just a name. Gathering together is supposed to be the people who will pray for you when you need it. There is a Book of Life and our names are written in it. 

This is worth fighting for. This isn’t about violence. It’s about being asleep when the distress call sounds. It’s not time to sleep! Find Robin and get going, Batman! There’s some Joker out there who’s causing trouble. The way we fight is prayer. 

It’s dangerous out there without a church. Paul said, ‘Those who have abandoned the faith… become like a ship without a rudder.’ Jude said, ‘to contend for the faith.’ 

1 Tim 1:18 “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;”

We help one another live as Christ wants us to live. The church exists to bring glory to God. In your life, you belong to something bigger. The church is the body of Christ. This is the Church. This is worth fighting for. 

When something comes against a brother or sister in Christ, it’s worth fighting for. 

The church provides guidance on how to live better lives. It provides encouragement. It’s a family. 

What is worth fighting for?

The church is worth fighting for, not fighting in. This is not about internal battles and struggles. We are not each other’s enemy. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. 

How do we fight? How should we react when we are under attack from the enemy? What do we do when people attack us because of our beliefs? Recognizing persecution is not fun. 

The Old Testament has different methods. 

Num 25:6-8 “And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.”

Sometimes, we fight battles that aren’t real because of misunderstandings and/or our emotions get the better of us. However, when a real enemy comes against us, we need to fight. 

How? 

Jesus said, ‘Forgive the people. Turn the other cheek.’ 

So, how do we fight? It’s not eye for eye or tooth for tooth. (That’s Old Testament.) Now, we bless our enemies. 

Mat 5:38-39 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Rom 12:20-21 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

It’s not about the storm, it’s about our response to the storm. We bless those who hurt us. 

Sometimes, it’s very hard to forgive. A girl drove with a suspended license and hit my father. Every bone was broken. It was hard to forgive that girl. My father survived, but it was miraculous. 

2 Tim 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Don’t quit. It’s worth fighting for. We serve a mighty God. We can’t be defeated if we stay anchored to the body (anchored in Christ to the body, His way).

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”

Jesse, David’s father, told him to bring his brothers some food. When he got to the battle field, he saw Goliath taunting the soldiers of Israel. 

David asked, ‘Is there not a cause?’ 

So, they let him fight the giant. Yes, today, it’s hard to serve God. Being a Christian is not popular, but God can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. The church gives purpose and life. ‘Is there not a cause?’ Is there not a reason to fight?

1 Tim 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Eph 6:10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

Sometimes, the battle is raging and we need a heart that is open to Jesus. We need to be the kind of Christian that has the whole armor of God.

There are three ways to fight: 

1. You need to fight in Prayer and Fasting. If you don’t pray, forget about it. Prayer is not just mindless repetition. A burden and passion is involved. Reaching for Jesus and connecting Him with a lost and desperate world. The church is worth fighting for. 
2. Read and Memorize the Word of God. When you fight in prayer, this is your sword. The Word of God is your weapon against the evil one. Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
3. The most powerful weapon you have to fight battles is Praise and Worship. That’s when chains fall off. Paul and Silus were chained and decided to praise and worship God. Their chains fell off! The whole earth started to shake. All of a sudden the chains on their hands and feet fell off. The enemy gets confused when you start praising God. When you’re in the middle of a battle and the enemy outnumbers you, if you praise God, the enemy gets confused at your celebration. The enemy started fighting each other. It took them 3 days to ‘spoil the enemy.’ God will fight your battles for you if you trust Him. 

In Joshua 10, enemy kings fought Israel’s friends. So, Joshua went to fight for them. 

Josh 10:5-11 “Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. 6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. 7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. 8 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.”

Psalm 149:1-9 “Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.”

If God’s people will praise Him, He will dispatch warring angels on our behalf. He will fight out battles for us. He is a shield unto us. 

The church is worth fighting for. Wake up. Recognize people need your prayers. It’s alright to admit it. We’ve got an obligation to pray in battle. You’re not on an island on your own. 

Sometimes, you have to fight tired. 

Sometimes, you have to realize that there’s ‘a hill of beans’ worth fighting for. ‘Cast your cares on Him’ and pray. Rise up to the battlefront and fight. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What in your life do you need to fight for? What do you feel from the Lord to pray about more? 
3. Read: 2 Tim 4:1-8. What did Paul mean when he said, ‘I have fought a good fight’? How can you apply these verses to your life? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Resurrection Power

Resurrection Power

Sometimes, what looks like a mess is the backdrop for a miracle. 

Did Jesus really rise from the dead? 

Mat 28:6 “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

The tomb of Jesus is uniquely empty. It is a historical fact that Jesus lived. It is universally accepted that He was an actual historical figure. Historians, including Jewish historians, admit that He did, in fact, exist. They all agree that He lived and was crucified under Pontius Pilot. Also, they agree that His disciples claim that He rose from the dead. 

The accuracy of the New Testament is being proved over and over again that it is completely accurate. In fact, the historical claims of the Bible have yet to be disproven.

There has never been a body found. People have said that the disciples stole His body. There was a marble carving found that has been translated as an imperial decree about the apostles of Jesus. It says that it is illegal to remove bodies from graves. ‘Wanted: Grave Stealers’ 

This was the story held at that time because the authorities could not produce a body. His disciple, Peter, preached that He was risen. Of course, this made His enemies upset. Because they couldn’t find a body, they had to go around telling people that the disciples stole the body. 

Another fact is that His disciples preached that Jesus was raised from the dead. They believed that He was raised from the dead and were tortured and died because they kept preaching that. 

Jesus really did walk the earth. There really was a cross. There really was an empty tomb. 

Pentecost is a celebration that takes place 50 days after Passover. On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God was poured out for the first time. The earth was baptized for the first time with His Spirit and then people were baptized. 

Jesus’ people have experienced that power for themselves. They have tasted the life-giving spirit of God.  

Acts 2:30-33 “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”

Rom 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

What raised Jesus from the dead? The Spirit. What is also available for you? The Spirit. 

Jesus said, ‘If you destroy this temple, in three days, I will raise it up.’ He was talking about His death. Jesus said, “I”. 

Col 1:27 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Jesus is all about HOPE. 

Why does hope come because of Jesus being raised from the dead? It’s because Christ is in you. This same power is available to you. 

It’s all about what is on the inside of you. That’s resurrection power. You might get knocked down, but because of Jesus in you, you can rise up. 

Micah 7:1-6 “Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first ripe fruit. 2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. 3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. 4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. 5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.”

However, check what comes next:

Micah 7:7-8 “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”

Not IF I fall, WHEN I fall, ‘I shall arise.’ This is because of the resurrection of Jesus. Because of His Spirit, we can get back up too. 

Doesn’t matter how hard you get hit, just get right back up. How? Jesus’ Spirit gives you power. 

1 Cor 1:22-24 “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

It’s the hope that’s in you.

Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Jesus breathed on His disciples and told them to receive His Spirit.

John 20:22 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”

The blood removes the shame of guilt and shame because our understanding of applying His blood to your life takes it away. 

Redeemed means ‘the act of exchanging a coupon, token, or voucher for a product or discount in order to save money or benefit in other terms’ (Talon.One definition).

1 Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

1 Cor 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Your body is a place where the Holiest of Holies is held. 

If you’ve bought a house, it belongs to you. You can do whatever you want to do with it, paint the walls whatever color you like, it’s your house. Jesus now owns you. He can do whatever He wants with you. He can paint the walls and change the furniture. Jesus wants to get rid of things in your life and bring new things in. Your body and spirit belong to Jesus. 

There is a story called The Good Samaritan. A man going from Jerusalem to Jericho got mugged. They stole from him and beat him up and left him half dead. (This is found in Luke 10.) A Levite ignored him, a priest ignored him, but a Samaritan rescued him. Religion didn’t save him, but a man who was a different race saved him. 

Jesus is the Good Samaritan. He sees us half dead. The devil, the world, and our own bad decisions, have nearly destroyed us. Adam walked out of the Garden half dead. His spirit died. 

If you take a flower out of the dirt and put it into water, everybody knows that the flower is already dead. It is beautiful, but without its source, soil, it will die. We still walk around in our bodies because we are two parts, body and spirit/soul. A doctor can’t remove the sin in your heart. You can’t fix a spiritual problem with physical means. If you’re dead spiritually, you can walk around, but you’re not really alive. Talk about zombies! It is only through the resurrection power of Jesus that we can be made alive again. 

There are two parts of your life, the flesh and the spirit. That spirit gets life through Jesus’ Spirit coming on and in you. He sets you free. It’s real and it’s beautiful. It’s love like nothing else. 

You can get your own resurrection because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. His power changes you forever. Studying His Word and getting to know Him is a beautiful, brand new life. 

You have an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ. It’s in the Bible and it’s real. It’s not made up. It’s for you and it’s true. You can get your own resurrection. It’s for you. 

‘If any man is thirsty, come…’ 

Jesus has already overcome any trouble that you will have to endure. You will get knocked down, but you’ll be able to get back up because of Jesus. 

That resurrection power is for you. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. Do you want this resurrection power for yourself? Are you willing to trust Jesus–with everything? What is holding you back? 
3. Read Mat 11:28-30. What will be yours because of Jesus? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Bishop Gonzalez Preaching

Mrs. Viki Gonzalez: 

There are Scriptures all through the Old Testament that talk about God’s love for us. Psalm 136 says, “His mercy endures forever.’ In Lamentations it talks about the ‘steadfast love of the Lord…’ These are the same words in Hebrew. 

I don’t just want to feel God, but I want to KNOW Him in every part of my being. This is why I worship Him and serve Him. In life so many people feel so unloved. When you do not know the love of God, you will feel ‘less than.’ God wants you to know His love. 

Eph 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

He wants us to know His love. That we may be filled with all the fulness of God. When you’re full of God… 

Eph 3:20-21 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

When His love works in us, we are able to move in that power that works in us. If you really love Him, if you’re filled with HIs love, you’re able to do, He is able to do through you, more than you can even ask or think. 

In this season (Easter), we remember what Jesus did for us. Remember that love of God. Know that love of God. It’s just amazing how much He loves us. 

Bishop Gonzalez:

A transition took place and a mantle was passed from Moses to Joshua. God carefully orchestrated that shift. He brings us to revelation. He operates systematically with His people, strategically with His people. God does not make mistakes. To charge Him with folly is an injustice to yourself because He is right all the time. 

A change took place, a prophetic utterance was placed on the shoulders of Joshua. He needed to know how to lead the people. At one particular instance, he called the people to circumcision. He gave them a new identity with a revelation of where they were going. 

Paradigms were shifting, mindsets were shifting. Joshua told the priests to take the arc of the covenant approximately ¾ of the way down the road. He told the people to prepare themselves, sanctify, separate themselves. They were about to go where they had never been. They were shifting ecosystems. The dessert was over. God was going to show them His power and wonders with prophetic implications. He would take them exactly where He had said He would. 

Eph 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Because of the DNA of the Spirit of God, when His Spirit came into us, to dwell forever in us, it was activated. Now the only thing that we have to contend with is our own will. 

We have a clear path, you cannot look back anymore. You must follow where the Lord leads. You cannot go to your destiny until you have released your past. 

This is a season of dominion and conquest according to the power that works in us. However, you can have a revelation of God’s plans for your life, but your will must be in line, submitted to Him. You will remain right where you’re at if you cling to your own will. You must have a vision and clarity. 

‘Eye hath not seen…’ 

At this point, we’ve operated on a physical level. We have difficulty connecting the dots. Spiritual expansion is costly. It will cost you more than you’re willing to pay. It demands that you shift the way that you look at things. It shifts the things you choose to hear that will influence you. 

You have to make up your mind that you will listen to the voice of the Spirit. Let that voice be the loudest. Allow Him to alter your identity. Come into alignment with Him. Now, there’s a new meaning to ‘walk in the Spirit’. It demands a different type of attention and sensitivity to the environment you are walking in. It was never about a specific city. It was about jurisdiction and authority. 

Some have gone astray. They are the victims of their own wills, being desensitized by the wrong voices. We stand at a very strategic, tactical place. This is the season that multiplication will happen. 

It will be all hands on deck. This will rise up. God will fill more than just a building. Understand what it means to walk in multiplication and acceleration. We will see things that we’ve never seen before. 

“Eye hath not seen…’ We are now out of the desert. Visitation always leaves a revelation. 

Don’t walk out with only a feeling. Walk out with a revelation. God wants to further your revelation. It’s about vision, a transitioning from the natural into the supernatural. It’s a different thing that God is doing. 

Before, we tried to reconcile with very little clarity. God doesn’t give us the whole picture, but He does give us enough clarity. You’ve got to look for the revelation. You’ve got to KNOW Jesus. It’s not about feeling Him. It’s about knowing Him. 

Even those who have His power within have got to have that authority. That DNA is trying to evolve and develop within us. 

Many people come into the house with needs. We have to stop just being consumers. We’ve got to stop just seeking His hands and start seeking His face. 

That’s not a relationship. Jesus wants givers, not just takers. Just because you’ve got a need, doesn’t mean that God will answer it the way you want. You might think you need something, but God is not your spiritual santa clause. 

Eye hath not seen. What are you seeing right now? What are you hearing? What do you really need to work on right now? 

But they are revealed unto us, unto those that love Him by His Spirit. It’s all about walking in revelation. When we walk in revelation, we don’t jump to conclusions. We submit everything to His will regardless. ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ Can you walk in that? Even though you want something so bad? 

We’ve got to be bigger than that. Moses went up to the gates and entered into the tabernacle and God met Him there. Revelation was brought at that point. God said, ‘I need you to remember that this is what you need to do.’ Moses blurted out from the innermost part of his heart, ‘Show me Thy glory.’ 

God’s glory is revealed through suffering. It’s a very painful process. It will cost everything. We are walking in revelation. What happens when this takes you to the foot of the cross? 

What happens when your identity as you have formed it clashes with the identity that God has for you? What happens when how you think about yourself is radically different from the way He sees you? 

Satan’s true assault was on Jesus’ identity more than any temptation. 

Do you have just the talk as a Christian or do you walk the walk? Don’t celebrate longevity, celebrate landmarks, revelation, Spiritual understanding, overcoming bad attitudes and walking in the peace of God despite difficult circumstances. 

Every day, do you know who you are? What is your true identity? 

Visit the garden and let your will die. Jesus fought as any man would, but He gave up His will. 

In that secret place the final chamber is the cross. Everybody needs to visit the cross, lay at the foot of the cross. Find your place at the cross, pick up your own cross, and follow Him. ‘Nevertheless I live, yet not I but Him who loved me and gave Himself for me.’ 

Moses said, ‘Show me thy glory.’ We’ve got it all wrong. No man can see His glory and live. When we say, ‘show me Your glory,’ we’re really saying, ‘Jesus, just kill me.’ Our idea of God’s glory has been lowered to just feelings and nice moments with Him. That’s a travesty! For me to live must be Christ and to die is gain. Don’t let me get in the way of His plan. 

‘If my people which are called by my name…’ Something has to die. If we seek His face, we have to die. Dominion and conquest and moving forward into your destiny, all of that is contingent upon a death of certain elements in your life. 

Prophecy will not be fulfilled until you take responsibility to give up whatever it is you need to give up. You can’t play the blab-it-and-grab-it game. It costs something. 

Salvation is free. But, that’s only where it starts. When you start living for God, it’s hard. It takes determination. It’s not for the weak. You’ve got to have tenacity. Living for God takes guts and commitment. It takes, ‘I don’t care what other voices say.’ God will replace whatever you have to give up with something better. 

If you want to enter this dimension, your vision and hearing have to change. 

Isaiah 6:1 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”

That vision took place through a death, the death of Uzziah. Uzziah was Isaiah’s cousin. They were blood relatives. Isaiah was called to be a prophet seven years prior to this vision. Why did it take seven years? Why did he finally look upward and say, ‘I am a man with unclean lips’? Why now? 

What was he doing for seven years? 

Who are we and what have we been doing? Whatever has to die, we need to let it die. That’s the only way God can take us where He has called us. 

Isaiah was just a man. Yet, he had great and wonderful prophecies. God doesn’t bless you because you’re so awesome. He blesses you out of your potential. God sees you through your potential and through the blood. Moses was a mess sometimes, but in the New Testament, he could do no wrong. 

We don’t get a pass because we’ve got Jesus inside of us. 

This is a very defining moment. Can God entrust you with what He is about to reveal? Can He entrust you with all the cool stuff He wants to show you? Are your eyes and ears ready? 

Upward look (to Jesus), inward look (to what needs to be crucified in you), and outward flow (to a world in desperate need of hope). 

We’ve become such a group of consumers that we have forgotten what it means to be followers of Jesus. We’ve become spiritually constipated. The Holy Ghost is looking for an outlet. He wants His Spirit to flow through you, not get stuck. 

‘In the last days,…’ Joel’s prophecy is quoted on the Day of Pentecost. Any church before Pentecost was too early, and any church after, was too late. We are the Descendants of, the continuation of. 

If you want to know what you’re supposed to be and do, get in the book of Acts. 

Job said, ‘Your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions.’ Our natural insight, perspectives and perceptions can no longer govern our choices. We must have supernatural instincts. God will let us see what He sees. Open our ears, Lord. 

You’ve got to come into alignment and believe. This is really really cool stuff. See visions, dream dreams. There is seeing in the natural and supernatural. There is dreaming in the natural and the Spirit. God operates in the supernatural dimension. Don’t get the two confused. 

See visions. Those two words could almost be the same, see/vision. In English, their definitions are nearly the same. However, they are two different Greek words. ‘See’ alludes to natural vision, every day vision. You observe and make choices and decisions naturally based on your observations. The problem is when we don’t understand there is a spiritual side, vision, that we need to tap into and develop. Our ability to operate in the spirit is stunted when we operate only in the natural. 

We have the Holy Ghost, but we don’t allow Him to affect our senses. No one can choose to do this for you. We walk and establish our theology and limit our faith to what we observe in the natural. 

In this dimension of acceleration and multiplication you must have spiritual vision. 

We shotgun hoping that we’ll hit something, scattershot. However, God wants to make us snipers. The master sniper is the most experienced at long range kills. He reads and measures the wind. He is looking for zero value wind, where it’s coming from, its velocity, because that factors into how that round will fly through the air. He understands the barometric pressure and knows the rules of engagement, the size and depth of the round he’s got. He knows what level of force is necessary in order to win the fight. 

Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight and expect to win. You need the right weaponry to neutralize your enemy.

Force continuum Rules of Engagement. We must understand how to war a good warfare. Don’t be entangled up with stuff. 

‘Vision’ in Greek changes everything. Spiritual Vision implies that what we are seeing is a direct result of a download from the Spirit. This is revelatory vision. We see exactly what God sees. Everything changes. You see things differently. 

This is what happens in the Spirit. You start walking in the Spirit. You initiate that process whenever it’s necessary. You see opportunities in the Spirit. This is how we begin to conquer. You see people in a whole new way. 

People cry aloud and we respond, but this is not God’s work if they’ve already been ministered to. They must take responsibility for themselves to seek Him. If they refuse and constantly want you to do for them, and you continue to minister, you’re wasting your time because you’re operating in the flesh. 

Paul said, ‘It’s not expedient…’ 

What happens when that shifts? You become more dangerous than you’ve ever been to your enemy. Your enemy can only count on the possibility that you’re not walking in this revelation. He will throw distractions all the time. (Just because someone demands your attention does not mean Jesus wants you to minister to them.) Listen for the Lord’s leading in response to a cry. 

God makes room for our mistakes. He will reveal exactly what we need. Take responsibility for learning to listen, learning to see what He wants to show. Seek His face. 

Those renditions of divine will, those things that seem to be encrypted in some form of typology sometimes, we can discern clearly God’s will, His purpose. He will show us the roots and how to deal with it. He will disseminate wisdom. He will show us how to handle stuff. He shows us how to fix the problems. We help lives get fixed. Now, we appropriate and take responsibility for what we see. Don’t be so busy about life and schedules and agendas and personal plans. Open your eyes. It’s inconvenient sometimes, but God has a good plan. We may not like God’s plans, but we must obey, because it’s good. 

If you want to be used by God, let Him disrupt your schedule. Do your part, obey Him. 

Our world is dying. Some situations are easier, a coworker who’s hungry for God. Yet, we’re not conquering what we should have conquered. We’re settling for a little piece of real estate. Multiplication and acceleration means you must position yourself according to what God wants you to do, and be. Walk with Him. Seek His face. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. How is your Spiritual eye-sight? How is your Spiritual hearing? What do you need to change in your life?
3. Read Romans 12:1-2. Are you willing to obey these verses? What needs to change in your life in order to obey these verses?
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Mrs. Viki Gonzalez and Bishop Rick Gonzalez.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook and Bible studies on Wednesdays at 7 pm (in person).  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

Sunday Service (YouTube) and Saturday Service (YouTube)

We would love to see you!

The Parable of the Tomato

When Pastor Ben was a boy, he didn’t like tomatoes. However, during COVID, he started a garden, because there wasn’t much else to do. The easiest thing to grow in a garden is tomatoes. It was through that research and trial and error that he found some favorite tasting tomatoes. 

There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes. There are cherry tomatoes, red tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, etc. With heirloom tomatoes, you can take the seeds out, plant them, and get heirloom tomatoes next year. With a genetically altered tomato, you might not get the same type of tomato next time. Genetically altered tomatoes aren’t bred for taste, but rather for shelf life, pretty color, shape, etc. 

Heirloom tomatoes taste better. 

It is not as easy as it seems to garden. The sun gold cherry is one of the best tasting. Pastor Ben’s favorite is a cherokee purple tomato. 

John 15:1-7 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

A plant, a tomato plant, is designed to have tomatoes. Ultimately, the point of tomatoes is to grow fruit with seeds to have more tomatoes. 

You are part of a vine. A branch by itself will not produce anything. It’s just a stick. If it’s connected to the vine, it will produce fruit. 

We are supposed to be connected to the ‘Source’ so that we can produce fruit just like a tomato. John the baptist talked about it. Jesus talked about it. 

In Mark 11, Jesus sees a fig tree with beautiful leaves, but no figs, no fruit. It was lovely to look at, but it wasn’t doing what it was created for. So, Jesus cursed it. 

In the Bible, if something is repeated, that means it’s important. Over and over in Scripture, we are told to produce fruit. 

So, how do we produce fruit? What are some issues that you can have that will keep you from growing? 

Something that will keep a tomato from growing is growing too many leaves and getting too tall. A tall, leafy tomato plant doesn’t produce tomatoes. 

In order to keep a tomato plant from getting too tall, you’ve got to prune it, cutting some leaves off and making it shorter. Cut all of the ‘sucker’ plants off. Those suck energy away from making tomatoes. Prune away anything that distracts or takes away just because the plant wants to get bigger. 

What are the things in your life that suck away from you growing fruit? 

Gal 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

If you have patience, are people won over to Jesus? Yes. Without patience, people don’t want to be around you, much less trust what you have to say about Jesus. This fruit of the Spirit wins people over to you and then to Jesus.

So, you’ve got to get rid of those ‘selfish’ leaves from out of your life that keep you from developing fruit. 

Some tomato plants are really hard to grow. Some are particularly prone to blossom and rot. It’s really gross. As the tomato grows, at the tip where the flower used to be, it starts to rot. Tomatoes get blossom and rot because they are lacking in calcium. This isn’t from the soil. The problem is the calcium is not getting from the roots to the tomato. 

The key to the fruit is in the root. 

Certain tomatoes don’t have a very deep root system. The help for that is a root stock. A few of those help the main tomato plant produce fruit. You cut off a part of the plant, take the stem, and tape it to the root stock plant. The tomato plant will merge into the root stock plant. It can pull from the root stock. It’s connected to a better source that enables and empowers. This is called grafting. 

Rom 11:17 “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;”

Unfortunately, just because you get grafted into the right place, doesn’t mean you will automatically have great fruit. Challenges are not suddenly over. 

Even with grafting, you’ve still got to get those nutrients where they need to go. You’ve got to have consistent watering. 

You can apply this to people in consistency in the watering of your own roots in Jesus. This is through consistent connecting with God. 

So, grafting is like your initial salvation. Watering is keeping a consistent connection to God. Even that is not quite enough. 

You can take a tomato plant and bury part of the stem with dirt because the fuzzy parts will grow roots when buried. Being grafted in and buried too much can cause the little tomato plant to pull from the weaker root source. 

You can apply this to you by making sure you don’t draw off of the wrong thing. Our own fuzzy furs can still grow the wrong roots. Your root system needs to draw from the right sources. Those things that don’t help you grow good fruit need to get cut off. 

You are a little tomato plant. You have some gardening to do, some tending that needs to happen in your life. If you become so focused on building up yourself, your own kingdom, then pruning must take place. You’ve got to focus on growing fruit for the Kingdom. 

Take time to self examine. What is your source? Are you grafted into the Spirit of God? If it’s just you, trying to do your own thing, you’ll get blossom and rot. You won’t have good fruit. 

Without good roots, you won’t have good fruit. 

Consistent watering is necessary to avoid stunting your own growth.

Cut off those bad habits that will keep the good roots from growing. 

Examine yourself. Where are your roots? Are you consistently getting enough water? Are you avoiding the wrong things in your life? Are you producing good fruit? 

As you think about your own life, the things that you produce, are you producing love, joy, peace? Are you producing patience? Is there so much fruit that people can’t help but notice and want to be with you, to be like you? Are you producing self-control so much that people want what they see in you? 

It is easy to focus on the wrong things. It’s easy to lose connection with Jesus. We need that constant, consistent connection with Him. Let there be a lot of good fruit, so that God’s Kingdom grows. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. How is your ‘fruit’? Are you getting enough ‘water’? Are your ‘roots’ healthy? Are you growing good ‘roots’? Are there any changes you need to make in your thinking/habits? 
3. Read Romans 12. What are the instructions in these verses? What are we to think about? How are we to live? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Ben Nolan.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11 am (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook and Bible studies on Wednesdays at 7 pm (in person).  

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!

Going the Extra Mile

Many sayings today have Biblical origins, ‘Weighed in the Balance,’ ‘By the skin of your teeth,’ ‘to put words in someone’s mouth,’ ‘at your wits end,’ ‘a drop in the bucket’, ‘pearls before swine’, ‘blind leading the blind’, ‘to wash one’s hands of the matter,’ and many more. 

The one to focus on right now is ‘Go the Extra Mile.’ 

Kids Game shows were really great in the 1990’s. Each episode of Nickelodeon Guts had different obstacles to be overcome. These kids went the extra mile in order to win. At the end, the contestant with the most points would win a medal and a glowing piece of a radical rock trophy. Kids from all over the world came to compete. 

Legends of the Hidden Temple was another game show. This started with crossing a moat. Then, a giant talking rock would tell a story and ask questions. The first team who got three right answers got to overcome various obstacles. It was quite grueling. At the end was the Temple of Light, a giant, two-story obstacle course. If you got through the temple and retrieved the mystery object, you got another prize. 

What motivated these kids to go the extra mile? 

Was it the prizes, the fame, the parents pushing them? Whatever the motivation, these kids went the extra mile. They did more than was expected, more than most. 

Mat 5:38-42 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

During this time in history, it was common for Roman soldiers to conscript jews to carry their equipment for one mile. If a jew was alone and had his own stuff, they had to leave it, carry the Roman’s stuff, and then go back to get his own and go his way. 

1. It is not healthy or prudent to carry someone else’s baggage without putting down your own first. 
2. Serving out of a sense of obligation does not devalue the blessing to the person you are blessing/serving. 
3. You will most likely be unfilled doing just the bare minimum. 
4. As a Christian, if you feel like serving is below you, you have missed it.
5. Retaliation is a reaction born from humiliation. You will not retaliate if you choose to not be humiliated. 

When Jesus was on trial, He opened not His mouth. He took verbal and physical barbs, yet He didn’t speak. He knew He would be justified. He knew the evil He was experiencing would be turned around. 

Jesus wasn’t being a pushover. He was showing what it takes to love your neighbor and follow peace. 

Mat 5:43-48 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

It is easy to love people who love you back. But, being in the church is not supposed to be easy. We don’t choose who needs the church or what their needs are. We don’t get to play ‘Select-a-Saint’. We don’t get to customize our congregation. It is not up to us to be spiritual bouncers. The church is a place of refuge. How could we refuse those who need refuge?

We get to choose to love those who persecute us. We get to choose to treat others with the love the world has not shown them. We get to be a church that goes the extra mile. 

Mat 25:31-39 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37  Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’”

When did we go the extra mile? 

Mat 25:40-46 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’ 41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[g] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

You have no idea what you are sowing into when you bring someone a home-cooked meal or offer to babysit for overworked parents. You have no idea how you will impact others by your serving. 

Gal 6:1-3 “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”

Context is very important in your study of the Bible. A few verses before and a few verses after will explain so much. Take the time to see it. 

‘If you think you are above going the extra mile…’ It’s not up to us to be selective about who we serve. Let’s just serve. Jesus went out of His way to heal or serve or teach or minister to just one. He went out of His way to the Samaritan woman. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He went the extra mile. He resisted the devil while fasting for 40 days. He could’ve done it in a spectacular way, but He didn’t. He modeled for us what we could do. 

Jesus is the perfect example of a good boss. He won’t ask us to do something that He didn’t already do. 

John 15:13 “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

If Jesus did that for us, what is our excuse for not going the extra mile? 

For some, going the extra mile means a paradigm shift. For others it means going to God in prayer. It means losing something, giving up something. 

Mat 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

You might lose out in the short term, but the Lord will restore that and more. You may end up at a loss for a short time, but soon, you will be back in the black. Go the extra mile and see what God does in your life. 

Seek first the kingdom of God. 

Become more kingdom minded and less self minded. There will be people coming that have been rejected by the world. These are the ones who need our ministry. They need to meet people who care about them. Reach for the ‘least of these’. Help people to feel loved and valued. 

Pastor Michael’s parents have gone the extra mile in raising him. His mother hasn’t hesitated to help or give to those in need. What an example! 

Learn to recognize the needs of people around you. Then, respond with, ‘What can I do?’ Jesus has gone the extra mile for us. What can we do to go the extra mile for others? 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What really spoke to you in this message?
2. What are some needs of the people around you? What is Jesus leading you to do to meet some of those needs?
3. Read Psalm 46. Who is our help? Knowing the riches available to us because of He who loves us so much, how can we be a blessing to those around us (especially those who don’t know Him)? 
4. How can you encourage someone else with this message?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Michael Lagle.

If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook located at 1925 Cherry Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062.

We have services on Sundays at 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm (in person and online): The Life Church of Northbrook. 

Instagram: tlcnorthbrook  

We would love to see you!