Sunday Sermon Summary: "The Voice"
Praise Tabernacle International, Plantation, FL.
Pastor D. H. Dawkins
Today’s Sunday service topic focused on the necessity of our VOICES!
Key verses-Luke 3:2-18 (KJV):
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
This was a season of advent. John The Baptist was preparing for the first arrival of Jesus. The first coming of Christ was with the purpose to save, and He came by water.
The second coming of Christ will be to judge, and He will arrive by fire (Read your Bible).
Pastor expressed how John The Baptist lineage was not really discussed. John was actually accustomed to being alone, in the desert. Everyday he spoke with GOD because he has no one else to speak to. During John’s season of being in the “desert,” he had comfort, and clarity. During seasons, there is testing. The result of testing are the people that are present, and absent in your life. As you are going through your tests, those around you are being tested as well. Unfortunately we sometimes place permanent titles, in temporary places. Remember as you are going through, you will take what you need, and come out wiser, and stronger.
Are you able to pass someone else’s test? Can you endure the desert season with them?
John was alone. No one passed his tests, but GOD was with him! He learned to hear the prophetic word from GOD. When he started to grow, he preached with no audience.
Your voice does not go higher than your experience. Malachi was the last one to speak, and that was 400 years before John’s time. When John began to speak, he had prophetic weight! Why? Because GOD’s’ hands was on him. When he spoke, it called those who were spiritually connected with him. Remember, he was in seclusion. John was not immersed by others. He was not validated by others. He was authentic! So when he spoke, it held weight because it was GOD APPROVED!
Humanity is still looking for THE VOICE! Whether it is in politics, education, or entertainment. A voice is being sought after.
John can be described in one word: PREPARE. Prepare in the wilderness! Allow your heart, mind, heart, life, and voice to be prepared, so GOD can live through your imagination.
Will we get the message right? Will we get the validity right? Practice “freedom of thought” more than you practice “freedom of speech.” Authenticity requires experience. An echo is seen as mimicking someone else’s voice. As mentioned in last week’s summary, He had to let you live so your voice could be heard! Your voice is necessary! Some hearts are voice activated! (Selah!) There is a heart assigned to your voice! No echos are needed here!
Your voice gives:
Identity- people will find who you are
Influence- people will follow who you are
Impact- people will be faceted by who you are
Your voice will out live you.
Please keep in mind that there must be voices you too hear. If you do not react to voices—then you are idolizing yourself. You cannot live without voices speaking over, and to you.
No John. No Jesus.
John was the preparer, and Jesus the promise. John was the announcer, and Jesus the arrival. John was the forerunner, and Jesus the fulfillment. John was the messenger, and Jesus the manifestation.
John got his name when he began baptizing people. The concept here was when people went into the water, and came back up, they would leave their sins in the water. When Jesus came, John did not know what to do. Why? Because Jesus had no sins! He was pure! When John led Jesus down into the water, Jesus came back up with everyone’s sins! (GLORYYYY!)
When this was done, John knew his time was over, and his call was complete. There are time limits to our assignments. As Jesus became greater, John became lesser, and “disappeared into the background”; giving Jesus the center stage.
When you use your voice:
Heaven backs you up!
Earth hears you!
Hell backs up!
Life Application
It was during this “season of desert” that John became equipped with what he needed in order to fulfill his purpose. There will be times that GOD will allow you to be with yourself. Away from others, and distractions. Just Him, and you! (Sounds like Singlehood to me.) It is during this time that you are sharpened, and matured. You experience growth, knowledge, and wisdom. You are validated in GOD, and in Him alone. Your voice is birth here. What a precious time it is! We were all placed here to complete the assignment, and purposes that were given unto us! We must understand that we are all connected, and therefore IT IS GREATER THAN YOU! We have people to bring to Thee Kingdom, and places to glorify GOD! As Pastor expressed, we are the voice for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! For it is written: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14, KJV).
How will Thee Gospel be spread if we refuse to do our part?
How will Thee Gospel be spread if we refuse to speak?
How will Jesus return, if His Bride is not ready?
Someone needs to hear from you.
Selah...♡
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