R U Ready for Your Hero?

Christmas Message delivered by Pastor Clarence Walker of Fresh Anointing Christian Center on Wednesday December 29, 2010 (Sunday service cancelled due to severe snow storm)

Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1-11; Psalm 43:3

In a conclusion to the previous two messages on Evangelism, we now focus on the objective of the Magi's journey of following the Light.

It is important to note that the Magi came from a line of trained "magicians", astronomers. One of instructors that influenced their school of thought was Daniel who was appointed leader over the Magi 500 years before they came to jerusalem. (See Daniel 4:9). This means that the Magi who found Jesus were trained under the school of Daniel, a man who knew God.

The important thing to remember is to make sure that as you follow the light, you have to realize that at the end of the Light is a Hero.

There are important steps to consider as you follow the Light:

Reviewing the Light (Mt. 2:1-2) - You must know you are following the Right light.

Revealing your Longing (Ps 42:2) - Following your light reveals your longing for worship. Everyone has a thirst, but many attempt to quench it with the wrong king.

Rejecting the Liar (John 8:44) - Like Herod, there will always be a liar between your longing and your finding the King. In order to avoid being tricked by the "lying king" (Satan), you must break all allegiance to Satan.

Reversing the Latitude - To find the right king, you have to go in a different direction. The star appeared in the East, but traveled North to South to Bethlehem and stopped. Traveling on the regular route will not get you to an extraordinary destination. You must be willing to travel unusual directions.

Reaching the Lodging (Mt 2:11 ) - Your journey has a specific destination that is exactly where God wants you to be. You will know you are in the right place because this is where the Lord dwells.

Receiving the Lord (Is 9:6) - The goal of the journey is to find yourself in the presence of the Lord jesus Christ, your TRUE hero. Here is where you will find everything you need.

Winning Stars-Evangelism Part 2

Message delivered Sunday December 19, 2010 by Pastor Clarence Walker of Fresh Anointing Christian Center

This week's message was a continuation from last week.

Key Scripture References: Matthew 2:9-10, Daniel 12:3

Am I a star for Jesus? Do I give off the Shekinah Glory of God to those around me?

The star of Jesus that the Magi saw had specific characteristics.

1) Habitation

The Shekinah Glory that inhabited His star led people to a specific
location, it moved as God said move and stopped as God said stop.
As a star for Jesus, I must lead others to Him, moving when He says move
and stopping when He says stop.
I am the only star for Christ that some will see. I must allow the indwelling
Spirit within to shine out to others I encounter. I am a vessel of
God's Shekinah Glory.

2) Illumination

What do people get motivated to do when they watch me? Am I a star
that's worth following? Does my life provide a contrast to darkness?
As I practice a lifestyle of doing what I know is the right thing, I am
constantly reminded that only God can demand light from my darkness.

3) Mobilization

His star moved. The reason the Magi were able to follow it, was because it
moved. It was not stagnant or stuck. As a star for Jesus, I have go before
others, taking the lead to move in unfamiliar places.
One purpose of the Great Commission(Mt. 28:16-20)is to get Christians, who
are getting FAT of of the Word, mobile.
As His star, I am to move with intention. As I go, I am to "tell"
others about Christ intently persuading them to follow Him. It is not
enough for others to see me, but to ultimately see Christ. My words, and my
life, ought to lead others away from the world and towards Jesus.

It is only in Jesus that others will be able to be delivered from their darkness.

Evangelism

Message delivered by Pastor Clarence Walker of Fresh Anointing Christian Center on Sunday 12/12/10

Scripture Reference:Matthew 2:1-8
Today's message connected the story of the Magi and the Star with evangelism in today's world.

In regard to evangelism, there are many effective methods, but one of the most effective is relational evangelism.

R-relational
E-evangelism
A-actively
C-converting
H-hearts

Relational evangelism is sharing the Gospel with people in your direct sphere of influence, i.e. family, coworkers, friends, classmates, etc. In this group are people who are ONE key ingredient away from accepting the salvation of Christ -- that ingredient is my testimony. People right around me are in pain and in crisis, and only need to hear what Jesus has done in my life in order to begin to follow Him to their own salvation and deliverance.

Just as the Magi followed the star to find Jesus in Bethlehem, I am to be the "star" that others follow today to find Jesus and His righteousness.

How can I be that "star"?
1) Overcome my need to be seen and up front.
2)Follow Daniel 12:3
-be wise by making soul-winning my priority (Proverbs 11:30)
-shine bright by standing out among others by my integrity
-lead and turn others to righteousness by what I say and how I live


The Magi didn't follow just any star; being a "star that others can folow" means being the right kind of light.

Things the Star was not:
1)It was NOT a comet! Comets are just "dirty snowballs" that have picked up debris from other matter in the universe.
We cannot be like comets, reflecting only the righteousness of others, but lacking a personal light that can only be obtained through a personal relationship with God through Christ. We must be ORIGINALS!!! Not "Frankenstein Christians" made up of pieces of everybody else. We each have a unique light that God has given us that must be used to lead those around us to God.
2)It was NOT a meteor!A meteor is a falling star that is ablaze for a moment, but eventually falls and tumbles to the ground destroying everything in its path.
We cannot be like meteors, on fire for a bit only to burn out due to lack of integrity, and subsequently destroying our witness for all those who are watching or following us. We have to make "what we do for Christ" last for more than just a minute. We must choose to endure in our walk.
3) It was NOT a planet! Some scientists believe that what the Magi saw in the sky was a moment when the planets lined up in a straight line. It is important to remember that planets revolve! We cannot be like planets, going in circles, around and around but going nowhere. We have to move forward in God with intention.
4) It was NOT a supernova! A supernova is a star that expands until it explodes and gives off light from the explosion.
We cannot be like supernovas, all "puffed-up" and prideful, expanding on our own hot air, until we explode. The only light that shines is the result of what's left once we explode in a spiritually fatal fall, which is unnecessary if we remain humble in Him.

Our star, like the one that signaled the birth of the Messiah, must be mobile, visible, and pointing to Jesus. Our star, like that star, is an outpouring of God's
Shekinah Glory that dwells within us as believers. Sinners will follow people demonstrating the Glory of God.

According to 2 Corinthians 4:6, God came to my darkness and spoke to it, and said "Let there be light!"

I am commanded by God to do like Isaiah 60:1, "Arise, and shine. For your light has come and the glory of God is risen upon you."

As a relational evangelist, I am to let my light shine for those in my immediate circle by living out God's principles and sharing my personal testimony.

Doing a New Thing

I've always thought that keeping a spiritual journal is a good idea. I have many notebooks half-filled with entries to prove it. In an attempt to keep a more organized,and easily retrievable,journal,I am starting this blog.

In this blog, I will be documenting how I am applying the messages heard every Sunday morning in church at Fresh Anointing Christian Center in Upper Darby.

The messages taught at church are very practical, but of little value if not applied. I believe I have done an okay job of this, but I want to be able to track it in print. I also think this will keep me accountable, and consistent.

So, here it goes, beginning today I will enter an entry each week about the message and how I am being led to apply it...