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You Cannot Silence the Call of God – Women in Ministry — Part 3 of 3
“Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” — Acts 2:17 Who determines whom God can use? Ultimately, God does. Throughout this series we’ve examined women whom God used throughout Scripture and difficult New Testament passages that Christians interpret differently concerning women and particular church offices. Now we come to an essential charismatic truth: The Holy…
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Called by God: When the Spirit Chooses a Woman – Part 1
“Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” — Acts 2:17 A significant debate continues within Christianity concerning women serving in ministry leadership. Some denominations have strengthened restrictions on women serving in pastoral roles. But followers of Jesus must begin somewhere deeper than denominational policy. We must begin with Scripture. When we examine the whole biblical…
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The Secret of the King—God’s Timing and Our Obedience
Scripture: Matthew 16:20 The final verse in this remarkable passage often receives little attention, yet it teaches one of the most important principles of the Christian life: “Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.” At first this command appears confusing. Why would Jesus instruct His…
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The Church on Mission—Advancing the Kingdom Until He Returns
Scripture: Matthew 16:18–19; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8 Jesus never intended His Church to become comfortable within the walls of a building. From the very beginning, He established His Church to be a movement that would carry the Gospel to every nation. The Great Commission is not a suggestion—it is our assignment. Jesus commands His followers…
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Binding and Loosing—Releasing Heaven on Earth
Scripture: Matthew 16:19 When Jesus gave His Church the authority to bind and loose, He was not giving believers a mystical formula. He was commissioning His followers to faithfully carry out the mission He accomplished through His Cross. Jesus completely defeated the powers of darkness through His death, burial, and resurrection. Colossians 2:15 tells us…
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The Keys of the Kingdom
Scripture: Matthew 16:19 Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:19 are among the most powerful promises He gave His Church: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” Keys symbolize authority, responsibility, and authorized access. Jesus, the King of Kings, delegated His authority to His Church—not so believers could exalt themselves, but so they…
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The Church That Hell Cannot Stop
Scripture: Matthew 16:18–20 One of the greatest promises Jesus ever made is found in Matthew 16: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” This statement is far more than encouragement—it is a declaration of victory. Jesus was not establishing Peter as the foundation of the Church. The…
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Understanding Sanctification — Set Apart to Live Holy
When you said yes to Jesus, something supernatural happened. God not only justified you—He also sanctified you. He set you apart as His own, cleansing you by the blood of Jesus and filling you with His Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” Sanctification has two dimensions:…
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Understanding Redemption — Bought Back by the Blood of Jesus
Redemption is one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s love for humanity. To redeem means “to buy back” — and Jesus paid the ultimate price to purchase our freedom. Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” We were once…
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Understanding Justification — Made Right Before God
One of the most powerful truths in the Gospel is the doctrine of justification. Many believers know they are forgiven — but don’t realize they are also legally declared righteous by God Himself. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justification is more…