Sunday, August 17, 2025

Key Points

• A scripture reading from 2 Peter 3:14-18 was shared, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth, steadfastness, and avoiding false teachings.
• The sermon series titled "Milestones" was explained as focusing on spiritual growth and development in faith, with this being the final message in a five-part series that began on July 13, 2025.
• Christians were encouraged to activate faith rather than fear when facing challenging situations, referencing 2 Timothy 1:7 which states God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline.
• The importance of making decisions aligned with God's will was emphasized, warning that financial decisions made outside of divine guidance can lead to negative consequences such as overwork and inability to attend church.
• Spiritual milestones were defined as significant changes or stages of development in a person's life that should be evident through improved attitudes, approachability, and loving behavior.
• Character and attitude were described as reflections of one's heart condition, referencing Luke 6:45 which states that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
• The importance of carefully monitoring speech was stressed, noting that words carry weight and people will be held accountable for everything they say.
• Proverbs 4:23 was referenced to emphasize the need to guard one's heart diligently, as whatever enters the heart will be reflected in actions and reactions.
• Only God has the power to truly search and know a person's heart, as stated in Psalms 139:23, cautioning against giving others the right to judge one's heart based on human intellect.
• Spiritual discernment was described as the ability to see through deception, which comes only through relationship with the Holy Spirit rather than human intellect or intuition.
• The current geopolitical situation was discussed, noting America's declining global influence and the implications of the national debt reaching $35 trillion, potentially leading to future economic instability.
• Parents were advised to be vigilant about what their children are being taught in schools, particularly regarding gender identity issues, suggesting homeschooling as a safer alternative.
• The prophet Haggai's question "Have you considered your ways?" was presented as a challenge for self-examination rather than blaming others for one's circumstances.

Action Items

• All parents, godparents, guardians to attend church next Sunday for the children's feet washing and oil anointing ceremony before the start of the new school year.

Summary

Upcoming Children's Blessing Service

• Next Sunday there will be a special service where children's feet will be washed and they will be anointed with oil before the new school year begins.

• Parents, godparents, and guardians are encouraged to attend with expectation.
• The service aims to create a barrier of protection over children by declaring God's word over them.
• This annual tradition includes bringing words of encouragement and correction to prepare children for school.
• The blessing extends to all children including those going to daycare.

Conclusion of Milestones Sermon Series

• The church is concluding a five-Sunday sermon series entitled "Milestones" that began on July 13th, 2025.

• The series focuses on spiritual growth and becoming who God has called believers to be.
• Milestones have deeper meaning related to faith development and spiritual maturity.
• The main goal was to bring spiritual understanding about living on prophetic clock time.

Overcoming Fear and Living by Faith

• Many believers speak like the world speaks, expressing fear about going to stores, parks, planes, or cruises due to negative reports.

• Christians should glorify God in advance when receiving bad reports and declare that enemy plans are canceled.
• God has not given believers a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline according to 2 Timothy 1:7.
• Believers should activate faith rather than fear when receiving warnings or negative news.
• Christians are called to be warriors, not cowards, and should lace up their boots rather than shake in them.

Spiritual Maturity and Acceleration in Calling

• Believers are supposed to be accelerating in their calling rather than just dancing around the thought that God has called them.

• Many believers waste valuable time achieving nothing that God intended, resulting in frustration, anger, and fear.
• Christians should be operating in their calling rather than just thinking about it.
• Spiritual leaders should demonstrate evidence of their calling through reading the Bible, prayer, and bearing fruit of the Spirit.
• Pastors should love and be accessible to their sheep rather than acting like untouchable celebrities.

Consequences of Disobedience to God's Will

• Some individuals have left their location without God's permission and are now trying to move closer but experiencing confusion.

• When people disobey God, they expose themselves to the devil and receive a spirit of confusion.
• People often make moves outside of God's will due to wanting to follow others who were not called to move.
• God cannot protect people outside of His blessing when they make choices against His will.
• Pride prevents people from admitting mistakes and returning to make things right with God.

Importance of Seeking God's Will in All Decisions

• Believers are on God's time clock and must align themselves with His plans after accepting Jesus as personal Savior.

• Christians should seek 100% confirmation from God before making any decision, including purchasing cars or houses.
• Some people make financial decisions outside God's will and end up working multiple jobs, claiming they have no time for church.
• The only way to find God's perfect will is through complete submission to Him.
• When believers submit completely to God, everything falls into place in their lives.

Personal Responsibility for Spiritual Growth

• It is each believer's personal responsibility, not the pastor's or other leaders', to diligently seek God.

• Christians should be diligent to be found by God in peace, without spot and blameless.
• Believers must take responsibility for their own spiritual development rather than depending on church leadership.
• The devil cannot steal truth from believers, and truth brings conviction even when acting inappropriately.
• Christians should have better attitudes, be more approachable, loving, and become who God called them to be by now.

Character Development and Heart Condition

• A person's character and attitude represent the spirit within them, reflecting what takes place in their heart.

• Good people bring forth good from the good treasure of their hearts, while evil people bring forth evil.
• Words carry weight and believers will give account for every word that comes out of their mouth.
• Christians must keep their mouths in check and be careful about what they say and how they say it.
• The heart must be kept with diligence as all issues of life spring from it.

Spiritual Discernment Through Holy Spirit Relationship

• Spiritual discernment is the ability to see through deception and not be easily tricked or fooled.

• This discernment comes only through having a relationship with the Holy Spirit, not through human intellect.
• Human discernment is limited while Holy Spirit discernment is unlimited.
• The Holy Spirit guides and empowers believers to distinguish between good and evil.
• Discernment is received through relationship with the Holy Spirit rather than just attending church or hearing messages.

America's Declining Influence and Moral State

• America is losing influence and power globally, as evidenced by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict that powerful leaders cannot resolve.

• The country will be unrecognizable in the next 10 years due to its $35 trillion debt that cannot be paid off.
• America is a consumer-driven nation that produces little, and when other countries abandon the dollar, hyperinflation will result.
• The nation has not repented despite various disasters and continues in pride.
• America has influenced many countries to promote same-sex marriage, which goes against biblical principles.

Protecting Children from Cultural Influences

• Parents must be vigilant about what their children are being taught in schools regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.

• Some schools have gay awareness days where children can dress however they feel.
• Parents should consider homeschooling or closely monitor what their children are learning in both public and private schools.
• Christian parents have the right to request exceptions for their children just as Muslim families do for their religious practices.
• Parents must be willing to confront school officials who try to influence their children against family values.

Self-Examination and Personal Accountability

• Believers must consider their own ways rather than blaming others or holding other people responsible.

• Many fail to reach spiritual milestones because they don't examine their motives or what's taking place inside themselves.
• Christians often live life moment by moment without realizing God will call them accountable for the life He has given them.
• Personal examination is necessary for spiritual growth and reaching the milestones God has set.
• Believers must take responsibility for their spiritual development and the choices they make.

Next Steps

• The church will continue to emphasize personal spiritual growth and accountability among believers.

• Parents are expected to attend next Sunday's children's blessing service to seek God's protection over their children.
• Church members should focus on developing spiritual discernment through deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.
• Believers need to examine their own ways and take responsibility for their spiritual development rather than depending solely on church leadership.