Church of the Word Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Genesis 3:11-24 tells of God's cursing the serpent, the woman in childbirth, and the land that man would take care of, after Adam and Eve sinned. Genesis 1:28-31 is about God's creating man in His image. The unsaved still live under the curse of the law. With faith, all curses can be broken. Man's original role was to work and keep watch over the land. He was to nurture, plant, work, and care for (Genesis 2:4-15). God told the man not to eat of the tree of good and evil. Eve had not been formed or created at that time. The right to name the animals took authority. There was no helper for man, so God took one of Adam's ribs and made woman. Women's role before the fall was to be a helper and an aide. Both Adam and Eve had equal authority before the fall. God formed the male and fashioned the female. Man was to watch over the garden, and it was up to him to take authority. Eve stepped out of her "aide" role. Adam did not protect her, but chose to follow her rather than to follow God, which was idolatry (Genesis 3:1-9). God called to the man, because he was to be the responsible one. The role of the husband is to be the head of the home. He is to protect his wife. The role of the wife is to be his helper. Adam did not try to stop Eve. He followed her rather than God, which was idolatry. Husbands, how will you answer: "Why didn't I do what I was supposed to do?" Wives, how will you answer: "Why didn't I operate in the role God created me for?" The wives should only read Ephesians 5:22-24. Husbands should only read Ephesians 5:25-33. The husband's role is to love his wife, take leadership, and ask himself: "What would love (Christ) do?" Wives, Christ compares you to the Church. You should ask: "How should I (the Church) respond to Christ (my husband)?"

Our thinking and beliefs sometimes can filter what we hear in a way that changes truth. It is extremely important that we hear correctly and use the Word correctly. Heed how you hear. We need to compare Scripture with Scripture. If we just read Galatians 3:28 out of context and without comparing it with other Scriptures, we can distort what God is saying. Lord, show us truth. In 1 Peter 3:7 husbands and wives are said to be co-heirs. There is rank in the home, but there is also equal value to each of the married pair. In James 3 we find there are four kinds of wisdom: godly, earthly, sensual, and demonic. Romans 1:18-32 gives a description that easily could be for the time we are in. It tells about people with darkened hearts, trading truth for lies, being ungodly and unrighteous, being wise in their own eyes, worshiping and serving the created things rather than the Creator, not glorifying God, being unthankful, not using their bodies the way God intended them to be used, being disobedient, etc. Hollywood wants to make homosexuality seem natural and normal. A darkened mind will believe sinful ways are truth. We will look at marriage from the standpoint of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:24-32, 22-24, and 33).

There are so many wrong beliefs about marriage, many from our society. Many people are not as interested in truth as much as they are in knowing that what they believe is true. For example, when Pastor Syd became filled with the Spirit, everything that he believed before needed to be looked at to determine if it was correct. Does it line up with what the Word says. We need to love truth. Lord, show us truth, and we will get rid of the pre-conceived ideas. Allow the Spirit to take the Word and bring it to life in your marriage. A humble person acknowledges that my perspective maybe isn't right (2 Chronicles 7:12-14). Seeking the Lord starts at home. What happens in the home impacts the church and then the nation. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. The singular cause for the decline of this nation comes out of the home. We need to turn from our wicked ways. The home should reflect Christ and the church. The marriage unit has always been the last wall to fall before judgment takes place in a nation. The marriage unit is critical for the church to be what it is called to be and for our nation to survive and be effective. The second important point is that every question and concern about marriage can be answered in Christ's relationship with the Church. How should I respond to my wife in this situation? The answer is, "How would Christ respond to the Church?" The marriage unit reflects Christ and the Church. Some Scriptures are misquoted or taken out of context. For example, people sometimes take Galatians 3:28 out of the context of the rights to things of the kingdom in verses 19 - 4:7. It can be taken and misapplied and opens the door for the enemy to do more harm. The idea of marriage being 50/50 is not Scriptural. Our marriages should reflect Christ and the Church. Homosexual relations are wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10). Satan does not care if he gets a woman in the ditch on one side or the other: "under a man's thumb" as seen in some repressive religions or as seen in the Women's Lib movement, which is bondage packaged as freedom and is geared at breaking down the leadership of the man. God wants women free. Ephesians 5:22-33. Keep thinking and reflecting Christ and the Church. Anything that is not truth is bondage, because the truth sets us free. Sin is pleasurable for a season, but then comes the bondage. Determine to structure your marriage as the Word says it should be. If we need to change something, we will.

Text: Joshua 5:13-6:1. Even though the Israelites knew they were going to the Promised Land, they still had to fight to take it. Even those who believed Joshua and Caleb's report had to go through the wilderness. The victory at Jericho was the beginning of taking back what the Lord had for them. It took obedience and faith with a willing heart. Jeremiah 33 is about God's covenant to David, stating that David would never fail to have a man sitting on the throne, and that is Jesus. We have been grafted into the house of Israel. Joel 2:28-3:21 is about God's promising the Holy Spirit and His pronouncement of judgment. Amos 9:11-15 is God's declaration of restoration. This is the time when the harvesters overtake the sowers. Brother Ron Cohn: encouraged us to go up to a new level. He shared about the two swords mentioned in the Bible. There is the sword of the enemy, of death, of darkness, and of conflict without solution. The other sword is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. This Sword of the Spirit will bring life or death, death if you lack experience and discipline and use it as religion. The degree of your effectiveness in this world and success as a child of God will depend on how disciplined and trained and skillful you are in using the Word of God. It is a sword. You need to know how to use the Sword so that it severs, separates, brings healing, and ministers. God placed cherubim at the east gate of the Garden of Eden and a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:23-24). The flaming sword is a type of the Spirit and the Word of God. The typologies of the Spirit in the Bible are oil, water, wind, and fire. Typology means sketches, outlines, hints. The Gospel books are transition books. The New Testament from Acts to Revelation has only some typologies. The flaming sword turned eight ways. We are to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Do not seek experiences. You will have experiences because you serve God. Seek the Word, the Sword of the Spirit.

Sermon texts: 1 Corinthians 12:28-13:2; 1 Corinthians 14. All members of Christ's body are unique and express different things. We need to respect and receive from them and their differences. Apostles lay the foundation, and then prophets come, then teachers, and after that, in the perspective of time, miracles. Apostle Dale shared about Ron Cohn and how the visions that God showed him brought about a woman's healing in Dale's church. A special speaker, Ron Bruce, came to Pastor Dale's church in Titusville. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit Ron had a "tongues check" (to see who spoke in tongues), and as strange as it was, a "dragged to church husband" got saved as a result. The Holy Spirit moves through His body in different ways, and just like parents love all their children even though each one is different from the other, we need to love one another in the body of Christ. Follow after charity, desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Prophecy has the greatest capacity for blessing the church, because it contributes to body life. It is important to be in family. Paul says to let all things be done. Do not be afraid to let go of your "form". Let go of the flesh. You have to desire spiritual gifts. You can have as much of God as you want. The best gift is the one you need at the time. Desire calls for a gift. Why did Jesus use a miracle to get a place prepared for the Last Supper? It is written, "With great desire, I have desired to eat this meal with you." Daniel was called, "Oh man of great desire." Be passionate. Even better than desire is love. Love first, and then desire. There will always be things missing in your life if you do not have the prophetic. Prophecy edifies, exhorts, and comforts. Concerning women prophesying: Paul was responding to a letter previously written. The comment about not allowing women to speak in a meeting (1 Corinthians 14:34-35) was not Paul's view, but the view of the people who had written to him. Paul's response was in verses 36-40. He was saying, "Let all things be done", including women prophesying, but let it be done decently and in order. Acts 2:17-18 states that daughters and maidservants will have the Spirit poured out on them. (There was ministry to Apostle Dale and the congregation concerning the USA, the Landisville Campgrounds, and Apostle Dale's commission. There was a time of prayer after the declaration of 2 Chronicles 7:14.) (At the beginning of the service Jay Stoltzfus shared visions that the Lord gave him this week: angels with a large container of oil, fire- some people are not ready for it, and light- the glory of God.)

A word was given about the need to surrender to God. Pastor Syd shared about how they raised on his childhood farm. By changing the atmosphere with more oxygen for the ostrich eggs the mortality rate extremely improved. A prepared heart, praising God and without unforgiveness, changes the atmosphere. A prepared heart brings life and allows us to go from glory to glory. Communion was served: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (examine yourself, be in unity, and forsake all to follow Jesus). Pastor Syd told of a hurt that he had because someone said he did not have a good-enough singing voice. That hurt stifled the Spirit. Dennis See prophesied over Pastor Syd: laser-focus fro God; out of old into new. To the congregation: launch out to the deep and unfamiliar in worship; get off the edge and get thirsty for the real; do not keep doing things the same way, but move with the Spirit. Brother Cohn "interpreted" the Spirit's moving with the congregation.

We are to attend to His words for they are life and health (Proverbs 4:20-24). Sin stops us from moving forward with God. Anything that we do not operate in faith is sin. There is a place where we can be that we soar above what is happening. We have the mind of Christ. We trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. We acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He shall direct our paths. God loves you and have directed your course, but you must be quiet so you can be led by Him. (Prophet Bob and Ron Cohn ministered to Laura and Peter Andrews and Jon Fike.) The prayer of agreement is powerful. You should have a spiritual covenant partner, if you do not have a marriage covenant partner. The Word and the Spirit together work unity.

There are three keys for navigating with victory: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Daniel 2:1,19. God gives wisdom to the wise, and He gives knowledge to those who have understanding. You are important to the Body of Christ. Prophet Bob shared how his finger "exploded" when he jammed it on frozen logs. That finger hurt and took his attention. We hurt as a body when a member hurts. God is bringing unity to the church. Open up your heart. Proverbs 9:10 says the knowledge of God is understanding. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. You have to press in. The church has the commission of going to all parts of the world. We are to exhort, edify, and comfort. God wants to increase the insight in us. We are to have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus(Hebrews 10:19-25). When we take care of others, He takes care of us. We are to be provokers of love and good works, laying down our lives by prayer, getting wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. The way of the Spirit is life. Think of ways to motivate one another to love and good works. We should bring influence into this area. When revival hits, every devil manifests. We are about to slip into some new things. You have to move. Call out for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. It is harvest time! Your assignment: Get creative in your thinking and ask yourself, "What is the gift in that person?" (Perry Miller was spoken over and then anointed for prophetic ministry.)

(Prophet Bob gave a word.) My God loves me so much that He will not let me stay where I am. Are you where God wants you? Man wants comfort, but God wants obedience. Comfort is the siren-call of destruction. Are we ignitable? A revival spirit comes when man talks about heaven. Consider the eternal things of God. Humble men want God to be seen, not themselves. God is searching man's heart. Teach me Your ways. Show me Your paths. You may be in the will of God and be totally out of comfort and be in danger. Darkness can increase either by evil or by the increase of light. Satan's darkness will be seen as darker because of the glory of God. The more glory of God is present, the darker and obvious the darkness is. If you cannot see darkness, you need an increase of light in your life. Ninety percent of Brother Ron's prayer life is spent in tongues. There are two sins of America and the church: 1) pride, and 2) the church has lost its awe of God. Only when a man knows that he does not know anything does he know anything. God knows everything. Show us Your perspective of earth. Pray the Ephesians 1:17-23 prayer in the first person. Sing and make melody in your heart. You allow the world to serve you and glorify God. Keep a pad and pen with you, writing down His thoughts. The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel (Proverbs 20:15). These three words will change your lives: translation, transformation, and transfiguration. 1) Translation: We have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated (conveyed) into the God's kingdom (Colossians 1:13). "Translation" means moved from one place to another. We are dead! We need to stop being afraid of man and of dying. Ask God: "Is there anything in my life that does not please You?" 2) Transformation: We are to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1, 2). Living sacrifices do not stink! Under the Old Testament the sacrifices had to be dead. Man's sacrifice is a stench in God's nostrils. Transformation means getting your mind renewed, changed from glory to glory. The Spirit of God is deposited in us for a return. "Father, do not let Your investment in me fail." 3) Transfigured: Means to undergo a change. Mark 9:2 says that "after six days" Jesus took three of His disciples on a high mountain. Be a fool for God so He can set you free. It is like chewing a cud. (Brother Ron shared more connections.) The order of the church is: translation, transformation, and transfiguration. During the last days man will run to and fro because of knowledge. It will be because of a lack of imagination. Jesus laid down His glory. After 6,000 years, the church will undergo a transfiguration. John saw it on the Island of Patmos.

(Song: Lord, roll me out to get the lumps out of me.) Everything that is done by the Spirit should honor the Lord. The greatest thing is to be alone with God. God made us in His image. Carry a pencil and paper to write down what He speaks. God has a voice. When someone refuses to get alone with God, they are saying that they do not want to invest in themselves. Silence does not mean God is not speaking. The problem is that He is trying to get us to listen. God's nature is to reveal Himself. Brother Ron shares many revelations that God has given him about silence. Silence is the invitation to hear the voice of God. It is not silence people fear; it is hearing God that they fear. Silence is the teacher calling people to serve. Hitler was a preacher, but he preached the wrong message. He studied mannerisms and how to influence people, but it was demonic. Silence does not shout from the stage, but whispers from the side. Silence invites participation. Silence is the dessert. God had to keep Jesus' death and resurrection a secret. Why did God send a flood? Satan was trying to produce a different DNA of mixing angels and humans, which would have prevented Jesus from coming through man. Stay in the Word, and let it wash you, and it will change you by the level of consecration. Silence brings about discovery. Silence's twin brother is solitude. Silence is when your heartbeat matches God's. Silence is a canvas where God paints His thoughts. Silence helps the mind focus and the heart soar.  Silence brings worlds together. Silence asks for permission to speak. God wants to know if you can be nudged. God never walks in the shadow of Satan. Satan only counterfeits what is real. David had five stones, because he planned to kill Goliath and his four brothers. If we are silent in these last days, we enable man to speak. A sign gives information and points you to something. Do not walk by what you see, but by the Spirit. Spend time with the Spirit, not quenching or grieving Him. There is a sword coming, trying to quiet the preaching of the Gospel. America is sick and weak. We need to wake up and do something about it! We are only alive if we stay connected to God. There are no coincidences in God's kingdom. If you are walking with God, you will look different. Brother Ron shared different connections confirming God's voice to him.