Pastor Carlos teaches from 1 Corinthians 14:39 and Mark 16:15–17 (NLT) that speaking in tongues is not a relic of the past, but a living sign of a Spirit-empowered church. In a world that often resists what it cannot control, Jesus still calls His followers to embrace the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. This message reclaims the biblical legitimacy, purpose, and power of tongues—showing that they did not cease with the apostles, but remain part of God’s unbroken promise to the Church. The sound of the Spirit, seen in John 3 and Acts 2, reveals spiritual language as heaven’s communication with earth, reminding us that the Kingdom of God is not merely intellectual, but experiential and transformative.

In Luke 11:5–10, Jesus tells the parable of the friend who knocks at midnight, revealing that persistence in prayer moves the heart of God. This isn’t about manipulating heaven—it’s about holy desperation. Persistent prayer exposes what we truly value and believe. When we keep knocking, faith is activated, intimacy deepens, and hearts are transformed. The midnight hour becomes the proving ground where real faith refuses to quit, and those who knock long enough don’t just see doors open—they begin to mirror the persistence of Christ Himself.

In Matthew 4:1–11, before Jesus ever preached a sermon, healed the sick, or called a disciple, He entered the wilderness to fast, pray, and confront the enemy. The wilderness was not punishment—it was preparation. Through persistent prayer and fasting, Jesus transformed testing into triumph. Every temptation became an opportunity to declare the Word, resist the enemy, and align with the Father’s will. This passage reminds us that fasting doesn’t weaken believers; it sharpens spiritual perception and strengthens inner authority. When we fast and pray, we silence lesser appetites so the Father’s voice becomes clearest—and the wilderness becomes a weapon where victory is forged.

In Daniel 10:1–14, we see that delay does not mean denial. From the very first day Daniel prayed and fasted, heaven heard—but the answer was resisted in the unseen realm. Daniel didn’t stop. He persisted until the breakthrough came. This passage reveals that our prayers engage spiritual warfare, that endurance partners with angelic activity, and that fasting strengthens our capacity to stand. We don’t pray from frustration—we pray from revelation, trusting God’s timing until heaven breaks through.

Elijah’s story shows us what prophetic endurance really looks like. He bowed low, prayed the promise, and kept sending his servant back until the smallest sign of breakthrough appeared. Persistence in prayer isn’t about forcing God’s hand—it’s about aligning with what God has already spoken and refusing to stop until it manifests. When heaven feels silent and delays test our faith, true faith keeps looking again… and again… until the cloud appears.

In Isaiah 9:6, the Messiah is called “Everlasting Father,” a title that speaks not of confusing the Son with the Father, but of Christ’s eternal, fatherly reign. Jesus rules with care, provision, and covenant love—shepherding His people with compassion and guarding their souls. Unlike earthly leaders whose authority fades, His reign is unchanging and without end. Through Him, we are not merely subjects of a kingdom but adopted children, given identity, security, and belonging. This truth reminds us that Jesus does not rule as a tyrant, but as a loving Father whose constancy anchors His people in a shifting and fatherless world.

In Isaiah 9:6, the vision reaches its climax with the title “Prince of Peace.” This peace—shalom—is more than the absence of conflict; it is wholeness, reconciliation, and flourishing under Christ’s rule. Jesus secures peace with God through the cross and extends that peace into the hearts of His followers and out to the nations. He reconciles what was broken, calms anxious souls, and establishes a kingdom where peace is rightly ordered under God. This truth reminds us that Christmas is not about temporary sentiment, but eternal reconciliation—and that those who follow Christ are commissioned as ambassadors, carrying His peace into a fractured world.

In Isaiah 9:6, the promised Messiah is revealed not only as wise, but as “Mighty God.” This title—El Gibbor—declares the full deity of Christ and His authority over creation, sin, and evil. Jesus is not merely God’s representative; He is God in the flesh, dwelling in all fullness. His power is displayed through miracles that command nature, silence demons, heal sickness, and conquer death itself. And that same mighty power is not distant—Scripture declares it strengthens those who belong to Him. This truth reminds us that Jesus is not a sentimental figure of the season, but the victorious Lord, worthy of our trust for deliverance, victory, and freedom.

In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet begins by calling the promised Messiah “Wonderful Counselor.” This Child is not merely a ruler—He is the very wisdom of God made flesh. Jesus embodies counsel that surpasses human strategy and speaks directly to the heart. His wisdom is supernatural, beyond comprehension, and marked by authority that astonishes all who hear Him. As the Counselor, Jesus teaches, guides, and ultimately sends the Spirit of Truth to lead His followers. In a world full of competing voices, this passage calls us to sit at His feet, trusting that His wisdom is not abstract, but deeply personal—shaping our decisions, relationships, and identity.

In Nehemiah 11–13, alongside Hebrews 12:1–2 and 2 Corinthians 7:1, we see that dedication celebrates what God has rebuilt—but reformation is what sustains it. The walls are finished, the city is populated, and worship erupts in joyful dedication. Yet Nehemiah also reminds us that revival without ongoing reformation won’t last. God’s people must guard the house, confront drift, and keep the covenant urgent in everyday life. This passage calls us to run our race with focus, lay aside what corrupts, and continually realign our lives with God’s purposes so the rebuild doesn’t just end well—but endures.