COGIC - Church of God In Christ

Comment

Comment by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 9, 2009 at 6:27am

2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."
Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you.
In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, "continue in my word... and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32-32) Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God's Word, which is truth!

Comment by Minister Darius T. Fowler on May 8, 2009 at 6:06pm

Why are some people in the COGIC so stuck up on titles

Comment by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 8:27am

Ministering Like Jesus - Key to Church Growth

38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Where did Jesus and His disciples preach?

a) In Synagogues b) In Cities and Villages (Matt. 9:35) c) Outdoors (John 8:1 / Matt. 5:2 / Luke 8:1) d) Everywhere (Mark 16:20)

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16)

How did they preach?

a) Under the anointing (Luke 4:18 and Acts 1:8) b) With authority - 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matt. 7) c) With Compassion (Mark 6:34) d) Without Fear

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Church Growth!

Why don’t we experience it ?

1. The Aquarium Syndrome - Churches have become aquariums, or holding pens for Christians.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (Luke 5)

2. Not Realizing Our Potential

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4)

3. The Violent Take it by FORCE! Time to get in the devil's face.

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (I Sam. 17)

4. Evangelism doesn’t work from pulpits very well. Works better in the street.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt. 28)

5. Pentecostal Prayer and Praise

7 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1)

32 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4)

6. Must have a STRATEGIC PLAN

10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

7. Discipleship vs. Membership - Disciples beget disciples, members come once a week.

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Final Thought

While many churches are meeting 2 to 3 times a week, with the same handful of people it had for the last 5 years; The Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Nation of Islam is out Monday through Friday spreading lies and winning converts. The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ did not invent door to door witnessing, JESUS DID! We have the truth and don’t spread it! We have the power and don’t use it! We have the authority to act in Jesus name, and we sit at home. God Forbid! It’s time for an EVANGELISM EXPLOSION! Examine your heart and ask God to fill you afresh, and give you holy boldness to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Mark H. Stevens

Comment by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 4, 2009 at 9:46pm

The children of Israel were lured away from their relationship with the Lord by sexual sin. God constantly warned Israel not to intermarry and fornicate with the heathen nations around them. Sexual intercourse unites the parties involved emotionally; this is called a SOUL TIE. This is why married couples are not truly married until they have sexual intercourse; it is the consummation of the marriage. When sex takes place between unmarried people they are still emotionally tied to one another, this is why Israel backslid and followed the god’s of other nations. The church is modern Israel! The devil uses the SAME tactics today! That is why pornography is a 90 billion dollar a year industry! Too many pastors have 1st ladies and 2nd ladies on the side! Too many choir directors are sweeter than the morning danish! Too many women in church are being used by Satan to help tempt men to sin! I won’t leave out anyone because there is enough blame to go around WE MUST REPENT! Solomon was the worlds wisest man in the world, he was anointed by God to lead the mightiest kingdom on earth, yet he threw it all away because his desire for women. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and the scripture say he LOVED THEM ALL! Satan knows that woman was created for man. God created woman not only to be a companion, but also as a helper and advisor. Satan always perverts what God creates. Remember King Ahab? He was Israel’s most wicked king, guess were he got all of his advice? His wife Jezebel!
(Romans chapter one; Proverbs 7:14-26; I Corinthians 7)

Comment by Donovan on May 4, 2009 at 9:24am

Theme- All Things Work Together
Romans 8:28

Come eat a nice spaghetti dinner and help the kids at

St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.


Date – June 6, 2009


Time - 4:00 p.m.


Location - St. Luke COGIC, 401 W. Spruce St., Olathe, KS


Contact us at-stlukec@yahoo.com
913-742-1445

Tickets are $10.00; donations also accepted
Hosting Pastor Elder Jimmy s Hamilton

This is being put on by the youth of St. Luke Church of God in Christ

Youth Department

President: Sis. Michelle Hawthorne; Vice President: Bro. Donovan Griffith

Comment by Fred Hutton on May 3, 2009 at 3:13pm

Hello,

KHPK TV 3 in Dallas/Fort Worth has half hour time slots available for Ministry programs at $25 each for a weekly program or a daily strip. Most time slots are still available (except Thursdays at 8pm and Sunday evenings at & 7:00pm and 8:30pm) You may contract for one airing or contract for up to 52 weeks.

Payment for entire duration of contract is in advance (one airing $25, one month $100, 52 weeks $1300, etc.-Based on a single weekly airing) Once your ministry reserves the time slot, it is yours exclusively for the duration of the agreement.

Daily strips can air 5 days a week or 7 days a week.

Your program must be ready to air, which could be a produced program or simply a video tape of your church service. Must be on DVD or Beta SP for the station to broadcast.

Our goal is to have ministry programs on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Reserve your time slots today for your ministry television program.

Thank you for your consideration,

Fred Hutton
KHPK TV 3 Dallas/Fort Worth
817-297-2230 Office
817-480-5222 Cell

Comment by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 2, 2009 at 6:25pm

One problem with man’s denominational teaching is that HOLINESS in many churches and groups means stay away from them sinners! The only way sinners can see Jesus Christ is through the Church (The Body of Christ). The local church is a part of the larger body of blood washed believers. Sinners can only see the light of Jesus Christ through US. Now I am not saying Christians should go to bars and nightclubs…BUT we do have to interact with sinners! Jesus went to places where people congregate. I remember many of my fellow preachers telling saints they shouldn’t go to bowling alleys, teens shouldn’t play sports, and saints don’t go swimming! These are in some people’s minds what “holiness” is all about!

True holiness means we are set apart for God’s use and purposes. God’s highest purpose is that we influence people to accept Christ! I don’t think you can do that locked up in your church 7 days a week with black suits, long wool skirts, and doilies on your head! I used to witness on the streets of Song Tan City in Korea, there were nothing but bars, nightclubs, and whorehouses in this sin filled town. Many professed “Spirit-filled” Christians would warn me about going downtown. They would tell me it was dangerous and that there was too much temptation there. I believe the awesome power of the Holy Ghost is MORE than enough to protect us while we minister to sinners!

I have led prostitutes, Moslems, drug addicts, and drunks to Jesus Christ in some pretty dangerous places. The Holy Spirit was given to us to insulate us from the World, much like an astronaut’s suit protects him on the Moon. If you stand up in church and brag about how Spirit-filled you are in one breath, and in the next you say you are scared to be around sinners, guess what? You might not be as Spirit-filled as you may think. The Holy Spirit is not just for “shouting” and speaking in tongues! He is the third person of the Godhead. His job is to bring glory to Jesus the Messiah. We need Him to help us live a sanctified life, and our sanctification is so we can win sinners. Sinners are supposed to be drawn by the Christ IN US! Greater is He (The Godhead – see I John 5:7) that is in us, than He (The Enemy) that is in the world! We are walking Temples of God! Remember the Old Testament Temple? God’s presence would fill the Temple as the people of God offered sacrifice unto God. Well today Jesus is our once and for all sacrifice. Holiness churches are locking themselves in just like the Amish and the Mennonites. We are supposed to be an influence on the world. You cannot influence someone you are avoiding. Jesus was out in the workplace, in the marketplace, in the wilderness, in the mountains, in the Temple, and yes in the company of prostitutes and tax collectors. Jesus did NOT sin while hanging out with sinners…and you don’t have to either. The power of the Holy Ghost is MORE than enough to help you stay saved (Jude 24 and Romans 8:32)

We can believe God for new cars, healing, new jobs, and house but we don’t believe He can keep us saved in an evil world! Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys WERE NOT Spirit-filled, yet they resisted the world and influenced those around them! We have a MUCH BETTER covenant than they did! Jesus EXPECTS us to mingle with sinners from day to day, and influence THEM! Stop being a coward and GO into the highways and hedges! No one in your community will get saved because you go to “Mt. Zion AME Baptist Fire Baptized Primitive Holy Nazarene COGIC” every Sunday. They will get saved if you talk to them about Jesus and become a part of their lives! True holiness makes us interact and become a part of the lost lives. The Holy Spirit we brag about having was given to us to help us be lights in a dark world. We are not supposed to run from sinners, rather run to them with the love of Jesus Christ. Stop worrying about sinners rubbing off on you, We are the Salt of the Earth! When I was in the Air Force stationed in Korea, I was invited to a Super Bowl party by a co-worker, he wasn't saved and none of the guys at the party were either, my Christian friends scolded me and said I shouldn't go because they were going to be drinking and cursing. I learned early in my Christian walk that the Holy Ghost is NOT traditional nor does He think like us. I went to the party, and most of them knew I was a saved deacon. I didn't act snobbish are pious, I simply drank my coke and enjoyed the game. By halftime most of them were asking me questions about the Bible and the Lord. I kept the answers simple and invited them to Bible study. That Tuesday 8 of the 15 brothers showed up for Bible study. My Christian friends had nothing to say to me anymore.

True holiness is fearless and confrontational, we are supposed to stand in the midst of evil and be a beacon. How can evil men and women be converted and saved unless WE lead them to Christ Jesus? One of the first things I noticed after I got filled with the Holy Ghost was a dose of courage. I always thought I was a pretty brave guy, but the power of the Holy Spirit is like steroids for the soul. I have preached on street corners, prisons, mental institutions, overseas in Muslim countries, and anywhere the Holy Ghost leads me.

Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, M.Min

Comment by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 2, 2009 at 5:59pm

Pastors have to teach soul-winning to the congregations, NOT just to increase numbers, but to also stir up gifts in the assembly of God. Spiritual gifts are activated when we do ministry, in particular soul-winning. The Gifts of the Spirit are not for show, they are for WORK. Every one of the Gifts are primarily given so we can win the lost and help them get filled with the Holy Ghost and make them disciples of Christ. (Acts 1:8) It grieves the Lord when he sees ministers become hirelings with no concern for lost souls. Too many churches are showcases or museums built to display the egos of the leaders. Churches named after men and women with their pictures plastered everywhere. Jesus was so low-key and humble when He did His fathers business. Jesus favorite title was "Son of Man". Jesus was God in the Flesh yet He carried himself as a lowly servant. It amazes me when I meet ministers for the first time and they introduce themselves as "Apostle" or "Evangelist", Jesus didn't even do that, in fact he called his disciples friends. Some ministers today are so high minded they won't even talk to you, you have to go through their "administrative assistant" or "armour bearer". And we think God is pleased with our foolishness? Freely you received...freely you give.

1Co 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

1Co 9:17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.


30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Prov. 11)

Comment by Apostle Alfred Henton on May 1, 2009 at 10:34pm

Comment by Elder Kelly Maurice Stevens on April 30, 2009 at 1:17pm

God is Not dead he is yet alive

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