Disclaimer: I believe God’s word is truth. John 17:17 “Your word is truth.” Acts 24:14 “I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.” I believe 1 Corinthians 15:3 “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Matthew 28:7 “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Hebrews 7:4 “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Revelation 1:18 “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Acts 2:32 “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Mark 16:17 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” Revelation 11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 12:10 “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.”

    I decided I needed a disclaimer before I proceeded because as you see in the title, it would appear I do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that it makes no difference whatsoever to our daily lives. Probably a person who believes should not be sarcastic about the resurrection. Around the world in every time zone, the church is proclaiming that Jesus lives and celebrating that because He lives they have received eternal life and as the song goes, because He lives they can also face tomorrow with no fear. Should I not be doing the same? It might even appear that I do not believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. If you came along for this Lenten journey over the last 46 days, it appears that I do not believe that Jesus lives nor is the any power available to the church since I am always talking about the powerless church. It would also appear that satan has more power than Jesus because I constantly talk about his presence in the church. It is not a hard stretch to say someone in the church doesn’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus because there were those like Luke 20:27 “the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection.” Paul said 1 Corinthians 15:12 “If it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” One survey over multiple years noted that “As Easter Weekend fast approaches Christians are gearing up to mark one of the most important times of the year. But according to a new survey (2023), a quarter of Christians don't believe in the resurrection. (And to those who think this is a statistical blip, a BBC survey from 2017 produced the same result). The survey also found one in ten Brits consider Easter eggs to be more important that the resurrection when it comes to Easter. And only 36 per cent of Christian participants believed the Bible to be entirely accurate when it comes to the Easter story.” You do not have to look hard on the internet to see many churches, leaders and people denying the resurrection of Jesus, so potentially I could be one of those.

    For the most part, you are not going to hear a sermon denouncing the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. That would really put a downer on the Easter egg hunts and the chocolate that so many desperately want after a long Lenten journey without chocolate. It dampens all the gatherings after people clock in and out of the Easter Service. For all these people around the world celebrating their risen Savior, or are they celebrating the long weekend, breaking a fast, and family times. For many churches attendance will be up and much effort will be put into the Easter service. They might even have to top last year’s efforts. It really is amazing how Santa Claus replaced Jesus at Christmas time and how an Easter bunny replaced Jesus at Easter. Oddly the biggest event, the culmination of both Christmas and Easter, is Pentecost and thankfully does not have a mascot. You can fake Christmas and Easter, but you cannot fake Pentecost, though satan does try. I talk a lot about Christian and Jewish calendars but I am not bound by them. What I mean by that is I talk about Christmas, Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter, Pentecost Passover, Rosh Hosannah, more so for teaching tools like the Lenten journey we just completed. For both Jews and Christians there are certain times that are important to be a part of. For those that follow the Christian calendar, Easter and Christmas are important and people who attend these two have been labeled as Chreasters. Both Jews and Christian also have many who are name only. I grew up were dressing up on these special days was pleasing to God but as I now know God is not interested in your exterior, but your heart. Many still believe they should dress as if for the queen. Obviously, the dress code has shifted in these later years.

    Today’s sermon is based on the church and the lack of power seen in the church. As I just noted, Pentecost is not even focused on by most and the ones that do are so dead it seems pointless to even talk about it. The reality is that the church is dead and is not the living body of Christ it is supposed to be. My title said, “He lives! So What?” Today many will celebrate, some formal and some informal, but it is all ritual as Easter and Passover are done on a yearly basis, but nothing ever changes. Some will say Christ is Risen and then the response will be He is risen indeed, but I do not believe the church believes that based on doctrines, theology, action and the lives of those who call themselves Christians. Just a reminder I do believe what scripture says the church is supposed to be doing but the church doesn’t adhere to God’s word. As King Josiah said about God’s word being found, 2 Kings 22:13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” In this case they had lost the book which meant they were not following it. When they found it, they repented and returned to the word of God. 2 Kings 23:25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.” In the case of the church, we have more bibles that we know what to do with, especially now that the world has the internet. That also poses a problem as not everything on the internet written about the bible is true and most do not test the spirits to see. Yes, there are differences in versions but for the most part they are similar unless they are like the Amplified or Message where there is much added to them. Again, be careful with study bibles (online also) as the writing at the bottom or side is not always truth but the beliefs of the person writing it. One such book was the Schofield Study Bible (1909) which includes false doctrines that appear as truth. John MacArthur’s Study bible (1997) also teaches false doctrines. I use Bible Gateway only for verses that I copy and paste to my sermons and there are always ads for study bibles. One person said, “the bible is a good source for understanding the bible.” The bible is also a good source for distorting the bible. I have always believed; no bible - no God, know bible - know God.

    Scofield and MacArthur and hundreds of other false teachers have led the church astray and into rebellion against God and His word. Today MacArthur and hundreds of others will tell you Jesus lives, but that is a lie. No Jesus living is not the lie, the lie is Jesus living and these false teachers saying there is no power in the church. Not everyone goes as far as MacArthur and states there is no power in the church to do as Jesus did, but the rest who don’t say, don’t really believe it themselves nor are they seeking it. Then there are the charismatics who say they have power but it looks nothing like the Gospels and Acts. Remember covid? The church was deemed non-essential. At first I was really upset by this but the reality was the church was non-essential and had no power to do anything about covid. Covid really exposed the powerless church. Some who week after week said they had power like Bethel Redding’s school of supernatural was shut down because so many had covid and were spreading it in the community. Another false teacher Kenneth Copeland shouted at it and blew the wind of God on it and it was supposed to be gone and then demanded a vaccine? There were over a million deaths after he said that in the US.

    It doesn’t just take global events to show that the church doesn’t really believe Jesus lives, as every Sunday you will see people come and go unchanged, yet they are entertained as that seems to be what’s most important. Also, there are fewer people going to church and many are turning away from Christianity such as the nones who claim no religion and many are turning to other religions or spirituality. Islam is one the fasted growing religions while Christianity is in decline. Just because a survey like the one above uses the word Christian, does not mean that people are. Most Christian are name only and do not really know what the Christ in Christian is. Since they do not know about the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Jesus the anointed one, they do not know about the anointing when God dwells among His people and the power that goes with it. Therefore, not seeing power in the church has become normal Christianity. Matthew 12:22 “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Many in the church still think this and reject anything supernatural. On a side note, always test the supernatural to make sure it is of God. When you read the Gospels and Acts, the church looks nothing like them as there is no power. You can see this by asking a simple question. Is James 5 happening? James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” The question that follows should be, why is the prayer for healing not being answered. When John asked if Jesus was the Messiah, the answer Jesus gave was Matthew 11:4 “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Jesus and the disciples not only healed but they cast out demons.

    The answer to why this is not happening is simple, as most in the church have stumbled because they do not believe. Most will say they believe but only at the time Jesus walked the earth and not after. They will say if God so desires to heal, He would. But God desires to heal which is why Jesus healed and sent out the disciples to do the same. After Pentecost, the church was supposed to have power to heal. 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” Some of the false prophets say there are no power gifts and other false prophets don’t seem to know where the power is coming from, God or satan.

    Every year the church makes a big deal about Easter but at the same time refuses to believe in the one they say has indeed risen from the dead. After rising from the dead, Jesus admonished His disciples for not believing. He said Mark 16:14 “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.” The two disciples walking to Emmaus is a great story, but it is a story of unbelief. When they returned from meeting Jesus, Mark 16:13 “These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.” He then tells them what will happen because He lives. Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” There you have it; signs will accompany those who believe and those signs will confirm His word when preached. Hebrews 2:3 “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” That is not happening, so the word / gospel is not being preached. The church prefers to use Matthew 28 instead of Mark 16, but both are saying the same thing except Mark expands the power part. Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

    The church acts as if it is still following a dead king / leader just like all the other religions. But Christianity is not like the other religions as it is not just one of the religions but the only way, truth and life. The church acts like the two on their way to Emmaus as the facts were before them yet they still refused to believe. Luke 24:19 “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” Jesus had told them he would rise from the dead, but they all refused to believe. Jesus responded by saying Luke 24:23 “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Before Jesus left them, their eyes were opened. 30 “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”  But the disciples did not believe them.

    The church quickly adapted to a powerless gospel which is no gospel at all. The church turned away from the word of God and power to go their own way in their own power, which cannot defeat our enemies. Jeremiah said Jeremiah 5:30 “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” When you look at the church and not just recently, you do not see the body of Christ doing as Jesus did. The only conclusion you can come to is there must not have been a resurrection, therefore there is no power. Paul said Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.” Paul said the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to all who believe. I am 61 and I have seen many different churches from non-charismatic to very charismatic and what I saw was dead and void of power. When you look at history and see the Catholic church with no power and then when the Reformation happened and the church exploded into every direction except the right direction, you now ended up with the Catholics and the Protestants who are both far from the truth with no power. No, the Reformation was not a good event in history. It could have been if the church repented and returned to the word of God. Instead, the church followed after men and women and continues to do so today. You also have many doctrines of demons, false teachers, different Jesus’ and other gospels that have saturated the church to its demise. All that is left is the promised remnant scattered throughout the world. Because of rebellion, God allowed the abomination that causes desolation to decimate the church. All this is because of unbelief in the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.; the absolute refusal to believe God’s word. If the church actually believed that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead would still be available to the church, then the church would do as Jesus did, go to the ends of the earth and then the end would come. Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

    Yesterday there were three verses that talked about adding to scripture and taking it away. Deuteronomy 4:1 “Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” Ecclesiastes 12:12 “Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Revelation 22:18 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” This is deadly serious, yet every church does this. Each denomination follows their own doctrines that either add to what scripture says or takes scripture away. Independents do this too. Instead of following what God’s word actually states, God’s word is distorted, added to, removed or modified to make it fit the beliefs of man. This is the wickedness that the church needs to turn from, but it has not because the church really does not believe God was serious when He said do not add or subtract. This means the word of God has been lost / rejected / purposely misplaced just like it was when Josiah became king. Josiah said “Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” The church has not acted in accordance with all that is written. Yes, most will say they do but the reality is they don’t believe what is written or that Jesus is the living Messiah and King.

    If the church actually believed Jesus rose from the dead, they would also believe the power and authority He gave the disciples and the church is still available. Jesus living means the same power that raised Him from the dead is available to the church just as Jesus said it would. Jesus said Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Nowhere does the bible say that power and authority would stop. That lie comes from satan the father of lies. Many have fallen for the lies of satan in the church and have rejected the word of God and have listened to satan instead just like Adam and Eve, Israel, Judah, and the Jews. The Gospels was Jesus showing the church the power and authority it would have after He rose from the dead. He had told the disciples Luke 24:46 “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Today’s church does not believe the church / disciples would be clothed with power from High nor does the church believe that signs would follow His word. This means that the church does not really believe Jesus rose from the dead.

    When you look at the church today, all you see is a powerless group of people who gather a couple of times a week, if that, and never have their fill. Every year the cycle repeats, but there is no change, and the church gets further and further from the truth. The powerless church has been accepted as normal Christianity, meanwhile people are dying without ever knowing the truth or seeing what the church was intended to be. Nor are the seeing the available power to all who would believe. The world is in chaos and getting worse, meanwhile today the church will be celebrating the risen Savior but doesn’t believe the power and authority that would come because Jesus rose from the dead. When Jesus walked this earth, it was just Him but at Pentecost Jesus said John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 16:25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” This means that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit would be dwelling in us and that would be the church, the holy temple. Ephesians 2:19 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” This is what the third temple is; the living body of Christ. That means the word that created the world, the words that raised the dead, healed the sick and cast out demons would be in the church. But the church has chosen not to believe and would prefer to keep the church as human as possible.   

    But Jesus did rise from the dead and the power and authority from on High was available to all who believed. The disciples would go out and do as Jesus did. Acts 5:12 “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” Acts 8:5 “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.” It still boggles my mind why most in the church prefer not to have this power in the church. Sickness and disease are everywhere, church included. Look at the causes of death like heart attacks, cancer, strokes diabetes to name a few. There are thousands of diseases in the world. Now we have measles coming back.

    So why in the world does the church think we do not need the power of God in the church??? The numbers are the same in the church and outside the church. God said I am offering you the solution to all the sickness and disease of the world, but the church said no thanks. We were told in Deuteronomy 7:12 “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors. 13 He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. 14 You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young. 15 The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you. 16 You must destroy all the peoples the Lord your God gives over to you. Do not look on them with pity and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you.” Instead, the church like Israel preferred the disease. Deuteronomy 28:58 “If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— 59 the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. 60 He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. 61 The Lord will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed.”

    Then Jesus came. Matthew 4:24 “News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.” Luke 4:40 “At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” Matthew 14:14 “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” The disciples did the same. Mark 6:13 “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” Acts 5:16 “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” Luke 9:1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” This was supposed to be the church. Stop for a moment and think about the church doing as Jesus did. As Jesus said Acts 1:8 “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Mark 16:5 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

    This same power and authority is available but the church must turn from these wicked ways. The sick still need to be healed and demons still need to be cast out. False prophets must be pointed out, and their teaching must be rejected. The church must return to the word of God and believe. Just to be clear the faith and belief I am talking about is not what the charismatics tell people when they are not healed. They will say if you just had more faith. It is true that we need more faith and belief but now how they do it. What they should be doing is repenting for teaching false gospels which is why there is very little healing. The good news is that Jesus reigns on David’s throne. Jesus said Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” That time is now.

    Because the church has rebelled, the church needs to return. The good news is God will return to us. Zechariah 1:3 “Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Lamentations 5:19 “You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. 20 Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? 21 Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old. 22 unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.” Daniel said Daniel 9:17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Ezra 9:8 “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. 9 Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.” Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. 6 The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit— a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God. 7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. 8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.”

    Do you really believe in the resurrection of Jesus? Are you certain about that? Take the time to be certain so you can truly say, Psalm 18:46 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!” Daniel 4:3 “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.”