Same Sermon Three Times

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

There is one sermon I have preached nearly 30 times.

I have preached it in probably twenty different states, three different countries and two continents.

My poor wife has had to hear it most of those times, and bless her heart, she still shouts and backs me to the hilt every time.

It is an amazing woman who can live with you all week and expect to hear from God through you on Sunday.

Eddie recently preached in Phoenix for some friends of ours. He started moving in the gifts of the Spirit during the altar service, and prophesied some very specific things to two different couples that we had never seen before. (Those are when I'm sitting there sweating). But, he was right both times, and they were really touched by the power of God. After the service, a lady came up to me and was just like...."what is it like to live with that anointing all the time? I can't imagine what it must be like to live around a man of God like that!!" It's the second time someone has asked me that. Makes me just want to crack up; he's so human at home.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Eddie recently preached in Phoenix for some friends of ours. He started moving in the gifts of the Spirit during the altar service, and prophesied some very specific things to two different couples that we had never seen before. (Those are when I'm sitting there sweating). But, he was right both times, and they were really touched by the power of God. After the service, a lady came up to me and was just like...."what is it like to live with that anointing all the time? I can't imagine what it must be like to live around a man of God like that!!" It's the second time someone has asked me that. Makes me just want to crack up; he's so human at home.

Separating the treasure from the vessel is absolutely a necessity if people are to have a healthy and balanced relationship with the ministry.

Some years ago, I preached in a church where there was a backslidden young lady in attendance.

The gifts were operating that night, and in her hardness of heart and bitterness, unbeknownst to me at the time, of course, she basically in her heart challenged the Lord. Later, she told me that she said in her heart, "Lord, if this is real, why hasn't he discerned my sin?"

By her testimony, thirty seconds later, I stopped preaching, walked to her, and said, quietly in her ear, of course, "So, you don't think anyone knows you are doing this, and this, and this...etc.?"

I didn't know what she had done, I was just obeying the prompting of the Holy Ghost.

She prayed through and gave her life to the Lord.

later, she married a young man in our church, and when she came, she was scared to death of me.

I finally figured out why she acted so strangely and had to sit down with her and explain that I can't read minds, and only know what God chooses to let me know. And that He only does those things for a specific purpose.

She was finally able to relax.

But sometimes this is a stumblingblock for folks.

[Coonskinner]

Also...


This is one of the reasons why I prefer not to deal this way with people I have to pastor. Even when God shows me things, I try to work it around and deal with the issue in such a way that they don't know I know.

People get uncomfortable if they see you operate those gifts too much.

As a pastor, I usually do it in stealth mode. I feel like it is healthier for my people.

Preaching out, I don't have as much time obviously to work on things, and so do things a little differently.

[AGAPE]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Also...


This is one of the reasons why I prefer not to deal this way with people I have to pastor. Even when God shows me things, I try to work it around and deal with the issue in such a way that they don't know I know.

People get uncomfortable if they see you operate those gifts too much.

As a pastor, I usually do it in stealth mode. I feel like it is healthier for my people.

Preaching out, I don't have as much time obviously to work on things, and so do things a little differently.

Wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Also...


This is one of the reasons why I prefer not to deal this way with people I have to pastor. Even when God shows me things, I try to work it around and deal with the issue in such a way that they don't know I know.

People get uncomfortable if they see you operate those gifts too much.

As a pastor, I usually do it in stealth mode. I feel like it is healthier for my people.

Preaching out, I don't have as much time obviously to work on things, and so do things a little differently.

Coonskinner,

There is a lot of wisdom in what you have written here. I admire your take on this. I think there is an allure to some of the supernatural operations of the Holy Spirit that can appeal to a man's vanity or ego. It shows great understanding of the purpose of those operations for you to say that using them does not neccessarily mean doing things in a way that brings attention to the man of God or person operating in the gifts.

A word of discernment spoken quietly or privately can many times be more effective than any public display of that gift.

[CC1]

Sherri,

So basicly you are saying you guys give a doctrinal lesson on reconciling the great commission in Matthew 28:19 with Acts 2:38 on the Day of Pentecost with each and every baptism? LOL!!!!

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by CC1

Coonskinner,

There is a lot of wisdom in what you have written here. I admire your take on this. I think there is an allure to some of the supernatural operations of the Holy Spirit that can appeal to a man's vanity or ego. It shows great understanding of the purpose of those operations for you to say that using them does not neccessarily mean doing things in a way that brings attention to the man of God or person operating in the gifts.

A word of discernment spoken quietly or privately can many times be more effective than any public display of that gift.

When God reveals something to me, I don't rush out in a hurry to let someone know that I know.

Depending on the issue and the context, I might never do anything but pray about it.

I might work it into a sermon in an offhand way without letting anyone know I am dealing with something I have been shown by the Spirit.

Going to the person directly is the last recourse unless I have specific direction from the Lord otherwise, at least at home where people have to see me on a regular basis.

People can easily get the wrong idea about someone who is used in the Gifts. It is healthier for them and healthier for me if I keep a low profile in that particular realm of ministry.

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

People can easily get the wrong idea about someone who is used in the Gifts. It is healthier for them and healthier for me if I keep a low profile in that particular realm of ministry.

I agree with your take on it, 'Skinner.

People, especially people with a guilty (accusing) conscience who are struggling with things, will tend to shy away from you completely if they know you operate in the Gifts.

If they know you 'hear from God', they become afraid that God is going to show you everything they struggle with... and get freaked out just having you around.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

I agree with your take on it, 'Skinner.

People, especially people with a guilty (accusing) conscience who are struggling with things, will tend to shy away from you completely if they know you operate in the Gifts.

If they know you 'hear from God', they become afraid that God is going to show you everything they struggle with... and get freaked out just having you around.

My own brother is currently avoiding me like the plague right now for this very reason.

Or so a friend of his told me.

Been there done that at certain times of my life...