Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth: Enemies surround us, infiltrating our lives through media, culture, and even within the church itself. Humanistic influences, described as an unstoppable army, enter our homes and minds, but an even greater threat comes from within—false teachings and divisive leaders who draw people away from a genuine covenant relationship with God. In this time of spiritual decision, believers are called to unite in covenant, standing firm together against these enemies, so that they may remain fruitful and faithful.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
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Scriptures Used in this Message:
Joel 2:1, Joel 3:14, Ezekiel 33:1-7,Acts 20:24-33, Matthew 13:38-43, Matthew 13:18, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 13:19-23,
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Open your Bibles, if you will, to Joel, the book of Joel. We looked at that a little bit—I believe it was last Sunday night—and I shared with you some thoughts and some things that I had seen from the book of Joel. In Joel chapter 2, I will be reading from Joel chapter 3, but in Joel chapter 2, it speaks of two armies.
Those two armies there, the one which I had always thought was the army of the Lord, is not. That’s an army of darkness, an army of gloom. The army of God is not mentioned until verse 11 of Chapter 2 in Joel. And Joel says, Sound a trumpet in Zion. Sound a trumpet in Zion. Sound an alarm in my holy mount.
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
That won’t mean anything to you, except that you understand what Zion is. Except you understand who his holy mount is. Unless you understand that you have come to Zion, you’ll never understand what Joel’s saying there. Not you will one day come, but you have come, Hebrews chapter 12 tells us. You are come to Zion.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
The prophet Joel says to blow an alarm. Sound an alarm. Somebody warn my people. There’s an army coming that’s never been like this army before. There’s an army that’s coming. And this army, it just comes before it, and things are like a garden of Eden. But when it’s through, there’s nothing left but destruction. There’s an army coming, and this army can climb walls. You can’t keep it out. This army can climb onto your houses and come through your windows. You cannot keep this army out.
Humanistic Influences
I showed you last week that I truly believe the army is the humanistic army we’re facing today. I believe that this army comes right down your television antenna, right into your cable system, and directly into your living room. It walks home with your children in the books that they carry and read in school. It comes in your newspaper. This comes in with the magazines. It comes on your radio. You can’t keep this army out. But there’s more. I’m seeing something more, particularly over the last two weeks, about what’s going on in the church world. I see something else developing. I sense something else happening in the realm of spirit.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
In the book of Joel, chapter 3, verse 14, “multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision, for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” I feel with all of my heart and deep within my spirit that we are all right now in the valley of decision. God is bringing his people to the valley of decision. We are in the realm of spirit, sitting in the valley of Jehoshaphat, the valley of decision, and it can be an Armageddon to you.
So this morning, I want to be a watchman. I want to sound the trumpet. And I’m not talking about this piece of brass down here that I blow. I want to blow something at you, a clear word at you that you can hear what the spirit’s saying. I want the spirit to blow the trumpet. Today, I want to be your watchman.
Let’s look at Ezekiel 33. Ezekiel chapter 33 provides a little more insight into the role of the watchman. How do you know the enemy’s coming? How does Joel say you know the enemy’s coming? Somebody has to sound the trumpet. A trumpet is being sounded today. And again, we will read about this.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Ezekiel 33:1-2
1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
In Ezekiel 33, verse 1. I’m going to read about the first seven verses. “And again, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, when the devil brings the sword upon the land, Jesus said, as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of man. Who sent that flood? The Lord God Almighty. And he says, when I bring the sword, when I turn the devil loose on the land, if the people of the land take a man of their coast and set him for their watchman.”
I want to share two thoughts with you here. First of all, the sword is coming, and I believe it’s here. What would you call AIDS? I’m telling you, that’s going to do some dividing. That’s natural. What do you call humanism? It’s a sword. And it’s going to do some dividing. It’s going to do some cutting. You’re going to have to start choosing sides.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Simultaneously, Come the Sword and the Watchmen
You’re going to have to be much more careful as to where you go, what you do, who you’re around, and what you listen to. But at the same time he sends the sword, he’s also raising up watchmen. Do you see that? At the same time the sword comes, a watchman comes. He won’t let the sword attack his people.
He won’t send the flood unless he first raises up a Noah. The flood can’t come except there’s a place for the people of God to go to. Noah was a watchman. Noah had an ark. The ark is the church. And if you’re not in the church, you’re out there with the flood. If you’re not in the church, if you’re not behind the door with the blood on it, where are you at? You’re out there with the devourer.
Sides have to be chosen today as never before. And God’s raising up watchmen at the same time he’s sending his flood, as he’s sending the sword.
Exekiel 33:3-4
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Verse 3. If when he seeth the sword, this is talking about the watchman, if when the watchman seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet and warn the people. Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet and taketh not warning, if the sword come and take him away, as it was in the days of Noah, the flood took some away. And taking him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
If I proclaim a word to you that’s the sound of a trumpet, that’s a warning and to let you know, not only in the natural realm some things that are happening, but also in the realm of the spirit that some things are happening, if you don’t take heed of them, the blood’s not on me. Who is the blood on? It’s on you. So, as a watchman, I must tell you what I see. If I don’t, then I’m accountable for it.
Ezekiel 33:5-
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Read on. Verse 5. He heard the sound of the trumpet and took not warning, his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. Verse 6. But if the watchman, the ministry, the watchman ministry, see the sword come and blow not the trumpet and the people be not warned, if the sword come and take away person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity. But his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
If I share some things that I’m sensing and seeing in the spiritual realm today, and they are not acceptable to you, please don’t take offense at me. Please understand, I don’t want our blood on my hands. I want to be free of that. I want to share with you what I’m hearing and what I’m seeing in the spiritual realm.
Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Verse 7. So thou, O son of man, I have set the watchman into the house of Israel, into the church of the living God. You know that in the Old Testament, Israel is a type of the church in the New Testament. Is this correct? Every time. And if you want to find out where the church is, look into where Israel was and what happened, and then you’ll discover where the church is headed. Therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them.
Look what King James says, warn them from me. Your version probably says, if you don’t have a King James, it probably says “for me.” But the thought is this: God wants the people warned. He wants them to know the sword’s coming. He wants the people to know what’s going on in the earth today. What did we just read? When I release Satan, when I release the destroyer, I will also be raising up Watchman Ministries. And I think that we can look at Noah and see a perfect type of the watchman ministry.
What I want to share with you today is another type of enemy. I think it’s a unique time in the church. And I want to share with you a different kind of enemy that’s not humanistic. I want to share with you what I believe God’s purposes are at this time. I want to address this today, and I pray that you will hear what the Spirit is saying to you. Not what I’m saying, but what the Spirit’s saying to the church today.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Let’s examine the book of Acts, specifically Acts 20. I’ll be talking a lot this morning about the kingdom of God. And I shied away from that for a couple of months, saying very much at all about the kingdom because it had nearly become a bad word. But the Lord has spanked me and reminded me that it was for the kingdom that I was called.
Acts 20:24-25
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
And in Acts 20:24, Paul is not at Ephesus, but he’s talking to the Ephesian elders. He knows that he’s going to Rome and he’ll never see him again. And he says, but none of these things move me. Neither can I make my life dear unto myself so that I might finish my course with joy. And the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify. Everybody say, “the gospel, gospel of the grace of God.” And now behold, I know that ye all among whom I have gone, preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
I want you to note, first of all, and I’ll delve even deeper into this in just a second, that the gospel and the kingdom of God are essentially the same thing. Now I’m going to show you very, very clearly in just a second. The gospel and the kingdom, the gospel of the kingdom and the word of the kingdom, are the same thing.
Acts 20:26-29
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Verse 26, wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. Had Paul been a good watchman? Did he sound the trumpet? Had he told it what he thought and felt and saw in the spirit? Verse 27, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves unto all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed our pastor of the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you and not sparing the flock.
Greater Threat Than External Enemies
What I want to warn you about this morning, and what I want to share with you, is not the humanistic theologies and teachings that our children are being exposed to now, nor the humanistic teachings that are entering your home through television, newspapers, and radio. That’s not what I’m discussing this morning. What I’m talking about this morning, and I want to look at and cause you to stir up and think about this morning, are the grievous wolves who enter in among you. I want us to sound a trumpet, know what’s happening right now in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re confused, it seems.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
I went to see your sister, and I walked into the room, and your mom was sitting there. I walked in, and they welcomed me. Then, they said, ‘I started to call you.’ What in the world is going on? I watch television and see all this happening. What in the world is going on? How many in here would like to know what in the world is going on? Well, God is shaking everything that can be shaken, and all that will remain is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And we’re talking about that this morning, and we’re talking about the grievous wolves that have risen up in the center, right in the middle of our midst.
Acts 20:30-33
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
Verse 30, also of your own self shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch. Now, what’s he warning us? See if we’ve made progress so far. What is the apostle Paul warning the Ephesian elders about? Is he warning them about humanism? Is he warning them about the world? What is he warning the Ephesian elders about? Grievous wolves from within the church.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
He’s warning them that Satan comes in two forms. He’s a lion and he’s a serpent. The lion comes outwardly to devour and just totally mangles, tears up, and destroys. But the serpent gives two little bites. And his destruction is not outward. Where’s his destruction? Inward, inward. He comes from within the body. He poisons the inside of the body. And because the church cannot understand that, and fails to recognize that it comes from within, we become confused.
Therefore, watch. And remember that by the space of three years, I cease not to warn everyone night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them, which are sanctified.
Now, you draw what you need to draw from these verses. I am not going to linger here. This says a lot, and I could linger here, but I won’t. You draw what you need to draw from the following verses. I have coveted no man’s silver or gold or apparel. Yea, you yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to them that were with me. I have shown you all things. Now that you are laboring, you ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, you need to be a servant. It’s more blessed to give than to receive.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
I’m talking about the watchman. The reason that the grievous wolves are rising up from within us is to draw away disciples unto themselves. Do we see that? They’re not coming for any other reason. They’re not coming to destroy the church. They don’t want to destroy it because then they have no livelihood. What they’re trying to do is come within the church to draw away disciples unto themselves. And what I saw this week, and what I argued with the Lord about, because I didn’t want to minister this today.
We’ve been going along smoothly, and everything has been light and happy. Last week, we had excellent services, and everything was good. I don’t want to put any weight on us again. However, we need to clear the air. We’ve got to sound a trumpet. We need to know what’s happening within our church today. Not talking about this fellowship, but I’m talking about the church corporate. I’m talking about the worldwide church. We’ve got to understand what’s going on. So that’s what this is all about.
And what I’ve seen and what I’m hearing in my heart and my spirit is that it’s a time for separation, not only from the world and the humanistic systems, but from the harlot church system. Now we understand the Bible teaches there is a false church. There’s the harlot church. There’s the false church. I want to clarify my perspective on what I believe, what I observe, and what I perceive the false church to be.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
The first thing we need to understand is that the lines have been drawn. I believe that’s where we are right today. God is drawing a line. I’ve always wondered, I said, Lord, how will you ever differentiate? How will you know? How will an individual know where they are in your purposes, in your scheme of things? And I believe this is what he is doing today. I think he’s drawing his line, and he’s naming things. He’s making it very clear. And you’ll see this as I progress.
God Is Darwing A Clear Line
One side of the line is going to be a covenant people. The other side of the line is man’s systems. How many, first of all, can relate to that? You see what I’m talking about. There is a true covenant people. Some people are covenant-oriented, and everything you understand, that everything that your covenant, everything from Matthew through the book of Revelation, is your covenant, your new covenant. You understand that. And you want everything it has to offer you. Everything, because it’s your covenant, is what you’re promised.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
But how many also understand that there’s a man’s system that says, I’ll only take what I want. I’ll only agree with what I want to agree with. I’ll only do what I want to do, as long as it sounds good and it tastes good to me, then I’ll eat that. But if it doesn’t taste good, even though it’s bitter, I won’t swallow it. And so, what I’m trying to show you is that today God is drawing His line and He’s saying, ‘There’s My covenant people, and there’s going to be a false system. ‘ And this is coming up within us.
This is what Paul is warning us about. I want to be a covenant person. I want everything. How many want everything that your covenant has to offer you? Amen. That’s what we’re about. We want the covenant. We want it all. But we’re reluctant to give. It is more blessed to give than to receive. And so we want the parts of the covenant, you see, that bless us. Give me, give me. But not the parts that you have to give back.
Now, let me show you real quickly through some scriptures. I’m not going to look up all of these because I’ve got some things that I want to look at in just a second. But let me give you these, and you’ll understand where I’m coming from a little bit better. Jesus said that there will be a day when the wheat will be separated from the chaff. He also said, John the Baptist emphasized this one, that even this is not sufficient, for there’s going to be another separation of this wheat.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
It’s going to go through even more refining because the chaff will be separated from the grain. Is that right? Is that right? Sure, sure. He wants the chaff away from us. The Lord wants the tares away from us. He wants you to choose this day whom you will serve. Joshua said, As for me and my household, we’re going to be covenant people. So that’s what we’re talking about. All right.
Then he said there would come a day when we would separate the sheep from the goats. He says there will come a day when we will separate the good fish from the bad fish. He says there will come a day, as mentioned in Matthew 13. Let’s look at verse 38 to start with.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Matthew 13:38-43
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
We’re going to linger here for basically the rest of this morning. But verse 38 says, the field is the world. The good seed is the children of the kingdom. And somebody finish that for me. And the tares are the children of the wicked one. So you’re either children of the kingdom or children of the wicked one. You’re either good fish or you’re bad fish. You’re either sheep or you’re goats. We’re either wheat or chaff, or you’re either wheat or tares, according to this. And we could go on with this.
You know that this is unending. You’re either light or darkness. You’re either day or night. There’s no gray area in God. You can’t be both. You’re one or the other. And so what God’s doing today, I really feel, is he’s drawing his line. Choose you this day whom you will serve.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Only One Solution
How many solutions? All that’s going on today in the church world, all that’s going on today in the world as a whole, how many solutions are there? Are there three? There are two? One. There is only one solution to man’s problems. Only one. Not two, not three, but one. That is to be in and to understand the covenant. If you’re not in and you don’t understand the covenant, then you don’t understand your relationship with God.
You want to be in. You want to understand the covenant, not only its blessings, but also its curses. Now, understand that. Please understand that. The covenant, as described in Deuteronomy, included both blessings and curses. And He says, Jesus says,” If you obey me, you will keep my commandments. “‘
Every covenant comes with both sides. You build a house upon a rock, and it will stand. You build a house upon the sand, and it will fall. We have both sides. Both of them are promises of the Word of God. Both of them face the same storms. The only difference is, what side of the line are you on? Are you in man’s systems or are you in covenant? Where’s your house built? What are you founded upon? Where are you at? Not only what God will do for you, but what you must do on your part for God and the covenant.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
We must have an understanding of God’s ways. We need to be people who are so in tune with God’s ways, and when He moves, we know where He’s going and what He’s doing. It’s necessary to be a people so in tune because he won’t do a thing if you’re in proper relationships with him, that he won’t tell you first. He says, I don’t do a thing except I first tell my prophets. Did he come to Abraham before he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah? Can I keep this from my friend Abraham?
But he was in a proper covenant relationship. And then, when the church enters proper covenant relationships, there will be no doubt about what God is doing. His ways will be our ways.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
I know you’re saying, Delbert, but the scripture says in Isaiah, ‘Where’s that dude?’ Do what you told him that one time. His ways are not our ways, as far as heaven is above the earth, so are his ways above our ways. But if you go back there and read that, you’ll find out that it shouldn’t be that way. Our ways should be his ways. You have the mind of Christ. One day, we will let the mind that is in Christ also be in us. Now, how many of you understand where I’m coming from so far?
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Okay, I’m warning you today. I’m sounding the trumpet today that I feel God is drawing a line, and He’s saying, ‘ Choose you this day, not choose sides, but choose where you’re going to stand.’ Don’t choose sides, choose the covenant. This stuff’s sticking hard.
In the word covenant, now we’re fixing to do something in this fellowship. In the word covenant, I see a word here, covey. Now, this is not my fault. I try to tell you when things are not my fault. This is not my fault, but it’s a good thought, okay? I see the word covey. I got this off a tape. This is Covey. In the word covenant, I see covey. How many understand what a covey of quail is, a covey of partridges? Do you know what that is? It’s a covey, comprising 30 to 40 birds that group together. They group together. Covenant, covey.
As long as that group of birds stays together, with 30 or 40 birds remaining together, and the hunter comes with his dog, he has three rounds and 30 birds. And that dog comes and he points, or he sits, according to what kind of dog you got. And he comes, anyway, he marks those birds. Now, I mean, I’m talking about the most excellent hunter that there can be. What is the maximum he can get out of those 30 or 40 birds? Three. That’s all he’s got. Three shots, bang, bang, bang. And he’s got to be good. Odds are one or two. If it’s me, odds are all the birds will still be safe.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
How many understand that as long as the church coveys together, covenants together, and we get pointed, is the church always getting pointed? Always getting marked. And when we rise up, we might lose a few. Even Jesus lost one. When we rise up, we might lose a few. But for the most part, our chances of survival are excellent.
But once that covey scatters, and the dogs go forth, you’ve got a single bird. He’s marked. The hunter’s still got three rounds. Now, what’s the opportunity? What are the chances of that bird getting away? I mean, even a sad hunter. What are the opportunities for that bird to get away? Very, very slim.
Believers Must Covenant Together
What am I saying? As long as we covey together, as long as we covenant together, as long as we are of one mind and one accord, as long as we unite our strength and bond it together with a perfect bond of love, as long as we are together, we succeed. They’re going to come for us. They’re going to point us. We’re going to flush. We’re going to be shot at. We might lose a couple, but for the most part, we’re safe. It’s when we get separated. It’s when you get away from the covenant. When we stray from the covey, our chances of survival decrease. Are you hearing me?
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
This fellowship is about to move into covey relationships. And this is why I shared this thought with you, because it’s precisely where we are. This fellowship is just before moving into covey relationships. We’re going to start home fellowships or home covey. We’re going to start forming covenant relationships as we take this seriously. I believe God is getting serious. It’s a time of seriousness. I believe God is more serious now than he’s ever been. And I think he wants people who are serious.
Your elders, I promise you, are very, very serious about what’s happening right now. They are being real elders. Your deacons are being real deacons. They’re serious. They’re growing fruit and producing fruit. But if we can’t get to you, if we can’t get to you and touch your life and answer your questions and explain to you from where we’re coming from and what the thought is on this and where we’re going, if we can’t get to you and covey with you, if we can’t get to you and relate what’s being said from here to you, we’re still going to stay scattered.
Our whole purpose is to come together. But we can’t from this pulpit continue to gain a deeper understanding of the Word of God if you don’t understand the basic principles of the oracles of God. Do you see what I’m saying? So what we’re going to do is start covey fellowships, covenant fellowships, where we can come together and we can share with you some of the things that are coming forth from this pulpit so that you can understand what’s going on.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Let me show you some things now. Read what I’ve written, and then we’ll move to Mark Matthew 13. The purpose of the covenant groups is primarily fellowship. Now listen, mainly fellowship. Isn’t that what a covey does? Primarily fellowship. But also to strengthen you and teach you the principles.
Now hear what I’m about to say. The principles of the kingdom of God. Now I need to regress a little because the kingdom is under the kingdom message; the word’ kingdom’ is under attack. And so what I’ve got to do is regress a little bit and show you that the kingdom is what we must teach. And if I teach anything other than the kingdom, then I’m over here on this side of the board. I’m over there in the harlot system. Please hear me. Please tune in. Don’t cut me off. Please don’t cut me off. Please listen to me, please.
Let’s look at a few scriptures. Look at verse 18 of Matthew 13.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Matthew 13:18
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
He has just told the parable of the soil and the seed, or the seed and the sower. This really should be the soil and the seed. Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When anyone heareth what? The word of the kingdom.
Now I’ve got to stop right there. The message is under attack. We’re pointed, we’re set on whatever, we’re marked. And some of us are starting to flush, and we’re being shot at. It’s the word of the kingdom. Hear me, please. Hear my spirit, not me, not my mannerisms, not the way I say things, but please hear the spirit of what I’m saying. There is no word but the word of the kingdom. Okay, any other word other than the word of the kingdom is the word of the harlot. Please stay with me.
Now I’m going to show you some things. We only want to hear the gospel. We only want to hear the truth. If I asked you to raise your hand, every one of you wants to hear the truth. And you’ve got this one saying this, and this one saying this, and this one saying this, and this one saying this.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
What I’m trying to show you today, plainly, is that at the same time, God sends the sword on the land. At the same time, he sends the flood to the land. He’s also raising up watchmen who warn you about the sword and who warn you about the flood. He wants his people in the ark. The ark is the covenant. The ark is the church. He wants you in it.
Now, let’s examine a few key points. Matthew 4:23. We’re coming back to Matthew 13, but I’ve got to get this across because if I don’t show you this, I’m regressing. I am. I’ve got about four or five tapes just on the kingdom of God. It examines a wide range of scriptures concerning the kingdom of God. However, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you. Please hang in here, tight with me. We only want to hear the truth. We only want to hear the gospel. Now I’ve got to show you what the gospel is. Matthew chapter 4, verse 23.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Look what goes along with that. And healing all manner of sicknesses among the people. And diseases among the people. You’ve got to understand what Jesus taught. What did Jesus preach? Gospel of the kingdom of God. Do you see that? He went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Now let’s look at some more.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Chapter 9 of Matthew. I’ll show you that I’m not just pulling scriptures here and there. This is the principle that we’ve got to understand. When I teach and I preach the gospel, for the most part, I’m not teaching and preaching a visible kingdom. For I know that the kingdom can never be visible unless it first becomes inward. The kingdom of God is, first and foremost, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. That’s first and foremost.
They came to Jesus and asked when the kingdom would come. Jesus said plainly this. It does not come with observation. The kingdom of God is within you. Before it can ever manifest outwardly, it must manifest inwardly. So that’s what I’m sharing here.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
And Jesus, verse 35, Matthew 9. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Do you see that? Tell me, please, what did Jesus preach? The gospel of the kingdom. He preached, he taught the gospel of the kingdom, and then came healing, all the sicknesses and all the diseases, and so forth.
One more and then you’ll know. Mark, chapter 1. What I’m showing you is that the gospel and the kingdom are one and the same. If you want to hear the gospel, then you’ve got to hear about the kingdom. You want to hear the kingdom, you’re hearing the gospel. And there’s a tremendous attack. I want to sound a trumpet and let you see some things that others are trying to hide and keep covered up.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Now, after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent you and believe the gospel. Do you see that the gospel and the kingdom or the word of the kingdom are the same thing? You need to see that, please. I mean, you won’t understand what’s going on if you don’t understand that the gospel and the kingdom are the same thing.
There is no gospel other than the gospel of the kingdom of God. Any gospel that teaches anything other than the kingdom of God is a harlot gospel, and the watchman must say, watch it, watch you there for. I wrote this to mock the pure gospel. And notice how I did say that, pure gospel. Some “gospel” teachings and “kingdom” teachings are not pure. But to mock the pure gospel of the kingdom is to mock the pure message that Jesus preached, okay? Are you with me so far?
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Back to Matthew 13. And I’m winding it up. Since you watch, Willis, I’ll be through in 30 minutes. We were out fellowshipping the other night, and they were teasing me. I said that the other night, and he looked at his watch; 30 minutes later, I was through.
Matthew 13:19
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
We’re going to see some problems with this soil, with this reception of the seed, which is the word of the kingdom. Now, verse 19, when anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, what kind of word is there? What is the only type of word? The word of the kingdom. All right. He went forth and he sowed the word of the kingdom. When he went forth and sowed the word of the kingdom, he says, when anyone heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away or snatches away that which was sown in his heart, this is he which received seed by the wayside.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
The Primary Hindering Issue
Number one problem. The primary issue with the message, or the gospel, or the word of the kingdom, is that people don’t understand it. Number one problem. And when the sower goes forth to sow the seed, when I teach and minister about the kingdom of God, it’s not understood for the most part. And what’s not understood, immediately comes the wicked one and does what? Snatches it away.
You can get that thought, and you can understand why we must begin some Covey fellowships. You need time where you can sit down with the elders and say, What was he talking about Sunday? What did he mean when he said this? Most of you don’t take notes. You need to take notes and write down your questions when I say something you don’t understand, so that I can come back and clarify what I’m trying to convey.
Of course, you say, well, you’re a preacher. But when I wasn’t a preacher, my whole life was built around Sunday. I knew what I was going to do on Sunday. I didn’t know what I would be doing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but I knew what I would be doing on Sunday. My whole life was built around the church, centered on attending church, and centered on the Covey—the covenant of God.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Please hear my spirit, not my voice. People do not understand what they hear about the word of the kingdom. The wicked one comes and takes it away. Our Covey groups will be responsible for getting people to understand the word and the gospel of the kingdom. If you don’t understand it, if it’s been preached and taught and you still don’t know what in the world is being said, and you still don’t understand it, you must attend these Covey groups.
Let those who have a handle on it show you some things and say, ‘Well, here it is.’ You can say, well, what about this? And they can say, well, this. You can come together and understand it. You need to know the definition of the kingdom. We need to know kingdom principles, and we need to see that the kingdom is first and foremost of all things. God’s purpose is the kingdom.
Matthew 13:20-21
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Let’s address the second problem, verse 20. But he that received the seed. Now, what is the seed? Word of the kingdom. Get that, please get that. But he that receives the word of the kingdom into stony places. The same is he that heareth the word of the kingdom. Immediately, with joy, receives it.
Oh, it sounds so good. That was a great message. That’s so good. I enjoyed that. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while. Now, get this. Oh, my. For when tribulation and persecution arise because of the word of the kingdom, by and by he’s offended. If you’re not rooted in this, if you don’t understand it, if you’re not rooted, if you don’t have some roots into this message and understand what it’s trying to say, and know that it’s the basic principle of all that God’s ever done.
If you don’t understand that, as soon as persecution comes and you start getting shot at, you flush up, bang, you’re offended. You got it, and the principle is one of the primary purposes. Let me read. If I don’t read what I’ve written, I’ll just talk too long. People readily catch the message of the kingdom. But because they are not established in it, rooted in it, when persecution and tribulation come because of the word of the kingdom, he’s offended.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Covey Groups will help you establish a solid root system. I can’t develop a root system for you in 30 to 45 minutes a week, two hours a week. I can’t develop a root system for you. I’ve got to get closer to you than here to get into your life. We need to help you dig out the bad roots of some things that shouldn’t be there so that the proper roots of the kingdom can grow into your life, and that the word can get a root system in you.
If this does not happen, as soon as tribulation arises, and will they occur? Please understand. In Matthew 7, where Jesus talks about two people building houses, one on a rock and one on the sand, it is a promise from God. It is a promise of God that you will face floods and storms in your life. It’s a promise that tribulation and persecution are coming.
And if you don’t understand this, you’ll be offended. Covey groups will help you develop a solid root system. Roots that go down deep. So when tribulation and persecution come because of this word, you will not be offended. You’ll be ready for warfare. You will be prepared for warfare. I thought that was good. Amen.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Matthew 13:22
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Number three problem, verse 22. He also that heareth the what? See, which is the word of the kingdom. Among the thorns is he that heareth the word of the kingdom, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, chokes the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Choking of the word of the kingdom is what we’re talking about here. Choking it out of you. You can get it in you and understand it. You can develop a sound root system. But if you allow the things of this world, deceitfulness of riches, if you allow them to come into your life, it’ll choke this kingdom message right out of you.
I’ve too much to do to attend Covey groups. No, you need to change that around. You have nothing more important to do than attend Covey groups. Well, I’ve got other meetings to attend. No, I promise you by the word of the Lord, this is the most essential thing that you can possibly do. But I’ve got to work. The deceitfulness of riches cares of this world. Choke this right out of you.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Covey groups cannot help you if you’re scattered. If you do not Covey, you’ll be choked and you’ll be unfruitful. How many want to be fruitful for God? I mean, you want to be productive for the kingdom of God? Sure, you do. Sure, you do. I know you do. You need to establish a root system. You’ve got to understand this seed. You’ve got to understand this word.
Matthew 13:23
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Number four: What are the results we expect from the Covey groups? Number four, verse 23, is where I’m at? But he that received seed into good ground is he that heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it. It’s number one, which also beareth fruit and bringeth forth some hundredfold, some 60, some 30. Out of court, holy place, holy of holies.
God wants you to understand what he’s doing. He wants you to understand the word. He wants you to understand the message. Our desire, first and foremost, is to help you be fruitful. We want you to know and understand God’s ways. We want you to know and understand the word of the kingdom. I want you to be able to preach, teach and do what Jesus did, preach and teach.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Now, we are just about to begin Covey groups. We’ll be getting in touch with you individually to let you know which one is closest to you. The reason that I’m ministering this is because I want you to commit. I’ve shared with you from my heart. I’ve shared with you what I’ve heard of the Lord this morning. I want you to commit to understanding the purposes of these things.
You now know more about the kingdom message. You understand that the soil and the kingdom are related and know that God’s purposes are related. I want a commitment from you. And if I get enough commitments, we will have one in your area. And we’ve already discussed that we want one in Trion, one in Lafayette, and one up towards Chickamauga, if there’s going to be some support for it. Please don’t move by your emotions. However, if you would like to be Covey-related, consider having some answers provided to you from the message of this kingdom. Understand it. Get rooted. Understand it. Bring forth fruit.
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
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Enemies Of The Kingdom: How to Stay Rooted in Truth
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