In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of refreshment and how it can come in times of rejection and despair. He uses the example of David, who was feeling rejected and hurt, but was refreshed by his friend Jonathan. The speaker also shares stories of individuals who experienced refreshment through the word of God, such as a Catholic nun who found comfort in a letter and a preacher's wife who was struggling with addiction. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being a source of refreshment for others and highlights the impact it can have on their lives.

We thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the service this morning. This is an answer to your prayers. God said wherever there is unity, He will command His blessing. And if you keep this spirit of unity among pastors, denominations, individual churches, you can be very confident God will do great things in your midst. And it is so true. It is the presence of Christ that exposes everything that is unlike God. I walked in here this morning, the glory of the Lord filled the house. Now I want to give you something practical to take home with you. Go to 2 Corinthians, the 7th chapter, please. 2 Corinthians, chapter 7. I'm going to talk to you about the ministry of refreshing other people. You have refreshed yourself in the Spirit. Now it's time to refresh somebody else. That wasn't a good amen. That's a good one. 2 Corinthians, chapter 7, beginning to read, let's start at verse 5. This is Paul speaking. He's writing to the Philippians. He said, when we were come unto Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side, without were fighting, within were fears. Nevertheless, God that comforted those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you. And he told us of your earnest desire and your mourning, your fervent mind toward me, so that I rejoiced even more. And not only by his coming, but also by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you. He told us of your earnest desire and your mourning, your fervent mind toward me, so that I rejoiced even more. I'm so glad that Paul was human just like I am and just like you are. If Paul was a superman, he would have nothing to say to me, or his epistles would have no meaning. Here's one of the greatest Bible teachers of all time. Had the greatest revelation of Jesus Christ. He taught the church more than any other man about walking in the fullness of Christ. But now we find him in Macedonia. He's lonely. He's hurting. And he's cast down. He says this. I'm troubled on every side. Outwardly there is fighting. Inside, inward, there's fear. Now let me give you the background of his condition. Paul, the Apostle, came to this after writing a very stinging letter to the church at Corinth. There had been immorality. A man committed a terrible sin. And Paul, the Apostle, came to this after writing a very stinging letter to the church at Corinth. Paul, the Apostle, felt that they were not dealing with it properly. In fact, he thought they were overlooking the sin. He wrote a strong letter. He said, you're puffed up, you're proud. You're not grieving over the sin. You've not judged it spiritually. And then he gives this very hard word. This man should have been turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that he may be saved in the day of the Lord. Paul later said he wrote that letter in tears. He wrote... He was zealous for the purity of the church at Corinth. He loved this church. It was born in his own womb. He saw something creeping into the church of Jesus Christ. So he writes this strong letter. After he wrote the letter, there was some... some second thought in his mind. Was I too hard? Have I offended the church in Corinth? He had told them, you must, in the name of the Lord, deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh. I have never in my life preached such a hard message. That's an incredible, strong message. And Paul later said, I had second thoughts. He said, I repented for a season. In fact, he was so grieved over it, it worried his heart. He had also heard that false prophets were creeping into the church at Corinth. These so-called prophets were despising his suffering, his imprisonment. They were undermining his authority. And when you read between the lines, they were trying to steal the pastorship, they steal the church from Paul's authority. Paul had been to Ephesus also. He was supposed to go to the church at Corinth, he was supposed to go. But he skipped, he didn't go. Later he said, I was too weary. I didn't want to come to you in that condition. And God poured out His Spirit in Ephesus. They worshiped Diana. And under Paul's preaching, a revival broke out. And they were turning away from the goddess Diana. And they were casting aside their idols. And they were burning all their occult books. The silversmiths who made the idols, began to stir up the crowd. He said, this man is trying to destroy our religion. He's teaching religious bigotry. And a riot breaks out in Ephesus. And they gather in an auditorium, or an outward stadium, as I say. And Paul wants to go in. He wants to preach to that crowd. And he was being pushed. And the crowd was coming after him. And Paul's best friends, his co-workers, said no, and refused him to go in to preach. And Paul later was writing about that episode. And he said, I despaired of my life. I just got away with my life. What he's saying, I could have been killed. We don't know what all else happened in Ephesus. But he said he was pressed out of measure. Beyond his strength. And he said, I even despaired of my life. I really thought they were going to kill me. He uses words like these. Persecuted. Perplexed. Cast down. He was so burdened now, that this letter that he had written to Corinth, has so gripped his soul, he calls his spiritual son, Titus. He said, I want you to go to the church. And I want you to tell them I love them. That I wrote this in tears and sorrow. He said, I didn't mean to offend anybody. Find out what's happened. Has my message had an impact? He said, and I want you to meet me in Troas. He leaves Ephesus. A broken spirit. This great man of God. There was weariness in him. But he went to Troas. From Ephesus. On his way to Troas. He's talking about the weariness. But he's talking about this moment he's going to meet his spiritual son, Titus. And he kept the news. From the Corinthian church. He goes to Troas. And Titus is not there. He didn't show up. And the Bible says Paul said, there was an open door made for me in Troas. He said, God opens a door for ministry. But Paul did something he had never done in his life. Something that was contrary to his preaching and teaching. He had never walked away from an open door. But his spirit was so weary. He said, when I came to Troas. To preach the gospel of Christ. A door was opened to me by the Lord. But I had no rest in my spirit. Because I did not find Titus. So I left them. And I went to Macedonia. He is so hurt. And so concerned. About the church. And the reception of his message. He goes away. From an open door. And this is where we find him in our text. He's in Macedonia. And in verse five we read. When I came to Macedonia. Our flesh, meaning his flesh. Had no rest. I was troubled on every side. Outside were fighting. Inside were fears. And you see when the enemy comes against us with discouragement. All the lies of hell come beating down upon us. Now I've been preaching over 50 years. And in all those years I've met many ministers. Many Christians. That have had this weariness. This attack from hell. When the enemy comes. And plants and instills lies in the mind. Can you imagine what the devil was saying to Paul? You've been rejected. Your message is ineffective. They've turned against you. He even said all in Asia have turned against me. That's impossible. He was loved by thousands. All his spiritual sons in Asia loved him. But now he's saying. Because he's hearing these voices. Everybody is against you. You've lost your effectiveness. You don't have an anointing anymore. Now if you've ever come to that. If you've ever said I've labored in vain. You're in good company. Jesus himself said that in Isaiah. I have labored in vain. That's when the enemy came in. In a great trial. I've heard that from many great ministers of the gospel. And some of you here even now. You came to this conference very weary. And the enemy comes against you. With lies. Remember when David was running from Saul. Rather from his son. Absalom was after trying to kill him. And what did the advisor say? Wait until he's weary. And when he's tired. Then we'll come with an army against him. And the enemy waits until you're tired. Until you're weary. And he comes with lies. If God could have even opened the eyes of Paul. You see. He's thinking now. Even Titus is against me. He goes to the church. And he hears all of this gossip. It's infected him also. And I stand all alone. If God could have only opened the eyes of Paul. If he could have just pulled back the curtain. And show him what was happening. In the church. As a result of his letter. A revival had broken out. They had dealt with the sin. There was a great love in their heart for their pastor. But Paul doesn't know that. Paul was weary. He said I was in Troas. And Titus didn't come. So in weariness he left. He waits in Macedonia. Because the second plan was if you don't meet me in Troas. Meet me for sure in Macedonia. And Paul comes as a weary. Lonely man to Macedonia. He's no one to talk to. He's burdened. And there's fear inside his head. And everywhere he looks there's trouble outside. But one day in Macedonia. Perhaps when he's down at his lowest. There's a knock on the door. And there smiling at his spiritual father. It's Titus. And I see Titus embracing Paul. It must have grieved Titus' heart. To see the weariness on the face of Paul. His spiritual father. And Titus begins to tell him the story. And Titus begins to tell Paul what had happened. Titus was so refreshed. He had been revived. The church, what was happening at the church. Had so blessed and refreshed him. He said Paul. You'll never believe. There's a revival. Your message. Had a powerful effect on the church. And they've sent me. To tell you. They've not only dealt with their sins. They're seeking God. And your message has been powerful to them. And listen to what Paul said. I was comforted. Not just by his coming. But by the consolation by which he was comforted. I was refreshed. By the spirit that was in him. And he goes on to say this. He said. When he told me of your earnest desire. Your mourning or your repentance. And listen to this. Your fervent love or mind toward me. So that I rejoiced all the more. And then when you get to verse four. Now this is already. Titus has already given him the word. He said great is my boldness toward you now. He said I'm filled with comfort. And in the Greek it's I am refreshed. I'm exceedingly joyful. And in the Greek when you study it. He said I have never been more refreshed. Please see what the Holy Ghost is saying. God uses people. To comfort and refresh his church. One on one. A refreshed spirit. Has power. To bring people. That are depressed. That are hurting. And weary. A refreshed spirit. Can bring them right out of the pits. Bring them out of the pit. Out of despair. Do you know when you're hurting. When you're depressed. When you're going through a struggle. The last thing in the world that you need. Is another depressed person. Somebody comes to you. And says you don't know what I'm going through. If you only knew what I'm going through. And you're standing there. Saying that's the last thing I need to hear. I have my own battle. I have my own struggle. Why are you unloading on me? Folks we unload our problems on people. We don't go to the secret closet of prayer. We get on the phone. We call our friends. You don't know what my husband said. You don't know how my wife is treating me. You don't know what I'm going through. And those people you're talking to. Need to be refreshed. There's so many books now written. About how to cope with depression. How to cope with problems. But Paul is giving us the truth. And the truth is this. If those books. And those tapes. That preaching. If it's not born. Out of a battle. Out of suffering. And you come out of it. Trusting God. Not depending on people. But allowing the Holy Ghost. To comfort your spirit. And refresh your spirit. Everything you say. Is empty. Has no impact. The only message that has impact. Comes through the consolation. The Holy Ghost gave you. When you were in trouble. Paul said. He who comforts. Is speaking about the Holy Ghost. He said the Holy Ghost who is the comforter. How did he comfort him? He didn't send an angel. He can send an angel if he wants. God uses people. The Holy Ghost comforts through people. I am your Titus today. God sent me. To refresh your spirit. So with Gary. The list of preachers. The Lord sent us. To refresh you. Because we have come out of battles. In the past 30 days. I have been refreshed by the Holy Spirit. I have come out of a great battle. Out of lies from the pits of hell. And I know he is a victor. I bring you a good report. He wants you to know. You are loved. He is not mad at you. And your best days are still ahead of you. That is the Holy Ghost. God that comforts those that are cast down. Comforted me. By the coming of Titus. You find this all through the Bible. This ministry of refreshing. And if you are sitting here. Say I am not ordained. I am not a licensed minister. You have a ministry. And it is going to be ministry of the Holy Ghost. In these last days. One on one. No big time evangelists. No big meetings. If that is what you are looking for. If you think that is what this country needs. Another American evangelist. Or a South American evangelist. If you want some big mass crusade. That is not the answer. Thank God for all of that. But it is going to be one on one. One person to another person. Of refreshed Christians. For getting the victory through the Holy Ghost. And going about. Seeking out the hurts of others. Seeking out the needs of others. And they are going to them. Without condemnation. Without gossip. My Bible tells me. That in the last days. According to the prophet Zachariah. God's people. Are going to speak to one another. They are going to speak one to one. The Bible says. And I am telling you. That is the last outpouring of the Holy Spirit. A revival of Christians. Individuals. Refreshing one another. Paul the Apostle. In 2 Timothy he said this. The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus. For he has often refreshed me. He is not ashamed of my chains. But he came to Rome. He sought me out diligently. And he found me. And in many ways. He refreshed me. He looked me up. He said oh God. My brother is hurting. Show me how to get to him. Lead me. We talk about the leading. The guiding of the Holy Ghost. Why can't we get up every day. Say Holy Spirit. You want me to call somebody. You want me to talk to somebody. Somebody that is hurting. Somebody in the church. A neighbor. No gossip. No murmuring. No complaining. But just go. I am going to ask you sisters. Do you know how to bake cookies? Make them Holy Ghost cookies. I am going to refresh. And the cookies. Just get me in the door. Oh no. You want some great evangelist. The Lord says no. I want a dish of rice and beans. For your neighbor. To your friend. To your neighbor. Do you remember when David was running from Saul? He had just delivered the city of Keilah. And they invited him to stay in Keilah. Because he had been living in the woods. But that word came. That Saul was coming toward Keilah. He found out that David was there. David asked the Lord a question. He said when Saul comes. Will they protect me or will they turn against me? God said they are going to turn against you. Even though you delivered them. Run. Get out. So David now. Is in rejection. He feels a rejection. He has just delivered these people. And now they are planning to turn him over to Saul. And when you read the Psalms. In that time period. David was hurting more than he had ever been hurting in his life. And just when he was hurting the most. God sends him a man. He sends a friend. Jonathan. Saul's son. Rose up. And he went into the woods to find David. And he refreshed his hand in the Lord. And he said to David. David don't be afraid. My father is not going to find you. You are yet going to be king of Israel. God is with you. You are still loved in Israel. Be of good courage. I'm standing with you. David was the greatest moment of refreshment. That David ever recorded. I got a letter. This past week. Before I came here. From a Catholic nun. Who. Is now a preacher of the gospel. She's 59 years old. And recently she had a stroke. And she fell into deep depression. And she's a woman of God. But in deep depression. So she decided to write her own obituary. And plan her funeral. This is her obituary. She sent it to me. No one's wife. I was no man's wife. I was no one's mother. I was cut off from my family because of my salvation. I have accomplished nothing of importance in my life. I have lived in poverty. A real loser has just died. She said, but something happened. A pastor came. And gave me one of your letters. Called. Have you felt like giving up lately? And she said, the word. That came to me just in time. And she said. A pastor. Just handed her. Said, God wants you to read this. She said, I have been refreshed. God has changed my heart. Just a word. I get a call. Not too long ago. From some friends of a preacher's wife. I said, she's on drugs. On the mission field. She began to drink. And became an alcoholic. And now she's mostly alcoholic. And she says that she has no reason to live. Would you please call her? They had sent me her telephone number. The Holy Spirit said, call her. The moment I called her. She had her baby. A two year old baby in her arms. In one arm a baby. Another arm a knife. Ready to take her life. There's not much you can say. All I could tell her. Jesus loves you. You're not finished. And God sent me. Right now. I said, put the knife down. She put the knife down. I said, now just lay the baby down. And I began to pray. Lord, there has to be a miracle. There's a knock on the door. While I was praying. She went to the door. It was a pastor's wife. That found out of her condition. And the Holy Spirit said. Go. Right now. Knock on her door. It was her salvation. Just in time. The pastor's wife. Adopted her as a sister. All the miracles that God has in store. Quit looking for some big thing to do for Jesus. Stop thinking about greatness. Stop thinking like this. Start thinking like this. Lord Jesus. Who can I refresh? Who can I refresh? Lead me. At this point in my ministry. I thank God for the numbers that come to hear. But my greatest pleasure now. Is under the leading of the Holy Spirit. To find somebody. That needs to be refreshed. Just a word. God's with you. God's going to see you through. Here's my number. You can call me. I'm available. That's what God's looking for. Go home from this conference. With this ministry in mind. God who comforts. Comforted me. By the coming of Titus. Hallelujah. Will you stand? Very simple, practical word from the Lord. 11.30? Are you in a hurry? When I came in for the second service here. There's such a wonderful spirit of worship. I've always believed that we should have a spirit of thanksgiving. When God brings his word to us. And he heals us. The Bible said we should return. I'd give him thanks.