This sermon focuses on the Fellowship of Christ's Suffering as outlined in 1 Peter chapter 5. The speaker emphasizes the need for believers to be sober and vigilant against the adversary, the devil, who seeks to devour. Drawing from biblical examples like Samson, David, Daniel, and others, the message encourages trust in God's strength and empowerment through the Holy Spirit to overcome the enemy's attacks and stand firm in faith.

1 Peter chapter 5, please, in the New Testament, if you'll turn there. The Fellowship of Christ's Suffering. The Fellowship of Christ's Suffering. Now, before you get discouraged by the title, you will be encouraged if you'll just hold through on this message. Let me get to the heart of what God's given me to speak today. You'll be encouraged. Now, Father, I thank you, Lord. With all my heart, God, I praise you. Jesus, for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I could never stand here in my own strength. I couldn't reason the Scriptures. There's nothing I could do. I would be without strength. I would be without wisdom. It's only because your Spirit has come upon me, God, that I have any power to stand here and even know what it is that you are thinking. I'm asking you, Lord, to give me the grace to convey this in a manner that people can hear it. And that it can have a lasting impact in the hearts of the hearers. And that your church be moved forward in the grace and the mighty knowledge of Jesus Christ. Thank you, God, that there's nothing that's come to us in our time that you've not already been aware of. And you're not taken by surprise. And you already have a plan. We thank you, God, that you'll make it known to us. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. 1 Peter chapter 5. If I didn't tell you that already, I guess I did. I don't need too many people. 1 Peter chapter 5. The fellowship of Christ's suffering. Beginning at verse 8. Be sober. Be vigilant. Because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. In other words, you're not going through anything that others are exempt from. And that others before us have gone through the things that we're about to go through. And God has proven himself faithful to them. But the God of all grace who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. After that you have suffered a while. Make you perfect. Establish. Strengthen. Settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Now the apostle Peter wrote this letter just prior to a time of terrible suffering that many of those to whom it was addressed were about to endure. Christianity in measure had been somewhat accepted in that generation. But some say it was written in the vicinity of A.D. 63-64. Just prior to the incredible bloodbath that arose under Emperor Nero in Rome. The Holy Spirit knew this was coming. He gave it to the apostle Peter to write this down. To encourage those who were part of this generation that were going to experience these difficulties. And I think that Peter in measure could write these words because he personally had suffered. And he had overcome a particular dark night of the soul. He knew the danger of misunderstanding difficult times. You remember at the last supper in Luke chapter 22 verses 31 and 32. Jesus said Simon, Simon behold Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. But I prayed for thee that thy faith fail not and when you are converted strengthen your brethren. It's hard to understand that Satan himself could actually be at the last supper. I want you to picture this for a moment. The disciples are gathered. Jesus is breaking the bread. Giving out the juice. He's letting them know that he's going to go to Calvary. Those who had ears to hear could hear that there was a difficult day coming. And when Jesus says to Peter, Satan has desired to have you. He could see into a realm that the disciples at that particular moment are not aware of. And I can prove this to you. If you go with me to John chapter 13 please. Back in your Bible to John chapter 13. We'll take another look at the last supper. You see Peter had been at a table where another man had been devoured by Satan. Remember our scriptures. Be sober be vigilant. For your adversary the devil is a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. And in John chapter 13 in verse 21 it says when Jesus had thus said. He was troubled in spirit. And testified and said. Verily verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus bosom one of his disciples that we know to be John today whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus breast said unto him Lord who is it? Jesus answered he it is to whom I shall give a supper. It's a piece of bread actually when I've dipped it. When I've taken the bread and I've dipped it in the wine. It's the man I give it to. And when he had dipped the sop he gave it to Judas Iscariot the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. So Satan was there. I can see circling I think Jesus saw it. He could see him as this roaring lion just circling this table. Where there's a discussion about the coming purpose of the Christ. The coming purpose of God. The suffering that Jesus is about to endure. And he's circling and he's looking for a heart. Somehow in his misguided understanding thinks that he can circumvent this. Or perhaps cause it not to come to its desired end as God had desired it. And Jesus it says in verse 26. He dipped the bread in the juice. And he handed it to Judas. And when Judas received it. The scripture tells us that Satan entered into him. It's an amazing thing if you could just understand this. The context. Now this is the key. I don't think Judas ever had any faith. That in the way that Christ was leading there was any personally desirable objective or purpose. He's a kind of a man who looks and he says. Why if this is God. If this is God at the table. Why does there have to be any suffering involved in my relationship with him. And that's a question that many people ask. Why does there have to be suffering? You know ironically. Now this is only conjecture on my part. So you take it for what it is. Ironically Judas may have been one of the only or the very few. And possibly the only man at the table who really understood what Jesus was saying. Peter didn't understand it. Because when you do a study of Judas and Peter. You can come to the conclusion. Saying well who. What was worse. What Judas did or what Peter did. Peter denied with an oath. He brought a curse down as it is from heaven upon himself. Saying I don't know this man. You see. I don't think Peter really. I think he's just speaking the truth. He had a view. We all have a view of Christ. We see God through the screen of our own longings and desires. That's why it's so important to lay these things down. And begin to read the scripture. And let God speak to our heart. Everyone sees God through their screen. That's why people gravitate to different types of gospel. Because they're looking for something palatable. To their self image. Their self view. Their sense of what they think their life should be. Or where they should go. And so they will gravitate to a message that fulfills as it is. This self view that they have of themselves. And when Peter stood and denied. It's certainly conceivable that he's looking at that Christ is being led away. And says I don't know that man. I don't know that man. That's not who I thought. I thought I had the keys to the kingdom. I thought we're going to rule and reign here. I thought there was. I was told that the gates of hell would not prevail. Against the church of Jesus Christ. And yet I see him being led away. And in my mind at least. I'm speaking on Peter's stead. I see hell seemingly triumphing. I don't know this man. And you can see John who had his head leaning on his chest. Who wrote these words in the gospel of John at the last supper. Saying oh finally I've found the father figure as it is. That I've been looking for. He'll never leave me. He'll always be here. I finally found everything that I've wanted in life. And he just so loved God. And I love him. And he loves me. And it's always going to be like this. Then suddenly, suddenly in the garden of Gethsemane. An angry mob shows up. With swords and torches and spears. And they captivate him. And the scripture tells us that John ran away. They grabbed a hold of his garment. He left his garment behind and ran away. And he fled in the garden. That was a form of denial. But you see there's something different in this betrayal of Judas. Because when Christ reached out over the table. And he offered him the fellowship of his suffering. That's what I believe it's about. I think Judas knew. And I'm left to conjecture. I'll have to ask God when I get to heaven. Because Judas is not going to be there. So obviously we can't ask him. But I think he knew. I think he saw something. He might have been one of the few that really understood this. When Jesus reached out in this intimate moment. And God Almighty is reaching out to this man. And saying I'm offering you. A chance to walk in the fellowship of my sufferings. I'm going to Calvary. I'm going to be rejected. I'm going to be abused as it is by mankind. There's going to be a wrath poured out in that place. And I'm going to seemingly be triumphed over. And I'm offering you this fellowship. And when he reached out. And he offered them this pathway of being given for the good of others. How many people today. Are taking communion. Across this country. And the bread is being passed down the aisle. And the juice is being passed down the aisle. But they're not interested in being given for other people. That was the issue with Judas. He wasn't interested. In this pathway. He was not interested in talking about a cross. Talking about rejection. Talking about seemingly being given over. And triumphed over for a season. And here's the key. When Judas pretended to accept and embrace the fellowship that Christ was offering. But it was not in his heart. Satan entered into him. He was stalking that table as a roaring lion. Looking for a heart. How can I get into this? This intimate fellowship as it is. This unity. That Psalm 133 says commands a blessing. From the head right down to the borders of the garment. With the scant and darkened understanding that Satan has of the scriptures. He somehow had to break into this. Fellowship. I can see it. If you can picture with me. This lion. Just walking about. Seeking whom he may devour. Finally finds a man. Who is playing the hypocrite game with God. Takes the cup. Takes the bread. Puts it into his mouth. Seemingly saying well this is enough. I'll at least give an appearance that I'm walking with you Lord. I'll give an appearance that I'm embracing everything you're saying. But in his heart he was not embracing it. And at that moment Satan entered into him. And I don't know how many times over the years. This has repeated itself in the professing church of Jesus Christ. People who take the communion cup. And they have no interest in moving. With how the Holy Spirit is leading through the body of Jesus Christ. They're there strictly for a personal purpose. And when that purpose is not fulfilled. Something gets a hold of them. And this roaring as it is of the enemy. Jesus now looks at this man. And now he's speaking to the devil himself. He says what you have to do. Do it quickly. Do it quickly. He doesn't realize now. His heart is given completely to darkness. Christ is not even speaking to him as a man anymore. He's speaking to Satan himself who's inside of him. Saying do quickly what you have to do. You can see Judas getting up from the table. And the scripture says in John 13 30. He's going out into the night. Well that's when lions hunt folks. You see the lion. The devil is a roaring lion. Has found somebody to devour. And he goes out into the night. Because that's when they hunt. They don't hunt in the daytime normally. Some of the finest hunting is done at night. I see Judas leaving that table going into the temple. Where the Pharisees are. Where just the phony religionists are. Those who claim to know God and don't. And he walks in and says to them with this roaring of the enemy. In his spirit. Give me money. It's the desire of God that through Christ I become wealthy. Give me money. You see that's why I came to God in the first place. That's what I want from God. He won't give it to me himself. So I'll get it. Any way I have to now. Give me money. Ezekiel chapter 22 verse 25. The prophet Ezekiel cries out about Israel. And he says there's a conspiracy for prophets in the midst thereof. Like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They've devoured souls. They've taken the treasure and the precious things. And they've made many widows in the midst thereof. Ezekiel says there's a treachery as it is in the prophets. Of a generation about to go under the judgment of God. They've gone in and their focus has been no different than what we've been talking about all through this message thus far. And they've devoured souls and they've taken away the strength of the people. Where the true life of God really is. And where the true strength of God really is. Can you hear the voices of those who themselves. Have become the prey of Satan. Listen to what David the Psalmist in Psalm 22 verse 13. He wrote these words. Now we know from the study of scripture. This is the Holy Spirit speaking about the very moment that Christ is crucified. On Calvary. He says they gaped upon me with their mouths. As a ravening and a roaring lion. There's this roar against God. And in a sense Satan and everyone who agrees with his thinking says surely the victory has been won. The prey is in our teeth. Surely we have him now. Remember he said Jesus said in one of his parables. They said this is the heir. Let us kill him. And the inheritance will be ours. We don't have to go this way. Let's just push this Christ. And everything he's had to say about what he's doing. Let's just push this out of our consciousness. And we will have the inheritance. We can have heaven. We can have heaven on earth. We can have everything that we want. We can do it all in Jesus name. The only thing we have to do is get him out of our consciousness. We don't have to deal with it. And so here they are at the cross. And folks you have to understand this is a religious crowd. That's gathered there. These are people with a history. These people are devout. They're going into the synagogues. They're opening the words of Psalm 22. They're reading from the book of Isaiah. They know the prophets. And when the God who wrote these things appears in their midst. And takes them in a direction they don't want to go. They're standing at the cross. And they're saying he saved others. Himself he cannot save. Come down from the cross thou Christ. If you be who you say you are. And we will follow you. They're casting all kinds of vileness in his face. In a sense he's surrounded by this spirit of Satan himself. Who has devoured a multitude. And infused his corruptible darkened thinking into their hearts. That's where they're at. That's where they're theologically at. That's where they're practically at. That's where they're experientially at. In this particular moment. They are glorying in the death of Christ. They are in the sense that he is being put to death. And put out of their consciousness. So they can go back to their religion. And their religion was all about themselves. It's all about position. It's all about power. It's all about authority. It's all about having access to power and government. That was the whole thread that was running through the religious system of that hour. And they had to push this Christ. Who is being given for the sins of mankind. Out of their consciousness. Psalm 12. The Psalmist puts it this way. Talks about those who make a claim that there's no accountability for their speech. In Psalm 12 verse 3. He said the Lord shall cut off all flattering lips. And the tongue that speaks proud things. Who have said with our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is Lord over us. Verse 5 says for the oppression of the poor. For the sighing of the needy. Now will I arise saith the Lord. And I will set him in safety from him that pops at him. And that really means pops means who would ensnare him. The Lord says I've heard the sigh of the poor. I've heard the cry of the needy. And for their sakes I'm going to arise one more time. For their sakes I'm going to shake myself as a mighty warrior of hope. For their sakes I'm going to come back in all glory and in all power. And I'm going to set them free from this captivating power of hell itself. Folks I do believe that we're about to see one of the greatest revivals of all time. I do believe it with all my heart. God spoke it to Israel in Ezekiel 36. He says I don't do this for your sakes. He said you've not done it all right. As a matter of fact when he was speaking to Israel he said you've profaned my name among the heathen where you went. I don't do it for your sakes. He said I do it for my holy namesake. I do it because of who I am. I do it because I will be glorified in the earth. I will arise now. The Lord says I will arise. I will not leave my glory in the enemy's hand any longer. Praise be to God. If you know the law of the jungle folks there's one line. And when this line shows up the whole pride has to back down. Praise be to God. There is one line. The enemy has roared. The people at the cross are roaring. Judas has a roaring in his head. I've had people say well why did he hang himself? I don't believe Judas came under conviction. I believe the devil destroyed him. The devil got into him and once he got him to betray Christ then he accused him of betraying Christ. And he roared at him because the accuser roars. The accuser condemns. The accuser will lead you to commit suicide. God's voice will always bring hope. God's voice will always open a prison door. God's voice will always show you a way out. There will always be hope. There will always be redemption when it's the voice of God speaking to you. Praise be to God. Praise be to God. Go to Mark chapter 15 if you will for a moment. If I could have given this another title to this message I would have called it Whose Roar Will You Believe? Mark chapter 15 and verse 37. Now you've got to picture this. Satan feels like he's triumphed. He's gotten the man. He's been able to roar in him and through him. He's betrayed him to the religious leaders. Satan has a crowd that he has encircled and gripped. And they are standing at the cross doing his bidding. They're actually speaking for him like a roaring lion. He's devoured many that are all around. Mark chapter 15 and verse 37. It says, And Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up the ghosts. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain or in two from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion which stood over against him saw that he so cried out and gave up the ghosts. He said, Truly this man was the Son of God. First of all, Jesus cried. He always has the last say. And the Bible says that when he cried. And it was with such authority. It was with such power. Don't forget. He's described as a lion of the tribe of Judah. It was now the lion only roars. I don't know if you know much about lions. I didn't know this until recently. But the lion only roars when he has his prey. He only roars. Satan talks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But the lion will only roar once the prey is within his grasp. And Jesus is on the cross. He's enduring all of this of the enemy. Then finally lets out a shout that the centurion who's seen a lot of people die. Says, Nobody, no man, nobody can make a sound like this. This had to be the Son of God. Praise God. The Bible says the veil was rent from the top to the bottom. Like a strong male lion coming out of the tall grass. No, no, no. Amos 3 verse says, Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Oh no. Jesus said, No, you thought you had me. But you don't know you were dealing with the lion of the tribe of Judah. You thought you had my people. You thought your voice was the loudest. But you don't know. I've got a louder voice than anything that hell and the devil has to offer. In any generation and in any heart. Praise be to God. Paul says in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 8, When he ascended up on high, he took captivity captive and gave gifts unto man. He roared out of the sanctuary. He roared out of the hidden place. And he said to pride, Back off. Get away from my church. Get away from my bride. Get away, Satan. You lost. You thought you won this victory. But you lost this victory. And he took the carcass of sin and death and hell and devoured it. And gave the spoils of this victory unto man. Praise be to God. He gave gifts, Paul says, unto man. He gave words of wisdom, words of knowledge. He gave power and might. He gave a new mind. He gave a sound heart. He gave an assured future. He gave a word that cannot be triumphed over by any power of evil. Bless God. You're sitting here this morning. You're saying in the midst of all turmoil, What does the future hold for me? You look in the Old Testament. You begin to see what these giftings of God really are. There was a young man in the book of Judges called Samson. And he was heading actually in the wrong direction. He was going down into the camp of the Philistines. But he was a young man called of God. He was a young man, as many are young here today, empowered of God. And the scripture says a young lion roared against him. A young lion burst out of hiding as it is. And roared thinking, I've got this man captive. But the scripture says, and he was just young, called of God. The scripture says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. And he took a lion and pulled it in pieces as if it was a baby goat. That's what the scripture actually says. As if it was a little goat, he rended in pieces. The Spirit of God came upon him. Young men, young women, God will give you the power to stand against your enemies. God will give you the power to overcome the roar of the devil's voice. Trying to tell you, there's no hope for your future. You've got to go into the land of the Philistines and make your own way. You've got to satisfy the desires of your own heart. You've got to do it your way. Later on, Samson came back and he passed by that lion. And in the very belly, as it is, of that carcass, there was honey. He took the honey out, put it to his mouth, and his eyes were enlightened. There was enough honey in that carcass to take home, the scripture says. And he fed his family with it. God's saying, you don't have to make your own provision. You don't have to worry about the future. I'll give you the power to stand against your enemies. And I will be your provision, praise be to God. I will be the very thing you think is going to kill you, is actually going to give you life as you turn to the Spirit of God and do it God's way. I think of David in 1 Samuel 17, 35. Just a young boy looking after his father's sheep. And the scripture says, when he was speaking to Saul, when he was ready to go down into battle against the Philistine, he says, a lion, I was looking after my father's flock, and a lion came against me. Now, this is amazing. I hadn't really considered it this way. But he says, I caught him by the beard. Now, he's only a boy. He's probably 13, 14, 15 years old, maybe at the very most. And I can see him. Now, folks, you've got to understand this. You catch a lion by the beard, you better know that God's Spirit is on you. He is in the most vulnerable place you could be in. The lion is right over the top of him. Both of his paws are free. And you know the strength in a lion's paws. In the day that Daniel was rescued, and it came through the wicked people who tried to betray him into the pit, it says the lions broke all their bones before they even got to the bottom of the pit. That's the strength in these paws and claws. And David's got this lion by the beard. I mean, he's right in close. I want to tell you something. You might be 15, 14 years old here today, but if the Spirit of God is on you, God gives you the power to look the devil right in the eye. You can face him eye to eye. You might be the youngest Christian in this room today. You might say, well, how will I stand in this generation? You will stand the same way everybody before you has stood. God will give you His Holy Spirit. And it is an insane battle when you think of it. This young boy against a massive male lion, because it's a male lion that has a beard. And it's an insane battle, except for the Spirit of God. And David says, I smote him, and then I slew him. I've never seen that in the Scriptures before. Smote means I threw him down. Then I killed him. I mean, you can't use a slingshot when you're standing with one hand on a lion's beard. Forget it. The best you can do is you hope you hit yourself in the back of the head. That would be your safest venture at that point. No, he said, I threw him down, basically. And then I killed him. Amazing when you begin to see it. The strength of God that is given, even in youth. That's why in the book of Joel, and on the day of Pentecost, the Lord says, I send my Spirit on young and old, on men and women, on the learned and the unlearned. The Holy Spirit comes upon those whose hearts are opened, and who have an inner desire to glorify God. And I give you strength over all the power of your enemies, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, he said, and over all the power of the enemy. Praise be to God. I think of Daniel, in Daniel chapter 6, when he was betrayed, put down into a pit. He's an older man by this point. And I love this illustration because Daniel is let down with these lions in the pit. And when the king laments and calls out for him in the morning, he says, God has sent his angel and has shut the lions' mouths. There's a point, folks, where you just have been through enough to know not to listen. You've just been through enough that you know, listen, it's pointless to roar, I'm not afraid. It's pointless. God has my heart. Daniel was gripped by the heart of God. Daniel said, I'm going to pray, I'm going to believe, in spite of whatever comes against me, that one day God's people are going to be redeemed and we're out of this place. That this kingdom that grips us is going to be overthrown, and God's people are going to be set free. And Daniel was put down in that lion's den, and it's as if the devil knew it's pointless. This man is absolutely given to believing me. Some of your greatest battles you'll ever fight when you get older in the Lord, and I'm starting to get there now, is that voice that wants to come against those that have been faithful in the things of God. But there's a determination that God puts in the heart. I'm not going to listen. It's pointless. I know what God has said. I know who God is. I know what God has promised. I'm going there. And I'm believing that many others are going to go there too as well. And so Satan, if you could fill the place with lions all you want, nobody's going to devour me. You're not taking the faith of Christ out of my heart. I'm walking this thing through right to the end. Praise be to God. Praise be to God. Psalm 56. Listen to what David says. In verse 2, he says, How many can say today, Pastor, that's my story right now. My enemies would swallow me up. I've got so many voices around me. So many things trying to speak into my heart and take away my confidence in God. In verse 6, he says, That's exactly how a lion hunts. Remember we said be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, is a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour. Walks about looking to infuse his thinking into the heart of an unsuspecting person. But listen to what David says. This is what sets him apart from other men. In verse 9, he says, Say it with me. Hallelujah. This I know. Paul said, this I know. That God is for me. Paul said, I know whom I believe. I'm persuaded that He's able to keep that which I've entrusted to Him until or against that day that He comes and takes me home. I've given Him my heart. I've given Him my home. I've given Him my future. I've given Him my life. I know whom I have believed. I've not been given promises by a man who can lie. I've been given promises by the God who by the word of His mouth created the universe. The God who became a man 2,000 years ago. The God who walked through this world showing that He is God. Supernaturally speaking, causing the wind, causing the waves, causing the dead to come out of the grave. This is who I am believing. The God who went to a cross to die for my sins. Not just to purchase my redemption, but to give me an abundance of His life and strength on this side of eternity. This is the God who said it is finished. And when He said it was finished, He meant it was finished. When He said it's finished, the veil was rent. The Lion of Judah came out. Rocks had to move out of the way. Hell itself was moved. He triumphed over the devil. Praise be to God. Hearts began to tremble in the presence of the Lord. Will a lion roar when he's not taken to pray? Praise be to God. You and I are not on the losing side. We are on the victory side. You will not be triumphed over. You will be young and you will be old. You will not be forsaken. Your seed will not bake for bread. You walk with God. You will see supernatural provision in the coming days. Your security is not in your 401K. Your security is in your 316 Christ. Your 316 seat. God so loved the world. Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. Praise be to God. We have a chance to be the church in our generation. We have a chance to stand in the power of our God. We have a chance to look the lion in the face and say, In spite of what you roar, I have authority over you in the name of Jesus Christ. David says, In God will I praise His word. In the Lord will I praise His word. In God I put my trust. I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. In God I put my trust. In God I have trusted. In God who cannot fail, I will not fear what man can do unto me. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. We have a song we sing. I hear the accuser roar, the ills that I have done. I know them well and a thousand more. Jehovah findeth none. Praise be to God. I've been washed in the blood of His Son. Blessed be God. Folks, here's what I have to say. You are not going out of this generation, whether or not, whether or not the Lord comes in our generation. You and I are not going out with a whimper. I know that much. We're going out of Victorious Church. Praise be to God. We're going out together. We're going out with the strength of God. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. I've given Him my trust. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. Father, thank You. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the strength that You give to those who are called by Your name. God Almighty, thank You, Lord, for the promises that we have. Thank You for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We praise You and bless You in Jesus' mighty name. The common factor with all the examples I've given you. Solomon was a man in the pinnacle of his strength. David was a child. Daniel was an old man. But the common principle was living lives given to a trust in God. Empowered by the Holy Spirit. As they were able to overcome, so you too. And so I will overcome as well in our generation. We will stand. Daniel stood when laws were passed that made it unlawful to even seek God or pray to God. Bless the Lord. I speak specifically to the young this morning. Turn around. If you're going the wrong way, turn around. God will give you the strength. Turn around. Begin to walk with Him. Don't squander the anointing of God in the wrong marketplace. Be about your father's business. I speak to the older. Hold firm your position in Christ. Don't let fear get a hold of your heart because you will discourage those coming after you. Stand as pillars. Just stand. That's all you have to do after a certain age. Just stand. It's not like you have to do anything. Just stand. Don't be given to fear. Don't let fear get a hold of your heart. Don't let your voice be among those that are terrified in the marketplace and wherever God sends you. Just stand with the confidence in God. The sons look to the fathers. The children look to their mothers and fathers. You've got the grandmothers and grandfathers. Just stand and let your quietness and confidence be a testimony to the generation coming after you. And to the young and the Lord. You might be saved in two weeks in this place today and you say, well, what good can my life do? You have the power. You have the same spirit that David had on him. You've got the power to take the enemy and look him right in the eye. Not arrogantly, but knowing for the glory of God that he has no power over you or anything that's in your possession. The issue is an issue of trust. We've written it on our money and that seems to be failing. I think it's better to have it written in your heart than on the bills in your pocket. I trust in God. It's got to be the testimony. Now, for those who are just willing to say, God, you've got to fill me with the Holy Spirit. I can't stand where I am without the Holy Spirit. Now, he will. He will. But you have to want the Holy Spirit for the right reason. Judas wanted what God had, but for the wrong reason. You have to want what God has for the right reason. It's about the souls of men, women, and children. It's about you and I being given for them in a way that can help them in the future. That's why you want the Holy Spirit. If that's in your heart today, we're going to worship for 15-20 minutes. And as we do, I'm going to ask you to make your way to this altar. You can do that also in the annex. Lift your hands to God. Ask him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Let it be supernatural. Let it be sovereign. Let it be something that God does. I didn't even know there was such a thing as the baptism of the Holy Spirit until I decided I wanted to walk with God and give my life for others if necessary. That was the cry of my heart. God met that cry. If you come to this altar, if you want the Holy Spirit just so that you can be comfortable, it's the wrong reason. So that you can walk out here and feel good, it's the wrong reason. If you want the Holy Spirit so that you can be an extension of the heart of God to this generation, then God will meet you. And he will empower you. And your life will never again be the same. That's a promise you can take to the bank. Praise be to God. Let's stand together. And I'm going to invite you to come in the balcony. You can go to either exit. You want to be filled with the Spirit of God. Maybe you're already, you feel you already are, but if there's no manifestation of God's life, I would encourage you to come. Praise God. Father, as you met me supernaturally years ago, I'm asking you to meet the people here today in this congregation. Without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we have no strength to face these coming days. But in you, we have all that we will ever need. God, I thank you. Lion of Judah, I ask you to come and fill to the uttermost everyone who's gathered at this altar and in this sanctuary who want to live an honest and a given relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Those of us who want to be given for the needs of humanity all around us, Father, I ask you to fill with the Holy Ghost. God Almighty, let them speak. Let everyone speak with the evidence of other tongues as a sign, oh God, an initial evidence that you've come upon your people. I'm asking you, Holy Spirit, for this baptism. God Almighty, I thank you, Lord. You'll never send your children away empty. You'll never, ever send anyone away empty who cries out to you, Lord. I thank you for it, God. Now lift your voices all through this sanctuary. Lift your hearts. Cast away unbelief. Cast away unbelief. Cast away every unbelief. Cast away all unbelief. God will give strength. God will give the power of the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Jesus, thank you, Lord. Thank you that we can take you at your word today. Thank you for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. God, we praise you. We bless you, Lord. With everything in us, Lord, we thank you.