Touré Roberts - Gifts of The Spirit - Part 3

I would be dishonest and not telling the truth if I didn’t say my heart is a little heavy this morning regarding some of the things that have been happening in our nation, particularly in the short amount of time these events have unfolded over the last 24 hours. Unfortunately, the carnage has resulted in about 29 people losing their lives, and a couple of dozen more, actually several dozen, are injured due to gun violence. To be honest with you, I have felt something significant. I had been planning to start a series next week called «What’s in the Air?» because I really sensed we were moving into a very challenging time due to much of the rhetoric that is prevalent and the propaganda that surrounds us. There is so much of it, and when it permeates the atmosphere consistently, it affects people. For some, it pushes them completely over the edge. Knowing this, I wanted to prepare the church to respond and navigate these times wisely—so that the church wouldn’t be intoxicated by what’s in the air, but instead would operate almost like wearing a spiritual gas mask, allowing us to stay focused and be all that God has called us to be. I was planning to start that series last Sunday while finishing up our series on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit this Sunday. I still might do that; I might bridge them together because we need to understand how to navigate these times. There’s a lot going on, not just at that high level, but also in our personal lives.

In fact, at our Denver campus, I want us to lift up in prayer a gentleman named Casey, who has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. It’s a challenging situation, so we want to pray for him. I believe in miracles. Let me tell you something: I trust God, I trust God’s process, and I trust what He knows, but I also believe in miracles. Even at a women’s event we had, there was a time in our service where we began to pray for people, particularly those who needed healing in their bodies from major issues. I’m telling you, in many cases, tumors shrunk and disappeared. How many of us know God is real? We’re not just shouting hallelujah for nothing! We serve a powerful God who specializes in miracles; what we call miracles are simply His works because it’s who He is and what He does. Can I get an amen? That’s why we fight our battles differently. We don’t engage in battles the way others do. I understand that if you’re limited, you may have to fight with guns and bombs and all that kind of stuff. But how many of us know we serve an unlimited, almighty, and sovereign God? We fight our battles differently. I feel that for some of you. I want you to fight your battles with faith—faith that will silence fear. Faith that says when my back is against the wall, that’s when I’m the strongest.

The Word of God says that everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Things are meant to shake in your life to prove to you who you really are and to highlight what you need and what you don’t need. I don’t know about you, but as long as I’ve got Jesus, as long as I’ve got my faith, I’m okay. High-five someone and say, «You’re safe, and so am I!» You’re going to be okay. God raises you up; what comes out of your mouth will stick to the earth. You just haven’t been focused enough. We continue to pray for Casey, and we’re standing with you. I received the note this morning; we are with you. May you be comforted, and anyone else who’s suffering in any way, know that God is saying, «I’ve got you.» There’s not a pain you experience that He doesn’t feel—says the Lord. That’s in the Bible. We do not serve a high priest who has not been touched by the same infirmities we experience. Someone needs to know that. I want to move on, but someone needs to know that God sees you; you are not alone in this. In fact, before you could even enter into it, God prequalified you to handle it. Are you tracking with me? He scans your spirit, scans your heart, and scans your mind, saying, «It’s going to be rough, but they’ll be able to make it. They’ll be able to stand strong.» Yes, they may have to cry a little; they may even break down every once in a while, but they will come forth like gold. I see some people here who are more than you think you are. You are special beyond what you believe makes you special. I wish I could express that better; there are some of you here who think certain things made you special, but the reality is…