John Gray - Let There Be... - Part 3 (It Is Established)
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Who’s ready for the word of the Lord today? That seemed a little bit sort of okay. I said, «Who’s ready for the word of the Lord today?» Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that you would speak through your word, that you would get the glory from your word, and that the people of God who are here and around the world who are gathered will receive this deposit and that their lives will be forever impacted. Thank you for the people in this real church who thought it not robbery to get in their car and drive to church today. May we never be casual with God, and when we can do so safely, gather as family to talk about the goodness of Jesus. Scripture says, «I would have fainted if I had not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.»
Everybody do me a favor, take a big breath in. Let it out. You’re still alive! That was a life check. Do me a favor and ask the person next to you, «Are you breathing?» Let them answer, then tell them this: «The Bible says, 'Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.'» I want you to go to Genesis. Joel, I feel the Holy Ghost, man. I’m just saying, I don’t know what’s about to happen over the next 30 minutes. I’m going to try to keep it together, but I’ve got something to say today. I had a sermon that I filmed, but the team said, «Pastor, there’s bad weather coming; we need to be prepared.» I told them, «I don’t want to do a sermon because the Lord told me we’re gathering on Sunday.» This was on Monday. They were like, «But the weather people said-» I said, «But I prayed!» Now, I know some of you don’t believe in this, but when you are a set man or woman of God in a city or a region, God bends His ear in your direction. I said, «Lord, send the snow east, right over the ocean.» These wonderful people got about a half inch of snow and shut down grocery stores and banks. That was Friday. It’s 42 degrees outside. We gotta stay home; you want to stay home, but you want God to show up for you! I’m just saying.
So, I want to give you this scripture in Genesis chapter 1. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Alright, I want you to go to the sixth verse of Genesis 1. Shout out to the Steelers fans! You know what I love about Steelers fans? I saw one in the back when I walked in. She was like, «That’s alright; your team ain’t in there either.» They are petty! Your Steelers fans are petty, petty Crocker! Look, he man, he like Genesis chapter-what? You know he’s always in some Steelers stuff! Genesis chapter black and gold-not me, I’m sorry!
Genesis 1:6: «Then God said, 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters.' Thus God made the firmament and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament, and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven.» Whoa! And God called the firmament Heaven. So, the evening and the morning were the second day. This is getting ready to be real crazy in here, so you’re going to need some space. Tell somebody, «Give me some space, because I’m going to worship today.»
I’m going to read these verses again because I don’t think we’ve had an expository look at this. God said, «Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters.» Thus God made the firmament and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament, and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. Somebody say, «Heaven! Heaven!» So, the evening and the morning were the second day. We’re in our «Let There Be» sermon series to begin our year. We are on day seven of the fast today, and the title for today is «It Is Established.»
I’m going to say it again and I’m going to see who catches it in their spirit: «It is established!» Basically, God was saying, «I said what I said, and it’s going to be what I said!» Kind of like when parents tell the kids to do something, «But what did I say?» «But why?» You don’t have to worry about why I said it, and that settles it. Don’t come back in here! Father, seal this word; break this church wide open. I want you to squash devils and destroy principalities. I want hell out of here! I want every witch and devil and warlock that thought they had an assignment here to be exposed, muted, and paralyzed in the name of Jesus. And every lying word of every devil falls to the ground. And every word that’s been sown into our lives that didn’t come from you, I declare crop failure over every lying word of the devil. This week, shock us with unexpected favor, increase, margin, overflow, and money in Jesus' name! And we’re going to seal this with an «Amen!» and a shout for our row in Jesus' name. Go ahead and be seated!
Go ahead and be seated! Y’all doing alright? I’m trying to gather myself. I’m trying to keep it together because I’m really overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord. I’ve been trying — not trying, I’ve been on the fast and I have been committed to it, and I thank God for it. I’m excited about what the Lord is doing-more committed than I’ve ever been on any fast in my life. And what I said I wasn’t going to eat, I haven’t, and I believe that God honors tough sacrifices. I know He’s going to bless our church; I know He’s going to bless your family because I ask the Lord to bless y’all all the time. I ask God to bless your houses and your marriages and your kids, and if you’re single, to give you the strength to walk it out in a way that is pleasing to God. I pray for y’all because it matters, it matters.
So, I got to drink a little bit of this nasty green juice, so just give me a second. It’s just like somebody farted in a cup and just said, «Have this!» I’m getting ready to say something and we’re going to jump straight in, so come on and lean in. If you lean in, I’ll turn up! I see you, my guy, with the fresh mint green-that’s a fresh outfit! You getting married? Lean in! Brian, stop chewing that gum like that; I’m hungry! You chewing like it’s a chicken wing! One of the elders back there! Ain’t no gum that good unless it’s steak-flavored!
What did God create on the first day? What’s the first thing God said? I’m sorry, what’s the first thing God said on the first day? «Let there be light!» And the light He called day, and the darkness He called night. The Bible says, «So the evening and the morning were the first day.» God said, «Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters that divides the waters from the waters,» and the firmament He called Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. God only did one thing on the first two days-He separated things! The first thing God’s going to do in 2025 is separate you from some things.
We’re not going to talk about crops; we’re not going to talk about favor; we’re not going to talk about increase; we’re not going to talk about land and animals; we’re not going to talk about stars, sun, moon. The first two days of creation, all God did was separate! So, separation is a foundational creative tenant of God. God is separating some things; He is drawing a distinction in some things! Oh, it’s working now, finally working. Okay, amen! Someone gets to keep their job! Praise the Lord! I’m joking! You were always going to keep your job.
The word «firmament» in Hebrew, «raaqa,» means to spread out, stamp, or stretch. In the context of Genesis 1, it refers to something that is like a vault or an expanse. I have to teach you because I don’t want you to shout, but you don’t have any foundation. The first thing that God did on the second day-the only thing He did-was establish a vault above your head. Alright, so Pastor, what does that mean? What do you put in a vault? Valuables. Where are the valuables? In a vault. But where in this scripture did He put the vault? In Heaven! Which means all the things that are valuable come from the top down, which means it’s in God’s hands to release it if you have the combination.
Now, I don’t give the combination to my vault if I don’t trust you. I need you to hear me: God is not releasing treasures to people He can’t trust! I’m already teaching better than you’re responding. No, no, no, that’s a joke. Let me stop that. That’s a very churchy thing to say. I don’t want you to shout; I want you to learn! God wants to bless you, but there’s a vault over your head. But if you don’t know the combination, He’s not going to release it! Well, Pastor, tell me the combination! What’s the number? It’s not numbers; it’s principles! Because some stuff is voice-activated, and other things require a fingerprint!
See, because there are things that God has in Heaven for me that if you put your fingerprint on it, He’s not going to open it because it’s not for you! And there are some things that I put my fingerprint on, and it won’t open because it’s not for me! Oh Lord! There are some things that are voice-activated that also require a fingerprint analysis because some blessings are so specific that they are only coming to the person that it was designated for. Why that’s important for you and me is because we don’t need to be insecure or jealous or envious of other people and what they have or what’s coming or what they get because that’s for them! In fact, when you see somebody blessed, don’t turn your nose up; clap for them! Celebrate! Because if God’s opening the vault for them, it must be a matter of time before He calls my name! And if it’s right above my head, maybe I should lift my hands just in case I can touch the thing that has my name on it!
I dare you to stretch your hand as if God’s about to release what has your name on it! And while you’ve got your hand up, why don’t you try voice-activating this moment by lifting up a praise? I like what you did! You didn’t sit down; you said, «Just in case I need another foot and a half, I’m going to stand up and do this here!» A couple of y’all need to stand up and give the Lord a praise! Some of y’all need to do that jump just to see, «Just in case I’m right at the edge!» I’m going to give God a different kind of praise today because I’m too close to what He promised me to be casual! I’m too close to what He declared for me to be common! I’m too close to what He said for me to act regular! No, I’m excited now! I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life!
So, in the Hebrew, «raaqa» says that there’s a vault or an expanse that separates the waters above from the waters below. That means the rain doesn’t rain unless the Lord wants it to. One of the reasons that the wildfires are so horrifically intense in California is because it hasn’t rained since October. Yes, climate change is real, but climate change is a condition not just of the natural, but of the spirit. Because the Earth is crying out for the sons and daughters of God! Let me say this real clear to everybody: to all the ignorant false prophets who are saying wicked, Godless things about what’s happening in California, talking about, «God is judging California because it’s wicked,» shut your lying mouth! Because God is not judging California any more than He’s judged your wicked life!
Because everybody has sinned against God, and everybody has fallen short of the glory of God and if it wasn’t for the blood of Jesus, we would all have hell as our portion! So stop saying stuff that’s not bible! When James and John thought they could rain fire from Heaven, Jesus turned around and said, «You don’t know what spirit you are of, because the Son of Man came to save men’s lives, not take them.» The fires in California are not the judgment of Heaven; they' re the cry of the earth! Yes, sir! I wish somebody in Greenville would wake up! Did you hear what I said? Our spirits are so dull because we don’t stay in the word! We’re too carnal; we’re too common! Wake up! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Don’t you see what’s happening in the world right now? The whole West Coast is on fire! I’m impressed in my spirit because there’s a tremendous earthquake that’s coming to Northern California in that San Francisco area, and it’s going to be horrific.
And it is not the devil! It is the tectonic plates of the spirit shifting! Saying where are the sons of God? Romans 8:18 and 19: I need the sons and daughters of God to get in prophetic position! Where are the intercessors? Where are the people who know how to pray at 3:00 in the morning? Where are the people that pray on a Tuesday afternoon? Where are the prayer warriors? Turn the TV off, turn your prayers up! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 2025 is a year of order! Somebody say order! Order! But before there’s order, there has to be separation! He divided the waters from the waters and called the firmament Heaven!
So, the first thing that’s termed is Heaven! Stop! That’s why you -When you have an anchor, Hebrew says, your anchor is beyond the veil. How do you have an anchor that goes up? Anchor up! Anchor down! Anchor, anchor all around! Ships anchor beneath them! God says, I don’t want you to anchor anything beneath you before you anchor the thing above you! Your foundation should be in Jesus Christ! Your commitment should be to the things of God, not to carnal pleasures and ignorant, elementary bad theology! I heard people talking about, «Yeah, that’s the judgment of God; he’s setting it on fire because LA is wicked.» Honey, every-there’s wickedness everywhere! Greenville is wicked; Spartanburg is wicked! You want to talk about wicked? Just 'cause you got a church on every corner don’t mean nothing! Those are country clubs!
That’s why you can open them and close them when you want. God had to help me, Pastor Robert, because when I really started preaching this book, yes, sir! People started going to other places. I said, «Lord, what happened?» He said, «It’s called separation. Because some spirits don’t feel comfortable when you start preaching this book. Some stuff don’t feel comfortable when you start preaching this word the way it’s supposed to be preached! It’s a lot of places where demons feel safe! They’re singing real nice songs, and they got real nice speeches, but there is no power, no anointing, no breakthrough! And devils sitting in there thriving, you’re still ignorant, angry, nasty, just doing whatever you want to do, cussing people out, smoking everything you can, drinking, and no conviction of the Holy Ghost! But when the word of God is preached, something begins to change on the inside!
When the word of God is preached, that means there is a separation! Now, I need everybody in here to give God a 10-second praise break! And don’t make me come out there! I said a 10-second praise break! Nine, eight, seven, six! Somebody say separation! Separation!
There are five things I want to teach you about separation! Pastor Cromarty, I’m trying not to shout because I want to give this as a teaching word, not a shouting. The first thing that separation brings is clarity! You need to look at separation as clarity! Tell somebody, „Separation is clarity!“ Separation is clarity! Some of you didn’t realize how bad the relationship was until you got out of it! Oh my God, it’s about to be a problem in here! You thought it was healthy until God got you out of it, and you looked at it! Oh my God! How did I ever survive that? God said, „I had a spiritual airbag around you the whole time or you would have lost your mind! And I loved you so much, I had to pull you out of it even though you wanted to stay in it!“
Has God ever pulled you out of something you wanted to stay in? If that’s you, you ought to thank God right now! Give Him a praise right now! Avent, can I share? You’ve shared it before-that you were engaged before me, and there were some issues in her relationship. I was engaged too, but we’re not talking about me; we’re talking about you! She was engaged, and people make choices and decisions. At one point, they decided to call the marriage off because of some issues, and then she went through a tragic moment where her brother died of cancer. This individual came back and was very supportive during that time. Isn’t it funny how the thing you got delivered from shows up when you’re vulnerable and weak?
And you forgot what it was when you left it? It’s kind of like the children of Israel who got free from Egypt, saw God, and still wanted leeks and onions! Why do you want an onion sandwich when you got deliverance, freedom, newness, houses, and land over here? Isn’t it funny how the enemy will make you long for your bondage when you’re weak?
I’m trying to help somebody. The thing she got free from made a decision to walk away from, in a time of vulnerability, was able to step back in. But then God, in His divine sovereign love, was able to give her the wisdom to make a decision at another point in time to step away. And there’s no judgment, and normally I would throw some little joke in here, but the reality is that happens to people all the time! Teach, sir!
I used to wonder why one of my aunts would be in this abusive relationship with this fool. I remember looking through the screen door as he was beating her. And then he turned towards me and picked up a butcher knife and was coming towards me, and I had to run! She stayed with him and I don’t understand! And it’s quiet in here because some of y’all are with a fool, and you’re staying! But today, I declare that God gives you the strength to separate because you are not going to live 2025 in fear of your life! I don’t care what he said-I’mma kill you if you leave! Baby, I’d rather be dead than be in bondage! My Father got angels that’ll take you out before you ever lift your hand because I’m a child of God! I need somebody to praise God in here! Separation!
I need you to not see separation as punishment. You need to see separation as clarity! Just as God separated light from darkness, seasons of recreation-because I need you to get this. For God in the Genesis narrative, it was creation; for us, it is recreation! Somebody say, „Recreate me, God!“ Recreate!
God, the same way you were born from your mama, but now you were born again-there is a recreation! And I need everybody to get this in your spirit! This is not a game; I’m being intense on purpose! People are dying in fires, and churches are closed all over this city! And God says, „How you going to close doors that you didn’t establish?“ „Upon this rock, I’ll build my church,“ but that’s the difference between man-made and God-led!
I’m angry! I’m angry that we treat God like a friend, like a regular, not like a-like a buddy! Like, I’ll get with you when it’s convenient for me! The same way in seasons of recreation in our lives, it has to begin by identifying and distinguishing what belongs in your life and what does not! Look at the people next to you-are you supposed to be here? Ask them-are you supposed to be here? Some of y’all the answer is yes! The other ones are like, „I don’t like this church, and I’m not coming back 'cause he is messing with my whole emotion!“ You are supposed to be here!
It’s interesting; there are some sisters who are in relationships; it’s a good man. You booed up, start sleeping together, maybe got pregnant, you’re like, „Well, I love him; he said he’s going to marry me!“ It’s about to get real tight, real tight, real tight! Before we get married, let’s just live together! You know, I just want to see! You can’t see nothing in sin! Sin will blind you! If she’s good enough to give you her seed, she’s worthy of your ring! Stop trying to make a wife a girlfriend!
Ladi, stop treating yourself less than what God made you! You want to live holy? He keeps pressuring you for sex? „Well, I’m pregnant now; I might as well stop!“ No! You can’t have not another nothing! We’re going to Bible study; we’re going to counseling; we’re going to do this God’s way! 'Cause that’s the way I was raised! Stand up for yourself! Honor God in your body! Live holy! Tell the devil no!
It’s real quiet in here! „Well, I got needs!“ I bind them needs and submit them to the blood in the name of Jesus! The Bible is still right and the devil is still a liar! You don’t get to put the Bible on the side just because you have an appetite! „He’s judging me!“ I’m not doing nothing but preaching the word! But if you’re convicted in the spirit, then do what the Lord says so you can be blessed! Tell somebody, „It’s time for separation!“
Separating clarity from confusion allows us to move forward with purpose. Another thing that separation should be seen as is separation as order! Oh my God, this is good, Pastor Mike! I’m trying to teach the people! Listen to me; God’s separation of the waters and creation of the firmament-watch this-introduces structures and boundaries in the midst of chaos. There was chaos, and God said, „In order to mitigate the chaos, I need some structure and some boundaries! So let me separate the waters from the waters! So I got water up here- that’s why it rains! And then we got the ocean down here that receives it! But before I make land, I need to make sure that there’s water because water is the thing that sustains life! But because I know what humans are going to do, they’re going to corrupt the earth, so I need to have a vault of water above their heads! So when they mess up resources down here, I can release some stuff from up here!“
Is there anybody glad that even though we mess up, He still sends mercy, still sends forgiveness, still sends grace, still sends blessing? Am I the only one who’s grateful for the favor of God and the rain of God? Somebody type it in the chat for you! Say it out loud-rain on me, God!
Come on now! In our lives, periods of renewal may involve setting boundaries and establishing order in areas that feel disordered or overwhelming! Tell somebody, „I need order in my court!“ In my life, I need order in my life! How many people are believing God for this to be the wealthiest year of your life? I’mma ask one more time. I saw you stand up in the green; I see you, I see you Elder! Listen, let me ask you this-I’m going to say it one more time. I’m going to come over here; I’m going to see Pastor M. I’m going to see what church we have today. How many people believe this is going to be the wealthiest year of your life? You’re not clapping!
Last time for the redhead in the back! Do you believe this is going to be the greatest financial year of your life? Do you believe it? I have five words for you: do you have a budget? See, we’ll shout until it’s time for order! Do you have a budget? Let me tell you something! We’ve sown everything we have so that this ministry can continue! I have no qualms about it! I’m not just hoping this is my greatest year; I know it is! And to that end, over these 21 days, I’m establishing the fiscal parameters around which our family will operate! My kids are used to asking their father for anything, and out of my love, I just give it!
During these seven days, Daddy, can I get something from the-they’re like, „No.“ But what about-you know this is not a lie! My son sent me a YouTube talking about the medicinal effects of pizza-the health benefits of pizza! And my mother, who’s watching, ain’t no good! Mama helped him look it up to send it to me! I know she’s cracking up in that breakfast nook right now with rollers in her hair! Cincinnati got 10 inches of snow on the ground! My mother’s house is buried, but she’s got enough groceries to take care until she can get out the door!
Watch this: I told my kids, „I’m not ordering no pizza; we ain’t-you know, ain’t no Uber Eats; none of that! Ain’t no DoorDash-it’s refrigerator dash! It’s pantry dash! It’s freezer dash! You don’t hear me! Because we’re establishing an order!“ Because I was shocked to see how much of my income went to feeding four humans at restaurants day after day! I said the devil is a liar! Lord, I thank you for Publix in the name of Jesus! I thank you for Aldi! I thank you for coupons! You don’t hear me!
God says, „I want to bless you, but I can’t bless you until you put some order in place, because if you’ll squander hundreds, you’ll squander millions!“ That’s how people who win the lottery still end up broke three years later! How you win $10 million and three years later you have nothing! When you could live off the interest!
Alright, alright, alright! Tell somebody „Order in my courts!“ God is separating you from some bad habits! Is anybody grateful that this is a season of separation? How many people want to be separated from some bad financial habits? How many people want to be separated from some bad people? Sir, let’s be honest! How many of us want to let go of some stuff, but it’s hard because we got so much invested? Like, what happens if I let that go? God’s got something over here! He ain’t even going to give you a glimpse of it till you let go of this thing here! God says separate and trust Me!
Tell somebody to set some boundaries! Boundaries! This is a hard one because everybody wants to get in your life! Everybody wants to call you, text you, reach out to you, and then get mad, have an attitude if you don’t respond! Let me tell you something: My son FaceTimed me last night 17 times in a row! I was on the phone, but he didn’t care! And I guess he thought that I was going to stop what I was doing because he kept calling! I’m going to get to you in a moment! I know you’re alright because I know you’re with your mama, so you ain’t really in no trouble because if you were, your mama would have called me or your sister would have called me! What I was trying to establish with my son is boundaries!
And then when I finally did call him, what he wanted was so goofy that he didn’t actually need me! He actually needed the information from his mama, who he was sitting next to! There are people who keep reaching for you, keep pulling on you, and they don’t really need you! They just like the fact that they can! You need to cut them off! Stop playing with my time! Stop playing with my emotion! And you certainly are going to stop playing with your access!
I need a 7-second praise break! There are some people who you need to revoke their all-access pass to your emotions, to your heart, to your money! Tell somebody: Separation, separation! Separation needs to be seen as order! So, the first thing separation does is bring clarity! When you start separating, you start seeing things differently! Then the next thing separation brings is order! Somebody shout: order!
So we got clarity! Say clarity! Clarity! Now we got order! Because there are some people in here who were friends with some people a year ago that you’re not friends with today! And God needed to separate it so you could have some clarity, but also so you could get some order! But watch why He needed to give you clarity and order! You ready for number three? This is going to be so good! Watch this: Separation also needs to be seen as preparation!
Three people clap; that means they don’t know Jesus! I thought they was gone! I thought they were- oh, they’re taking it in! Okay, oh, you’re taking notes-good! There I go again trying to get somebody to jump and shout when y’all are writing it! Thank you! I’m sorry! Forgive me; I apologize! I was out of line!
I’m glad my daughter said what I said when I was — a little snappy about that third day! Some about not having them fried foods and no sugar about that third day! They was like, „Daddy, what?“ „I’m sorry! What?“ I didn’t mean it! „What, Daddy? I love you! I love you too! Don’t tell me you love me-I love you! Shut up!“
Avent was like, „Baby, it’s ok! Come here!“ They was looking at me like I was turning into a werewolf from the Thriller video: „Like, go away!“ Separation is preparation! Do me a favor, just gently nudge somebody on the shoulder and say, „He’s preparing something for you!“
It didn’t work out because He was preparing something for you! Get her attention, please! It didn’t work out because He’s preparing something for you! I know you thought he might have been a possibility; he wasn’t! And that’s why it didn’t work out! He’s preparing something better for you!
Sir, I know you thought she had light eyes and most of that hair is real, but it was not for you! He’s preparing something else! So He had to separate! You wanted to stay on that job, and you would have stayed forever. But God had to make you uncomfortable, and since you wouldn’t move even when you were uncomfortable, He made them move you! It was for preparation!
The separations in Genesis set the stage, watch this, for further creation! God didn’t create anything until separation! There is no creation without separation! Write that down! Put it in your phone, man of God! It’s for you and your future wife! There is no creation without separation! God’s not creating anything until He sets boundaries, structure, and order.
Let’s separate some things! Now that I’ve got clarity, now that I’ve got a sense of clarity, and a sense of order, now I can prepare to create land, plants, life! In seasons of recreation, separating ourselves from old habits, relationships, and thought patterns may be necessary to prepare for new growth! Somebody say new growth! New growth!
Now, I only have a limited understanding of new growth. Joel’s not laughing! Let me tell you, black women get braids! So new growth is the distance between when the braids first went in and the next appointment with the Nigerians! Normally takes three of them! Takes about seven hours and they put the new hair in! But where are all the women that have had new growth? Keep your hands up!
Are there any men who have had some? Maybe because it might be some grown men with braids! Hey, I love you, we family! Box braids? Dre-oh, they dreads on men right? Locks is braids? Okay! Locks! And normally people would crack jokes. I’m not cracking no jokes because people are very sensitive about hair because of things that have happened in this country and how we have identified people as good or bad hair.
Let me tell you something! The Bible says the glory of a woman is in her hair! I don’t care how short or how long! There’s glory attached whether it’s curly or straight, doesn’t matter! What new growth says is the picture that you see is only part of the reality! Something else is growing! Oh my Lord! And so God loves new growth! Because it is symbolic that there is work happening beneath the surface!
Everybody wants a blessing on a Sunday morning as if Sunday is the only time that God can move! If people think that God is delegated to a Sunday morning for two hours, you miss the other 166 hours that God wants to do creative work in your life! God! Tell somebody, „God’s preparing me!“ God’s preparing me!
Number four: You need to see separation as sacred work! This is good, Pastor Alicia! God’s act of separation reflects intentionality and care! It’s God, Elder Odum, that separates! You need to be open to that! If you’re bold, I dare you to pray this prayer: God- well let me tell you the prayer first! He’s like, „God, whatever he about to say!“ Are you ready?
Let me tell you the prayer! God, I give you permission to separate me from everyone and everything, including the things I like and love, that don’t serve my destiny! If you’re ready to pray that prayer, stand up! God! I give you permission to separate! To separate everything! Everything in my life! In my life! That I like! That I like! And I love! And I love! That does not serve my destiny! My destiny!
You just prayed the greatest prayer of your life! Hear me! Lift a hand! God’s about to cause things to fall off for your life this week! There are some habits, patterns, people, and God has been revealing some of these people to you! And your feelings were hurt because you’re like, „Why is this happening? Why is it happening now?“ God says, „I love you too much to have you-watch this-in covenant!“
The word covenant in Hebrew means „league.“ You’re in league with people that are beneath you! You’re Major League! Those are minor league folk! I don’t have time for minor league conversation when I’m trying to win a World Series! You in single A ball with your anointing, and I’m in the majors! Oh God, help me Holy Ghost! You playing pee wee with this thing, I’m in the NFL in this thing in the spirit! Are you hearing what I’m saying? God, separate me from everything, even if I like it or love it, that does not serve my destiny!
Be seated! I’m almost done! Who’s ready for new growth? Separation, Elder Newark, needs to be seen as sacred work! Tell somebody, it’s sacred! It’s God’s business! Woman of God, what He’s doing in your life when it’s sacred oftentimes it’s also a secret! So everybody does not need to be privy to your process! Guard who you are in communication with in this season!
Stop giving deep, profound secrets of your soul to people who don’t have the capacity or the ability to process that information, translate that information, or intercede once they get the information! Oh my- I felt that thing right there! I think I will! Thank you, Lord! God cares too much to be casual with your destiny! You should be equally as intentional about this sacred work! Similarly, when we separate ourselves from certain things like toxic environments, toxic people, distractions, it is an act of aligning with God’s purpose and calling on our lives!
I want what God has for me! I don’t want anything other than what He has for me! I only want what He wants for me! Am I the only one? Now, I want you to get this fifth one, okay? You read separation as unity! This one’s going to bless you! Separation as unity in perspective!
Watch this: While separation creates distinctions, it also highlights relationships! You’re able to see people clearer when there’s separation! Why? Why? How is there separation and unity? You don’t have the earth without heaven! You don’t have light without dark! You don’t know one without the other! I’m getting ready to encourage you because a lot of the stuff that you thought was horrible was actually necessary because you needed to have those experiences in order to see how good God is!
Here’s an example: Light and dark complement each other, and the firmament connects the heavens and the earth! In our lives, separation isn’t about isolation but about understanding our connection to others and God’s larger design! I preach every week like my soul depended on it! What you don’t know is what it cost me to prepare a message to sow into not just you, but people around the world! And to all the preachers who don’t do the work, who will take this and act like it’s theirs, it costs me! And on Sunday afternoons, my elders and pastors know because I talk to them!
I go home, I lay down, and I’m trying to gather the physical strength to try to be available to my family, but normally I’m sleep because it pulls everything out of my soul! Because that’s what it costs when you sit in this seat! The reason why I can preach so strongly about the light is because I’ve been in the dark! I fight in the dark, and the reason why I can scream light this way is because there’s darkness behind me! I’m the thing standing in the middle! Why do you think my last name is Grey? Black and white make grey! So I’m standing between light and dark, pointing you to the only one that can save you, deliver you, and set you free! But you’re still living in grey areas!
But there is no grey area! It’s either serve Him or not! It’s either hot or cold, no lukewarm! Choose ye this day whom you will serve! Yes sir! Hallelujah! You wouldn’t know how to love the right way if you hadn’t been abused! You wouldn’t have empathy for other people unless you had been addicted! You wouldn’t have grace for other people struggling with sexual addiction unless you had been whoring in years past!
See, when God delivers you from something, you can’t help but tell somebody else! Pastor Mike, I’m so tired of church people acting like they were born saved, born speaking in tongues, born filled with the Holy Ghost! Can somebody please tell me you were a complete mess until the blood of Jesus found you? Can somebody tell the truth that you were completely without any morals and no structure until God separated you and gave you a new name, a new identity, a new purpose? Is there anybody simply grateful for the separating work of the Holy Spirit? If you’re grateful for it, then give the Lord the best praise that you can!
Thank you, man of God! I hope the Church of the future is filled with people that will tell the truth of where they were when Jesus found them! And I hope that no one ever feels judged for where they are when they step through these doors! Because from the pulpit to the soundboard and everywhere in between, all you’re looking at is walking, living, breathing testimonies of what God did with broken lives and submitted hearts! I am evidence of the Resurrection! You’re looking at Lazarus, dead in the grave, left for dead, thrown away, and God called John! Come forth! And then He loosed me and let me go!
Everyone is standing! I’ve got more; we’ll be here next week, rain or shine! People are like, „Well, it’s raining; should I go to church?“ It’s raining; should you go to church? You don’t ask that! You going to work! You going to be at that club! Boots in the puddle, stamp on your hand! The dye running off! Hands lifted!
Everybody just do one clap! I said one! Do it! One more time! Anybody next to you, slap them if they act wrong! No, don’t do it! Pastor said-Elder, don’t be leaving yet! No, she’s going up the aisle! I’m getting ready for the saints! One more time! I did! I did! It’s not like Simon says! I meant it! Go on and clap! 'Cause you missed it! Go ahead! There you go! The only reason we heard the sound is because two things that were separated came together!
When you clap, Elder Linton, it’s actually the sound is because you just closed the distance between two points! And since there’s nowhere else for it to go, it creates a sound that actually goes out! The same way you throw a rock in water, in the circles- that’s what happens when you clap! It’s a sound that can only be made when two things that were not connected come together! I need you to know you’re getting ready to release a sound of victory this week!
Two things that had not come together: your order and God’s word! They’re going to come together! It’s going to make a sound in your bank account! Troya, you’re an amazing mom! You’re raising a world-changing little girl, and God’s going to give you wisdom to give her the tools to be just as rare as you! And your mama, she comes from greatness! So greatness is her natural state! And just in case you were wondering, the favor of God is on you in a very strange way! And I’m here to prophesy to you that things that you hoped and dreamed-you didn’t miss it; you’re not late! You’re exactly where you need to be!
And in a few moments when you clap, the thing-the moment you clap- the thing that has your name on it will hear that sound and move in your direction! Wait, hold it! Don’t clap yet! Hold it! Because when I tell you to clap this time, I need you to assume that there are angels that are waiting for the sound that can only come from your hands and your fingerprints! Because that’s what unlocks the vault!
Does it not say He inhabits the praises of His people? Jerusalem, we are the spiritual Jerusalem! When we make a sound, the vault is unlocked! Are you ready for the things that have been held up that have your name on it to get to you? Unlock the vault! There are people in this room today, and Jesus says-and I mean this today! Jesus says don’t wait! You don’t have time! Stop playing with God! Hear me! Stop playing with God! Get to the altar and give your life to Christ!
Do it today! Get saved today! Join the church today! Move now! If you know I’m talking to you, move now! Move now! Brian, this man of God, coming; he’s joining the church! Here’s a gentleman with gray hair! You’re never too seasoned or too young! He’s 81 years old! He’s 91! Uh -oh! Stop the music! Yeah, he wants to be baptized! He’s 91! It’s never too late! I said it’s never too late to be baptized! If you got breath in your body, you got a chance! Yes! I need somebody to clap like it was your dad! Like it was your granddad!
Some other people need to stop playing with God! Get it right today! Give your life to Jesus today! Right now! One prayer changes everything! Right now! One prayer changes everything! There she is! There she is! Come here, sweet girl! Come on! Welcome home! Welcome home, sweet lady! I need to say this! Somebody else is coming! Come on, Stanley Cup! Hey! Welcome home! You hear me? You’re welcome here! I love you; you’re protected here; you’re covered here. I need you to know wherever you are in your walk, you are protected here! You are loved here! You are covered here! You are seen here!
You know what I find interesting, Avatar? There’s a lot of dudes up here. He got on a hoodie like me! He got on Jays like me! And a lot of times these young men don’t feel like they have somebody that understands! And I know how to put on a suit when I need to, but this is how I feel most comfortable! You understand what I’m saying? Because this is my clothes, my clothes are a language to a culture and to a generation! So if you’re offended by my shoes, my shoes weren’t talking to you!
Anybody down here, we a size 13! Any man up here wear a size 13? Where you at, size 13? WHO? Right there! Hold on! I saw this man! He got on the Cowboys jersey! I can’t even do it! Come here, man! Come here! Come up here! Turn around! I want them to see that jersey! Bring the music down for a second! That number is 86; six is the number of creation because God created everything in six days! Eight is the number of new beginnings! You need to witness the beginning of a new creation!
Thank you, Lord! I wore these shoes one time! You see that name on there? That’s one of them names-fancy! These are for you! Now what’s crazy is they kind of mirror the style of the shoe that you have on, but this is an upgrade because that’s what God is doing for everybody at this altar and in this church today!
Now here’s what’s deep: my wife gave these to me as a gift! I wore them one time in four years! And the Lord said, „I want you to sew them!“ I need you to know these ain’t Pro Keds! This ain’t Payless! Because I shouldn’t sew into you something that doesn’t have value to me! That’s right! Where’s my Elder Teresa at? Where’s Elder Teresa? She back there somewhere! I just need you to know! See, when I sow, I sow in faith knowing that God’s going to turn it in my favor! Press down, shaking together! But today! What was valuable to me is now valuable to you! Now walk in your destiny! Walk in your purpose! And walk in the new beginnings that have been created for you!
Everybody at this altar, you need to know you are home! You are safe! You are loved! And we protect our own! Anybody got something to say to you, they’re going to have a problem with me! Please don’t let this mic and my love for Jesus fool you! I’m a gangster! Everybody here, let’s pray this prayer!
Lord Jesus, it’s me, and I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord! Thank you for the blood that was shed for me! I receive the free gift of salvation, not through my works but the finished work of the cross! The blood is enough to pay for all my sin! Now, Holy Spirit, come live inside and teach me how to be more like Jesus each and every day! You are my Savior and my Lord! In Jesus' name, amen! Amen! And amen!