Wide Open Doors – 3

Wide Open Doors – 3

Subject – Chains Falling Off

By Rick Welborne

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NLT2) ⁹ There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 

Acts 12:1‑11 (NKJV) 

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 

2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 

3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 

4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. 

8 Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." 

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." 

–As we put on His armor every day, as we bless the Lord at all times, as we have committed to prayer and seeking God...we know amazing things will happen. 

–It is a joy and a privilege to seek the One Who has given everything for us!  He has given us Jesus but yet He says there is more!!!

Romans 8:31‑32 (NKJV) 

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 

--I encourage you to find time to fast each week to truly see God move.

Isaiah 58:6-9 (NKJV)
⁶  "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
⁷  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸  Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
⁹  Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' 

–There are many adversaries...and they want to kill, steal, and destroy! But:

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NLT2) ⁹ There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 

1. We Can Expect Opposition.

Acts 12:1 (NKJV) 1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 

–I believe the enemy is sending out harassing spirits to fight against the church and it comes in different forms...comes thru thoughts, thru people, thru family, thru all kinds of means:

Ephesians 6:10‑13 (NKJV) 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

–Do not give up because we are so close to the door...a wide open door.

2. Paul Arrested.

Acts 12:4 (NKJV) ⁴ So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 

–Well if he had been living right he would not have had all that opposition...let me say it in a different way...because he was living right he had opposition!

–Paul was doing the will of God so therefore he had adversaries. We are no different!

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NLT2) ⁹ There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 

--The key to Paul’s deliverance was thru prayer:

Acts 12:5 (NKJV)
⁵  Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 

Isaiah 58:6 (NKJV)     

6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 

Acts 12:6 (NKJV) 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 

–How many of you know Paul was in deep trouble?  No way...no way was he coming out of this one...two chains...between two soldiers...more soldiers outside the door.

–The enemy wants us to look at our situation and just say there is no way...no way this time!

–I encourage you not to forget the God factor...it is not the size of your giant but the size of your God. As we pray earnestly for those who need to be set free...the chains will fall off.

James 5:16 (NIV) 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 

–We who have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus have been praying and I believe our prayers have been powerful and effective.

–We are just waiting on our prodigals, our bodies, our finances, our families, our church to line up with the Word of God and the spears of prayer in the Spirit that we have sent out!

3. Chains Fall Off and Doors Are Wide Open.

Acts 12:7 (NKJV) 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. 

–It is time that we understand that God wants the chains to fall off and for doors to be wide open.

–The angel struck Peter...maybe the Holy Spirit or the Word of God has been striking you and telling you to “Arise quickly” God is about to set you free!

–All this blessing the Lord at all times, this putting on the armor every day, all this fasting and praying have been so that you can get free...get ready...get ready!

Isaiah 58:6‑8 (NKJV)   

6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 

7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 

8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 

--So what happened when Peter’s chains fell off?  Good question!  

Acts 12:8-10 (NKJV)
⁸  Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me."
⁹  So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
¹⁰  When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

–Remember the guards were standing to keep the prisoner Paul in...but when God gets ready to bring them out, when the saints are fasting and praying...the door has to open.

–The chains fell off and Peter was led by the angel thru every door...thru every gate...the gate opened of its own accord...we thought this was a modern invention.

–God wants your chains to fall off tonight so that you can walk thru every door that God has set before you!

–All God has to do is speak the Word, to send His angel, and you will be set free!

–Key...do you want to be free and do you want it to be tonight?

Psalm 107:8‑14 (NKJV)  

8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 

9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. 

10 Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons‑‑ 

11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, 

12 Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. 

13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. 

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. 

Elections 2024 - 1

Elections 2024 - 1

Subject: Issues The Church Must Address

By Rick Welborne

Pro 14:34 (NKJV) 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

1. It will be my attempt in this message today not to partisan and not to mention any candidates’ names. My calling is to preach so I will be biblical.

2. I do find it quite hypocritical that we are threatened with losing our tax free status if we become political, yet some churches, some ministers invite politicians into their churches and endorse them strongly without any threat of liability. 

3. There may be some who try to interpret this message as endorsing a certain political party but my thoughts and comments will be, not so much my opinion, but what the Word of God says. Please be willing to hear me out to the end of this message today and next Sunday.

4. There are some who have tried foolishly to argue for separation of church and state, which this message is not particularly trying to address (suffice to say that it was created to protect the churches) not empower the govt. against Judea Christian values upon which this country was established...our point here is that the Word of God is the standard upon which we are to live our lives and to guide us in areas like voting.

5. My encouragement for you on Nov.5 is to vote for the platform that will do everything in its power to lead us into the values that the Bible declares to be non-negotiable. Not just for the office of the president but every office...every issue. A party platform is essentially a declaration of a party's values and the policy roadmap it intends to follow. Back in 1976, both of America's major political parties had platforms containing pro-life language. But in more recent years, one platform has unfortunately embraced a radically pro-abortion stance. In contrast, the other platform insists that every child in the womb has the right to life.

6. My encouragement is for you to vote for the platform that is for the protection of our country, who are pro-work, who are pro-faith, who are pro-Biblical marriage, who are pro-life, and who are pro-Israel.

7. Do your best to stop looking at people and personalities and to look at platforms (what they believe). Do a study of the people who were leading us in World War II. They were tough and many times obnoxious but they fought for our country and we all won because of their tenacity.  

8. If you and your family were under attack at your home, would you want someone defending your house who was sweet, throwing daisies at your enemies or would you want someone with some attitude who would kick rear, take names, and maybe use colorful language?

9. My job today is not to defend or to endorse any man or woman for any office but to help you see how important it is to look at what they do. Will they keep us safe? Will they help our economy? Will they defend un-born babies? Will they defend biblical marriage? Will they defend the church? Will they defend Israel?

--Someone had the audacity to say to me, “There are more issues on the ballot than abortion!” I told them that I agreed with them but killing innocent unborn babies is one of the issues I cannot get around. Once you start killing babies in the womb, the downward spiral has begun. 

–Today I am exercising not only my calling from God as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is my highest calling and my obligation to Him to preach the Word of God uncompromisingly but also I am exercising my 1^st Amendment Right under the Constitution.

The First Amendment:  Prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding (preventing) the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.

1. Vote for Platform Who Provides Protection for the United States of America.

Romans 13:1‑4 (NKJV) 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 

4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 

–Our leadership should be those who bear the sword (armed services – military and law-enforcement) to come against evil and to execute judgment or wrath on those who threaten us. Inside or out.

–Before you vote for any platform...you should check out their support for our military and law enforcement or lack of it...their records are more important than political adds. 

–None of us are pro war but if we are going to get involved in a war we should be all out to take care of those who threaten us and our allies...especially Israel. Lead through strength. 

–We should not be afraid to name the war we are in and to identify our enemies...radical Islamic terrorist or Hamas...when have we ever had to wait on others to go and kick butt?

–We have the best military and the best of the best soldiers and they can get the job done if they have the right leadership. Two sons who have served. Marine and Army Airborn.

–All of the other freedoms and rights that we could discuss become non issues if we are not protected from our enemies. Our first obligation is to protect those we love.

Ronald Reagan – Government’s first duty is to protect its people, not run their lives.

John 14:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

2. Vote for the Platform that is Pro-work.

–I am afraid that we have created a whole generation of people who think that they are entitled to whatever it is they want...definitely not a job. We buy votes with entitlements. Wrong!

–We have become great enablers of those who have a propensity to laziness. Why work when your government will send you a check every month?

--I remember a day when I was too proud to take unemployment benefits when I was laid off at the Paper Mill. I found another job and worked. I was taught to work not sit on my rear end.

–You can gain votes by promising and providing everything under the sun to people who will not work...but laziness will rot the nation to the core.

Eccl 10:18 (NKJV)18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 

 

–Let’s not amen too loud if we will not give of ourselves to work for the Lord. The Bible says we should work while it is day.

2 Thess 3:10‑15 (NLT)10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this rule: "Whoever does not work should not eat." 

11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people's business. 

12 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to such people—no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living. 

13 And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 

15 Don't think of them as enemies, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs to be warned.

–I am sorry but we didn’t sit around waiting on someone else to pay our college, or to pay for our insurance, or to send us tax incentives...we worked and saved.

–If you don’t like being the dish washer...ditch digger...cement mixer...manager...work hard, be faithful, save, and buy your own business...stop playing the victim card. Work hard.

–What about America being the land of opportunity, of entrepreneurs...work! There are still people coming to our country and making a great living. Vote pro work!

John 14:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

3. Vote for the Platform that is Pro Faith in Jesus Christ and the Church.

–We need people in charge of our nation to have an overwhelming dependency to cry out to God for His wisdom and help in time of crisis...to invoke God’s Name...Jesus.

–You can rest assure that if people are ashamed to talk about their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in public...they more than likely do not talk to Him in private. Does their policies match their faith?

Romans 1:16‑17 (NKJV)16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."  

–We need Presidents who will appoint those to the Supreme Court who will adhere to our constitution and will uphold our Judea-Christian values. That’s why Roe vs Wade was overturned.

–Many times in Scripture God raised up unbelieving Kings to support and to protect God’s people...Read the Book of Daniel, Nehemiah, and Isaiah.  The book of Ruth. Read about King Cyrus.

–We must have discernment and common sense when it comes to voting and not be so spiritually dumb when God is trying to bless His people...He can use a jackass if He wants to.

–The born again doctor, lawyer, contractor, teacher, or politician can no more lay aside their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ but find Him as the source of their strength.

Deut 30:20 (NKJV) 20 "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;

–Being pro-faith is a willingness to use faith based ministries (Teen Challenge – Sang at the Convention)) to help with society’s ills.

–The just will live by their faith...choose those who will live by and proclaim their faith or, at least, defend it by what they do not just what they say and protect the rights of Christians.

John 14:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ "If you love Me, keep My commandments.