Victory Church Providence

The Battle Ready Woman WOJ Saturday Afternoon

Key themes include the Victory Church Podcast and Women of Judah Conference 2026, focusing on finding freedom to worship in the midst of the battle through messages by Lisa Famini and Christina McCoy. The passage emphasizes appreciation for volunteers, staff, and men serving behind the scenes, along with gratitude and community support. Spiritually, it highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as comforter, healer, refiner, peace giver, teacher, victor, convictor, advocate, and intercessor, encouraging prayer, surrender, and trust in God’s control. It also affirms identity in Christ with the message “you’ve got this,” while recognizing the many roles women carry—such as mothers, wives, singles, and students—and introduces the idea of being “mood setters” who influence the atmosphere.

The passage defines a “mood setter” as a woman who understands she has the power to influence the atmosphere around her and who embraces her roles as a nurturer, supporter, leader, negotiator, entrepreneur, and lover while remaining under her husband’s covering, or under the Lord’s covering if she is unmarried. It describes her as a fighter, a true friend, and a noble woman who carries spiritual authority, and it uses biblical examples like Esther, Deborah, Ruth, Abigail, and Hannah to show qualities such as courage, wisdom, loyalty, peace-making, persistence, and prayer. The message emphasizes that women of Judah should be confident, persistent, spiritually grounded, and able to calm conflict, shift the atmosphere, and stand firmly in their God-given identity.

Its SpringTime WOJ Conference Saturday Morning

“You are in a safe place. This conference was specially curated just for you. Here at Victory Church, women have been praying for you, fasting for you, preparing for you, planning for you, and wanting to get you here. Whatever you came in carrying, you do not have to walk out with it. This is a place where you can let your guard down, allow the Holy Spirit to work on you, and begin to roll away the stones in your life so you can experience true springtime, healing, and freedom.”“The Father is not intimidated by how long it has been, how bad it smells, or how dead it looks. When Jesus called Lazarus, He did not stop at the tomb; He said, ‘Come forth,’ and then He said, ‘Loose him and let him go.’ That means no matter how long you have been stuck, bound, rejected, overlooked, or counted out, God is still calling you out of that place and into life, purpose, and victory.”

This Time I Will Praise The Lord, WOJ Conference Friday Night

Opening and Gratitude

1. The speaker thanks Shiana, the leadership team, and Maureen Morris for hospitality and event preparation.

2. She praises the team’s hard work and the welcoming atmosphere of the conference.

3. She introduces the message as something personally meaningful and emotionally stirring.

Main Scripture and Theme

1. The message is based on Genesis 29 and Leah’s story.

2. The speaker’s title is framed two ways: “Now I will praise the Lord” and “This time I will praise the Lord”.

3. The central theme is that praise can emerge from pain, rejection, and invisibility.

Jacob, Rachel, and Leah

1. Jacob travels to find a wife and falls in love with Rachel at the well.

2. He works seven years for Rachel, but Laban deceives him and gives him Leah instead.

3. Jacob is furious because he wanted Rachel, not Leah, which highlights Leah’s unloved and hidden position.

Leah’s Pain

1. Leah is described as weak-eyed, overlooked, and culturally less valued than Rachel.

2. She is trapped in a painful marriage where she is not loved.

3. Her longing for love is shown through the names she gives her sons.

Leah’s Sons and Meaning

1. Reuben: “The Lord has seen my affliction,” hoping her husband will love her.

2. Simeon: “The Lord has heard that I am unloved,” showing she feels heard.

3. Levi: “Now my husband will become attached to me,” revealing her hope for connection.

4. Judah: “Now I will praise the Lord,” marking a turning point from pain to praise.

Idols and Misplaced Hope

1. The speaker warns that good things can become idols when they matter more than God.

2. Leah’s babies become a way of trying to earn her husband’s love, rather than simply gifts from God.

3. The message broadens this warning to include money, sex, success, beauty, relationships, and children.

Rejection and Identity

1. The speaker connects Leah’s story to modern feelings of rejection, invisibility, insecurity, and anxiety.

2. She argues that rejection by people can be redirection by God.

3. She encourages listeners to stop chasing world standards and instead embrace God’s standards.

Personal Testimony

1. The speaker shares her own story of adoption, deep feelings of not being wanted, and healing from rejection.

2. She explains that God helped her understand she was always wanted by Him.

3. She shares how God used her experiences and redirection to shape her life and ministry.

David as Parallel Example

1. David is used as another example of rejection leading to God’s plan.

2. He is sent back from battle, finds his camp destroyed, and is told by God to pursue and recover all.

3. This story reinforces the idea that rejection can position someone for restoration.

Worship and Response

1. The speaker urges the audience to bring pain, tears, and burdens to God at the altar.

2. She emphasizes that worship is not performance but a genuine act of surrender and praise.

3. She encourages women to praise God in the middle of battle, not just after it ends.

Final Call

1. Leah’s decision to praise God is presented as the moment everything changes.

2. The message ends with a call for the women to stand, worship, and let praise birth something new in their lives.

3. The closing emphasis is that God inhabits praise and can bring freedom, healing, and breakthrough.

Cultivating A Receptive Heart

Welcome to the Victory Church podcast where you can listen to powerful messages by our pastoral staff and guest speakers from our Sunday morning worship services. At Victory, we're committed to reaching the lost, restoring the broken, and reviving believers. God is in the life-changing business.

Amen. If you have your Bibles, would you turn with me to Luke chapter 8. We began a series on knowing God’s will for your life and how to hear the voice of God and get God’s direction.

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We’re talking about knowing God’s will. It’s an extremely important topic for every true Christian. Every Bible-believing Christian. Every sincere believer should have a passion to know and do God’s will.

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So how do you know God’s will? Through His word. God speaks to you first and foremost through the Bible.

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Hearing God’s voice requires cultivating an open heart to act as good soil to receive the word of God.

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The four soils represent four different heart conditions. The seed is the word of God. The ones by the wayside hear, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts. The ones on the rock hear with joy, but have no root. The ones among thorns are choked by cares, riches, and pleasures. But the good ground keeps the word and bears fruit with patience.

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You are one of four soils. You will either be softened or hardened by the word of God. My desire is to help you cultivate a receptive heart.

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A hard heart can come from pride, fear, anger, bitterness, and offense. Offense is a trap that can keep you from receiving help, encouragement, strength, and blessing.

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Jesus was offended at in Nazareth because of their unbelief. He could do no mighty works there because of their condition of heart.

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Today I plead with you to ask God to create in me a clean heart, a pure heart, and a soft, tender heart.

Your Heart Matters

Main Theme

• Knowing and doing God’s will is essential for a fruitful Christian life.

• The key factor in discerning and living out God’s will is the condition of your heart.

Introduction

• Worship includes receiving God’s Word.

• Series focus: finding/knowing God’s will.

• Message title: “Your heart matters.”

• Physical heart illustration → emphasizes importance and function.

• Spiritual heart = intellect, will, emotions (the “real you”).

Importance of the Heart

• The heart determines character and decisions.

• Types of unhealthy hearts: hardened, bitter, impure.

• Healthy heart = pure, good, pleasing to God.

• Spiritual heart health is as critical as physical heart health.

Decisions and Destiny

• Humans make ~35,000 decisions daily.

• Decisions shape destiny.

• Process: thought → action → habit → character → destiny.

• Heart and thoughts are deeply connected (Proverbs principle).

God’s Will and Planning

• Planning is good, but must include God (James 4).

• Key idea: “If the Lord wills.”

• Approach:

  • Make plans.

  • Submit them to God.

  • Allow God to adjust them.

• God’s will is always better than human plans.

How God Reveals His Will

• Primary way: through Scripture (revealed will).

• Other ways (secondary):

  • Circumstances

  • Dreams

  • Open/closed doors

  • Other believers/spiritual authority

  • Prophetic words

• Warning: Don’t seek external guidance without knowing God’s Word.

Revealed vs. Unrevealed Will

• Revealed will (explicit in Scripture):

  • Salvation (2 Peter 3:9)

  • Sanctification/holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

  • Doing good (1 Peter 2:15)

• Unrevealed will (personal decisions):

  • Which church to attend

  • Who to marry

  • What ministry to pursue

• Principle: Obey revealed will to better discern unrevealed will.

Warning from Jesus (Matthew 7)

• Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter heaven.

• True disciples: those who do God’s will.

• Danger of:

  • Superficial faith

  • Empty words

  • Right actions with wrong motives

• Emphasis: obedience + right heart.

Parable of the Sower (Luke 8)

• Seed = Word of God.

• Four types of soil (hearts):

  1. Hard path → Word stolen (no understanding).

  2. Rocky soil → No root; falls away in trials.

  3. Thorny soil → Choked by cares, riches, pleasures.

  4. Good soil → Produces fruit abundantly.

• Key lesson: the issue is not the seed, but the soil (heart).

The Condition of the Heart

• Heart determines response to God’s Word.

• Good heart = noble, receptive, persevering.

• Scripture emphasis:

  • Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23).

  • Heart produces actions and speech (Jesus’ teaching).

  • Human heart is naturally sinful (Jeremiah).

Cultivating a Healthy Heart

• Requires intentional effort (like tending a garden).

• Weeds (sin, bitterness, etc.) grow naturally.

• Needed responses:

  • Repentance

  • Prayer (“Create in me a clean heart”)

  • Ongoing self-examination

• Possible issues: unforgiveness, bitterness, sin.

Illustration: Power of the Word

• God’s Word is incorruptible and powerful.

• Like a seed that can remain dormant but still produce life.

• Effectiveness depends on the condition of the heart.

Example: King Josiah

• Rediscovered God’s Word.

• Responded with repentance and humility.

• God honored his tender heart.

• Model of proper response to God’s Word.

Conclusion / Call to Action

• “Your heart matters.”

• Choose to cultivate a tender, responsive heart.

• Respond to God with repentance and obedience.

• Prayer for transformation and receptivity to God’s Word.

Planning For The Future

• Victory Church celebrated a strong Good Friday and Sunday turnout, with lives being changed and the gospel still saving people.

• The new series is about knowing God’s will for your life, which the pastor says is one of the most important questions for every believer.

• Spiritual growth is tied to what you know from God’s Word, and God’s will comes out of God’s Word.

• Not every life decision is spelled out in Scripture, so believers need biblical principles to guide choices about careers, marriage, money, location, and ministry.

• A right heart matters: pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, and other wrong attitudes can keep people from receiving God’s direction.

• James 4:13–17 was the main text, warning against planning the future without including God.

• The message stressed that planning is not wrong, but planning without God is.

• Believers should say, “If the Lord wills,” and seek God’s direction in all major decisions.

• Presuming about tomorrow is foolish because life is uncertain and brief, like a vapor.

• The sermon urged listeners to live in the present, appreciate people now, and make wise choices today.

• The real goal is not just to have God bless our plans, but to do what God is already blessing.

• The closing call was to surrender personal plans to God and trust Him to edit, redirect, and restore life.

Powerful Lessons from Another Cross, Part II

Outline

• Opening and prayer

  • The speaker invites the congregation to open to Luke 23:39–43.

  • He prays for the Holy Spirit to make the message real, alive, and meaningful to everyone present.

• Easter introduction

  • Easter is described as a worldwide celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

  • The two key symbols are the empty cross and the empty tomb.

  • The speaker emphasizes that both the cross and tomb of Jesus are empty, unlike the burial sites of other religious founders. Luke 23:39–43 is quoted as the sermon text.

• Main theme

  • The message focuses on “powerful lessons from another cross.”

  • The speaker argues that the cross and tomb together reveal both sacrifice and resurrection hope.

  • He says the cross without the tomb would look like defeat, but together they proclaim hope and victory.

• Context of the passage

  • The speaker notes that the thief on the cross had remarkable spiritual insight.

  • He contrasts Luke’s account with Mark and Matthew, which mention both criminals reviling Jesus at first.

  • He suggests the thief experienced a change of heart, possibly influenced by Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness.

• Three lessons from the thief

  • Jesus is sinless.

    • The thief recognized that Jesus had “done nothing wrong.”

    • The speaker connects this to Jesus’ unique holiness and sinlessness.

  • Jesus is Lord.

    • The thief called Jesus “Lord,” recognizing His authority and sovereignty.

    • The speaker stresses that this confession is an act of faith and spiritual revelation.

  • Jesus has a kingdom.

    • The thief asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.

    • The speaker explains that this shows belief in Jesus’ future reign and eternal authority.

• Application: eternity matters

  • The speaker warns that human life is brief, while eternity is forever.

  • He argues that the most important question is where a person will spend eternity.

  • He uses illustrations about a rope and about Albert Einstein to stress the need to know one’s eternal destination.

• Gospel invitation

  • The speaker says the gospel brings dead people to life.

  • He invites listeners to trust Christ, receive forgiveness, and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

  • He emphasizes that salvation is about relationship, not mere religion, and urges people to respond now because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

• Closing prayer and response

  • The speaker leads a prayer confessing sin, trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and asking to be remembered in His kingdom.

  • He invites anyone who wants assurance of eternal life to raise a hand and come forward for prayer.

Powerful Lessons from Another Cross, Part I

Main Theme

• The power of God’s Word and its ability to transform lives.

• Focus: “Powerful lessons from another cross” (the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39–43).

Context and Setup

• Reference to Charles Spurgeon: God’s Word defends itself.

• Connection to previous message on the cross (Galatians 6:14).

• Illustration: church member misusing the “thief on the cross” story.

• Introduction of three crosses:

  • Cross of redemption (Jesus).

  • Cross of rejection.

  • “Another cross” (the repentant thief).

The Passage (Luke 23:39–43)

• One criminal mocks Jesus.

• The other:

  • Rebukes the first criminal.

  • Acknowledges guilt.

  • Declares Jesus’ innocence.

  • Asks Jesus to remember him.

• Jesus promises him paradise.

Observations About the Thief

• Demonstrates deep spiritual understanding at the end of life.

• Possible unknown background (religious or sudden revelation).

• Encouragement to grow spiritually and keep learning.

• Initially mocked Jesus but experienced a change of heart.

• Key idea: “While there is life, there is hope.”

Theme of Transformation

• Warning against false or limiting belief systems.

• Emphasis on truth as the source of freedom.

• Call to “come to your senses” spiritually.

• Sin described as destructive and deceptive.

• Illustration: prodigal son and consequences of sin.

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Lesson 1: The Fear of God

• Based on Luke 23:40: “Do you not fear God?”

• The thief understood reverence and accountability before God.

Clarifying the Fear of God

• Not terror בלבד, but reverence, respect, and awe.

• Balance:

  • गलत view: harsh, cruel God.

  • Opposite गलत view: only love, no judgment.

Biblical Support

• Matthew 10:28 – Fear God, not man.

• Hebrews 10:31 – Fearful to fall into God’s hands.

• Hebrews 12:28–29 – God is a consuming fire.

• Proverbs 16:6 – Fear of God leads to turning from evil.

Warnings and Applications

• Modern culture minimizes or distorts God’s holiness.

• Danger of creating a “God in our image.”

• Example: evangelist who loved Christ but lost fear of God → moral failure.

• Key point: spiritual passion without reverence leads to compromise.

Practical Implications

• Fear of God establishes moral boundaries.

• Christians should not live habitually in sin while claiming faith.

• Call to raise standards according to Scripture, not culture.

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Lesson 2: Recognition of Personal Sin

• Based on Luke 23:41: “We are punished justly…”

• The thief admits guilt and responsibility.

Core Idea

• Acknowledging sin is the first step to salvation and healing.

Key Teachings

• Humans resist admitting wrongdoing.

• Modern tendency to blame others (culture, family, society).

• Biblical truth: all are guilty before God.

Biblical Support

• Romans 3:10 – None righteous.

• Romans 3:19 – All the world guilty before God.

• Romans 3:23 – All have sinned.

Illustrations

• Prison story: only the guilty man was freed.

• Parable of Pharisee vs. tax collector:

  • Self-righteous man vs. repentant sinner.

  • The humble sinner is justified.

Practical Implications

• You cannot receive salvation without admitting need.

• “I’m a good person” mindset blocks repentance.

• Sin leads to destruction (James 1:14–15).

• The cross is the solution to human guilt.

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Closing Emphasis

• Two key lessons from the thief:

  • Fear God (reverence and accountability).

  • Admit personal sin (humility and repentance).

• Message of hope:

  • Jesus saves sinners.

  • Transformation is possible even at the last moment.

• Invitation to respond:

  • Repent.

  • Return to God.

  • Embrace grace and salvation.

The Ultimate Boast

I. Introduction and Focus

• Welcome from Victory Church podcast; statement of mission: reaching the lost, restoring the broken, reviving believers.

• Call to open Bibles to Galatians 6; affirmation of the power, authority, and reliability of God’s Word.

• Sermon title and theme introduced: “The ultimate boast” – centering on the cross of Jesus Christ.

II. Paul’s Life and Credentials

• Brief overview of Paul as an apostle and missionary: sent by Christ, three missionary journeys, final journey to Rome, thousands of miles traveled.

• Paul’s work: establishing churches, appointing leaders, testifying before rulers, writing about half the New Testament (13 letters).

• Emphasis that Paul had an extraordinary “resume” of accomplishments.

III. The Only Legitimate Boast: The Cross (Galatians 6:14)

• Key verse: “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• Point: Despite having much he could boast in, Paul chose to glory only in the cross.

• Contrast with culture (ancient and modern) where people seek worth in achievements, wealth, status, and credentials.

• Clarification that net worth does not equal self-worth; many wealthy, accomplished people still lack true value and identity.

IV. Biblical Rebuke of Worldly Boasting (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

• Jeremiah’s warning:

  • Let not the wise glory in wisdom.

  • Let not the mighty glory in might.

  • Let not the rich glory in riches.

• True glory: understanding and knowing the Lord who practices lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness.

• Humanity’s tendency to boast in intellect, strength, and possessions contrasted with God’s values.

V. Paul’s Resume Re-evaluated (Philippians 3)

• Paul lists his qualifications:

  • Circumcised the eighth day, of Israel, tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews.

  • A Pharisee regarding the law, zealous (persecuting the church), outwardly blameless in legal righteousness.

• Paul’s conclusion: what was gain he now counts as loss for Christ; all is “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ.

• Illustration of “trophies” being swept into the garbage compared to the surpassing worth of Christ.

VI. Illustration: James Dobson’s Trophy

• Story of James Dobson winning a state tennis championship, proudly displaying his trophy in school.

• Years later the trophy is found in the trash; a janitor calls to ask if he wants it.

• Lesson: what once seemed highly valuable becomes garbage; earthly honors are fleeting.

• Application: anything not attached to Jesus Christ fades and loses significance.

VII. The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Glory

• Personal example: pastor’s brief media prominence during Israel war coverage—interviews, trending stories.

• After a few days, the coverage disappears and must be searched for.

• Broader examples:

  • Money sprouts wings and flies away.

  • Beauty, strength, popularity, trends, and influencer status all fade.

  • Even Christian trends, names, and songs move from top to bottom of the list.

• Warning: if identity is tied to these things, life will be unstable—“up and then down.”

VIII. The Cross as Central and Supreme

• Reaffirmation of Paul’s statement: God forbid that I should boast in anything but the cross.

• Scholar’s quote: the cross as the hinge of history, the hub of God’s purposes; OT prophets pointed to it, NT disciples proclaimed it.

• Hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” cited to underline the cross as emblem of suffering, shame, salvation, and ultimate exchange for a crown.

• Concern that contemporary church culture often downplays the cross, the blood, and Christ’s supremacy, exalting human philosophy and benefits instead.

• Clarification of “mystery” in the biblical sense: a truth once hidden but now revealed.

IX. Everything Flows From the Cross

• The cross’ relevance to today:

  • Every good thing and spiritual blessing comes through the cross.

  • Apart from Christ’s death there is only judgment and condemnation.

• Repeated call-and-response: “Because of the cross” applied to:

  • Every sin forgiven.

  • Every healing.

  • Every ministry, song, offering, and destiny fulfilled.

X. The Message of the Cross in 1 Corinthians

• Reading 1 Corinthians 1:18–25:

  • The message of the cross is foolishness to those perishing but God’s power to those being saved.

  • God destroys worldly wisdom; through “foolish” preaching He saves believers.

  • Jews seek signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but the church preaches Christ crucified—stumbling block to Jews, foolishness to Greeks, but the power and wisdom of God to the called.

• Warning against famine of hearing God’s Word in the last days; insistence that the church must keep proclaiming Scripture, not just short, story-only messages.

XI. Paul’s Resolve: Christ and Him Crucified (1 Corinthians 2)

• Paul’s approach in Corinth: not with excellence of speech or human wisdom.

• Determination “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

• Emphasis on weakness, fear, trembling; preaching in demonstration of the Spirit and power, so faith rests on God’s power, not human wisdom.

• Critique of modern church gimmicks, sensationalism, and entertainment used to attract people.

• Principle: what you win people with, you must keep supplying to keep them; only the cross and Christ are stable foundations.

XII. True Value and Identity: Who Owns You and What Was Paid

• Teaching: the value of something depends on who owns it and what someone will pay for it.

• Illustration:

  • Ordinary sneakers vs. Michael Jordan’s sneakers valued much higher because of the owner.

  • Believers’ value because they are owned by Christ, bought with a price.

• Baseball card story: selling sports cards to buy his wife’s engagement ring, showing how value is determined by what someone is willing to pay.

• Scriptural basis: believers redeemed not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; life is in the blood; without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

• Conclusion: our worth, significance, and purpose come from the cross and the blood of Jesus, not from worldly systems.

XIII. Identity Rooted in Christ, Not Titles or Opinions

• Warning against grounding identity in titles (even “pastor”), roles, or what people say.

• People are fickle: they can shout “Hosanna” one day and “Crucify him” the next.

• Admission that the pastor still struggles with this but must continually return to the cross and the Father’s love.

• Call for the congregation to avoid judging quickly, recognizing everyone has issues.

• Exhortation: find identity in Christ and His work on the cross when all external things are stripped away.

XIV. The Uniqueness of the Gospel and How We Are Saved

• Contrast of Christianity with other religions (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, Buddhism, Islam):

  • Other systems focus on what adherents must do and become.

  • The gospel centers on what Christ has done.

• Example from Acts 16: jailer asks, “What must I do to be saved?” Answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” not a list of works.

• The cross as the only ground of boasting because we contributed nothing to it; all glory goes to God.

XV. Ongoing Power of the Cross and Call to Persevere

• Statement that the cross’ power to deliver, heal, and set free never diminishes.

• Reference to Philippians 3: Paul has not arrived but presses on by grace.

• Encouragement: no believer has “arrived”; we all press on because of the cross’ power.

• Allusion to hymn: the blood reaches the highest mountain, flows to the lowest valley, and gives strength day by day.

XVI. Invitation to Salvation and Response

• Appeal to those who have never fully accepted Jesus or the work of the cross.

• Explanation: salvation is by faith—repenting, believing in what Jesus did on our behalf.

• Assertion: there is real power in the cross and the blood to change lives.

• Quotation: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not…the wrath of God abides on him.”

• The cross shows both God’s wrath against sin (someone had to die) and His love for us (Christ taking our place).

• Call for a response: raising hands to indicate need for grace, then coming forward publicly to seal the decision.

• Assurance: they are only being asked to believe and receive, not perform.

• Closing with worship focused on the cross and thanksgiving for Christ’s sacrifice, plus practical church information (Victory Church address).

Going After the lost

I. Introduction and Context

• Pastor’s introduction of Brother Lawrence and connection to his preaching in Liberia.

• Purpose: prepare God’s people for the coming harvest (Easter, witnessing, inviting, praying for family and friends).

II. Liberia Experiences and Personal Testimony

• Brother Lawrence’s joy in returning “home” to Victory Church.

• Repeated trips to Liberia (and Israel) despite earlier reluctance to travel to West Africa.

• Observation: high percentage of professing Christians in Liberia; strong biblical knowledge, even among children.

• Humbling experiences with Liberian believers’ excellence in dress and worship; story of being underdressed and then over-preparing, only to need borrowed attire.

III. Transition to the Message and Text

• Framing the message as a serious word from the Holy Spirit and a “gift from Liberia.”

• Link to upcoming events: Easter, baby dedications, baptisms.

• Call to open hearts and ears.

• Scripture text announced: Luke 16:19–31 (rich man and Lazarus).

IV. Reading and Setting of Luke 16:19–31

• Jesus speaking in the presence of disciples, tax collectors, sinners, and Pharisees.

• Pharisees questioning Jesus for associating with sinners and tax collectors.

• Reading the parable:

  • Rich man clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury.

  • Beggar Lazarus at his gate, full of sores, longing for crumbs; dogs licking his sores.

  • Death of both men: Lazarus carried to Abraham’s side, rich man in torment in Hades.

  • Rich man’s plea for relief and Abraham’s answer about the great fixed gulf.

  • Rich man’s request to warn his brothers; Abraham’s reply about Moses and the prophets and the refusal to believe even if one rises from the dead.

V. Clarifying the Real Issue: Pride, Not Possessions

• Warning against quickly judging the rich man and assuming wealth itself is evil.

• Affirmation: God gives power to get wealth and desires to bless His children.

• Real problem: pride and selfishness—wealth becoming an idol that controls the heart.

• Evidence of selfishness: refusal to help Lazarus despite great abundance and space.

VI. Jesus’ Definition of True Wealth

• Reference to Matthew 13:44–46:

  • Treasure hidden in a field, man sells all to buy it.

  • Merchant finding one pearl of great price, selling all to get it.

• Teaching: the kingdom of heaven is the true treasure and lasting wealth.

• Contrast between God’s definition of wealth and the world’s (cars, status, luxury).

• Scripture as our manual for teaching, correction, and equipping; having answers but still making wrong choices.

VII. Applying the Parable Personally: “I Am the Rich Man”

• Call for each believer to identify as the rich man spiritually.

• Believers are “filthy rich” in spiritual terms—rich in the gospel and knowledge of Christ.

• Question: Are there spiritually hungry “Lazaruses” we pass every day?

• Description of spiritually starving people:

  • Coming for prayer, asking questions, clearly in need.

  • Trying to fill their inner void with sin, addictions, relationships, and pleasures.

• Challenge: how many such Lazaruses are ignored or postponed (“I’ll talk to them tomorrow”)?

VIII. Illustrative Story: Daniel and Mike

• Daniel as a faithful Christian, hard worker, devoted family man, regular church attender.

• Coworker Mike searching spiritually, marriage failing, feeling empty.

• Daniel intending to share the gospel “when things slow down,” continually postponing.

• Mike moves away amid crisis; Daniel never shares Christ with him.

• Daniel’s conviction and resolve afterward: no longer treating evangelism as optional or “when I have time.”

IX. Scriptural Call to Kingdom Priority and Mission

• Matthew 6:33: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

• Mark 8:36: what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?

• Matthew 28:19–20: the Great Commission—go, make disciples, baptize, teach.

• Acknowledgment of ongoing worries (finances, health, stress), but insistence that they must not block obedience.

• Question: how many Lazaruses suffer or die spiritually because of our worries and delays?

X. Heaven’s Joy over the Lost: Luke 15

• Context before the parable: Luke 15 (the “lost” chapter).

• Parable of the lost sheep (leaving the 99 for the one; joy in heaven over one sinner who repents).

• Parable of the lost coin (diligent search, rejoicing with neighbors when found).

• Emphasis: explicit description of joy in heaven and among the angels over one repentant sinner.

• Point: this is what makes heaven rejoice; this is God’s heart.

XI. Identity and Responsibility of Believers

• Believers as spiritually rich and left on earth for a mission, not taken immediately to heaven.

• We are ambassadors for Christ, with God pleading through us for people to be reconciled.

• We are co-laborers with Christ—He works through us, but we must say “yes” and step out.

• Reframing the rich man: rather than condemning him, examine our own response to the spiritually needy.

XII. Visual Demonstration of the Great Commission

• Acknowledgment of different learning styles; some need a visual example.

• Calling members from the congregation to the front to represent the disciples.

• One person symbolically identified as Judas and sent back; replacement mentioned from Acts 1.

• Jesus’ command reenacted: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

• Instruction to each “disciple” to go into the congregation, grab two people, and bring them up.

• New group then commissioned the same way and told to each get two more.

• Repetition of the exercise, stressing getting out of comfort zones and “whether they want to or not” as a dramatic illustration.

XIII. Visualizing Heaven’s Goal and Hell’s Loss

• Congregation asked to look around at the now-filled front area as a picture of how heaven should be.

• Statement: this multiplication is God’s plan for mankind; we are rich and must not leave Lazaruses behind.

• Evangelism and disciple-making presented as:

  • Respect and obedience to Christ.

  • The first priority of anyone who calls themselves Christian.

• Reminder: Satan’s main strategy is to distract believers from this mission with stress, finances, and life problems from the moment they wake up.

XIV. Final Emphasis

• Repeated warning that “God is not playing around with us” on this issue.

• Call to leave comfort zones and embrace our identity as spiritually rich ambassadors.

• Exhortation: no more ignoring Lazarus at the gate—bring them, fill heaven, and “empty the gates of hell.”