Date: June 17, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion forever and ever, and to the Holy Ghost, who still abides in us.  This week’s message emphasizes “The Importance of Energy in Pursuing the Way of Holiness.”

The two great commandments are to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. This love, when practiced, transforms our lives into a vibrant, energetic service to others. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a prime example.  Luke 10:25-30 tells us, “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

In Luke 10:25-30, a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” The lawyer was trying to find a loophole to avoid loving certain people. However, Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan, which teaches us to love and show compassion to everyone, regardless of their background or social status. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

My dear brothers and sisters, to love your neighbor as yourself means living a life of active and energetic service to others. This includes evangelism, missions, and helping the poor and needy. It’s a call to self-sacrifice inspired by God’s love for us. Let us always remember the words, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). This promise should instill hope and enable us to tackle any obstacle we encounter. 

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: June 10, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion forever and ever, and to the Holy Ghost, who still abides in us. This week, we continue to embark on a sacred journey into the depths of a divine and profound topic: “Holiness.” This week’s message reveals “The Sensitive Side of Holiness.”

A sensitive side to holiness is mentioned in Isaiah 1: 2, “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.”  Isaiah encounters God’s holiness. He is acutely aware of his sin and the sinfulness of the society around him. Any vision of God’s holiness leads to a sense of our sin and makes us sensitive to the unholiness of the culture around us. As holy children of God, we should strive to be pure and free from evil. Second Corinthians 7:1 says, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” We must get rid of all contamination that makes us impure.

There are four areas of purity: sexual, speech, relationships, and lawful pleasures. God’s people must avoid sexual immorality (Ephesians 5:3-5). Apostle Paul tells us, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”  As believers, we are called to live a life of purity and holiness. This means guarding our hearts and minds against impure thoughts and actions such as fornication, adultery, and lust. 

Furthermore, we must be mindful of the words that come from our mouths. God desires pure speech, free from slander, gossip, complaining, false doctrines, and discouraging words. We should also refrain from harboring negative emotions such as bitterness, rage, anger, and unforgiveness, as they can defile our relationships.

In closing, we should express gratitude and praise to God through our speech. Additionally, we should enjoy the lawful pleasures that God has given us, such as food, drinks, entertainment, and gifts of grace. However, we must exercise self-control and not become addicted or enslaved by these things.  Gluttony is an example of sin because it gives priority to physical desire. Paul cared not to be disqualified from the ministry; part of his care was physical. “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:27). Paul was determined that he would not be mastered by anything (I Corinthians 6:12). As Believers, we are not to indulge in the flesh (Galatians 5:13).  These scriptures indicate that gluttony (eating to excess) is wrong.  In contrast to Paul’s commitment to exercise control over his body, the enemies of the gospel give free rein to their appetites. “Their God is their stomach (Philippians 3:19). We must not indulge in excess and strive for balance in our lives.

Remember, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b). 

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop