Date: September 23, 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 continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps.  This week’s message on Holiness: “Being A Workman Approved By God.” (Second Timothy 2:14-26.)

This passage is about servanthood, but it is also about discipleship and discipline. It is about knowing who you are in Christ and knowing who you are in Christ doing Christ-like things. It is praying this prayer and meaning it: “Let your love melt the coldness of our hearts and crush the stubbornest of our will.” I guarantee that if you pray that prayer and mean it, God will change your life forever. Paul challenges Timothy and us to be more Christ-like.

The problem with most is not finding the truth. It is facing it. The problem is breaking our stubborn will to be more Christ-like. The problem is not that God won’t change our lives. It is giving it to Him and allowing Him to change it. (verse 15) “Do your best to present yourself to God as approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and correctly handles the Word of truth.”

Doing our best is turning our lives over to God—totally. We leave no doors locked to God because we cannot earn salvation. You cannot work your way to favor with God. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God not by works so that no one can boast.” Faith in Jesus Christ. What Christ did you didn’t come to Christ. Christ went to you, found you, tugged on your hardened heart, and you responded, accepting God’s gift. It is a gift from God. Amen. That is not the end of the story; That is the beginning of the story. Christ doesn’t just want to save you; He wants to use you. He wants you to be able to live a life that is profoundly different from most lives you live around. He wants you to be a part of sharing that experience with all that you encounter. Christ came into this world to save sinners. And we are one of them. The Bible says, “Christ might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16).  When we know Christ as Lord and Savior, we should transform. Amen.

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

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: September 2, 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 continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps. This week, we will discuss a crucial topic: “Ways to Foster a Holy Life.”

From a human perspective, living a holy life seems impossible. Only the Holy Spirit can transform us spiritually and produce holiness. Remember the following guidelines for nurturing holiness in your life:

In conclusion, we should strive for a life of holiness every day. The Bible says, “If you love Christ, you will obey His commandments” – John 14:15. Although holiness comes from Christ, it also requires our obedience because sin causes separation from Christ. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, that He will not hear”– Isaiah 59:2. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” – Hebrews 12:14. My brothers and sisters, “It is possible to live a holy life by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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

In His Service,

Date: August 19, 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 continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps. This week, we delve into a crucial topic: “The Loss of Holiness.”

My dear brothers and sisters, it is essential for us to live a holy life as it is a beautiful and profound journey. When we embrace the beauty of God’s holiness, it shines through in our relationships, churches, workplaces, and daily lives. The holiness of God consecrates these physical things as holy. While we are no longer bound by the ceremonial law (fulfilled in Christ), we are still called to live our lives as set apart and holy unto the Lord. We have a holy meal (the Lord’s supper), holy baptism, holy hands (I Timothy 2:8), and a holy calling (II Timothy 1:9). We are to be holy in body and spirit (I Corinthians 7:34) and to offer our bodies as a holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1). We are referred to in Scripture as “saints,” which literally means “holy ones.”

Every aspect of our lives must be dedicated as holy unto the Lord. Zechariah 14:20-21 says, “In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses ‘HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD,’ and the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. And every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the Lord of hosts…” Zechariah is prophesying that every cooking pot in the Lord’s house will be holy, not just those by the altar. On that day, every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy, not just those in the Lord’s house. This holiness will be so pervasive that even the smallest object, such as bells on a horse’s neck, will be inscribed as “HOLY TO THE LORD.”

Today, more than ever, we need holy marriages, holy families, holy homes, holy hospitality, holy friendships, holy callings, and more. However, these can only be achieved if we have a deep understanding of God’s holiness, which transforms our perspective and influences every aspect of our lives. Let us commit to seeking God’s holiness and strive to become the holy people we were created to be, worshipping a Holy God. It is through seeking and understanding God’s holiness that we find hope and encouragement for the transformation of our lives.

Remember, as it is written, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). This is not just a statement; it is a promise that should fill us with reassurance and confidence in our journey toward holiness. 

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop