YOUR LIFE DOES AFFECT YOUR MINISTRY! VIEW AND SHARE!

DOES HOW YOU LIVE IN PRIVATE; AFFECT HOW YOU PREACH IN PUBLIC?

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DO PEOPLE THAT HEAR FROM GOD HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS?

Recently on a well-known television talk show (ABC's “The View," which has over 3 million viewers each week day), it was stated that hearing the Lord speak to you was a sign of mental illness.[1] This was insulting to say the least.

It's nothing new however. Because even in the Garden of Eden Satan tried to get Eve to doubt whether she had heard from God or not. Because doubt set in; we now have this mess in the world of sickness, poverty and death.

Genesis 3:1. Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "DID GOD REALLY SAY, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

Revelation 20:2. He seized the dragon, THAT ANCIENT SERPENT, WHO IS THE DEVIL, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

You see, this statement on television was not an attack on the Church or Christianity; this was AN ATTACK AGAINST THE CHARACTER OF GOD! So for people that have had hope that God has spoken to them; now they're being told that they have some kind of mental illness, “Did God really say…?”

But, if God spoke to you; He WILL do as He promised. The Word says:

Numbers 23:19. God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

The questions before us today is (1) does God still speak to people (2) if so - who does He talk to and (3) how does He talk?

Is hearing God, Satan, demons and angels a sign of mental illness? Hearing voices can be a common type of auditory hallucination. The voices in auditory hallucinations can be pleasant or threatening. Hearing voices can be associated with some psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, including: bipolar disorder, psychotic depression, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders, and schizophrenia.

Medical conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as brain tumors, delirium, dementia, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and stroke, can be associated with hearing voices.[2]

BUT, all of this does NOT mean and does NOT prove that a person is mentally ill because God spoke to them. First, does God still speak to people? Yes, He does! The Word says so:

Hebrews 1:1-2. 1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Second, who does God talk to? He speaks to His prophets and to His people:

Amos 3:7. Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Hebrews 3:15. As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."

Finally, how does God talk? God speaks through the Word and sometimes even prophecy. But, remember, He will also many times remain VERY silent. Such was the case when Jesus was on the Cross:

Matthew 27:46-49. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). 47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." 48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

Yet, even though Jesus did not hear from His Father on the Cross; He endured till the end, for our salvation. So whether you ever hear God speak or not; just know that He has spoken through His Word (which is the Holy Bible)!

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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_View_(talk_show). (Accessed, February 21, 2018).

[2] https://www.healthgrades.com/symptoms/hearing-voices (Accessed, February 17, 2018

EVANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM HAS PASSED AWAY!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, loved ones and ministry of Rev. Billy Graham; who was one of the most effective evangelists of our time. Rev. Graham's influence was felt from the working class to the White House.

For many years Rev. Graham  held crusades in large auditoriums around the world; preaching a simple message of salvation through the atoning work of Jesus Christ and winning multitudes to
Christ. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association continues to provide effective means of reaching this generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Graham has also had a major indirect influence on the direction, vision and structure of the International Department of Evangelism of the Church Of God In Christ. Thus, we salute this 5 Star General in the Body of Christ; who has gone on before us to meet the Savior that he served for so many years.

IS IT EVER RIGHT FOR A PREACHER TO OPENLY EMBARRASS A MUSICIAN?

I came across a controversy (on my social media timeline) regarding a well-known bishop; requesting "another musician," in the middle of his (the bishop's) preaching. Controversies on social media are "a dime a dozen." And, there are just as many opinions being expressed. However, what struck a nerve with me, was when so many "uniformed" people began to downgrade "whooping" as "entertainment" or putting on a "show."

Granted, I agree that you do have a lot of performers in the pulpit. But, many of us are sincere; and do not approach the pulpit with a mind to "pull it." Every preacher's "whooping" is not pre-planned. Personally, I never get up to preach with a mind to "whoop." The Word just gets good to me and that ends up being the result. 

Yes, whether you call it "whooping," "squalling," "growling, "pulling it," etc; it is DEFINITELY an Afro-Centric cultural expression of the Gospel. And, there is NOTHING wrong with a cultural expression. There is NOTHING ignorant about a cultural expression. To downgrade and criticize it, is all a part of the long-term agenda of the West to develop self-hatred among those of African descent. Much like how we were FALSELY taught in school that Africa was the "dark" continent and everyone there lived in jungles and fought lions. 

We were also taught that any kind of emotion shown in a worship service was primitive or "show." To shout or "whoop" was considered an inferior worship style. Blacks were encouraged to "tone it down" and acquiesce to Western culture (to become more stoic, "dignified" and planned). That is also completely FALSE; there is NOTHING wrong with emotion and expression. 

People will say that Jesus never shouted nor got emotional. That's a poor argument. There are a lot of things Jesus didn't do. For example, Jesus NEVER WENT TO CHURCH! (Church buildings did not exist until at least 350 years after His ascension). So to say for people not to go to church because Jesus did not do it, would be preposterous. But, for those who say that Jesus never raised His voice while preaching, nor became emotional; please allow me to share with you what the Word says...

John 7:37 New Living Translation (NLT). On the last day, the climax of the festival, JESUS STOOD AND SHOUTED TO THE CROWDS, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!

Luke 10:21 The Message (MSG). At that, JESUS REJOICED, EXUBERANT in the Holy Spirit. 

The word exuberant is defined as, “filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.” Thus, Jesus was not the stoic lecturer as Western culture would lead you to believe. At times He became LOUD and EMOTIONAL. Eastern culture was and is quite emotional and expressive.

The "call and response" that you see in the black church (where the congregation "talks back" to the preacher and the church "gets with" the choir) is THE SAME as that found in the culture of the Bible. Notice the following passages, where the congregation did not sit quietly as the preacher gave a lecture; they RESPONDED to what he had to say:

Exodus 19:8. THE PEOPLE ALL RESPONDED TOGETHER, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.

Exodus 24:3. When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, THEY RESPONDED with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do."

Exodus 24:7. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. THEY RESPONDED, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

Psalm 106:48. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. LET ALL THE PEOPLE SAY, "AMEN!" Praise the LORD.

Now a person may furthermore argue and say, "Hankerson, I can get the 'call and response' part; but where in the Bible do you have it where a musician 'backs up' a preacher?" According to the Scriptures, the music ministry is closely related to the ministry of the proclaimed Word:

2 Kings 3:15-16 English Standard Version (ESV). 15 But now bring me a musician.” AND WHEN THE MUSICIAN PLAYED, THE HAND OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM. 16 AND HE SAID, “THUS SAYS THE LORD, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

THE BIBLE IS RIGHT! Again, we must remember that the culture of the Bible and the origin of Black culture is from the East. Stories and facts were passed down orally through song and 'call and response,' long before they were written down. To do so was NOT ignorant. This is also historically how information and theology has been passed down through the black church experience. To not recognize this fact; is really what IS ignorant.

Now, to the question at hand; is it ever right for a preacher to openly embarrass a musician. While I cannot address the specifies of the viral video (because I was not there); as a preacher, I will say that there have been many times that I have had to (discreetly) ask a musician to stop playing while I am preaching (Note: that I can preach without music). Normally, it is due to the fact that they are distracted (on their cell phone for example - even as many preachers are guilty of same thing) or their skill level is more of a distraction than an asset. (Honestly speaking: I have even come across some musicians high on "weed," WHILE THEY ARE PLAYING in a worship service!) The Bible states that music should be played with excellence:

Psalm 33:3. Sing to him a new song; PLAY SKILLFULLY, and shout for joy.

Yes, the Bible does admonish us to be kind to each other; which would cause us to avoid seeking to embarrass anyone before hundreds of people:

Luke 6:31. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Romans 12:10. King James Version (KJV). BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

But, in the time that we live in, that sense of community, family and brotherhood has eroded from the church. We treat church as a business now; not as the family of God. Yes, you must have business and administration in the church; but many preachers will not preach now without a signed contract guaranteeing a certain amount of money - and for many musicians a worship service is nothing more than a "gig" to make money. While I do believe the laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Timothy 5:18); SHAME on BOTH the preacher and the musician who would only focus on the "Almighty Dollar."

So since we have (in many cases) eroded to a business relationship only in the church; there may be cases where the "employer" just may make an open demand of an "employee," which can be embarrassing. Thus, it is up to the "employee" to pay attention and do what is necessary to keep the "boss man" happy. Thus, the musician would need to pay attention to key changes, cues from the preacher, etc., and not be distracted. The Bible also addresses this:

Ephesians 6:5-8 The Passion Translation (TPT). 5 Those who are employed should listen to their employers and obey their instructions with great respect and honor. Serve them with humility in your hearts as though you were working for the Master. 6 Always do what is right and not only when others are watching, so that you may please Christ as his servants by doing his will. 7 Serve your employers wholeheartedly and with love, as though you were serving Christ and not men. 8 Be assured that anything you do that is beautiful and excellent will be repaid by our Lord, whether you are an employee or an employer.

Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

WAS BISHOP C. H. MASON AGAINST WOMEN IN MINISTRY?

Tonight during an interview, I was asked about my views on women in ministry. According to Acts 2, the Bible says that in the last days "sons and daughters would prophesy." With prophecy in the text, simply meaning, "to proclaim." I then went a little deeper and discussed what I perceive to be the views of the late Bishop Charles Harrison Mason (founder of the Church Of God In Christ) on women in ministry.

Apparently, Bishop Mason did not have a major deal against it. First, Bishop Mason was known as a praying man. This prayer life was inherited from his mother (who had been a slave). According to an interview I had with Bishop's daughter ("Tiny" Mason), his entire quest in life was to, "recapture the prayer life of the slaves." Thus, the major thrust of Mason's ministry was inspired by a woman.

Second, Bishop Mason received ordination in the Baptist church. He was a devout Baptist minister; but soon felt that something was missing in his walk with God. Word was spreading around the South about the "Holiness Movement."

Bishop Mason (Rev. Mason at the time) read a book by an ORDAINED Methodist woman, regarding her experience with the Holiness Movement." The book is entitled: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY: THE STORY OF THE LORD'S DEALING WITH MRS. AMANDA SMITH, THE COLOURED EVANGELIST. After reading this book, Rev. Mason claimed sanctification and became a Holiness preacher. 

Third, when now "Elder" Mason traveled to "Azusa Street" in Los Angeles, California to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; that local ministry (under Bishop William J. Seymour) made no distinction between male and female, in regard to ministry. It was in this environment that Bishop Mason was filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Many of Bishop Mason's churches and jurisdictions were "worked out" by women in ministry. For example, Mother Rhetha Herndon (the first Elect Lady of the International Department of Evangelism) was responsible (along with her sister) in founding over 70 Churches Of God In Christ. 

So where did the resistance to women in ministry originate. First, many of Bishop Mason's original leaders had migrated from the Baptist church (where there was no such thing as a woman in ministry). Even though Mason had little issue with it; the brethren were quite resistant to female "missionaries" and "evangelists."

Second, Mother Lizzie Robinson (our first General Mother) was also very indoctrinated in a Baptist background. She felt that there was a particular place that women should stay in. She had strong influence in the Church Of God In Christ. Her advice to Bishop Mason was not to ordain the ladies, but for them to be "helpers" in the ministry. Her opinion prevailed and that is where much of the resistance toward women in ministry originated from.

But, I would venture to say that it was not that big of a deal to Bishop C. H. Mason.Bishop Mason kept women that could "pull it" (using a modern day slang term) around and provided ample opportunities for them. 

Your thoughts on the views of Bishop Mason?

ARE NON CHRISTIANS GOING TO BURN IN HELL FOR ETERNITY?

My "lives" on social media are starting to garner a significant audience. This is due to the fact that
we take the Bible (God's Word) and offer biblical answers to today's perplexing issues. Please
spread the word and join me for my next "live" on Tuesday at 6 PM Central. This teaching will cover
the subject of Hell. It seems that with the rise of the "Gospel of Inclusion" and the new movie coming
out in April (on the life and ministry of Bishop Carlton Pearson) we need to have a "refresher course"
on this topic.

Ask yourself the following questions: Does Hell exist? Does God send people there? Are
Christians the only ones going to Heaven? Is Jesus the only way to salvation? What about the
millions of people that have never heard of Jesus? Or people raised up in other religions?
What about nations where Christianity is illegal? Will these people burn in Hell?

Join me for the answers Tuesday night! The "live" will air simultaneously on Facebook, Periscope
and Instagram. Just in case you miss; you can see the recording on my YouTube channel.
Again, please spread the word, using the hashtags: #EHH3 #LCIC #SLMCC #MMEJ #COGICIDOE.
Thanks!

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