What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 6:45pm - 8pm Sunday 9:45am - 12pm

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Alva Church of God, Alva FL, 21361 North River Road, Alva, FL (2026)

Sunday Service at 10:30AM, Sunday School and Fellowship at 9:30AM, Wednesday Prayer and Fellowship at 6PM/Service at 7PM.

06/08/2026

Sunday, June 7th, 2026 as preached by Rev. Frank Jones

The opening message is a call for believers to live in the victory that Christ has already provided rather than being consumed by negativity, discouragement, or defeat.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, the pastor emphasizes:

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

His central point is that Christians should not identify with defeat because God has already given them victory through Jesus. While life brings challenges, believers are called to focus on God’s promises instead of dwelling on negative circumstances.

He contrasts negativity with faith, encouraging the congregation not to walk around defeated, depressed, or constantly speaking discouragement. Instead, they should thank God for the victory He has already secured.

He then connects that victory to the next verse:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”

Because Christ has given us victory, believers should remain:

Steadfast — faithful and consistent.
Immovable — not easily shaken by circumstances.
Always abounding in the work of the Lord — continuing to serve, pray, worship, and labor for God’s Kingdom.

The pastor reminds the church that nothing done for Jesus is wasted. Every prayer, act of service, sacrifice, and labor for God has eternal value and is “not in vain in the Lord.”

He closes this portion by encouraging believers to lift their heads high and remember who they are:

You are a born-again child of God.
The world does not determine your identity.
Circumstances do not determine your future.
Through Christ, you already have victory.

Pastor’s Main Message

This morning I reminded us that before God ever brought Israel into the Promised Land, He first called them to worship. When Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh, they didn’t begin by talking about blessing, provision, or inheritance. They said, “Let my people go, that they may worship Me.”

Church, that’s still God’s order today. Too many people want the blessing without the worship. We want the promise without the prayer. We want what is in God’s hand without seeking His face. But God is calling us back to a place where He is first in our lives.

I believe with all my heart that God wants to bless His people. I believe He wants to pour out His Spirit. I believe He wants to bring breakthrough into our homes, our families, our church, and our community. But if we are going to receive all that God has for us, we must put Him first. We must worship Him because He is worthy, not just because we need something from Him.

God is not a sugar daddy in the sky waiting to hand out blessings to people who never spend time with Him. He desires a relationship with us. He desires our worship. He desires our hearts. He has already promised to supply our needs according to His riches in glory, but He also calls us to seek Him, trust Him, and walk with Him.

I shared with you that I am hungry for revival. I don’t want revival because it’s a church slogan. I want revival because we desperately need God to move in these last days. Revival doesn’t come because we talk about it. Revival comes when God’s people pray, fast, seek His face, humble themselves, and pursue Him with everything they have.

I believe we are living in the last days. The time for playing church is over. The time for casual Christianity is over. God is calling His people to become serious about their walk with Him. We need to seek God like our lives depend on it, because spiritually speaking, they do.

I believe God is breathing fresh life into our church. I believe He is drawing people out of darkness and into His marvelous light. I believe He wants to save prodigals, restore families, heal broken hearts, and pour out His Spirit in a fresh way. That is why we pray. That is why we gather. That is why we seek Him.

The Bible tells us that times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. More than anything else, I want the presence of God in this house. I want people to encounter God when they walk through these doors. I want us to worship with total abandonment and total surrender. I want us to be so full of the Spirit of God that His power flows through us everywhere we go.

The early church prayed, and the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. I am praying for that same boldness today. I don’t want us to be ashamed of the Gospel. I want us to share Jesus everywhere we go and believe God for signs, wonders, healing, salvation, and deliverance.

We serve the same God today that they served in the Book of Acts. His power has not diminished. His promises have not changed. His Spirit is still moving. We need to stop looking backward and longing for yesterday’s blessings. God has fresh blessings, fresh anointing, and fresh opportunities for today.

I challenged us not to allow negative people, negative voices, or negative thinking to pull us down. Some people will drain your faith if you let them. Don’t allow the enemy to control your thoughts, your attitude, or your spirit. Fill your heart with the Word of God. What goes into your ears and eyes eventually comes out of your mouth and affects your life.

I encouraged everyone to begin each day by thanking God, praising God, and spending time in His Word. What you do first helps determine the direction of your day. Put God first. Seek His Kingdom first. Worship Him first.

As we closed in communion, we remembered the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We remembered His body that was broken for us and His blood that was shed for our salvation. We remembered that every blessing we have comes because of what Jesus did on the cross.

My prayer today is simple: Lord, help us put You first. Help us seek Your face before we seek Your hand. Help us worship before we ask for blessing. Help us pray, believe, and walk in faith. And may this be a season of refreshing, revival, breakthrough, and outpouring as we draw closer to You than ever before.

Amen.

05/17/2026

Pastor Frank Jones Sermon May 17th, 2026

When My Heart Is Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1–4

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:1–2

Church, the Lord laid this word on my heart for you this week.

And before I get into the message, let me remind you again: Monday night at 6:00 PM we are gathering to pray for prodigals. After Sunday morning service, several people came to me and said, “Pastor, can we get together and pray for our loved ones?” And I said yes. Absolutely yes.

So Monday night, from 6:00 to 7:00 — or however long we pray — we are going to gather in the sanctuary with soft worship music playing, and we are going to seek God together. We are going to pray for sons and daughters. We are going to pray for marriages. We are going to pray for our church. We are going to pray for our nation. And we are going to believe that God still answers prayer.

Because He does.

David cried out in Psalm 61:

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.”

David said, “When my heart is overwhelmed.”

How many have ever been overwhelmed?

Not just tired. Not just stressed. Overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed by grief. Overwhelmed by bills. Overwhelmed by bad reports. Overwhelmed by family problems. Overwhelmed by pressure. Overwhelmed by life.

And what struck me is this: David said, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee.”

Now wait a minute. David was in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was there. The presence of God was there. The throne was there. Yet David said he felt like he was crying from the ends of the earth.

Why?

Because when your heart gets overwhelmed, you can feel distant from God even when He’s right beside you.

You start asking:
“God, where are You?”
“Why is this happening?”
“Why haven’t You answered yet?”
“Why do I feel alone?”

But the Lord sent me to remind somebody today: just because you feel distant does not mean God has moved.

The heart David was talking about was not the organ pumping blood through his chest. He was talking about the inner man — your mind, your will, your emotions.

And the enemy wants to overwhelm your emotions until you lose your peace.

Jesus said in John 14:1:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

We hear that scripture at funerals all the time, but Jesus wasn’t just talking about death. He was talking about life. He was telling us not to let fear, anxiety, and worry take over our hearts.

That word “troubled” means agitated, stirred up, distressed.

The enemy wants your emotions controlling your life.

And if we’re honest, we all know what that feels like.

You ever stood in a long line at the store and watched people lose their minds because they had to wait five extra minutes? People muttering under their breath. Rolling their eyes. Getting irritated. Getting frustrated.

Why?

Because pressure reveals what’s happening inside the heart.

And church, if we don’t learn how to bring our overwhelmed hearts to Jesus, this world will wear us down.

But Jesus said:
“Let not your heart be troubled.”

Why?

Because He already prepared a place for us.

Not just someday in Heaven — but a place of peace in Him right now.

Jesus said:
“My peace I give unto you.”

That means there is a refuge in God even while the storm is still raging around you.

Second Corinthians 4:8–9 says:

“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Pressed — but not crushed.
Perplexed — but not hopeless.
Struck down — but not destroyed.

Why?

Because Jesus is still carrying us.

Luke chapter 4 says:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted.”

That means Jesus specializes in overwhelmed people.

People who feel broken.
People who feel weary.
People who feel forgotten.
People lying awake at night fighting battles in their mind.

David said in Psalm 63:

“When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.”

How many know what it’s like to lie awake at night with your mind racing a thousand miles an hour?

You’re worrying.
You’re replaying conversations.
You’re thinking about bills.
You’re thinking about your children.
You’re praying and crying and asking God what to do.

But God wants to give His people rest.

The Bible says:

“He giveth his beloved sleep.”

There is peace that passes understanding.

And I told the church this morning: some people are losing sleep trying to keep up with everybody else.

Trying to keep up with the Joneses.
Trying to buy things they can’t afford.
Trying to impress people who don’t even care.

But the best kind of car is a paid-for car.

The best kind of life is a peaceful life.

Don’t let the pressure of this world overwhelm you.

God feeds the sparrows.
God clothes the lilies.
God watches over creation.

How much more does He care for you?

And then I thought about Elijah.

Elijah prayed for rain after three and a half years of drought. He sent his servant to look once. Nothing. Twice. Nothing. Three times. Nothing.

But Elijah kept praying.

Seven times he prayed.

And finally the servant came back and said:
“I see a cloud the size of a man’s hand.”

Church, don’t stop praying just because you don’t see anything yet.

Pray again.

And when you finish praying, pray some more.

Don’t stop believing.
Don’t stop seeking.
Don’t stop knocking.
Don’t stop calling on the name of Jesus.

God hears persistent prayer.

And sometimes perseverance is developing something inside of you while you wait.

I am a living testimony that God still answers prayer.

If you’re breathing today, God has already been faithful to you.

Where would we be without Him?

And church, everybody gets overwhelmed differently.

I used to work in the fire system and chaplain work. I remember homes burning down, people losing everything. One woman escaped with nothing but her little dog, and that dog meant everything to her.

To somebody else, it may not seem important.
But to her, it was her whole world.

Everybody carries burdens differently.

But Jesus loves us through all of it.

And I told the church this morning:
sometimes we settle for less when God has more for us.

We settle for survival when God promised peace.
We settle for fear when God promised faith.
We settle for anxiety when God promised rest.

Psalm 91 says:

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

David understood the shadow of God’s presence.

The shadow of His wings.
The shelter of His covering.
The mercy seat.
The presence of God.

And church, God still invites us into that secret place today.

But we must stay focused.

I held up my phone this morning because people are walking through life distracted. Looking down all the time. Not paying attention spiritually. Losing focus.

And if we don’t spend time with God, we will never become like Him.

You become like whoever you spend time with.

If you want to walk like Jesus, talk like Jesus, think like Jesus, and respond like Jesus — then you must spend time with Him.

Pray.
Seek Him.
Stay in His presence.

And when your heart is overwhelmed, let Him lead you to the Rock that is higher than you.

At the end of service, we all placed our hands over our hearts and prayed together:

“Lord, hear my prayer.
Hear my cry.
Attend unto my prayer.
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me.”

And I want to say this again to somebody reading this:

God loves you.
He has not forgotten you.
He still hears your prayer.
He still restores prodigals.
He still heals broken hearts.
He still gives peace to troubled minds.

Do not give up.

Keep praying.
Keep trusting.
Keep believing.

And we will see what God will do.

WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED

This week the Lord laid a word on my heart for our church:
“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

Church, we all face seasons where life feels heavy. Some are overwhelmed by finances. Some by sickness. Some by family situations. Some by grief. Some are carrying burdens nobody else even knows about.

David said he cried out to God “from the ends of the earth.” Yet he was standing in Jerusalem near the presence of God. Why would he say that?

Because when your heart is overwhelmed, you can FEEL far from God even when He is right beside you.

But feelings do not change the faithfulness of God.

Jesus said:
“Let not your heart be troubled.”

The enemy wants to overwhelm your mind, your emotions, and your peace. But Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and give rest to weary souls.

I reminded the church Sunday morning:
Don’t stop praying just because you haven’t seen the answer yet.

Elijah prayed seven times before the cloud appeared.
Sometimes God is working while you are waiting.

Pray again.
Then pray some more.

Don’t lose your peace trying to keep up with the world. Don’t allow pressure, fear, worry, and comparison to rob you of the joy God promised you.

The best kind of life is a peaceful life in Jesus Christ.

God feeds the sparrows.
God clothes the lilies.
God watches over His creation.
How much more does He care for YOU?

And remember this:
You become like whoever you spend time with.

If we want to walk like Jesus, think like Jesus, and live like Jesus, then we must spend time in His presence.

So when your heart is overwhelmed:
Pray.
Seek Him.
Cast your cares upon Him.
Rest in His promises.
Stay under the shadow of His wings.

And don’t forget:
Monday night at 6:00 PM we are gathering together to pray for prodigals, families, our church, and our nation. We are believing God to restore, heal, save, and bring people home.

God still answers prayer.

05/12/2026

🔥 SERMON NOTES | “DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR BABIES” 🔥

Mother’s Day, Sunday May 10th, 2026 as preached by Rev. Frank Jones

Scripture Focus:📖 2 Samuel 21 — The story of Rizpah

This morning’s message centered around one powerful truth:

👉 Don’t stop praying.👉 Don’t stop fighting.👉 Don’t give up on your family.

I want you to turn with me this morning to 2 Samuel chapter 21. This story starts out sad, but it ends wonderfully.

The Bible tells us about a woman named Rizpah. She was Saul’s concubine, and because of Saul’s broken covenant, her sons were taken and hanged. But the scripture says Rizpah took sackcloth and spread it upon a rock from the beginning of harvest until the rains came months later.

Every day she fought off the birds of the air.Every night she fought off the beasts of the field.

Why?

Because they were her babies.

I want somebody to hear me this morning:There comes a point where you have to say,“I refuse to give up the bones of my babies.”

Even when everything looks dead.Even when all hope seems gone.Even when all you can see are bones.

You stay on the Rock.You keep praying.You keep interceding.You keep fighting.

Some of you are in a fight right now for your children.Some of you are fighting addiction.Some of you are fighting rebellion.Some of you are fighting depression and darkness that has tried to come against your family.

And the devil has whispered in your ear,“Give up.”“It’s over.”“They’ll never change.”

But I came to tell somebody this morning:Don’t you quit praying.

Intercession means I put myself between heaven and hell for somebody I love, and I say,“Devil, you cannot have them.”

I don’t care how far they’ve wandered.I don’t care what prison they’re sitting in.I don’t care what addiction has wrapped around them.I don’t care how broken the situation looks.

God still answers prayer.

Somebody ought to praise Him right there.

Galatians says,“Be not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.”

Rizpah stayed on that rock for months.No comfort.Very little food.Very little sleep.

Every time she heard wings flapping, she got up and fought.Every time she heard beasts creeping in the dark, she fought again.

Why?

Because she refused to surrender her children to destruction.

And church, hear me this morning:The enemy wants your family.The enemy wants your children.The enemy wants your home.The enemy wants to convince you to stop praying.

But greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

I feel the Holy Ghost in this house this morning.

David eventually heard what Rizpah was doing. The king gathered the bones and brought them back into the kingdom.

And I came to declare over somebody this morning:The prodigals are coming home.

Your sons are coming home. Your daughters are coming home. Your family is coming home.

And this church is going to be a prodigal-friendly church.

When they come through those doors, we are not going to remind them where they’ve been. We are going to love them, hug them, restore them, and thank God they made it back home.

I also want you to understand this morning that Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave. Romans tells us we are buried with Him in baptism and raised again into newness of life. Colossians tells us He disarmed principalities and powers and triumphed over them at the cross.

That means no situation is too dead for God. No family is too broken for God. No child is too far gone for God.

And let me speak to the women this morning.

There is something powerful about a praying woman. There is something powerful about a praying mother. A praying grandmother. A praying sister.

You know how to get hold of God.

Mary carried the glory of God in her womb. God has always used women of faith, women of prayer, women of intercession.

And I thank God for women who refuse to stop fighting for their family.

So this morning I’m asking you: Don’t cave in. Don’t quit. Don’t stop praying.

Lock arms together. Call their names out before God. Fight for your babies.

And I want us to declare it together this morning:

“They’re coming home.”

Say it again:“They’re coming home.”

One more time like you believe it:“They’re coming home.”

Keep praying. Keep fighting. Keep believing.

And never give up on your babies.

05/10/2026

Opening lesson from Sunday, May 10, 2026 as delivered by Pastor Frank Jones.

God’s Promise of Blessing Through Faithful Obedience

Opening Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1–14

The pastor opened by reading from Deuteronomy chapter 28, reminding the church of God’s covenant promises to His people when they faithfully obey Him.

The message centered around the truth that God desires to bless His people — spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally, and generationally — but those blessings are connected to walking faithfully with Him.

The pastor read through the promises found in Deuteronomy:

* Blessed in the city and blessed in the country
* Blessed coming in and going out
* Blessed in family, work, provision, and increase
* Victory over enemies
* Rain in due season
* Prosperity in the work of your hands
* Becoming lenders and not borrowers
* Being made “the head and not the tail”

The central theme of the passage was found in:

Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 28:13 (NKJV)
“And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.”

The pastor emphasized that these blessings were not random promises disconnected from daily living. They were tied directly to faithful obedience to God.

⸻

What Is Faithful Obedience?

The sermon explained that faithful obedience means more than simply saying we believe in God. It means:

* Listening to God’s voice
* Following His Word carefully
* Walking in His ways daily
* Staying faithful even during difficulty
* Not turning “to the right or the left” spiritually
* Trusting God completely

Faithful obedience is consistency. It is living a life surrendered to God even when culture, circumstances, fear, or temptation try to pull us away.

The pastor pointed out that God’s blessings were connected to covenant relationship. God promised to establish His people as holy and set apart if they continued to walk with Him.

⸻

God’s Blessings Are Meant to Overtake His People

One powerful phrase repeated from the scripture was:

“These blessings shall come upon you and overtake you…”

The pastor encouraged the congregation to recognize that God is still able to:

* provide,
* heal,
* restore,
* protect,
* and sustain His people today.

The message shifted into a time of prayer and thanksgiving as the church stood together thanking God for His blessings and praying for those in need of healing and strength.

God’s Promise of Blessing Through Faithful Obedience

Opening Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1–14

The pastor opened the service reading from Deuteronomy chapter 28, speaking about the blessings that come through faithful obedience to God. The message focused on God’s promises to His people when they walk in His ways, listen to His voice, and remain faithful to His commandments.

Deuteronomy 28:1–14 (NKJV)

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.

And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you.

The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.

So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”

⸻

Meaning of the Message

The pastor emphasized that God’s blessings are connected to faithful obedience. These verses were not presented as empty promises or motivational words, but as part of a covenant relationship between God and His people.

The message explained that faithful obedience means:

* Listening to God’s voice
* Walking in His ways daily
* Carefully following His Word
* Remaining faithful even in difficult seasons
* Refusing to drift away spiritually

One of the key themes of the message was that God desires for His people to live blessed lives spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially. The pastor highlighted the repeated phrase:

“These blessings shall come upon you and overtake you…”

The congregation was reminded that God still blesses, provides, protects, heals, and establishes His people today.

Special emphasis was placed on verse 13:

“The Lord will make you the head and not the tail…”

The pastor explained that when believers remain faithful to God, they do not have to live defeated, hopeless, or constantly beneath the weight of life. God’s desire is to raise up His people, guide them, and establish them as examples of His goodness and faithfulness.

The opening concluded with thanksgiving and worship as the church celebrated the goodness of God and stood on the truth that His Word never fails.

“You are good, and Your mercy endures forever.”

05/04/2026

Spring Cleaning the Temple

A Sermon Recounting

By Reverend Frank Jones, Sunday, May 3rd.
⸻

The message began with something simple and familiar—spring cleaning.

The pastor shared a light moment from home: the rule that you can’t bring in more shoes or clothes unless you get rid of something first. It drew laughter, but it set the tone for something deeper.

Because while we all understand cleaning out closets and clearing out clutter, the real question was this:

What about the condition of our spiritual house?

⸻

A King Who Decided to Clean House

The sermon turned to 2 Chronicles 29, to the story of King Hezekiah—a young king whose name means “The Lord is my strength.”

Hezekiah’s father had been one of the most wicked kings in Israel. The house of God had been neglected, shut up, and left in disrepair. Worship had stopped. The lamps were out.

But in the very first year of his reign, Hezekiah made a decision.

2 Chronicles 29:3–5 (NKJV):

“In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them…
‘Sanctify yourselves… and carry out the rubbish from the holy place.’”

Before anything else—before policies, before plans—he said:

“We are going to clean the house of God.”

Because what had been allowed to accumulate was not just dust—it was spiritual neglect.

The people had turned their backs on God.

2 Chronicles 29:6 (NKJV):

“They have forsaken Him… and turned their backs on Him.”

And so the command went out:

Remove the rubbish.

⸻

The Work of Cleaning

This wasn’t symbolic. It was physical, intentional work.

2 Chronicles 29:16 (NKJV):

“The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found…”

They didn’t ignore it.
They didn’t pretend it wasn’t there.
They carried it out.

And that became the turning point of the message:

What they did in the temple, God wants to do in us.

⸻

You Are the Temple

The pastor made it clear—this is not about a building.

It’s about us.

When we are saved, Jesus forgives us—but that’s not the end. That’s the beginning.

Then comes the process of sanctification:

God cleaning the house.

⸻

You Don’t Move In Without Cleaning

Using a practical example, the pastor asked:

“When you move into a new house, do you just walk in and go to sleep?”

Of course not.

You clean it first.

Because even if it looks clean, you don’t know what’s been left behind.

In the same way, when Christ comes into our lives, He doesn’t ignore what’s there—He begins to clean it.

⸻

A Living Sacrifice

The call is not partial—it’s complete.

Romans 12:1 (NKJV):

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…”

This is not something we do for a few hours on Sunday.

This is a life lived before God.

At home.
At work.
In public.
In private.

⸻

Holiness Begins Within

The pastor emphasized that holiness is not just outward appearance—it begins in the heart.

1 Peter 1:16 (NKJV):

“Be holy, for I am holy.”

When the heart is changed, the life will reflect it.

As he put it:

“Jesus on the inside working on the outside—what a change in my life.”

⸻

Guarding the Gates

From there, the message moved to Proverbs 4, calling believers to guard what enters their lives.

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV):

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

And further:

Proverbs 4:24–27 (NKJV):

“Put away from you a deceitful mouth…
Let your eyes look straight ahead…
Ponder the path of your feet…
Remove your foot from evil.”

The imagery was clear:

Just like a city has gates, our lives have gates.

What we allow in—through our eyes, ears, and thoughts—will eventually come out.

⸻

What Goes In Comes Out

The pastor didn’t avoid difficult topics. He spoke plainly about the things that enter the heart—what we watch, what we listen to, what we entertain—and how those things shape us.

Because ultimately:

You cannot fill your life with the world and expect to reflect Christ.

⸻

Putting Off the Old Life

The message continued with Paul’s instruction:

Colossians 3:5–8 (NKJV):

“Put to death… fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire…
But now you yourselves are to put off… anger, wrath, malice… filthy language…”

These are not small adjustments.

This is a transformation.

This is cleaning house.

⸻

Living Differently

The pastor also spoke about everyday behavior—how we treat people, especially outside the church.

He shared the example of Christians being rude in restaurants after church, reminding the congregation that our actions represent Christ.

Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV):

“Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us…”

And again:

Ephesians 4:31–32 (NKJV):

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger… be put away…
And be kind to one another…”

Because the way we live is a testimony.

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Truth and Grace

The message balanced truth and grace.

Jesus said:

John 14:6 (NKJV):

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Truth is not harshness or opinion—it is Christ Himself.

And while we live under grace, the pastor made it clear:

Grace is not a license to sin.

It is the power to live differently.

⸻

Cleaning From the Inside Out

The pastor gave a vivid illustration:

You wouldn’t drink from a cup that was only clean on the outside.

It has to be clean all the way through.

And that’s what God does.

Not just outward change—

Inner transformation.

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

God’s “cleaning crew” is the Holy Spirit.

He searches the heart.
He removes what doesn’t belong.
He restores what has been neglected.

And He does it from the inside out.

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The Final Call

The message came to a clear and personal conclusion:

Just like Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple, we must open our lives to God.

Just like they removed the debris, we must let God remove what doesn’t belong.

The call was simple but powerful:

* “Lord, clean my house.”
* “Take out the rubbish.”
* “Make me holy.”

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Closing Prayer

The congregation was led in prayer:

Asking God to remove bitterness, anger, and sin.

Asking Him to cleanse, renew, and restore.

Asking Him to make their lives a place where His presence can dwell.

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Final Thought

The message ended with a lasting truth:

Spring cleaning is not just something we do in our homes.

It is something God wants to do in our hearts.

And when the temple is clean—

Worship flows.
Peace returns.
And the presence of God fills the house once again.

Address

21361 North River Road
Alva, FL
33920

Opening Hours

Wednesday	6:45pm - 8pm
Sunday	9:45am - 12pm

Telephone

+12396895949

Website

facebook.com

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