Jezebel Spirit and the State of the Church* Brother Tillman reflects on reading about Jezebel in 2 Kings 9:33 while dove hunting.

+ The passage describes Jezebel’s death, where only her skull, feet, and palms remained after being thrown down and trampled.
+ Brother Tillman connects this to the idea that **Jezebel’s thoughts, deeds, and walk were evil**.

• Preachers and Sinful Living

  • There is concern about preachers whose “deeds and faults and their walk is so evil” yet they still preach in churches.
  • These preachers proclaim Jesus but live sinful lives.
  • There is concern about preachers allowing others with sinful lifestyles to preach.

  • The Presence of Satan in the Church

  • If Satan isn’t fighting in a church, the church is “dead.”

  • Satan fights hardest where there’s something of value he wants to destroy.
  • The church needs to pray about the “Jezebels” within and ask God to reveal them.

  • Changing Jezebels and the Power of God

  • It’s impossible to change “Jezebels” without God’s help.

  • Salvation and witnessing are only possible through God’s power.
  • Reference to 2 Corinthians, discussing Paul’s perspective on earthly achievements versus actions for God.
    • Paul believed that earthly achievements are meaningless compared to serving God.
    • Being ridiculed for faith is an honor.

  • Paul’s Transformation and New Life in Christ

  • Paul’s life changed on the Damascus Road.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, and all things are become new.”
  • If someone claims to be saved but continues living the same sinful life, they haven’t truly received Jesus.
  • Salvation results in a changed life, leaving behind old habits and sins.

  • The Deacon’s Loss and the Deceptive Nature of Satan

  • A deacon called, weeping, because his 19-year-old grandson died in an accident.

  • The grandson had expressed feeling lost and struggled to commit to Jesus.
  • Brother Tillman emphasizes that good deeds alone won’t lead to salvation.

  • Alcohol and Satan’s Pretty Lies

  • Alcohol is “raging” in Grand County, leading to negative consequences like drunk driving and death.

  • Satan presents alcohol as appealing, but hides the resulting pain and destruction.
  • Satan paints a pretty lie, while Jesus offers the painful truth.

  • Wicked Times and the Hope in Jesus Christ

  • The world is in a “wicked, woke” state.

  • Cites examples of violence and persecution against Christians.
    • Man shot for standing up for Jesus Christ.
    • Woman stabbed to death in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • The only hope is Jesus Christ, not worldly solutions like drugs or alcohol.
  • The missing “puzzle piece” in life is Jesus Christ.
  • Psalms 118: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

  • Rejection of “New” Preaching and Compromise

  • A preacher criticized Brother Tillman’s “old” preaching style.

  • The preacher claimed the Bible is outdated and that music leads people to the Lord.
  • The preacher said people with addictions feel uncomfortable in church, so he meets them at bars to drink wine with them.
  • Brother Tillman strongly disagrees, stating that God is not found in bars or at the bottom of a bottle.
  • If people truly want Jesus, they will find Him in church and at the altar.

  • Evil Deeds, Thoughts, and Walk

  • Some preachers’ “deeds is evil, their thoughts is evil, and their walk is evil.”

  • Brother Tillman expresses disgust at this behavior.
  • Compares it to dogs eating their own vomit, referencing a biblical concept of returning to sin.

  • The Cleansing Power of Christ and a New Life

  • Relates washing pigs in FFA to Christians who return to their old sins after being cleansed.

  • If someone keeps returning to the same sins, they haven’t truly received Jesus.
  • Salvation means becoming a new creature, with old things passing away.
  • This includes old thoughts, language, and lifestyle.
  • Christians must “crucify ourselves” and “die daily” to sin.

  • The Prodigal Son and the Value of a Changed Life

  • Paul didn’t return to his old life after his conversion.

  • The prodigal son wasted his inheritance and ended up in a desperate situation.
  • He realized he had it better with his father and returned.
  • Brother Tillman questions why Christians return to their old, sinful lifestyles.

  • Personal Transformation and Changed Behavior

  • Brother Tillman used to live a life of drinking, partying, and listening to “filthy music.”

  • He thought it was “cool” but realized it led to heartbreak.
  • After salvation, his vocabulary changed, and he abandoned cuss words.
  • His thoughts and desires shifted to living for Jesus.
  • His “walk” changed, signifying a new way of life.

  • The Openness of Sin and the Rejection of Jesus Christ

  • People openly express their sinful lifestyles without shame.

  • They promote things like Buddhism, homosexuality, and abortion.
  • They mock and ridicule Christians.
  • Reference to a preacher, Cody Zorn, who encountered a woman on St. Patrick’s Day who said they were going to make hell a party.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
  • Christians may be called fools, but those who receive Jesus will eventually embrace the same “foolish” life.

  • The Inability to Change Jezebels Without God

  • “You ain’t going to change them, church.”

  • Without God’s love and power, efforts to change others are futile.

Witnessing and Righteous Living The Importance of Personal Holiness in Witnessing*

+ Before trying to reach others, one must remove sin from their own life.
+ Get the “Jezebel spirit” out of your life.
+ Be a role model and a “Bible” that others can read through your actions.
+ Brother Tillman’s father said that he was the only Bible some kids in his high school would ever read.

• The Atheist’s Observation and the Hypocrisy of Some Christians

  • An atheist pointed out the hypocrisy of professing Christians whose lives didn’t reflect their faith.
  • He cited examples of a “Christian” boy and an FCA advisor living ungodly lives.
  • There are more wicked people in church than outside in the world.
  • They are not being preached the truth.

  • The Importance of Love and Truth in Preaching

  • Preaching should be done out of love, not hatred.

  • Brother Tillman is grateful for those who preached the Word of God to him when he was lost.

  • Three Key Points: Mind, Deeds, and Walk

  • Mind: If your mind longs for the world, Satan has control.

    • This refers to lusting after worldly things, not just fleeting thoughts.
  • Deeds: People are thinking bad thoughts and doing awful things.
  • Walk: How you live your life.
    • You can’t live for God some days and for Satan others.
    • You must be “all in and all out.”

  • Choosing Whom to Serve

  • If you straddle the fence, Satan owns you.

  • Choose this day whom you will serve.
  • Where will you spend eternity?
  • Where is your heart longing for?
  • If your heart isn’t set on God, you have a problem.

  • Stephen’s Martyrdom and Forgiveness

  • Stephen, the first martyr, looked up to heaven and saw Jesus standing as he was being stoned.

  • Brother Tillman believes Jesus was clapping for him.
  • Stephen asked God not to hold the sin against his attackers.
  • Are you the type to throw stones back when ridiculed?
  • Lay down the stones and let God handle them.

  • Saul’s Conversion and the Power of a Seed

  • Saul (later Paul) was present at Stephen’s stoning.

  • Stephen’s words planted a seed in Saul’s life, leading to his conversion.
  • Jesus was “knocking on Saul’s heart.”
  • Paul became a great author, preacher, and teacher.
  • If Saul can change, anyone can.

  • The Importance of Jesus in Helping Others

  • Don’t give up on people, even those who seem too far gone.

  • Reference to a man possessed by demons who couldn’t be tamed until he met Jesus.
  • You can’t help anyone without Jesus in your life.

  • Planting Seeds and Letting God Grow

  • Like planting a garden, we can only plant the seed of the Gospel.

  • It is up to Jesus Christ to grow it.

  • Deeds and Actions

  • What are you doing with your hands?

  • Are you doing deeds for the devil?

  • The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel

  • If you see your neighbor’s house on fire, you wouldn’t just roll over and ignore it.

  • You would rush to help them.
  • Are you that type of person who is going out banging on their door saying hurry up your house is on fire you’re going to burn to death what kind of person are you tonight what kind of person are you are you going to let them know we all know somebody that’s lost tonight but are you that type of are you that mean are you that cruel knowing that somebody’s going to hell and you can sit there and pull your covers over your head and go sound asleep of a night knowing there’s somebody lost.
  • Are you telling them about Jesus Christ?
  • Brother Tillman doesn’t want the blood of the lost on his hands.

  • The State of Preachers and the Importance of Prayer

  • Some preachers are only interested in money.

  • They will face judgment if they don’t get right with Jesus.
  • The wickedness is so rampant that even dogs wouldn’t eat it.
  • The only hope is to pray for them.
  • Political leaders can’t change the world without God’s help.

  • Speaking Out Against Sin and Judging Righteously

  • We need to speak up against issues like abortion, homosexuality, and drug/alcohol abuse.

  • Some churches are compromising with the world.
    • Example of a church with the slogan “Beer, God, Fellowship.”
  • The reason for the current state of the world is that Christians have quit praying and witnessing.
  • We need to tell people they are wrong, but with love.
  • “Judge not, lest ye be judged” is often misquoted.
  • John 7:24: Judge righteously.
  • We can judge righteously by the Bible.
  • We are “fruit inspectors,” judging by the fruit people bear.
  • Bananas don’t grow on apple trees.
  • If you’re partying on Saturday night and singing in the choir on Sunday, something is wrong.
  • Before participating in any church ministry, your life should be right with God.

  • Judging Righteously and Addressing Sin

  • If two people are arguing and one is committing adultery while the other is an alcoholic, you must address both sins.

  • Before condemning others, examine your own life.
  • Be righteous before telling someone they are living in sin.

  • A Call to Men to Be Men of God

  • Speaks to the men of the church, young and old.

  • Young men are getting drunk and going to clubs, then acting like everything is okay in church.
  • Some preachers are posting videos of themselves drinking alcohol.
  • Men need to “gird up our loins” and confront those who are leading people astray.
  • They are “bad shepherds” and “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
  • Bad things may be happening to get your attention and punish you for your sinful life.

  • A Challenge to Live a Godly Life

  • Instead of getting drunk, surround yourself with friends who lead you closer to the Lord.

  • Go hunting with men who love the Lord and pray.
  • A man of God denies the lust of his flesh and lays down worldly desires.
  • A boy or child will try things “once or twice” and end up in trouble.
  • Stop acting like a child and become a man.
  • Surround yourself with people who love the Lord.

  • The Longing of the Heart and the Example of Pharaoh

  • Where is your heart longing to be?

  • Think about Pharaoh, who repeatedly promised to let the people go “tomorrow” but never did.
  • Don’t bank on tomorrow; it may never come.
  • Pharaoh ran out of chances, and his firstborn son died.
  • When your “dice is out,” God is done playing games.

  • The Consequences of Rejecting God

  • Case, a young man who had been saved but started to return to his old life, died in an ATV accident.

  • God will get your attention one way or another, even if it means taking the life of someone you love.
  • Don’t be prideful; lay down your pride.
  • Everyone in hell is there because of pride.
  • Everyone in heaven is there because they laid down pride.

  • The Importance of Thoughts, Deeds, and Walk

  • What are you listening to when you leave the church?

  • Throw out worldly music and listen to gospel music.
  • Don’t go to concerts where people worship the performer.
  • Come out from among them and be separate.
  • People are trying to be like the world instead of like Jesus.
  • Be more like Him and less like us.

  • The Desire to Be Close to God

  • When shaking hands with someone, you should feel the Holy Ghost.

  • Brother Tillman wants to be better than Paul or Moses, meaning he wants to be closer to God than they were.
  • Decrease yourself so that God can increase in your life.
  • He wants people to say that he loves God.

  • The Uselessness of Earthly Achievements

  • Earthly achievements are “crap” compared to what we do for Jesus.

  • God doesn’t care about your possessions.
  • The only thing He cares about is what you do for Him.
  • Gold will be so useless in heaven that we will walk all over it.

  • The Importance of Spiritual Discernment and Prayer

  • It’s better to be quiet than to say something wrong, and sometimes it’s better to speak up.

  • Ask God to take control of you and give you spiritual discernment.
  • Many people are misled because they lack spiritual discernment.
  • When is the last time you prayed for spiritual discernment?
  • Don’t let your knees quit getting bent or your hands quit getting raised.
  • Don’t let your tears dry up.

  • The Power of God and the Love of Jesus

  • When something as big as God gets into something as small as you, you have to move.

  • Testify, shout, raise your hand, and pray.
  • We only seem to cry over worldly things like dead dogs or lost loved ones.
  • Read about the blood of Jesus Christ and all that He went through.
  • Jesus came to earth, and His own people rejected and killed Him.

  • The Story of Barabbas and the Sacrifice of Jesus

  • Imagine Barabbas sitting in jail, wondering if he would die.

  • Jesus took Barabbas’ place.
  • Imagine standing in court, guilty, with Jesus Christ as your judge and your friends as your jury.
  • Jesus stands up and says, “I’ve taken his place.”
  • That’s how much love He has for you.
  • When is the last time you truly thanked Him for what He has done for you?
  • Lift your hands and say, “God, thank you.”

  • A Plea for Prayer and Salvation

  • These lost people are dying on their way to hell.

  • Pray for the lost sinners in the world.
  • Pray for Brother Tillman’s friend and family who are lost.
  • Bring your family, spouse, siblings, friends, and children to God.
  • Say, “God, I give them to you tonight.”