Make Moves Now!

After this NOW series, I hope you take big faith steps, make no excuses, and get in position for what God is setting up. I hope you catch my spirit – I don’t wait. I move in season on a Word. This is the year for prophetic release on those who will go forward in faith. My spiritual father, Prophet John Dennis Lee, once told me to always preach revelation, not speculation. He taught that speculation is releasing a Word you haven’t lived out, but to get revelation, the Word must flow through your life. Family, this prophetic Word 2023 and the Now series come from profound revelation.

In the very season I have preached this Word, the devil has thrown some of his lowest blows, buffeting us at every turn. Yet, we are pressing forward in faith. This month alone, Terri has pressed forward into her women’s ministry call. I have met with global church leaders to help me navigate and plan for some “bishop” steps I am taking in 2023. I have launched a new venture capital firm in the marketplace, and we’ve made our first investment in Stripe, Inc. I started a property firm. We’ve made four offers on properties in the Detroit Metro area. I have also recorded a webisode for a national brand. Finally, I have hired an L.A.-based production company to help me launch a professionally produced personal finance course for The Culture of Money.

Now, here’s the key, no pun intended, I have done all of this in JANUARY and not robbed God with my time, talent or treasure.

I share this with you to motivate you to move.

Now, you must make moves.

However, you must not make so many moves that you stop moving with God. Make sure the Kingdom remains first in your life. This season plant seeds in the ground. In the years to come, they will flourish and prosper. I know you see and feel the momentum in this house. God is favoring us because we’ve been faithful.

Now is the time to spread the good news that there is a place called ICWW where the Holy Spirit flows freely, and signs, wonders, and miracles follow. A place where people get unstuck, find hope, and move forward in life.

The devil thought he had us after that last storm, but like David and his men, we are taking back our stuff. A fresh anointing oil flows down from the head to all the people who want it.

Receive the oil and walk in big faith.

Make no excuses, and do it NOW!

So what moves are you being led to make now?

With Much Love,

Bishop De’Andre Salter

He Still Moves Stones - Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Introduction

What do you do when the very essence of life has been sucked out of you with one despicable, low blow?  This is the situation the followers of Christ found themselves in after the crucifixion. One-day life with Christ was excellent, the next day, complete horror.  Jesus was now stuck in a grave behind a huge stone, which no single man could possibly move. Sometimes, life is seemingly unfair, and we seemingly unprepared to deal with the massive stones that are blocking our deliverance.

Stones Have Great Symbolism

They represent that which is immovable.  They also conjure images of that which is durable and formidable.  Finally, they represent a certain permanence.  They also can be very intimidating.

When they rolled the stone in front of the tomb, the followers of Jesus must’ve all given up hope and finally resolved….this is it.

This is where many of us find ourselves today. There are huge stones, and it seems like Jesus is no longer available to us.

Everyone Has At Least One Very Large Stone That They Need Moved

In fact, the Gospels tell us that the women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Salome) came to embalm Jesus with spices. Even though they heard Jesus say that he would rise on the third day, they did not expect him to be anywhere but in that grave.

Perhaps, their perspective was somewhat warped, or their equilibrium was off. Still, this group accepted that the stone sealed a reality that even Jesus was not going to change. Therefore the best they could do is just accept the reality: there was no longer a reason to hope for better.

Likewise, everybody here is probably struggling to believe that their stones can be and will be moved.

See, when huge stones set into our life, it seems impossible to keep hope alive.  Like those women, we come to church every week preparing to anoint dead things.  I know it sounds crazy, but c’mon we all have anointed dead things before:

• We ask for a relationship, seeking to anoint the inappropriate behaviors in which we might engage, as in times past.

• We ask God to bless us with more money to get out of debt, trying to anoint our selfishness and greed, which is really the problem.

• We ask for God to open doors for a career path, trying to anoint the fact that once we get promoted, we will stop coming to church.

• We ask God to give us more faith, seeking to anoint the fact that we are afraid to go through struggles.

• We seek opportunities to minister, attempting to anoint our rebellious, un-teachable, and un-submitted spirit.

The dead being among the dead is more customary than we might think.  It is a sign that we have not allowed Jesus to make His way into our problem. Death behaviors are a sign that we are not taking God at His word. 

The reality is this, set back will set you up for crazy! That’s why all of our emotions and intellect start to go out of whack as we fight off anger, anxiety, doubt, disillusionment, and disappointment.

Perhaps The Problem Was Not The Size Of The Stone But The Size Of Their Faith

From our human perspective, once a stone is moved into place, our minds become sealed, and we submit to the massiveness of it.

From a heavenly perspective, our stone presents an opportunity for God to do the unthinkable.  Provide you the salvation that you are seeking.

1. The truth is, no matter how big the problem, God is bigger.  Tell yourself, say [your name], God is bigger than your problem. He is bigger than debt, physical pain, emotional trauma, and workplace politics…!

2. What God desires from us, is a more kingdom-minded perspective on the problem.  The Angels asked the women: Why do you seek the living among the dead?  In other words:

• Where is your expectancy? 

• If Jesus said that God would lift him up on the third day, then why are you seeking him in a grave?

People come to church every week without a sense of expectancy.

You Will Never Find The Breakthrough You Need If You Stay In A Grave

There ain’t nothing in the grave but death, but in the kingdom, there is life!

The only reason we feel comfortable living life with the same dead emotional outlook, dead perspectives, and dead thinking is the lack of faith.  Believers know everything in the kingdom moves on faith:

• You can only be saved by faith (Eph 2:8)

• Made whole and holy by faith (Matt 15:28)

• In the book of life by faith (Rev 21:27)

• Without faith, it is it impossible for us to please God (Heb 11:6)

The Only Way That Stone Is Going To Move Out Of Your Way Is By Faith!

Jesus died knowing and believing that everything the Father told him shall come to pass!  Look at your neighbor and say, “it shall come to pass.”  You have to believe it like you believe you have the winning lottery ticket – that God is going to move that thing out of your way.

What faith is NOT (four types of bad faith):

• Negative faith (Doubt). Like Thomas, who did not believe Christ had risen, we feel there is no hope.  Jesus says, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24

• Impatient faith. (No endurance).  Some grow weary.  They say that stone has been in my way for three days.  Paul says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  Gal 6:9

• Dysfunctional faith (Anxious).  Some worry whether it shall be.  God says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end, it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” Hab 2:3

• Perverted faith (Scared). We are afraid that God will disappoint.  Paul reminds, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Tim 1:7

What is faith that can move mountains?

Matthew 17:20

With faith, only the size of a mustard seed, Jesus says, not only can we move stones, we can even move the mountains that make them. 

The key revelation is that with faith, nothing will be impossible for you.  In other words, faith itself creates new possibilities that did not exist before.  You might be stuck in life starring at a stone and a grave, but until you can see and feel the breaking of day, daybreak will never be a reality you will experience.

Moreover, faith is both the substance of hope and the evidence of the invisible.  Therefore, faith itself is all of the evidence I need that the stone in my life is about to be rolled away. (Heb 11:1)

Believe It, Jesus Still Moves Stones

Allow your faith to be the breeding ground for hope and expectancy.

So no matter how large, he still moves stones!

As the angel declared – Jesus is no longer interested in the grave HE HAS RISEN! 

Because he has risen, so shall I rise above the obstacles in my life.

When Christ was resurrected, he did not just move the problem, he moved the person!

Therefore, my next level, my breakthrough is right around the corner.  God is waiting for my faith to see what he has already done.

Tell three people, he’s already done it!  When the women came to the tomb to anoint the dead, they were perplexed to find out that God had already done it!  Know that it’s already done.  God made a way of escape for you before you even knew you were in trouble.

Jeremiah 29:11 declares, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace [good] and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope [an expected end].”

I can feel the breaking of the day because I believe God is going to move me and the stone.

How will God perform the unthinkable?  How shall he move this stone out of my life?

Like he did with Christ, By his own spirit.  (Zech 4:6)

This is why he sent Christ to us, to prove to us all that the very same power that created all things will do its most beautiful work in us through salvation.

My hope is the Lord because He still moves stones.

Get Up and Get Out - Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020

1 Corinthians 15:1–5 ESV

1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Introduction

Salvation = escape from God’s judgment of sin by believing Jesus Christ, the Son of God died for my sin, was buried, and HE ROSE again

The argument is centered on whether he got up, and the very quality of your existence rests upon your faith in this historical and spiritual truth.

If I believe Jesus “got up” from the grave and “got out” of the tomb then I should also believe I can “get up and get out” of my life troubles!

There Are Many People Perishing Now Because They Have Nothing to Believe in Or Are at Minimum Confused

The latest Pew study shows that 78% of Americans still identify themselves as Christians, but only:

• 33% interpret Scripture as the literal word of God

• 79% believe in miracles (how can one have a miracle without believing in the Word?)

• 50% say they are absolutely convinced about the existence of life after death

• 70% believe in Heaven but only 56% believe in Hell (so many are confused and unsure about life, death and eternal judgment) (Gallup)

Jesus Saves and Gives 2nd Chances

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Lazurus' Second Chance (John 12:1)

"Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead." John 12:1

Woman with Blood Issue's Second Chance (Mark 5:25-29)

"28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately ......she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction." Mark 5:28,29

Faith Unlocks My Power to Get Up and Get Out

1. The holy spirit provides us power (Acts 1:28)

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2. Power to do great things (Acts 9:40)

"40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up."

I “get up and get out” by letting faith work in my head, heart and hands

1. My head must believe that with Christ nothing is impossible( Matthew 17:20)

"So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

2. My heart must believe that Jesus is faithful (Hebrews 10:22a, 23)

"22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith....... 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

3. My hands must faithfully work (James 2:20)

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"

Get up and Get Out Today, By Believing in Jesus

The son of god, died for your sins, was crucified and is risen (romans 10:9-10).

"9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

A Coronavirus Update From Bishop De'Andre Salter

Dear Impact Family,

It’s been quite a week! I’d like to take a few minutes of your time to update you on what’s happening as we navigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in this part of the world, which we call home.

First of all, I want to say how proud I am of this church family. The faith, unity and hope you continue to show are second to none. As we continue to study the first century church in Rome we are being given the best opportunity to live out the Word and allow our faith to become famous in this region. This is not a time for panic, but a time to be repositioned in faith and share our hope.

As you know, Governor Murphy has recommended that organizations suspend gatherings with over 250 people to help control the spread of COVID-19. We care about your spiritual and physical health, so we will move our services to an online-only offering for the next two weeks.

We have always dreamed about how an online campus could help more people hear the Good News of Jesus and take the next step in their faith.  What we didn’t know then was that God was preparing us for this moment when we would be called on to adapt how we do church together, meeting the needs of our community and reaching the hearts of our neighbors. So, here’s what’s coming next.

Online-Only Sunday Services

This Sunday, March 15th, our services will be held online only. Service times will remain the same at 8:30am and 10:30am. Our hope is to gather together at our South Plainfield campus as soon as possible, but in the meantime, we will continue to learn and grow by worshipping in our homes with friends and family. Remember, the church in Rome grew their faith in their homes. They had no public place to worship and no technology to keep them assembled. We have greater, so I fully expect our faith will be made famous in this season.

Since this is a “soft-launch”, tomorrow’s service will feature a Word from the Lord that I have for you and a time for us to connect through prayer. Then, on Sunday, March 22nd we will broadcast a full service including which will include worship.

To watch the livestream on our website, church4impact.churchonline.org.

Mid-Week Programs

Since our midweek programs traditionally follow local school district schedules, we are suspending all on-campus ministries for the next two weeks. We will evaluate this decision week to week as the situation around the outbreak continues to unfold.  In the meantime, we will be providing alternative ways for you to grow closer to God and learn more about Him. 

5 Ways You Can Help:

1. Post - Use social media in a good way to post things that return people to hope. Avoid reposting and texting articles that might lead people to panic and worry. Click here for a helpful guide about ministering during a crisis put together by our Presiding Bishop, Kenneth Ulmer.

2. Pray – Pray for those impacted by the virus, as well as their families and loved ones. Now, more than ever, you need to join our Wednesday Night Prayer Call at 7pm, to connect with family and friends and receive a prayer of hope and deliverance. You can do so by dialing (712) 775-7035 and using the access code 827217#

3. Give – Even though we’re not gathering in-person for church, you still have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by giving your tithes and offerings through our giving page. Thanks in advance for practicing radical generosity.

4. Serve – We’ve been praying and thinking about ways we can be there for our neighbors during this outbreak. In the coming weeks, we’re looking to minister to frontline healthcare professionals at local hospitals, and seniors without resources. We will send specific details about these community outreach projects at a later date.

5. Be Wise - I know we walk in faith, but remember that biblical faith and wisdom never conflict. The opposite of panic is prudence. Therefore, please honor public health guidelines at work, home, and church. The state has posted guidelines to help identify if you or any of your family members are symptomatic of coronavirus . You should contact the state call center at 1-800-222-1222 or, if in NJ but using a non-NJ cell phone, at 1-800-962-1253. The call center is available 24/7 and can accommodate calls in multiple languages.

Questions or concerns?

If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, we’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to us. Please email info@church4impact.com with any questions or comments.

Final Thoughts

Even though our world has changed, the power of God has not changed. The truth of Scripture has not changed. The hope of Jesus has not changed. Our mission as a church has not changed. Let us not give in to fear.

While we cannot control the virus, the spread, or the impact it has in our church, we’re doing everything we can to make our campus as safe and clean as possible. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to help us do just that. We must also remember that God has not called us to live in fear, but in faith. As the Apostle, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” My prayer is that God will fill all of us with these three gifts, no matter what comes our way.

In Christ,

Bishop De’Andre Salter

Fixing Faith

Big Idea

 “Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” - John 11:1-4

 “Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.” - John 11:6

God still does miracles! Divine intervention is not a thing of the past, but a few things keep us from being able to see miracles happen in our own lives. When we encounter a problem and don’t see an immediate answer, we start to question God’s methods. We don’t understand how He works, we get consumed with doubt, and ultimately, we give up on Him. This is call the Death Trap!

 “You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power.” - Psalm 77:14 TLB

But the Lord wants us to know that He is a God of his Word, and if we truly trust in Him, He will take care of us. To develop the faith needed to see God intervene in our lives, we must settle in our hearts who Jesus is, stop analyzing everything, and choose to start living again!

 Discussion Questions

1. Every miracle begins with a problem, but our human tendency is to react to problems with fear rather than respond to them with trust. How do you currently react when a problem arises? What can you do to cultivate your trust in God?

2. We can analyze ourselves right out of a miracle, because we choose to believe what we see rather than what Jesus has said. Do you struggle with over-analyzing? Why is this difficult for so many people? What does it look like to surrender our minds to Christ?

3. We choose whether we will be defined by death or defined by life. What in your life is dead or dying? How can you start living again in these areas? How does James 2:17-19 help your understanding of this kind of faith?

Next Steps

Instead of believing _______________________, I choose to believe __________________________.

Begin to pray through the areas in your life that you’ve realized might be dead or dying. God has the power to resurrect these things! If you are struggling in the Death Trap, surround yourself with faith-filled people who will speak life over you and stand with you in prayer, believing what Jesus said rather than what you see. It’s time to get out of the grave and start living again!