“WHOSOEVER WILL LET HIM COME”
Sunday June 1, 2008
Revelation 22:16-17 (KJV)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
One of the worst things a believer, a saint does that we should never do is to tell someone that they are not saved!
- We do it out of ignorance
- We do it based upon our own set of rules or salvational ideas
- We do it based upon clothing or outer appearance
But please remember that Salvation is an issue of the heart not the body per say---therefore it is not good for us to go around judgmental saying who’s saved and who’s not based upon what we think or what we were taught
• YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT MAN HAS SAID IN HIS HEART
• YOU DON’T KNOW THE CONDITION OF THAT MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD’S HEART
• AND LASTLY---WE ARE NOT TO BE FRUIT INDSPECTORS BUT FRUIT BEARERS-------RATHER THAN LOOK AT SOMEO ELSE---YOU MUST CONSIDER THE CONSISITION OF YOUIR OWN HEART----how much fruit are you bearing?
Our message today comes out of the forbidden book of Revelation. (1)
The Apostle John open this “the only book of prophecy” of the New Testament and writes from the isle of Patmos where he was sent to die---he writes seven letters to seven churches------5 of them he condemns and two them he compliments
The rest of the book is all eschsataolicgal-----it’s all about the last days, the tribulation, the things to come----but the closes the book with one more invitation, it’s broad to say the least----“WHOSEVER WILL LET HIM COME”
Jesus has given many invitations in scripture---help me bible readers----
St. Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burdens are light.
Psalm 14:10-11 "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear: Forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house: So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty, for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him."
Mark 1:17 (KJV)
17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Matthew 22:4 (KJV)
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool
2)
And in Isaiah 55
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
AND THERE ARE MANY MORE BUT HERE IN OUR TEXT, IT’S CLEAR THAT THE DIVINE INVITATION IS TO ANYBODY ANYWHERE
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).
The bride is the church, the host of true believers scattered all over the earth.
Both the church and the Spirit of God cry out, "Come."
And note: once we hear the invitation and come, we must begin to cry out for others to come.
Now the question become----who’s included in the whosever?
⇒ The thirsty need to come: those who are parched, scorched, empty, craving, burning, laboring, and sweating—
All those who need the refreshment, satisfaction, and renewal of the water of life: "Come; come to Jesus Christ, who is the water of life."
Whosever means the drug addict
Whosever means the alcoholic
Whosever includes the fornicator
Whosoever includes the backbiter
Whosever includes the adulterer
Whosever includes the homosexual (3)
Whosever includes the liar
Whosever includes the mess starter
Whosever includes the thief
Whosever includes the lesbian
Whosever includes the cigarette sucker
Whosever includes the refer head
Whosever includes the crack addict
Whosever includes the previously incarcerated
Whoever includes the molester
Whosoever even includes the murderer
THE INVITATION IS SO BROAD UNTIL IT SAYS-----COME!!!!!!!
I CAN DO SOMETHING FOR YOU
I CAN FORGIVE YOU
I CAN CLEANSE YOU
I CAN CHANGE YOU
I CAN HEAL YOU
I CAN DELIVER YOU
I CAN SET YOU FREE-----------------HGPTO
All you got to do is “will”
All you got to do is “want to”
All you got to do is desire
All you got to do is “yearn for”
All you got to do is “prefer”
All you got to do is hope against hope
This is not really a hard thing to understand----the problem is on this wise---we have misunderstood or not been taught the fullness of the personalities or attributes of God
There are three that I want to unpack before I jump into the text
Three of the misunderstood personalities of God;
A. THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF GOD (4)
The Love of Christ has so many components in it till it blows my mind----can I tell you that Christ loves us even in the middle of our mess!!!!!
It’s unconditional-----you didn’t earn it or deserve it but he loves you anyhow!
THE LOVE OF GOD HAS NO FLAWS NOR FLUCTUATION
THE LOVE OF GOD HAS NO LACK NOR LIMIT
Neither IMPURITY NOR INDIFFERENCE
Neither PREDUJICE NOR PARTIALITY
Neither IMPERFECTION NOR INDULGENCE
Neither SHAME NOR SELFISHNESS
His love cannot totally be defined, it’s inexpressible
His love cannot be measured, it’s immeasurable
Cannot be described for it is indiscernible
Cannot be evaluated, for it is invaluable
Cannot be comprehended for it is incompressible
Cannot be explained for it’s in explainable
Cannot be exhausted for it is inexhaustible
NO OTHER LOVE CAN BLESS AND BENEFIT
PENETRATE AND SATURATE
GLORIFY AND MAGNIFY
REVIVE AND RESTORE (5)
STATISFY AND BEAUTIFY
ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE
ASSURE AND EDURE
This love stands both above and alone . Nothing else equals it, nor nears it . It is totally unique in every measure, in every dimension!
B. THEN WE HAVE NOT REALLY THE MATCHLESS MERCY OF GOD
Mercy speaks of his compassion
His pity
His forgiveness
His kindness
His sympathy
His understanding
His clemency
Clemency is better expressed through the word “pardon’----what the Lord does is grants pardon on the behalf of an individual who’s undeserving
At the end of every presidential or govenatorail term that highest ranking individual is given the power to grant clemency, pardon or show mercy to someone who is incarcerated.
I PREACHED SOME TIME AGO----I WAS WAY DOWN UNDER BUT MERCY FOUND ME!
I consider myself a very graceful and merciful kind of preacher----but there are some instances when the Lord had to “re-teach” me the “Whosoever will principle” (6)
Back here several years ago now------our children’s church pastor, daughter was murdered, strangled to death buy another young man in the church
This girl was close to us, kept our children, traveled with us-----so naturally in addition to being hurt and grieving, I was bitter and mad-------Ministered to her family , making arrangements for the home-going
Got to church ---we were on 103rd back then------while I was in the pulpit-------his family walks in, his mother father and brothers-----I’m sitting in the pulpit there saying---what must I do?
After all, he was a member of church, in my vacation bible school class, mother was an usher----I heard the Holy Ghost whisper in my ear “whosoever will let him come”----he said to me get up go back there and hug them-----“YOU ARE PASTOR TO BOTH SIDES OF THIS CRISIS.”
It seemed to be the longest walked that I had every walked but I had to publically embrace them because the truth be told -----two lives were lost his to be jailed for life----and then the families to live in the after math
When I embraced them, that what’s the Lord does---he’s saying I don’t care what the crime was a or who you are connected to, I grant you clemency, I accept you, I THROW MY MERCY ON YOU!
The second case for me was over here on the east side, one of the young men who was faithful at this church was arrested for molesting his step daughter------ (7)
I GOT UP THAT TUESDAY NIGHT AND SAID----“I HAVE NO GRACE FOR A CHILD MOLESTOR”----
The Lord sent Mother Flowers to me who said Bishop, “I don’t want to ever hear you say anything like that again”----you’ve got to go to county and see him and minister to him and help through his short coming----It took me almost two years to make that trip to 26th and California ---now he writes me and the relationship is strengthening because of a thing called mercy
Somebody other than me was lost but mercy found you!
C. BUT THE BIGGY IS THE UMERITED GRACE OF GOD
GRACE IS WHEN WE GET THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE DESERVE
Grace is the essence of his kindness toward us
The acronyms for GRACE are G.R.A.C. E.
GOD’S RIGHTEOUNESS AT CHRIST EXPENSE!
• We deserved damnation but through his marvelous grace he established salvation
• We deserved condemnation but through his matchless grace he provided justification---my Sunday school teacher sad that justification was a big word for saying ‘just as if I never sinned!”
• We deserve death but through his merciful grace, he grants us eternal life
8)
• We deserve punishment , but through his measureless grace, he gives us love
• We deserve hell but through his massive grace, he offers us heaven
• We really deserve nothing but through his miraculous grace, he supplies us with everything!
• We deserve separation but through his magnificent grace, he extends to us and invitation-----WHOSEVER WILL LET HIM COME!
My son Bishop-designate George Gibson had a saying on his voice mail years ago that I think will help somebody today---He said---“You can never fall beyond the grips of God’s Grace!
SO LET ME JUMP INTO MY POINTS----WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE RESPOND TO THE INVITATION
1. COME TO HIM AND BE SAVED AND CLEANSED
“TO THE UTMOST HE SAVES”
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Jesus identifies himself-----he says I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star
Why is this important, I’m glad you asked-----it’s crucial because before anybody can offer you anything great, they need to be able to produce credentials!
YOU DON’T JUST COME INTO MY HOUSE----IDENTIFY YOURSELF!
YOU DON’T JUST COME INTO MY LIFE----IDENTIFY YOURSELF!
YOU DON’T JUST COME IN MY SPACE ---IDENTIFY YOUSELF! (9)
Even on most e-mail servers-------you hear a noise that sounds like a door open when someone signs on----Jesus signs on right here and identifies himself
WHO IS HE?
He is the stone that the builders rejected
When man is hungry, he’s the bread of life
When man is thirst, he’s the river of living waters
When man is destitute and poor, he’s the Gift of God
When man is sick, he’s the great physician
When man is heavy, he’s a burden bearer
When man encounters darkness, he’s the light of the world
When man is lonely, he’s the one who sticks closer than any brother
When man is in bondage he becomes the key and the liberator
When man is weak, he becomes the strong one
When man is battered and weary, he becomes the Prince of Peace
When man is destitute, he becomes the Gift of God
BUT WHEN MAN IS LOST----HE BECOMES A SAVIOR
YES HE SAVES AND CLEANSES!
Many don’t know the story behind one of the great hymns of the church
“ Just as I am”
There was a prostitute in the red light district of London, England, who felt worthless and dirty because of her occupation
- She was a woman of the streets
- She was a woman of the night (10)
- She was a woman of sin
SHE WAS NOT WELCOMED TO CHURCH-----BUT UNDER CONVICTION ASND GREAT SCRUNTINY-----SHE FEELS THE HOLY SPIRIT DRAWING HER ---SO SHE COMES IN AND BEGINS TO SPEAK WORDS OUT OF HER HEART THAT WERE PUT TO MUSICE AND WE ARE STILL SINGING THOSE WORDS OF A DIRTY PROSTITUTE MADE CLEAN TODAY
Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidst me come to thee, oh lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am poor wretch-ed blind sight richest healing of the mind
Yet all I need in thee to find, oh lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am thou-wilt receive , wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse , relieve
Because thy promise, I believe oh lamb of God, I come, I come
I HOPE YOU’RE GETTING IT---JESUS SAYS---WHOSEVER WILL, LET HIM COME
The pimp
The prostitute
The punk
The plundered
The powerful
The persmicious---just come
SECONDLY
2. COME TO HIM AND BE HEALED AND DELIVERED
“HE DELIGHTS IN HELPING US” (11)
One of the things we have to learn be you Trinitarian or oneness is that our creator God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our precious Holy Spirit delights in helping us
This invitation is so broad that it includes healing and deliverance
These are two of the amenities that come with joining or being inducted into Christ family
HE YET HEALS!
Come here Isaiah and help us out----chapter 53----
Isaiah 53:4-6 (KJV)
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He heals by way of the trichotomy of man
BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT
I am a living witness of each area of this healing
WHEN MY BODY HAS BROKEN DOWN ON ME---HE HEALED ME------THREE STINTS TO MY HEART----TWO MAJOR SURGERIES- (12)
A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT---9 PATHOLOGY REPORTS---3 BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, 9 UNITS OF BLOOD----OH YES HE’S A HEALER
But you see his healing and deliverance goes together-----because even in the second trimester of this trichotomy----there have been times when you and I were tore up in the mind and he delivered us
Don’t play with me; your emotions were splattered all over the place
Don’t play with me your haeart was broken half in two
Don’t play with me, you had more on you them you could’ve ever bared and yet you’re you are in your right mind---HE HEALS AND DELIVERS------
JEREMIAH CALLS THIS PART OF WHAT HE DOES A “BALM IN GILEAD”
Balm as we know it is a salve
It is an ointment, a cream, a medication
In the ‘noun form of the word’ ---it brings you comfort, relief----it makes you palliative, brings you solace , brings you consolation
Hear me out-----GOD DOESN’T CARE WHAT YOU’VE DONE
GOD DOESN’T CARE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING
GOD DOESN’T CARE WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW---HE SAYS IF YOU COME TO ME--------WHOSOEVER WANTS TO
13)
WHOSEVER DESIRES---WHOSEVER WILL------I’LL BE A BALM FOR THEM
YES HE HEALS AND DELIVERS THE BODY
YES, HE HEALS AND DELIVERS THE SOUL
BUT HE ALSO HEALS AND DELIVERS THE SPIRIT
We are a people who happen to be “fragile” especially at this juncture in our lives----we are walking around with an invisible sign on our foreheads that says “handle with care”
The pressures of this time has broken our spirit---so he says come
The intensity of our troubles has broken our spirit so he says come
The difficulties of our transitions has broken our spirit so he says come
Now if I know what going on with you and I say come----it suggest that I might have something to help you through this process----something more than words
Most of us have had those kind of encounters with people who helped us-----nine times out of ten they were people of few words----but after you’ve poured your heart out to them-----they didn’t tell you what they could do for but what they would say is “meet me at the house in 20 minutes or an hour”-------when you got there---they gave you and envelope or something wrapped up on a stocking or piece of cloth----and said “here----gone now!”
14)
I came to tell somebody in need that the Lord is saying on the Pentecost Sunday------“MEET ME AT THE HOUSE”------I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU----HGPTO
FINALLY
COME AND BE SAVED AND HEALED
COME AND BE HEALED AND DELIVERED
3. COME TO HIM AND BE FILLED AND QUENCHED
“HE SATISFIES”
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Psalmist joins us here in our last point and speaks of the journey---journeying is the walk of the saints, the people of God-----often times referred to as wandering-----
Psalms 107:1-9 (KJV)
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. (15)
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
I’m always excited in scripture when I see the word “satisfy”---because satisfaction in scripture is synonymous with being “made fat”----“made well”-----given increase
So when he says------- he’s going to quench our thirsts and let us take of the water of life freely---it’s no longer one drink but it’s similar to restaurant where you have unlimited refills
BACK IN THE DAY---YOU GOT ONE DRINK---THERE WAS NO REFILLS UNLESS YOU PAID AN ADDITIONAL PRICE
ONE PRICE ….ONE DRINK!
BUT WHEN WE COME TO HIM----ONE PRICE WAS PAID----ONE MOVE WAS MADE BUT MANY DRINKS FOLLOW BECAUSE WE ARE GIVEN PERMISSION TO DRINK FREELY!
I WANT TO PROPHESY THREE THINGS AND I’M CLOSING
I. WHEN YOU COME TO HIM TOTALLY SURRENDER, YOU WON’T EVER THIRST AGAIN
II. WHEN YOU COME TO HIM, THIS TIME AROUND---HE’S CASTING YOUR BAD MEMORIES INTO THE SEA OF FORGETFULLLNESS
III. AND THIS THIRD PROPHECY IS FOR MANY OF YOU GATHERED UNDER THE SOUND OF MY VOICE ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE----IT’S NOT JUST A SONG----BUT YOUR LATER WILL BE GREATER THAN YOUR PAST!
AFTER ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE---THE BEST IS YET TO COME AND YOUR LATTER WILL BE GREATER THAN YOUR PAST! (16)
HE’S FOUND YOUR THIRST AND QUENCHED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR HUNGER AND SATISFIED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR SHAME AND REMOVED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR TROUBLE AND CURED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR LOSS AND RETURNED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR TURMOIL AND CALMED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR DEBT AND PAID IT
WHOSOEVER WILL LET HIM COME!
HE’S FOUND YOUR CARE AND RELIEVED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR ANXIETY AND ASSURED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR BURDEN AND LIFTED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR TRIAL AND TRACED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR CURSE AND DESTROYED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR BATTLE AND WON IT
WHOSOEVER WILL LET HIM COME!
HE’S FOUND SOUL AND REDDEMED IT
HE’S FOUND WEAKNESS AND STRENGTHENED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR EMPTINESS AND FILLED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR BONDAGE AND RELEASED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR QUESTION AND ANSWERED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR FAULT AND FORGAVE IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR CORRUPTION AND PURRIFIED IT (17)
HE’S FOUND YOUR GUILT AND PARDONED IT
WHOSOEVER WILL LET HIM COME!
HE’S FOUND YOUR BROKEN VESSEL AND REMOLDED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR WORST PROBLEM AND SOLVED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR CAUSE OF CONFUSION AND CLEARED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR SHAMEFUL NAKEDNESS AND CLOTHED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR DESPICTABLE FILTH AND CLEANSED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR HEAVY CROSS AND CARRIED IT
HE’S FOUND YOUR SAD DESTINATION AND CHANGED IT
NOW I CAN SAY----I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY
NEW HEIGHTS I’M GAINING EVERY DAY, STILL PRAYING AS I’M ONWARD BOUND
LORD PLANT MY FEET ON HEIGHER GROUND!
MY HEART HAS NO DESIRE TO STAY, WHERE DOUBTS ARISE AND FEARS DISMAY
THOUGH SOME MAY DWELL WHERE THESE ABOUND, MY PRAYER MY AIM IS HIGHER GROUND!-HGPTO
