If you had come to NoLimits before 2020, I would have been planning my messages months in advance. Everything was nicely packaged in a four-part series.
I liked it. I like to be prepared. And I like to know what’s coming. It was comfortable for me. And there were plenty of people who praised me for being so organized.
Then 2020 came. I was caught in the middle of society wanting the church to stay closed and the Lord wanting it to stay open. It wasn’t easy, but I followed the Lord.
Little did I know, this was an invitation for the Holy Spirit to change everything about the way I was doing ministry. He took full advantage of my yielding to His direction.
Despite the pressure of society, I re-opened the church after just five weeks of online-only services. Most churches stayed closed for months beyond this; some even well over a year.
But just a few months after this bold move, the Holy Spirit basically said, “You know that series planning thing you do? That’s cute and all, but not going to work anymore. I’ll give you messages one week at a time.”
So, that’s how it’s been for over two years now. Most of the time, I don’t even know what I am preaching until the Friday before.
Occasionally, the Holy Spirit will let me know a bit earlier in the week but never more than a week in advance. He’s been leading me one week at a time.
And really, this is Biblical. Let me show you two places, although there are many more.
Proverbs 16:9 NLT - We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Sure, you can make plans. But the Lord gives you steps, one at a time. He may show you the destination through prophecy. But what you really need to listen for is the next step.
And then the next step. And the one after that.
I can remember going on road trips as a kid, and there were always a few rules. First, go to the bathroom before you leave. Second, don’t drink very much because we ain’t stopping.
We had to get to our destination as fast as we could. We are not stopping to use the restroom. We’re not stopping to eat. We’re going to suffer all the way to our destination. But at least we got there a few minutes faster.
That’s what most Christians do with God. He wants them to stop for a bit and rest. And then stop again and rejoice about what God has done. And then stop over there and minister to that person.
But we don’t want to stop! We just want to get to our destination, and we want to suffer the whole way there.
Can I help you? If you are following Jesus, your destination is secure. You are going to make it to heaven. So you might as well make the choice to enjoy the journey and trust God when He tells you to stop for a minute.
Listen. God is only going to give you your next step. Because, truthfully, that’s all you can handle. In the words of Jesus:
Matthew 6:34 NLT - So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
In a nice way, Jesus tells us, “You can only handle a day at a time. So quit thinking about tomorrow. It is distracting you from what I need you to do today.”
So I used to plan my messages months in advance. But now I wait until the Holy Spirit tells me what to preach. So every time I preach, you are hearing a fresh word for right now for this congregation.
I wouldn’t miss very many Sunday services if I were you because each one is giving you that next step. And receiving it in person has a much greater impact than watching it online.
I’m not saying you can’t receive from watching online. But there is a special reward for those who show up. It’s the anointing made manifest as we gather in the same place at the same time.
Does anyone want a bonus tip for receiving the most out of Sunday services? You must choose to honor God’s assignment on my life as your pastor.
Otherwise, it will end up like Jesus trying to minister in His own hometown. They didn’t receive much of anything from Him because they didn’t honor God’s calling on His life.
To some of you, I’m just Kade. Maybe you watched me grow up. Maybe you hang out with me outside of church and realize that I live life, eat food, use the bathroom, and get dressed just like everyone else.
If your focus is on my humanity, it will hinder what you receive from the anointing flowing through me as your pastor.
You can do what you want to. But if you want to receive all that God is trying to give you through me, choose to honor the assignment God has given me as your pastor.
I didn’t choose to be a pastor because I needed a job. I’m here for one reason. God called me to pastor this church. The anointing He has given me is remarkable, and it's for you.
I urge you to extract everything God has for you by choosing to honor my position as your pastor. I’d hate for you to leave anything on the table because you are focused on my humanity.
Your expectation should be, “God has something for me that can only come through my pastor. He put my pastor in my life to help guide me into the things of God.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
The church cannot reach its full potential unless it honors the gifts Christ gave it. And as you saw, it is more than just your pastor. But let’s start there because honoring leadership is counter-culture.
What the world teaches you about leadership hinders your life. They teach that you don’t need a leader. They teach you to rebel against your parents. And they give you many reasons why you shouldn’t respect your boss.
If you follow this foolishness, you’ll never reach your full potential. Your maturity will stall. You will still be acting like a toddler as a full-grown adult.
Here’s how God views leadership:
Ephesians 6:5-6 NLT - Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.
Over and over again, I’ve heard people say, “I don’t know God’s will for my life.” First of all, I’m so glad you are concerned about knowing His will. That’s a great first step.
But have you taken the time to look at what the Word of God reveals about the will of God? And are you doing it?
If you aren’t following the will of God that is readily available for you in the Bible, don’t expect to hear from the Holy Spirit on the things that are not written.
If you are looking to be led by the Holy Spirit on the specifics of your life, you must start by following the written will of God.
What is the will of God according to this scripture? Obeying your early leaders with deep respect and fear. Serving them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Pleasing them all the time, not just when they are watching.
So, are you following God’s will? Is this how you treat your employer? Wives, is this how you treat your husband? Teens, is this how you treat your parents? Church, is this how you treat your leaders here at NoLimits?
Some will translate what I just taught as me demanding honor and respect. I’m not demanding anything of you. I am simply teaching the Word of God and you decide what to do with it.
I was corrected by the Holy Spirit just a few days ago on this same issue. See, I wasn’t welcoming honor from those who would try to give it. I’d reply something along the lines of, “Don’t give me special treatment. I am just like everyone else.”
I thought this was a sign of humility. But really, it was a sign of pride because my response was ungodly. True humility is submitting to the Word of God, and my behavior was contrary.
I now understand that church leaders, like myself, only reach their full potential when the congregation provides honor, support, and fervent prayer. And the only way for the congregation to reach their full potential is for the leaders to reach theirs.
Until a few days ago, I dismissed lack of honor. I didn’t think it mattered. I didn’t need it to boost my confidence because I know without a doubt I am called by God to pastor here.
From now on, I won’t make you honor me. But I will welcome it when you do because it pleases God when you honor, support, and pray for your church leaders.
Did you know that this message was designed by God for you right now? That means this simple correction will move you into your full potential if you receive it.
Every message I bring you is a download from heaven for you. I’m not planning these months in advance. I’m listening for what the Holy Spirit has for this congregation right now. And today is no different.
As soon as I opened my eyes Friday morning, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.”
Just a few moments later, He said, “First John 3:3”. I knew what he said first was scripture, but I didn’t remember it being in First John. So I jumped out of bed, grabbed my Bible, and here’s what it says:
1 John 3:3 NLT - And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
The expectation of what? Back up a verse, and we find out:
1 John 3:2-3 NLT - Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
The expectation is of Christ appearing. This takes me back to what the Holy Spirit said first when I woke up:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT - Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
If we eagerly expect the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will keep ourselves pure. If we dismiss His coming as irrelevant or unimportant, we will live like the world.
Last week I told you that we are coming up on a battle that will be more intense than any of us have ever experienced. The devil is implementing his best strategy to pull you away from your faith in Christ.
Only those who put on the armor of God will still be standing firm at the end of this fight. Go back and listen to my message from last week on YouTube to learn how to put on the armor of God.
In addition to putting on your armor, the Holy Spirit is urging you to stir up your expectation of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who eagerly expect Jesus to come soon will keep themselves pure. Their whole spirit and soul and body will be kept blameless until He comes.
Let me read this scripture to you again to highlight one very important aspect of this verse.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT - Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
Notice that it says we need be “kept” blameless. That means we have to hold onto something we already have.
You are not trying to become blameless. You can’t become something that you already are. God is the one who makes you holy in every way through the blood of Christ.
He gives you holiness, but you are responsible for keeping it. God gives you the gift, but you have to protect it.
There was a man who inherited his dad’s 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible. The dad treated the car with the respect that it deserved. It was pristinely perfect.
His son loved the car, too. It reminded him of his dad. It is one of the most sought-after classic muscle cars. And it looks good and it is fun to drive.
But it wasn’t long before the son got his eyes on some of the newer cars on the market. He especially loved the Tesla Model S. So he got one when they first came out in 2012.
Only one problem, there was no room in his garage. So, he moved the Chevelle outside. His life became so busy that he didn’t have time for the Chevelle. So it just sat in the grass, year after year.
Now, the Chevelle doesn’t even start. The convertible top is rotting out, and water has been leaking into the cabin for who knows how long. The leather seats are ruined. The body is rusting away.
He was given a perfect gift but didn’t keep it up. He meant to but got distracted by other things. Life got busy.
God has given you holiness. He has given you righteousness. But you are responsible for keeping it up. It requires your attention, or else it will be destroyed by distractions.
That’s why the Holy Spirit reminds us through the word of God, “May your whole spirit and soul and body be KEPT blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
How do we keep it blameless? By giving our attention to the return of Jesus Christ. By stirring up our expectation of His coming.
How long is it going to take? It don’t matter because He’s coming! And we are going to occupy this city until He comes.
Let the Holy Spirit stir you up right now. Who’s eager for Jesus to come? Who’s ready to meet the Lord in the air? Who wants to be with the Lord forever?
I want to remind you of our assignment until He comes. This is a prophetic word I received directly from the Holy Spirit at the beginning of this year:
“NoLimits Church will occupy the city of Owasso until Jesus comes. Our leadership and influence will make Owasso a safe haven until He comes. We will occupy by owning businesses in Owasso, serving on City Council and School Board, and having three church locations. One near Highway 75. One near Highway 169. And one on the east side of Owasso. We will become the leading force in Owasso. No other organization will have the influence we do. We will steward the influence well. It will be marked by righteousness.”
This past Wednesday, during prayer, I received another word from the Lord regarding this vision. Here’s what He said:
“The vision has been funded. Funded in the Spirit. Funded in the natural. Everything needed is readily available. Simply reach in and grab what you need when you need it, like getting something out of a fully stocked pantry. People, finances, God’s goodness, healing, miracles - it’s all fully stocked!”
We’re not waiting on the funding and resources. It’s ready right now. God has made it readily available. We are to reach in and grab what we need when we need it.
When I go to my parent's house, one of the first things I do is go to their pantry to see what’s up. Yes, even though I haven’t lived with them in over 16 years, I still have full access to their pantry.
There was a season they were both on a low-carb kick, and all you could find was pork skins. That was always disappointing. But, oh buddy, when it is fully stocked. They have everything I need and more.
Without even asking, I open that pantry and partake of anything my heart desires. It would be rude to do this almost anywhere else. But since it’s my parent’s house, they are pleased that I am enjoying what they have provided.
My mom’s just over there smiling while I eat her snacks. She just thinks it’s the greatest thing. Now if I could just get Beth to do the same thing when I eat her snacks.
1 John 3:2 NLT - Dear friends, we are already God’s children…
Let’s go into our Heavenly Father’s house, open the fully-stocked pantry, and partake in everything we need.
He’s got the finances. He’s got the people. God’s got the healing. He’s got the miracles. He’s got it all. Reach in and take what you need when you need it.
The best part? As God watches us partake in what He provided, He grins ear to ear. It brings Him great joy and pleasure when we access what He has provided.
