The chaos of Israel’s divided kingdom was revealed the day the prophet Ahijah took a new garment and ripped it into 12 pieces (1 Kings 11:30). Ten tribes to the north and two for the south. It was the end of Solomon’s reign and the beginning of a downward spiral that would never recover. Even still God spoke a word of consequence that exists today. 1 Kings 11:36 I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name.

Jerusalem is the city where God put His Name. There is no other place on earth that houses such power; no other physical location where His Name is promised to be found. Jerusalem is the city of the Name!

Though the people turned away from God’s Law, He preserved the city for the sake of His servant. 1 Kings 11:32 But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.”

The fact is this: Washington D.C. is not the center of the world. Consider the ease of becoming consumed with national news. Cable television, Youtube, Facebook, and other media outlets must sell a story, whether true or not. The American church is often drawn into such things. We tend to think of our nation as the pivot point of the world. Yet the world time clock and the prophetic forecast does not revolve around America. At best we are to be worshipers of the Name and are privileged to be givers to the cause of the Gospel. Jerusalem is the focus of the prophetic age.

Reading articles and “staying up on the news” might be beneficial (that may be debatable). However, knowing the Signs of the Times demands a clear view of the Middle East. It is arrogant to think that God’s final call hinges on our American progress or revival.

Our task is to provide a place of worship where His name can be praised. Our desire is to live a holy, separate life as unto the Lord. The mission is to reach our city with the Gospel found in Acts 2:38. Our objective is to construct a House of Worship for the body to grow.

We are people of The NAME: Jesus! We pray in His Name. We marry and bury in His Name. We baptize in His Name. We carry His Name on our lives which is the honor of the saints.

And in that final day, John offers us this promise: Revelation 22:3-4 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Perhaps a macro view of the water’s edge might offer some insight into the importance of Father’s Day. After years of erosion and deposition, the core of engineers has devised a way to both retain the shoreline and build new necessary piers. The most efficient method comes from the creation of concrete barriers called tetrapods. These oddly shaped pods placed in strategic rows are the most effective form of defense against the crashing waves. We should note that nothing can stop all the waves. The oceans have no equal. However, there is a way to break up those violent waves and here is where the tetrapod comes into play.

Without running the risk of oversimplification, it should be said that a base with small rocks and a host of other factors go into the creation of these fortified barriers. In all, these combined elements have saved smaller coastline communities and boardwalks all over the world.

True fatherhood functions in the exact same way. Doubt, disappointments, cultural influences, and a host of other things cause “erosion.” Worldliness results in the loss of innocence and purity. Yet a true father is the buffer who stands in defense and protects against those inevitable moments of trouble. We cannot stop it all, but we can provide a covering.

Fatherhood is not just a position, but a calling that is so desperately needed in our day. We need to feel the strong hand of a father upon us; a guiding voice to lead us. People of all ages need to know that someone is standing as a defense against the enemy of our soul. The church needs men to take on the function of fatherhood, both spiritual and emotionally. Our world is missing this vital role. The enemy of the body of Christ would diminish our men and destroy the position of the father. Society’s great demise is that so many homes are absent of that most critical role; no protection, guidance, or covering.

I pray that we do more than just honor our biological fathers on this day. We must recognize and promote the blessing of having godly men standing in the way and making up the hedge, as recorded in the scripture. Our families, homes, and church will reap the benefit both in the present and for years to come if this critical role is found.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Perhaps Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe do not strike a cord in our memory. These cities hosted numerous miracles occurring via Paul, Barnabas, Luke, and the apostles. Yet, in each place the miraculous signs were not greeted with joy by all who witnessed them. The unbelieving Jews of the synagogue, the Pharisees, and men of the mystics were angry with the healings that took place. In each of these places, the Bible says that the disciples “escaped” from being stoned. Can you imagine? Doing good resulted in death threats insomuch that they had to run for their lives.

Jesus found Himself at these same crossroads of jealousy and religious preservation. The Pharisees hated His miracle power. They called Him Beelzebub or a sinner. They even claimed that He performed the wonders through the power of the devil. The business men of Gadarea in Mark chapter 5 asked Jesus to leave their city even though He had delivered the possessed man from a legion of demons. The very maniac who made their lives miserable was sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, but the cost of his healing outweighed their desire for the presence of the Healer.

If the response of the crowd dictated our Gospel message, we might never preach again. If we were hoping for acceptance by the world’s standards, we would never engage in this spiritual journey. I caution you, do not think that you will be received just because you love the Lord. Don’t buy into that false nothing that doing good or helping people escape a life of addiction or turmoil will garnish the approval of carnally minded people. Darkness does not want the Light to invade its space. If the disciples based their prayers and preaching on the affirmation of the crowd, nothing would have been done.

It might even be said that opposition itself is positive proof that you are on the right track. While I would not prescribe that filter in every situation, it is true that the godly steps we take will find resistance from the devil and the world. This might have always been true, and yet, I am confident in this: From here on out, living this Holy life; teaching the scriptural plan of salvation; and taking a stand for Biblical Truth will come at a cost. We will not be accepted.

Ultimately, our response to this call of God upon our lives reflects the answer that Peter and John gave when they had to give an account for the healing of the lame man. Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When Jesus spoke these words to Peter there was no doubt as to both ownership and eventuality of the coming Church. Jesus was going to build His Church and He was the Rock. While Peter played a role in preaching the first sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the Church belonged to the Lord.

Throughout the coming days, Peter would struggle with the preordained death of Jesus Christ. He had no comprehension of the significance of the Cross until Jesus rose from the grave. The birth of the Church, however, was not contingent upon Peter’s understanding. He was but an instrument in the Hands of the Master.

If time has taught us anything, it has shown us that the Church belongs to the Lord and that we are privileged to be a part of it. The Lord would love to use us for His glory, as He so desired with the Jews in the days of the apostles. However, when the Jewish people rejected Jesus, a new door opened in the house of a Gentile. And why? Because God will have a Church. There will be a Church. With or without us, He has proclaimed that upon the Rock, “I will build my church.”

To think the Kingdom rests on any one person is the height of human arrogance. God will use us if we are obedient, but if not, He will find someone. The troubling thought here is that some believe the church cannot survive without their talents, money, or presence.

Jesus refuted that notion when He said, “if these do not praise me, the rocks will cry out.” He will have praise and there will be a church. His Church is not contingent on my ability, talent, or attendance. He will have a church. He is not waiting on me to join; rather, I am thankful to be a part.

At best, we are the grafted in branch. The parable of Jesus clearly indicated that if the invited guest will not attend, He will find someone to sit at His table. There will be a Church.

I write about The Ordained, Unshakable, Unmovable, Predestined Church of the Most High God. The Church that I speak of is greater than a finite geographical location. It has spanned the ages of time and it shall be the Bride of Christ at the close of this dispensation.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole