1FATAL ATTRACTIONS

How many of you all know there is a war going on? It’s an eternal war. We are in such a
season right now– it’s awesome! You know right now the worldly media is coming against
everything that God is trying to do. What’s going on in Israel— some people don’t
understand. In fact, if you really understand something– let me tell you, the United States is
asleep! And it’s about to be awakened soon! People are asleep, big time! Because of
deception that runs rampant in this country. It was a country that is blessed and it’s still
blessed because of what this country does— because of what the body of Christ does through
this country. That’s why this country is blessed— because if the body of Christ wasn’t here,
this country would be cursed. Amen? When this country reaches the world with the gospel—
it reaches the world with help— it reaches the world with food and clothing— it reaches the
world with medication and technology— it reaches the world. It reaches the world to try and
bring peace into the world. Its purpose and its function is to reach the world. Amen? And
right now the enemy is trying to come against, because he knows his time is short. He knows
his time is short. We are in such a season right now— even the Lord said be careful that you
are not cheated of your reward. Amen? By the deceptions and the things that are going on
in the world. Be careful that you don’t get sucked back into the world— because you’ve been
taken out of the world. And having been taken out of the world, it is for a purpose— for his
glory. Because when you are taken out of the world you are brought into an eternal place —
but if you are still a part of this world, then you are brought into a temporary place. Amen?
And one of the things we want to do is have discernment. We want to be able to see. One of
the things that God is doing is exposing more and more the enemy. That’s why you are
seeing all kinds of things coming to the surface. Jesus came into the world as God— hello. To
expose the enemy. So that you and I might learn the ways of the Lord. And what is our
purpose then? To constantly expose the enemy. Is everybody with me? That’s your purpose
and my purpose. Why? Because when the enemy is exposed, then we take ground. Where
darkness is, light comes! Amen? That’s our function. And our function is to bring the love of
God. It’s to bring the truth of God. It’s to bring deliverance and healing to this world. But I’m
telling you right now that God is shaking not only the world— shaking the earth, this country
and shaking the body of Christ. And those things that can’t hold on, that are not connected
with the solid root of Christ, are going to shake off! That’s why we see many people falling.
That’s why we see many people backsliding. Amen? There are family members that you
knew were walking with God, that are now no longer walking with God! Or that have had a
form of religion, but no relationship— they are not doing the things that God has asked them
to do because they have no understanding. See a relationship brings understanding.
Because only the Spirit of God can bring you the true understanding of the things of God.
Amen? That’s why people read the bible and don’t understand it. They only know the letter.
That’s where the word says the letter kills but the Spirit brings life. And we are such in a
season right now— And you are going to find that the seasons that God is bringing us into are
not going to be long seasons. They are short seasons. We are going from season to season
quickly — they are short seasons, because time is actually— moving faster. You can watch
your clock and it still moves at the same time as what you think. But spiritually,
supernaturally, time is moving quicker. Is everybody with me? See the scientists can’t figure
it out. Because they only know calculations. They don’t know the Spirit. But time is actually
moving faster. Because the one that created time is the one that’s causing it to move faster.
Didn’t he say that if the days were not shortened, that his elect would be deceived. Hello!
We are in those days. Now we know he’s talking about Israel in the final revelation but it’s
also talking, spiritually through the world, what’s going on right now. See you must know—
It’s our responsibility to know what time and season we are in and we are in a season right
now of change. And how God is handling some of these things– it’s our responsibility to find
out what he’s doing. He doesn’t have to just tell you— It’s our responsibility to seek out
what’s going on! Does everybody understand that? See that’s why we have fellowship then
too, isn’t it. Because we can communicate with one another, find out what’s going on and we
listen to tapes and other teachings and things that are going on in the world. And we listen to
prophesies, we get more understanding— It’s our responsibility to seek these things out so
we know what’s going on. Amen? Again, I want to reiterate that our seasons are cut short.
They’re quick. Season from season. Season from season. This is not a carnal season.
These are spiritual seasons that God is moving quickly and rapidly and it’s like he’s saying,
Come on aboard. It’s like he’s moving— you know how those vacation cruise liners they go
from one port to another port— come on and get on and get off— get on and get off. God is
moving rapidly and the people that are getting off are supposed to bring more people to get
on! Amen? Hallelujah. You know the bible says that in the days of Noah— that when the
season is as in the days of Noah— that’s when the Lord is going to return!! That is a season—
these are seasons. When he says “days of” those are specific seasons that we are in. He told
us that there is going to be a season called the beginning of sorrows. He said there would be
wars and rumors of wars and so forth. That’s a specific season that we are in right now. We
are in that season. Right now the world is trying to figure out how they can bring peace to
Israel. There won’t be any peace. This will escalate and get bigger and bigger and bigger. It
cannot stop. It may have a false sense of stopping, but it can’t. It just can’t. Eventually it
will escalate. Things will get crazy. Someone will step in and say, I’ve got a seven year
peace treaty. Let me tell you something, when you see that you can say, Hallelujah! My
redemption draws near! HALLELUJAH! Oh, praise be to God! Things are not going to get
better. They are going to have a false sense of getting better. Amen? Oh, praise be to God!
What a wonderful season. It’s a wonderful time to be alive right now. Now you know the
media is trying to tell everybody that Israel is destroying innocent individuals— Well you have
to understand something. Just to make things right, what Hezbollah, which is nothing but a
demonic force that is coming against Israel. Their whole purpose is to destroy Israel. Iran,
their whole purpose is to destroy Israel. Syria, their whole purpose is to destroy Israel. That’s
what it’s all about. I mean, they are burning U.S. flags— and Israeli flags, you know. They
hate us!!! They don’t even know why they hate us!! [Laughter.] They have no idea why they
hate us— they just hate us! And they are brought up that way. Children are taught in
schools to hate the United States and Israel! They are programed from that moment. That is
part of their life as young children! They are taught to hate. And they are taught to die—
making it honorable. The only honorable death is the death to self. Which is according to the
Lord. Amen? Praise God. One of the things that the Lord was sharing with me about things
that are happening right now, and the bible talks about how the devil walks about as a
roaring lion and so forth trying to destroy, trying to deceive and so forth to take individuals
captive and again I want to share with you that we are so close to things that are manifesting
right now— that there are things in this arena— demonic forces that are actually being forced
to become manifest in the natural realm! They have no choice!! Does everybody understand
this? I don’t know if I can put this in common language but I’ll do my best. The military
leaders of these— I don’t just want to specify religious— Islamic, terrorists, Hezbollah, and all
the rest of these terrorists, are actually demonic forces that have come into the natural realm
— and possessed these individuals. They’ve established their own religion. Is everybody
with me? They have established their own religion— and the head captain of their religion is
the antichrist. Because their purpose and religion is to come against Christ. And they know
the Christ is the head of Israel! THEY EVEN KNOW IT!!! Do you remember when Jesus came
and he went over to that— I think it was an island or something— I don’t remember the name
of it— and he got off the island and he came in there and the demons came running up to
him and said, What have we done to you Son of God? They were all freaked out! They knew
him, didn’t they. They knew him! Well let me tell you, they also know that the Christ rules
Israel! They know! So they have gathered together in this end-time military war to destroy
Israel because these demonic forces have come forth into the natural realm possessing
individuals. Amen? See they have no idea— the individuals had no idea that they had been
worshiping satan ever since they were brought into the world. They had been worshiping
satan. Why? Because they have been taught to hate. That is satan’s trigger right there.
Hatred is his open door. Do you know what hate always does? It produces fear. Hate always
produces fear. Is everybody with me? Because where there is hatred there is fear. Man, I
just hate this!! Now there is a difference between hatred— You and I are to hate evil. Amen?
The bible says hate evil! There’s a difference— than hating individuals. We don’t hate
people, we hate evil! Well see satan’s kingdom hates people!!! There’s a difference. Oh,
hallelujah. Glory to God. So in these last days, what’s going on is the Lord really wants us to
be is sensitive, discerning, understanding, staying spiritually positioned. Would you turn to 2
Corinthians 6. Hallelujah. 2 Corinthians 6. Oh we bless you Lord. Is everybody alright?
Hallelujah. Glory to God. We had a powerful little meeting yesterday morning. At our
Saturday morning meetings which are just ordained by the Lord. You know we never know
what’s going to happen— but God does! Thank God! And some of the things that are just
still burning in my Spirit from yesterday’s meeting and I don’t know how the Lord is going to
implement some of that in today’s but we will see what he’s going to do. 2 Corinthians
chapter 6 — Glory to God — in verse 1, would you read it with me. We then as workers
together with him also plead with you to not receive the grace of God in vain. Now first of all
I want to tell you what the grace of God is. There are three areas of God’s grace that we have
talked about. First of all, it’s God’s plan. Remember that the bible says that the word
became flesh. Right? With fullness of truth and what? Grace. Because grace is God’s plan
in action. When people cry out for mercy— Mercy is they are asking that God consider them.
Lord have mercy upon me! God’s answer is grace! He puts grace in action. So Jesus came
as the will of God manifested from the spirit realm into the natural realm. That’s why it’s
called grace. Is everybody with me? Oh, hallelujah. Now we also know that grace holds
God’s judgment back. It’s also a representation of co-laboring. That’s why we are in the Age
of Grace because he is holding his judgment back so that his plan can come forth to manifest
to rescue as many souls as he can before he moves the Spirit of Grace— and all hell breaks
out here on earth. Oh, to God be the glory! Now let’s read this again. We then, as workers
together with him, also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. The plan of
God. Your destiny. And your purpose. For he says, in an acceptable time I have what?
Heard you. And in the day of salvation, I have helped you. You know many people just didn’t
get saved instantaneously. Most of us cried out. God help me!! We tried getting help in
every other direction. Finally we looked up to God and said God help me! We didn’t even
know about salvation— I know I didn’t. I was going to church since I was a little kid and I still
didn’t know about salvation. Played a lot of religion. I mean we would go to church every
single morning. Stand up. Sit down. Take communion. Go to school. Say 30 or 40 Hail
Mary’s, because I was constantly repenting, but I never knew anything about salvation. I
knew he was the Savior but I didn’t know what he would save me from. I was an altar boy—
here I was on the altar and I still didn’t know what I was doing. Didn’t read the bible. Didn’t
know anything. Hello. Then I realized I needed God. I really needed God, but I didn’t know
what salvation was. You see, so it says, in an acceptable time I have heard you. So he heard
us. And then he says, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. So what he did was he
brought salvation to me and you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation. And one of the things that God says is that he is going to save Israel in one day.
Hallelujah. We give no offense in any thing, that our ministry may not be blamed: But in all
things we commend ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in needs,
in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings.
By purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by sincere love,
by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand
and on the left. By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet
true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not
killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing,
and yet possessing all things. Man, do you know you possess all things!!!! Oh, to God be the
glory!!! In verse 11, he says, O Corinthians, we have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide
open. Now this is where the Lord is bringing us. He says you are not restricted by us, but
you are restricted by your own affections. Now I want to repeat this. He says, you are not
restricted by us, but you are restricted by your fatal attractions. Hello. But you are restricted
by your what? Fatal attractions. Ooochawahwah! Now in return for the same, I speak as to
children, you also be open. And then he begins to tell us, Don’t be unequally yoked together
with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness and what
communion has light with darkness. And what accord has Christ with belial or what part has
a believer with an unbeliever. And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you
are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk among them; I
will be their God, and they shall be my people. Now again I want to share with you— this is
something very important. He says, Listen don’t let the enemy cheat you from your reward
by fatal attractions. And that’s what is happening right now. Fatal attractions are running
rampantly in this country. Fatal attractions. You know there is a saying that people say— Oh,
it’s love at first sight! No. It’s lust by first bite! [Laughter.] Hello. Come on, say it with me:
It’s lust at first bite! It’s not love by first sight! That’s called fatal attraction. And who just bit
you? The serpent! That’s lust by first bite! Oh, to God be the glory! Paul pleaded with his
church not to fall short of God’s plan— in this relationship with him that was pre-appointed
they were created. Because it’s a part of their destiny. What the enemy is trying to do is
snare us with fatal attractions to prevent us from fulfilling the destiny that God has
predestined us to in his plan. Now listen, many of us have fallen short and bitten that fatal
attraction and started to go astray. I don’t think there is one person in this room that hasn’t
gone through that one way or another by a fatal attraction. It’s amazing— fatal! Fatal
attractions— whoa!— it’s lust at first bite. Go to Proverbs 30:11. There is a generation that
curses its father, and does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own
eyes, and yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation, O how lofty are their
eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation, whose teeth are like swords,
whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from
among men. Now listen, this is very powerful— because in this he is talking about a
generation that is pure in its own eyes— thinking that God is providing. Does everybody
understand that? They think that God is providing without checking out whether it is of God
or not. It’s called fatal attraction. See many people— in the eyes— you know and that’s
where the Lord said listen take the National Grand Forest out of your own eye before you take
a tree out of somebody else’s, right. Hallelujah. Fatal attractions are an area where— it’s a
deadly effect. Many of us have fallen into fatal attractions with the opposite sex. And then
found out later that it was nothing but a fatal attraction. And had to pay dearly afterwards.
Amen? One way or another. And many times we thought it was God without checking to see
if it really was of God. You know just because things fall into place sometimes doesn’t always
mean it’s God, does it. We all know that. Oh, hallelujah. And you know what— let me tell
you what the devil loves to do too. He loves to send people to confirm what’s not of God.
What the devil does is tell them it is of God. Did you ever get someone to come up to you
and say, Yes I saw that too! Well you better find out who showed it to them. Does everybody
understand that? You know— I mean, how many times have you had that confirmation—
somebody has come up to you and you go, Man that must be God! I mean somebody else
saw it too!!! Well who showed them that? Now, its your responsibility to find out who
showed them that— Because if you are going to touch and agree with some of this stuff— you
are going to find you have just fallen into a fatal attraction because what the enemy always
tries to do is bring false sight. That’s why there is false image and so forth. Just like we
talked about before— did anybody ever come up to you and tell you something about
somebody? Boy did you get an image! Then come to find out later that was totally wrong. It
was what the devil was telling that person and that person told you!! Amen? Oh, hallelujah.
We’ll keep going. [Laughter.] I could go on and on about that!! [Laughter.] To God be the
glory! Oh, hallelujah. Fatal attractions. Go to Proverbs 12. That’s why Jesus said, I came to
bring sight to the blind. What the devil loves to do is blind us again. Amen? And fall into
fatal attractions. Proverbs 12:15. Let’s start at 12. Proverbs 12:12. The wicked covet the
catch of evil men: but the root of the righteous yields fruit. You see you can always tell by
the fruit, don’t you. See you have to test the fruit of the decision you are going to make. And
you had better test the fruit of who you are listening to. You know the devil will tell you—
don’t get me wrong, God can use anybody. He uses unrighteous individuals. But you had
better find out if it is God using that person or not. You know if someone comes up to me
with a bottle of wine in their hand and a cigar and says, Thus says the Lord.... I’m going to
say, Yeah right! I’m going to tell them, Thus says the Lord to you! Amen? You will know
individuals by their fruit!! And you are to be a fruit checker! You had better find out what’s
in that basket before you eat of it! Because you will end up getting the same vision that the
devil gave that person. And it will be a fatal attraction, won’t it. You know one of the
powerful things is that once the devil begins to impart these things, then that individual
begins to actually believe that it’s from God— in the mind — but in the Spirit knows it’s not.
But because it wants to do the will of self, it begins to promote what it has just seen or what it
has just heard. And as it begins to promote it, begins to take others with him. Does
everybody understand that? Because it’s whole purpose is to bring down everything
associated with God’s will. So he will use somebody— Did you ever find you will be with
someone and everything is going smooth and then all of a sudden this person you thought
was doing God’s will— and was doing God’s will, all of a sudden turns. You know what just
happened? Fatal attraction. Something just got imparted. I have had people come up to me
and say, Yeah the Lord showed me this— the Lord showed me that— And I’m not saying that
it’s always— you know, it’s not of God. But I’ll tell you what, if there is not a witness in my
Spirit and I don’t know. I’ll go to the Lord and I’ll say, Lord was that you that showed that
person this? He will let me know. If it’s not— usually the first time I’ll know in my Spirit. If
I’m uncertain, I will check it. I won’t agree with anything unless I know that it’s from the Lord.
At least that’s my hope. [Laughter.] I’m not saying I’m perfect because I’m certainly not.
Believe me I have agreed with things that I have thought were of God and they weren’t. But I
learned. We learn, don’t we. We learn going through these things. And then those things
when you just knew you made the mistake and you have to reap it anyway and it’s like—
Man, I knew I shouldn’t have done that!! Why did I listen!! Hallelujah. Oh, hallelujah!! Verse
12, the wicked covet the catch of evil men. That’s what he wants to do, catch evil men. To
use for the kingdom. But the root of the righteous yields fruit. The wicked is ensnared by the
transgression of his lips: but the righteous will come through trouble. Hallelujah! You been in
trouble? Are you walking right with God? Then he brings you through! Sometimes it doesn’t
seem like it right at that moment— but it will. A man will what? Be satisfied with good by the
fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him. Here it is
— are you ready? The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he who heeds counsel is
wise. A fool's wrath is known at once but a prudent man covers shame. That’s why we are to
check out whoever told you what is going on. Amen? You know one of satan’s little tools he
uses is called gossip! Oh, he loves to plant lies. Now remember— it’s amazing in how much
that the enemy and his purpose is to try to bring down the head. Right? He tries to bring
down the head of the house. We know that the Lord is the head of everything but God has
people underneath him — right — to take care of certain things. He tries to bring down the
head— he tries to bring down directors of ministries, pastors and so— that’s satan’s purpose.
To bring down the head. And he will use anyone and everyone he can. Or to come against
the move of God. You know most moves of God have been ceased because of a break in a
church because the move of God was there. Then all of a sudden the church breaks—
because somebody got a fatal attraction. And got a witness by somebody else that that was
God. And it wasn’t!!! And the move of God ceased— both places!! There are places I could
tell you where this happened. But I’m not mentioning them. The church split thinking one
got the vision of God and God was sending them out and the anointing stopped! The move of
God stopped! Because the church split because of a fatal attraction. Oh, hallelujah. Go to
James 4. So we see that fatal attractions are deadly attractions, aren’t they. Now there are
fatal attractions that can be a deadly attraction to the enemy. Hello. When the Lord brought
forth the witness motorcycle— one of the things it does is that it turns people’s heads as it
drives down the road. It’s a fatal attraction. People look at it and the first thing they see is
Christ the King. And as it goes by them it says, I’ll be back– Jesus. That’s a fatal attraction.
What did it do? It just planted a seed. Of course, they first think this guy’s crazy. That’s the
carnal mind. What idiot would mess up a bike like that? A foolish one. You know people
driving down the road and on the highways— they have billboards talking about Jesus coming
back— or repent and so forth, those are fatal attractions. To who? The enemy. God wants
you and I to be a fatal attraction out there to the world! So that they see Jesus in you and I.
There is something in the character that’s been created and predestined for you— your
character that was brought forth. Everyone in here has a specific character, don’t they.
Amen? The problem is that self has been running the life for so many years that when you
get born again the Holy Spirit begins to activate that character that you were born with. Self
is a killer. James 4, is everybody there? Thank you Master. Okay, in verse 1. Where do wars
and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war
in your members. See your self is looking for something for satisfaction, isn’t it. Your self.
The old man is called self. Me, myself and I, right? It’s looking for satisfaction. It’s looking
for fulfillment. It loves fatal attractions. Oooo. It says in verse 2, You lust, and do not have,
you murder and covet and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you do not have, because
you do not ask. Now this fight and war is within. You ask and do not receive because you ask
amiss that you may spend it on your fatal attractions. Then he says, Adulterers— well what’s
the first thing— think how many marriages are destroyed because another individual comes
into play! Look at how many marriages God is trying to restore! But the enemy sends
another individual and a fatal attraction and then that marriage can’t be restored. Especially
where there are children that are involved. Because of a fatal attraction because self is still
ruling that life. I see it happen all the time. It disgusts me! Because people reject counsel.
Hallelujah. In verse 4 it says what? Adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that
friendship with the world is enmity with God? And whoever therefore wants to be a friend of
the world makes himself an enemy of God. Ooooo. Your self is an enemy to God. Does
everybody got it? Not that God is your enemy— You’re his enemy!! Because self always
serves darkness. It’s looking for satisfaction. It’s looking for desires, pleasures, fulfillment of
self. The self is a seeker of satisfaction and— you know like— I’ll give you a little example—
like bait on a hook. You know when people go fishing. Bait or a hook— they put the fish out.
Lures. He begins to lure the individual. That’s what the devil loves to do. He lures his
victims with fatal attractions. Like I said, lust at first bite. Right? Did you ever drive down
the road and all of a sudden you see something and then the first thing that comes to you is,
I’ve got to have that! Whew!! That’s self. It’s self knocking on the window of that car going,
I’ve got to have that!! You know little children— they are full of self, aren’t they. Amen? I
mean it doesn’t make them bad. It’s good training for parents. Hallelujah. But you know
they are so full of self. I want! Me, myself and I. That’s mine! What do you mean that’s
yours, you haven’t worked a day in your life! [Lots of laughter.] Or they come up to you—
that’s mine! What do you mean that’s yours??!! Where did you buy that? [More laughter.]
You gave it to me. Oh yeah, that’s right, that’s yours. Okay. Hallelujah. But they are full of
self, aren’t they. Well as born again believers, self must be put under your feet. Self is put
under control by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Again, you and I were born with a character
from God. Everyone’s character is different. Amen? Everyone’s character is different. So
God is going to express himself through your character. But the end result is the same, isn’t
it. But in the meantime, self must be brought forth underneath your feet so that the
character of Christ can be manifested through you. We were talking yesterday, see there is
one thing that everyone in this room, in this world and every human being has in common—
self. There isn’t one person in here that doesn’t lust after anything different than anyone else
because of self. Everyone in here has the same thing in common— me, myself and I. Until
Christ, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, begins to birth the character you were born with— into
the image and likeness of Christ— And begins to flow through you in a different way. But the
end result is the same, isn’t it. Fulfilling God’s destiny and purpose, in making it home and
bringing souls with you. However he’s going to do that is between you and him. But the one
thing that will move people out of that destiny is a fatal attraction. It will move them right
out. These fatal attractions are known as idols also. 2 Timothy 3. You know, I couldn’t shake
this, this morning. It was just one of these things that the Lord was going, Listen come and
worship me and get this out. Get this out because it is happening. Look what visualization
does to individuals. Look what TV does to individuals. Fatal attractions. You know we went
out to eat last night and on the menu, you turn over the page and there’s this woman— I’m
trying to read the menu with my wife with my hand on one side of it, because there’s was a
fatal attraction on there. I mean you go into places and everything is promoted by lust.
Why? Because lust is associated with self. And what the enemy is trying to do— that’s why
it’s called self-gratification. Hello. Come on, they are not selling cars because a family needs
a vehicle to get children around to bring them back and forth to school or to get them to
work. They are selling them because a girl is sitting on the hood! What were they trying to
do? Promote self. Others will look at self!! Remember self loves to promote self. Amen?
Fatal attractions. Oh, hallelujah. 2 Timothy 3:1, would you read it with me. But know this
that in the last days, perilous times will come. Are we in perilous times? You bet! For men
shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal,
despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures [fatal attractions] rather
than lovers of God; having a form of what? Godliness, but denying its power: from such
people turn away. Now listen, this is Paul writing to Timothy as a minister. Timothy was
known as Paul’s son. Paul was his spiritual father. When Timothy and Paul got together, Paul
would say, My son— Timothy! —who was like-minded. He said there wasn’t many like-
minded with him. But Timothy and Titus were pretty close– like-minded with him. And he
was warning him— Listen, he’s not telling him about world. This is a letter to Timothy telling
him in his ministry that this is in the body of Christ. Is everybody with me? He said, Listen
I’m not telling you about the world! I’m telling you what’s going on in the body of Christ
because perilous times are going to come— there are going to be fatal attractions that are
going to move people out of the will of God. They are going to become lovers of self!!! They
are going to become lovers of— anything that’s associated with self— well self loves money,
doesn’t it. And the purpose of self loving money is to produce it to fulfill self-satisfaction. You
know how many times has the devil tried to tell you, listen if you had this amount of money
just think what you could do. When we were in the world— when we were in the world, we
thought the money was going to get us out of everything. Being a drug dealer, I just kept
thinking— Well one more sale and I’m going to quit!! I’m going to take all the money I have
and I’m going to quit dealing. It never worked. Okay well now I can buy something— I guess
I’ll buy another limo. Well maybe another vacation. Or here’s another $10,000 - $20,000. Or
this— Okay one more deal!! I’ll take one more chance. I’m going out, I’m going to sell the
dope tonight. I’ll make $10,000 in this deal, $5,000— whatever it is, and after that— and
here I am willing to risk my life, my children, my wife, everything!!!! To fulfill self. Amen? To
fulfill self. It was nothing but a lie from the devil wasn’t it. Because I ended up losing all the
money anyways— getting busted and everything else. Lost everything. Why? Trying to fulfill
self. He tells us, he said listen— Be careful because perilous times are coming! We are in
them now! He’s talking about this being in the body of Christ! You know how many quick—
this blows my mind— do you know how many quick scheme deals are going on in the body of
Christ? Quick rich fixer uppers— I get people calling me all the time—Man, I’m telling you this
is of God! Oh, really? Yeah— well, it’s kind of like a pyramid deal— but yes, you just have to
invest this amount of money and in about four weeks you’re going to get— Well, what’s the
purpose of it. Well to bring money— the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous!
Yeah, praise God it is! That means I don’t have to work for it! It should be just brought to
me!! Hello. It says if it’s laid up for the righteous, it’s got to be somewhere around here! It
means I don’t have to try and scheme and do all kinds of other things. Now the bible says, no
workey — no eatey! God expects us to put our labor— you know our hands to labor so that
we can have fun money— it says money that you have to give to someone who is in need!!!
Not to fulfill your own pleasures and lusts. Amen? —especially when I go into places and I’m
around individuals who are totally out in left field and they begin to talk about the tv
evangelists and so forth— Praise God, the word goes out! But some of them have really
taken it overboard. They have! They have made a bad name. Because everything is to
support their TV ministry. Amen? They have taken it overboard. There’s nothing wrong with
asking for some finances— There’s nothing wrong with that because an individual should not
be giving to the man. He should be giving to God! But some things have gone overboard
and it has planted bad seed in the individuals that don’t know the truth! Amen? We don’t
take offerings in our services. The Lord has not led me to. Everybody should know what to
do. The offering box is over there. You should know what to do. If you are here to be right
with God and you’re in this building because you want to do the right thing with God then you
should automatically know what to do. Now we teach it in our bible studies. But we don’t
take offerings in our anointing services on Friday nights, nor do we take offerings on our
Sunday services unless it is specifically directed by the Lord. But I am not led to do that. You
and I as believers should know exactly what to do. You are to give your tithe and offering to
God not to a man! Amen? I’m not going to go out here and try and beg people for money.
I’ll just hold everybody up and take it!! No. [LOTS of laughter.] Now that would be self
wouldn’t it. Aren’t you glad we’re not religious. Somebody that was religious would have
said, Man that’s it – I’m done – I’m out of here!!!! Don’t give your money to this ministry.
Hallelujah. Perilous times are here brothers and sisters. Now look at— we get confirmation of
what Paul was trying to tell Timothy in the next verse. In verse 6 he says, For this sort are
those who creep into houses and ministries, and make captives of gullible men and women,
loaded with sins and led away with various lusts. Always learning and never able to come to
a knowledge of the truth. Why? Because truth is what sets you free. So they are always
having a form of learning — there’s a form of godliness there but they are really not getting
set free! You know why? Because they choose not to. They may say they want to, but they
really don’t. Because self is still running their life. The Lord said you can’t serve two
masters. You can’t serve your self and God. Hello. Because you will either hate the one and
love the other, right? Now he’s talking about money there— there’s a purpose— The love of
money is the root of all evil. Right? There is nothing wrong with the body of Christ having
money. It takes money to get the word out. It takes money to feed people. It takes money
to pay the electricity. It takes money for everything. It would be nice if we were bartering
but those days are over. Amen? It takes money. But the love of money is the root of all evil.
All evil. Amen? Not to have money— but the love of money. So he says, Listen these are the
type that come in, he says— and he gives an example— he says, Now as Jannes and Jambres
resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds— How are they
corrupted? Fatal attractions. —disapproved concerning the faith. But they will progress no
further: for their folly shall be manifest to all, as their's also was. In other words, they can’t
grow. They can’t grow. They can only go so far. Is everybody with me? Oh, hallelujah. Go
to Judges 16. You know, think about it— The bible says bad company corrupts good habits,
right. Let me tell you something, if someone comes up to you and— starts producing a fatal
attraction in your mind, it says, walk away. Rebuke them. Fatal attractions can be produced
— produced right in the thoughts. Right in the mind— that’s where it begins, doesn’t it. They
begin to come up and tell you all kinds of— This is how it’s going to be— this is great, man!
You know we have a 9 month residential discipleship house. The devil’s always approaching
and using individuals to try to cause them to go astray. The devil tries to do that whether you
are in the discipleship house or not. Because as a believer, we are all in the discipleship
house. We don’t leave it! Hello. But the devil will try to utilize someone else. So when
someone else has taken that fatal attraction and agrees with it, then he begins to try and
take that and impart it into others. So that others will go with them. And let me tell you
something— in our discipleship house, everyone who has left before they were supposed to—
100% of them have fallen. 100%— and when they rejected the counsel of the Lord to stay
longer, they have fallen also. 100%. And if they don’t do their aftercare? 100% have fallen.
It’s amazing. Why? Because God has ordained it that way. 100% guaranteed. Now I’m not
saying this to try and keep people in the discipleship house. I don’t want anyone there that
doesn’t want to stay. But you had better change your mind to want to stay so that you don’t
become a casualty by a fatal attraction. Amen? Praise God. In Judges 16:1, it says, Now
Samson went to Gaza, and saw a harlot there and went in to her. Hello. It’s real simple— He
had a fatal attraction, didn’t he. Big time. Now go to verse 4. It says now that afterward he
loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. Oh, that Delilah fatal
attraction! Everyone has had a Delilah or a Samson. And the lords of the Philistines came up
to her, and said to her, Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what
means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will everyone of
us give you eleven hundred pieces of silver. Whoa! Behind that fatal attraction is a move of
the devil. That demon is going to be rewarded if he can cause you to fall short of God’s will.
That’s what they believe anyway— the devil lies to his own demons. Does everybody
understand that? Go to verse 16. Now Samson was a deliverer of Israel— And it came to
pass, when she pestered him daily with her words, and pressed him, so that his soul was
vexed to death. Let me tell you something, after you have accepted that fatal attraction—
you can’t stop! That he told her all his heart, [oh, he opened up all the way now] and said to
her, No razor has come upon my head; for I have been a Nazarite to God from my mother's
womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like
any other man. Wow! Like any other man. See you are not like any other man, men and
women of God. You are no longer human. Humans die and go to hell. You are eternal! You
can’t die. You’re flesh may— Right? But you’re eternal. It’s accounted everyone to die
once. Well, you’ve died with Christ! Alright. So your flesh is just going to roll off that spirit
of yours, the character that God created you. Self is going with it. Isn’t that wonderful! And
you and your Daddy are going to cruise! Now, in verse 18— So you are not just like any other
human. Do you understand that? You are not of the world! See the devil always wants to
keep you a part of this world. With fatal attractions. He wants to make you think you are like
everyone else. But you’re not. As a man thinketh, so he is. Amen? In verse 18, When
Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the
Philistines, saying, Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart. Oooo! Look what
that fatal attraction did. Wow! So the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and brought
money in their hand. Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees; and she called for a man,
and had him shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to torment him. Oh, listen
to this!! Then she began to torment him! Think about— check this out. Remember how
many of us have used— Right? That fatal attraction. We see the dope— Oooo! We see the
booze— Oooo! Then we begin to use— yeah!!! And we have all these big stories about what
we’re going to do. Then we wake up and we haven’t got two nickels to rub together. Right?
Then we wake up and what happens? Torment comes. See the devil convinces you with a
fatal attraction and then the next day he’s tormenting you— Man, you know you could have
fed your children! Come on– you know better! You could have done this—!!! You know you
got that dope thinking you were going to sell it but you ended up doing it all! Man and then
he begins to torment you like crazy!! Then he convinces you— well you know you might as
well take your life. You are no good to anybody. You’re like everybody else. How many men
and women get caught up in relationships just because of that fatal attraction and then it is
nothing but torment! You know why? Because they have never really checked fruit!! They
really never checked it out! Now, in verse 20. Oh, hallelujah. And she said, The Philistines
are upon you, Samson. Oh, she set him right up!!!! So he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I
will go out as before at other times, and shake myself free. But he did not know that the
LORD had departed from him. Remember fatal attractions always cause the departure of
God’s presence. Then the Philistines took him, and what? Put out his eyes, and brought him
down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters and he became a grinder in the prison.
Oh, hallelujah. That fatal attraction. Amen. The enemy is behind every fatal attraction to
stop the call, prevent the call and mislead the call— in your life. He is there to what? Stop
the call. Prevent the call. And mislead the call, in your life. Go to Mark 6. Is everybody
alright? Mark 6. Oh, hallelujah. You know fatal attractions are also idols. Amen? You know
some of us still hold on to idols that are fatal attractions. Because some of these things still
bring back memories that are causing torment. Amen? They’re causing torment. And as you
begin to grow and mature in Christ, you are going to find out that you are going to want to
get rid of some of these things that were fatal attractions. You know you are going to want to
get rid of all those pictures of old girlfriends and boyfriends and those pictures when you were
really goofy and drunk with the beers in your hand and you know— all that stuff. You want to
get rid of all those things. Amen? In Mark 6, in verse 14, I believe. I guess I had better get
there. Mark 6:14. Is everybody there? Mark 6:14, Now King heard of him [Jesus]; (for his
name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and
therefore these powers are at work in him. Others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is the
prophet, or like one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, This is John,
whom I beheaded: he has been raised from the dead. Herod was freaking out because he
killed John the Baptist. For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in
prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. Because
John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. Therefore Herodias
held it against him and wanted to kill him; but she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing
that he was a just and holy man and he protected him. So Herod was protecting John the
Baptist, wasn’t he. Even though he had him in prison he was protecting him. There were
many times he could have put him in prison and didn’t. Herod was looking to release John
from prison. And when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly. So John was
actually preaching to Herod. Herod was about to get saved! Does everybody understand
this? Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles,
the high officers and the chief men of Galilee. And when the daughter of Herodias herself
came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said to the girl,
Ask of me whatever you will, and I will give it you. Fatal attraction. He also swore to her,
Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom. Whoa! All because the
little girl came and danced before him. He had a fatal attraction. Verse 24, here we go, So
she went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask for? And she said, The head of John the
Baptist. Whoa! And immediately she came in with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I
want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. You don’t think that
Herod just about passed out? He did. Look it says at verse 26, And the king was exceeding
sorry! You know some times it is too late after you have fallen to that attraction. Whatever it
may be. People have fatal attractions with vehicles and so forth. You know what I am saying
— material things. And then they get themselves in debt. They think it’s God. Hi! Yes, the
Lord blessed me! My payments are $6,000 a month! That’s a blessing from the Lord! It’s
got two wheels and it drives— it’s got nice cold A/C. But it has put the person in debt. You
know people who are in debt tremendously, it’s hard to serve the Lord because they are so
busy trying to get out of debt! And she came in to the king, and the king was very sorry. Yet
because of the oath and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
He couldn’t! Immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be
brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison. And brought his head in on a platter,
and gave it to the girl: and the girl gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it,
they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. Fatal attraction. Wow! John the
Baptist. He suffered because of someone else’s fatal attraction. Amen? Look at King David
with Bathsheba— fatal attraction. Brought a curse on the family line. Amen? Fatal attraction
again, with idols. And as you get more and more mature— look at people who live together
and stuff like that. Fatal attraction. Then it’s hard to get rid of them. Right? We have all
fallen into that! Hallelujah. Do you mind John, if I share about last night? John and his wife
had mentioned some things about getting rid of you know— John lost his family in an accident
years ago. And kept the ashes from his ex-wife and two children. And had them put in these
ferns— they were statutes. So they shared with me that they wanted to part with them
because they were an idol to him. So we went to dinner last night and we were going to go to
a lake and pour the ashes into a lake. This is actually funny. So you know we pulled out
these ferns, these statutes— what are the? Urns! Ferns! Thank you for correcting me! Urns!
Ferns— that’s a plant, isn’t it. [Lots of laughter.] Hallelujah!! They pulled out these URNS!
You know they— You know John wasn’t saved because it had an angel with breasts. It’s
amazing, you know! It had a baby angel! There aren’t any baby angels. Anyway so these
urns had— and the big one was the one with the breasts. You know the angel with the
breasts— it was the big– urn. So we prayed and so forth and it was just beau— and you know
while we were praying, fireworks were going off. At this lake, we didn’t know. It was just
God’s perfect timing. I’m telling you, big fireworks were going off. So after we got done
praying, we went to the end of the dock— so John took this big urn, the one with the breasts
— and threw it in the lake! We expected it to go— But the thing flips over and starts floating
around the lake!! [Laughter.] We’re like going, Oh no that’s all we need! I mean this is— a
friend of ours lives on the lake there. And so— it was out there! [Laughter.] So we’re, In the
name of Jesus come over here! [Lots more laughter.] John’s in the water trying to row this urn
toward us— and it’s at night now! And they have a little light at the dock. So we proceeded
to try and get the other ones out of the way, correctly. So the other ones were busted open
and the ashes— John spread them all out. And I’m going, Lord I can’t let this thing float
around in people’s backyard in the lake! Upside down— big urn— with an angel with breasts!
So I’m looking for something to get here. So I see this fishing pole with this big bobber on it.
I’m going, alright we’ve got to do something. I start fishing for this thing, right. Here I am
going after this idol. [Laughter.] And I’m getting behind it and all of a sudden it catches it and
I’m starting to bring it in a little bit— I’m going, alright it’s coming! Finally after a little bit—
John got the net— I mean we were fishing for idols, you know!! John gets the net and brings it
up and pulls it in, busts it open and spreads the ashes and so forth. But anyways— we finally
accomplished what we were supposed to do but it was pretty hilarious. I’m glad neighbors
didn’t come out and call the police on us or anything like that. Hold on a second, come on up
here – Hallelujah. [Pastor calls John up] John is now speaking: I just wanted to share too that
after we left, we had just poured the ashes out into the water and then I took the urns, not
ferns, urns with me and I was going to break them and throw them in the garbage, so that’s
what I did, I went into the 7-Eleven — and to the big dumpster and then I smashed them and
threw them in the dumpster. As soon as I did that, I saw a man screaming and then the Holy
Spirit came upon me and said that was satan and I was kind of like freed— I broke something.
[Pastor resumes speaking now.] Hallelujah! Praise God. Praise God. Why? Because that
was a fatal attraction. That idol was a— every time he looked at those things, it brought him
to the memories of the past— torment! Amen! It’s no coincidence of what happened last
night and what God wanted to talk about today with fatal attractions. Amen? Isn’t that
powerful though. So even in these idols and so forth that are fatal attractions to us, they
have to be dealt with. They have to be removed! Amen? They’ve got to be removed. Now
let’s go to Titus 3. Hallelujah! Oh to God be the glory! Titus 3. Bless your Holy Name. Bless
your Holy Name! There is freedom! Freedom! You know truth sets us free, doesn’t it.
Amen? Titus 3:3. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived,
serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one
another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; whom he poured out on us
abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That having been justified by his grace, we should
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I
want you to affirm constantly— Does everybody see that? Constantly. That those who have
believed in God, should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable to men. Now go to Philippians 3. Thank you Master. Fatal attractions. Man, that’s
what it means, fatal. Deadly. Philippians 3. Hallelujah. Can you see us fishing out there for
this thing floating in the water? Oh, Lord it was hilarious. An angel with breasts! Hallelujah.
Philippians 3:17, would you read it with me please. Brethren, join in following my example
and note those who walk as you have us for a pattern (For many walk, of whom I have told
you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who
set their mind on earthly things.)— fatal attractions. You know food can be a fatal attraction.
It can become an idol. Some people go to great lengths to go to their special place to get
something to eat. Or overbearing— overeating. You know throwing food away is not a sin.
Overeating is! Amen? Man, it’s amazing how we were brought up with, Man, don’t throw that
food away! It’s a sin! You have to eat everything on your plate! No, that’s the sin!
Traditions of men. That’s what that is. Why? Because overeating brings death to the body,
doesn’t it. It brings damage to the body. Amen? And God said don’t destroy this body—
don’t hurt it or I’ll destroy it. Oh, hallelujah! Don’t lose sight! Amen? Don’t lose sight!
Hallelujah. Let’s go to 2 Corinthians 5:4. This is powerful. It says, For we who are in this tent
groan, being burdened: not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that
mortality may be swallowed up by life. Right? In other words, self— the new character, the
new person in you— is groaning to be set free from self! Because it wants to be more clothed
with God’s glory— in which you and I were already created— in that new creation. We groan
within ourselves to be set free from self! Oh, hallelujah. Now— it says for what? For we who
are in this tent groan, being burdened: not because we want to be unclothed, but further
clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now he who has prepared us for this
very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guaranty. So we are always confident,
knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by
faith, not by? Sight— Fatal attractions. Amen? Hallelujah. Let’s go a little further. We are
confident, yes well pleased, rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the
Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well-pleasing to him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the
things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing
therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well-known to God; and also
trust is well-known in your consciences. Amen? Go to Ephesians 2. One more scripture after
this and we will close. Ephesians 2:14. For he himself is our peace, who has made both one,
and has broken down the middle wall of separation. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity
that is the law of the commandments contained in ordinances; so as to create in himself one
new man from the two, thus making peace. Oooo! That’s for you and I, man! Glory to God!
Creating one new man! And that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through
the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And came and preached peace to you who
were afar off, and to them that were near. For through him we both have access by one Spirit
to the Father. And I want to close at Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4:17. Is everybody okay? Did
you get it? Fatal attractions are deadly. Amen? Their deadly. They are not ferns!
[Laughter.] They are deadly. Hallelujah. In verse 17, read it with me. This I say therefore,
and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the
futility of their mind. Sucked in by fatal attractions. Having the understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lewdness, to
work of uncleanness with greediness. Associated with what? Fatal attractions. But you have
not so learned Christ; if indeed you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the
truth is in Jesus: That you put off concerning the former conduct the old man [self], which
grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And
that you put on the new man, which was created according to God in true righteousness and
holiness. Amen? So it’s our responsibility to put on the new man. It’s our responsibility to be
able to discern about these fatal attractions. Amen? Time is running out! God’s looking for a
holy, blemish free church! Father we thank you for your word. We are honored and blessed.
And Lord in every area where there has been a fatal attraction, an idol in our lives, we just
break that curse off of us right now. Lord we repent for associating with any of those.
Hallelujah. You know that’s why the devil makes all of those playboy books and all those
playgirl books and all the other stuff. Why? To promote fatal attractions. Lust of money,
pride— fatal attractions. Lord we ask for your forgiveness Lord. We repent for touching any
unclean thing and being yoked with any fatal attraction— In the name of Jesus— We ask that
you purge us from these things, washing us with the blood— Severing those things. And
establishing the character of Christ in us and through us— That you may be glorified. In
Jesus’ name. And everybody said? AMEN!!
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