Church of 

the Lion

Good Sunday Morning — September 27, 2026

Universal Life Church — Wayne Adams

When Teachers Add to the Word of God

“The Bible Says” Must Mean the Bible Says

Good Sunday morning.

Today's message is about something every Christian needs to watch carefully:

False teaching and adding to Scripture what it never actually says.

Sometimes something sounds biblical.

Sometimes a preacher says it with confidence.

Sometimes we have heard it repeated for so many years that we assume there must be a verse saying it.

But when we open the Bible, the statement isn't there.

One example is the claim:

“Herod was filled with Satan.”

Where does the Bible say that?

It doesn't.

There are terrible things recorded about different rulers named Herod. But Scripture never says, “Herod was filled with Satan.”

If God did not say it, we should not put those words into God's mouth.

What Scripture Actually Says

Consider Herod the Great.

Matthew tells us that when Herod heard about the birth of the King of the Jews, he was troubled.

“When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
— Matthew 2:3 (KJV)

Herod eventually ordered the killing of the young children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area.

Matthew 2:16 says:

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth…”

His actions were evil.

His anger is specifically mentioned.

His attempt to destroy the child Jesus is recorded.

But where does Matthew say:

“Satan entered Herod”?

It doesn't.

Where does Matthew say:

“Herod was filled with Satan”?

It doesn't.

We should condemn the evil Scripture records without adding something Scripture does not record.

Compare Herod With Judas

This becomes even clearer when we look at Judas.

The Bible actually does tell us what happened with Satan and Judas.

Luke 22:3 says:

“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”

There is no guessing.

There is no inference.

Scripture explicitly says Satan entered Judas.

John gives us another statement:

“And after the sop Satan entered into him.”
— John 13:27 (KJV)

When God wanted us to know that Satan entered Judas, the Bible told us.

That is extremely important.

The Holy Spirit knew how to say, “Satan entered into him.”

Yet Scripture does not make that statement about Herod.

Therefore, we should not turn speculation about Herod into biblical fact.

Even Evil Actions Don't Permit Us to Add Words

Someone might say:

“But Herod was doing Satan's work because he was trying to kill Jesus.”

We can certainly recognize that Herod's actions opposed God's purposes.

But that still doesn't permit us to rewrite the passage.

There is a difference between saying:

“Herod acted wickedly and opposed God's purposes.”

and saying:

“The Bible says Satan entered Herod.”

The first statement can be supported by the text.

The second cannot.

Christians need to learn this distinction because many false teachings begin when someone takes an interpretation and gradually starts preaching it as Scripture.

Herod Agrippa Gives Us Another Example

Acts records another Herod behaving wickedly.

Acts 12 tells us that Herod killed James and imprisoned Peter.

Later, Herod gave a speech before the people.

They shouted:

“It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”
— Acts 12:22 (KJV)

What happened?

“And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory…”
— Acts 12:23 (KJV)

Notice what Scripture says.

It tells us why judgment came:

“because he gave not God the glory.”

Again, it doesn't say:

“Herod was filled with Satan.”

We don't need to add Satan to the verse to make Herod's behavior wicked.

The Bible already tells us what Herod did wrong.

Scripture Warns Us About Adding to God's Word

Deuteronomy gives a powerful warning:

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it…”
— Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV)

Proverbs says:

“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
— Proverbs 30:6 (KJV)

That is serious.

“Add thou not unto his words.”

If God says something, preach it.

If God doesn't say something, don't pretend that He did.

Test the Teacher

Christians should never believe something merely because a preacher says it.

Acts 17:11 praises the Bereans because:

“they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Think about that.

They checked what they were being taught against Scripture.

That should still happen today.

If I preach something, check the Bible.

If your favorite television preacher says something, check the Bible.

If someone on the internet says something, check the Bible.

If someone has been preaching for fifty years, check the Bible.

And if something I preach contradicts Scripture, believe Scripture rather than me.

Our authority is not the preacher.

Our authority is the Word of God.

Jesus Warned About False Teachers

Jesus said:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
— Matthew 7:15 (KJV)

False teaching doesn't always arrive announcing:

“I am false doctrine.”

It can sound religious.

It can use biblical terminology.

It can mention Jesus.

It can quote part of a verse.

That is why Christians need to know the Bible themselves.

Be Careful With “God Told Me”

There is another dangerous statement:

“God told me.”

Those are serious words.

If someone says, “I believe God may be leading me,” that person is describing what he believes.

But saying:

“God said this.”

is a much greater claim.

If someone claims God revealed something that contradicts Scripture, we should reject that teaching.

God's Word is our standard.

Likewise, dreams, visions, traditions, feelings, and personal interpretations must never become replacements for Scripture.

A dream does not rewrite the Bible.

A preacher does not rewrite the Bible.

A denomination does not rewrite the Bible.

A government does not rewrite the Bible.

The Word stands.

We Must Also Be Fair

There is another side to this warning.

We shouldn't call somebody a false teacher simply because that person makes one mistake.

People misunderstand passages.

Preachers misspeak.

Teachers sometimes discover later that something they taught was incorrect.

The important question is what happens when Scripture corrects us.

A faithful teacher should be willing to say:

“I was wrong. The Bible doesn't actually say that.”

That isn't weakness.

That is submission to Scripture.

The dangerous teacher is the person who repeatedly puts his own ideas into God's mouth and refuses correction when the Bible demonstrates otherwise.

Pray for Discernment

Christians need discernment.

We need to distinguish between three statements:

“The Bible says…”

“I believe this passage means…”

and

“This is my opinion.”

Those are not the same thing.

When Scripture says Satan entered Judas, we can say:

The Bible says Satan entered Judas.

When Scripture tells us Herod committed wicked acts, we can say:

The Bible records Herod committing wicked acts.

But unless Scripture says Satan entered Herod, we should not preach:

“The Bible says Herod was filled with Satan.”

God gave us His Word.

We don't need to improve it.

We don't need to embellish it.

We need to believe it, teach it, and obey it.

Do You Want to Be Born Again?

Jesus said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Jesus began His public preaching with:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)

Repentance involves turning toward God—turning from unbelief and from the sinful direction of our lives—and believing the Gospel.

John 3:18 tells us:

“he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world:

“Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
— John 16:9 (KJV)

But simply knowing that Jesus exists is not enough.

James gives us a startling example:

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)

Demons know that God exists.

They know who Jesus is.

Saving faith is more than merely possessing information about Jesus. It means placing your trust in Him.

Paul writes:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ gave His life for us. His blood was shed on the cross. He died, was buried, rose from the dead, and reigns today.

If you want to come to Christ today, speak honestly to Him from your heart.

Confess your sins.

Ask His forgiveness.

Turn toward Him.

Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.

Trust Him as your Savior and submit to Him as Lord.

Then begin walking with Him. Read His Word. Find a Bible-teaching church. Be baptized and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Closing Prayer

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,

Thank You for giving us Your Word.

Give us wisdom and discernment so that we are not deceived by teachings that sound biblical but cannot be found in Scripture.

Teach us to search the Scriptures and test what we hear.

Keep us from adding our own opinions to Your Word and then claiming that You said them.

Lord, give pastors, teachers, evangelists, and everyone who speaks Your Word humility. When we are wrong, give us the courage to admit it and return to what Scripture actually says.

Protect Your people from false prophets and false teachers.

But also protect us from falsely accusing someone simply because that person made an honest mistake.

Help us recognize the difference between Scripture, interpretation, and opinion.

When Your Word speaks clearly, give us courage to stand upon it.

When Your Word is silent, give us humility not to pretend that it has spoken.

May everything we preach point people toward Jesus Christ.

For there is one God, one truth, one Gospel, and one Savior.

His name is Jesus Christ.

We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Prayer List Week of September 21, 2026

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (KJV) 

Alicia B. — Marriage restoration

Tim — Healing and rehabilitation

Libby Wilson — Healing and peace

Anthony — General prayer

Kate — Healing and rehabilitation

Rick — Unspoken need

Verbena — Marriage, employment and healing

Joanne — Healing and good test results

Brandon — Family reconciliation

Nathan — Shoulder healing

Dwan — Healing for her son

Judith — A personal miracle

Dan — Special unspoken request

Junior — Healing and protection

Caroline — Eye healing

April V. — Peace and healing

Anna — Forgiveness and church reconciliation

Shalu — Job interview

Ashish — Guidance for interview

Anu — Financial needs

Anonymous mother — Family and marriage difficulties

Anonymous family — Grief and healing for Junior

Anonymous — Financial provision

Anonymous — Strength and physical healing

Anonymous — Brother's health and employment

Anonymous — Housing and employment for cousin

Anonymous — Father-in-law with dementia

Anonymous — Heart problems

Anonymous — Children and grandchildren returning to God

Anonymous — Severe sciatic pain

Anonymous — Grief after losing husband

Kenny — Grief after losing his wife

Anonymous — Shoulder-surgery recovery

Anonymous — Incarcerated son

Jessie— Tests for possible health problem 

Diane & family — Comfort after loss

Marcia — Strength as caregiver

Donna — Cancer

Dick — Health and well-being

Ron M. — Brain tumor

Amy — Blood cancer

Vivienne — Healing from serious injuries

Carmen — Dementia

Nancy — Strength and peace

Valerie — Fractured vertebrae

Sharon — Possible stroke and hospitalization

Norman — Safety

Nathan K.'s nephew — Cancer

Nathan K.'s uncles — Cancer

Heather — Employment

Jamie — Help and guidance

Joan — Relief and guidance

Dannie — Housing/loan approval

Lusky23's family — Family reconciliation

Anonymous — Leg healing

Anna — Pray for safety, clarity, and wisdom concerning a troubling situation.

Anonymous family — Pray for their son and his family to come to know Jesus.

Amy — Healing from brain cancer.

Asa — Healing from leukemia.

Audrey — Healing from Hodgkin lymphoma.

Ava — Recovery following surgery.

Cheri — Healing and strength while undergoing dialysis.

Cheryl — Peace and comfort while in hospice care.

Keegan, age 12 — Strength, healing, and remission while battling AML leukemia.

Mary Heather — Healing while in critical condition.

Michael — Prayer as he faces cancer that has spread.

Mark & Kathy — Continued recovery for Mark and strength for Kathy as she cares for him.

Anonymous — Forgiveness, peace, and freedom from the burden of past mistakes.

Adaora, age 6 — Health, protection, and wisdom for her parents following a seizure.

Leland Jr. — Healing from a fractured eardrum.

Nadine — Recovery from pneumonia and renewed strength.

Good Sunday Morning — September 20, 2026

Universal Life Church — Wayne Adams

Today's Message: 

Every Nation Under Jesus Christ

One God, One King, One Lord

Good morning.

Today's message is about individuals, nations, governments, rulers, prayer, and ultimately who has authority over this world.

The question is simple:

Should nations acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, or should governments pretend that God has nothing to do with public life?

Scripture declares:

“The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
— Psalm 24:1 (KJV)

If the whole earth belongs to God, then presidents are under God. Kings are under God. Congresses and parliaments are under God. Courts are under God.

There is no nation beyond His authority.

God's Law Governed a Nation

Look at Deuteronomy.

God did not establish ancient Israel upon the principle that every god possessed an equal claim to worship.

He said:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
— Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV)

And:

“Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you.”
— Deuteronomy 6:14 (KJV)

This wasn't merely private advice.

It was part of Israel's national covenant.

Deuteronomy 13 even placed the promotion of idolatry within Israel under civil judgment. Ancient Israel therefore did not establish competing gods alongside the LORD within its covenant.

The principle was clear:

There is one God, and the nation was accountable to Him.

Jesus Christ Is Lord Over Every Nation

Then Jesus Christ came.

Jesus said:

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
— Matthew 28:18 (KJV)

Paul writes that at the name of Jesus:

“every knee should bow…”

and:

“every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
— Philippians 2:10–11 (KJV)

Jesus is not merely Lord inside a church building.

Jesus Christ is Lord everywhere.

Psalm 2 speaks to earthly rulers:

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.”
— Psalm 2:10 (KJV)

And:

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry…”
— Psalm 2:12 (KJV)

The rulers themselves are commanded to honor the Son.

The Same God Hears Every Christian Prayer

There is another important truth we sometimes overlook.

Suppose I pray for myself.

Then suppose I pray for someone else.

Does the identity of God change because the person I am praying for changes?

No.

Suppose the person I'm praying for comes from another country, another culture, another race, or another religious background.

I am still praying to the same God.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
— Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

Paul writes:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)

Therefore, when Christians pray for another person, we don't need to invent another god for that person.

We pray to the same God through Jesus Christ.

And when God answers prayer, the answer does not become the work of one god when He answers me and another god when He answers somebody else.

The source remains God.

If I pray for someone who is sick and God answers, I thank Jesus Christ.

If I pray for someone who is struggling and God provides help, I thank Jesus Christ.

If I pray for someone who doesn't yet believe in Christ, I am still praying to Jesus Christ on that person's behalf.

This is why Paul tells Christians:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”
— 1 Timothy 2:1 (KJV)

Notice that:

Pray for all people.

But only a few verses later Paul says:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)

We can pray for everybody without believing in everybody's religion.

We can love everybody without saying every religion is true.

We can pray for a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Jew, an atheist, or another Christian.

But as Christians, we are still praying to the one God through Jesus Christ.

The person changes.

The circumstances change.

The request changes.

God does not change.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
— Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

What Should Christian Civil Law Say?

I believe every nation should publicly acknowledge this truth:

Jesus Christ is God and Lord.

A Christian nation should not officially pretend that Christ is merely one possible god among thousands.

Its foundational law should acknowledge the sovereignty of Jesus Christ and recognize God's Word as authoritative for the nation's moral order.

Under this understanding of Christian government, public worship established or sponsored by the nation should be directed toward the one true God revealed through Jesus Christ rather than establishing competing gods as equally true objects of national worship.

That is the principle:

One God. One Lord. One national acknowledgment of His authority.

Government, however, cannot manufacture salvation.

Jesus said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

A government could require outward religious observance, but it cannot command a person's heart to love Jesus.

Only God can change the heart.

England and Established Christianity

This concept is not unique to ancient Israel.

For centuries, England maintained an established Christian church intertwined with civil government.

Following the English Reformation, the Church of England became legally established. Parliament enacted laws concerning authorized Christian worship and religious conformity.

England was not simply reproducing the Mosaic covenant. Its system developed through Christianity, English common law, Parliament, royal authority, and centuries of political change.

Nevertheless, its history demonstrates that the idea of a nation formally identifying itself with Christianity is not new.

England later expanded religious toleration, and its history also demonstrates something Christians should remember:

Religious governmental power can be abused by human rulers.

That is why the ruler himself must remain beneath God's authority.

Christ Must Rule the Ruler

A Christian government does not make a president, king, parliament, or preacher into God.

It declares exactly the opposite:

They are under God.

A president cannot create righteousness merely by signing a law.

A king cannot turn evil into good by decree.

A parliament cannot make sin righteous simply by voting for it.

Scripture declares:

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king…”
— Isaiah 33:22 (KJV)

Therefore rulers themselves must submit to God.

Every Nation Will Answer to Christ

Whether governments acknowledge Him today or not, Christianity teaches that Christ's authority does not depend upon an election, parliamentary vote, or court decision.

Revelation calls Jesus:

“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
— Revelation 19:16 (KJV)

And Scripture declares:

“every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
— Romans 14:11 (KJV)

Therefore my message to every nation is:

Acknowledge Jesus Christ.

My message to every ruler is:

Submit yourself to Jesus Christ.

My message to every church is:

Never replace Jesus Christ with political power.

My message to every Christian is:

Pray for everybody.

And remember that whether you're praying for yourself, your family, your neighbor, a stranger, a president, or someone who follows another religion, you are praying to the same God through Jesus Christ.

The person receiving the prayer may change.

The God answering the prayer does not.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6 (KJV)

There is one God.

There is one mediator.

There is one Lord.

There is one Savior.

His name is Jesus Christ.

And every nation, every government, every ruler, every church, and every individual ultimately stands beneath His authority.

Amen.

Do You Want to Be Born Again?

Jesus said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Jesus began His public preaching with:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)

Repentance involves turning toward God—turning from unbelief and from the sinful direction of our lives—and believing the Gospel.

John 3:18 tells us:

“he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world:

“Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
— John 16:9 (KJV)

But simply knowing that Jesus exists is not enough.

James gives us a startling example:

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)

Demons know that God exists.

They know who Jesus is.

Saving faith is more than merely possessing information about Jesus. It means placing your trust in Him.

Paul writes:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ gave His life for us. His blood was shed on the cross. He died, was buried, rose from the dead, and reigns today.

If you want to come to Christ today, speak honestly to Him from your heart.

Confess your sins.

Ask His forgiveness.

Turn toward Him.

Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.

Trust Him as your Savior and submit to Him as Lord.

Then begin walking with Him. Read His Word. Find a Bible-teaching church. Be baptized and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,

We come before You today acknowledging that You are Lord. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.

Lord, forgive us of our sins. Forgive us when we have placed money, government, possessions, traditions, or anything else ahead of You. Turn our hearts back toward You and help us walk the narrow way that leads to life.

Lord Jesus, we pray for our families, our neighbors, our communities, and people throughout the world. We pray for those who believe in You and for those who do not yet know You. We know that when we pray for another person, we are still praying to the same God. There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, Jesus Christ.

We pray for the poor, the sick, the suffering, the lonely, the grieving, and those who have lost hope. Provide for their needs, comfort them in their sorrow, and

Thursday, September 19, 2026 Prayer List

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (KJV) 

Every person on the list is prayed for daily. If you want to be on the prayer list, email me at ULCADAMSPRAYERREQUESTS@proton.me 

Please remember these individuals and families in prayer.

• Suzanne — healing and family

• David — Healing

• Anthony — Housing and finances

• Tony — Faith and encouragement

• Barb W. — Cancer healing

• Titus Montgomery — Addiction recovery

• Rich Ammon — Healing

• Deyanne — Healing and strength

• Cynthia McFarland — Healing

• Cynthia’s daughter — Medical procedure

• Jennifer Spitzer — Health and protection

• Scott Fleming — Spiritual renewal

• Anthony Roberts — Protection

• Alvin — Healing and peace

• Ashley — strength for her family

• Tim — healing from cancer

• Patricia — health and comfort

• Skyler — salvation

• David — healing

• Jenny — surgery and recovery

• Kevin — prayer for Cate

• Cate — recovery and rehabilitation

• Kathy — grieving families

• Devin — housing needs

• Cheryl — upcoming wedding needs

• LaVeta — family strength

• Bishop Noah — comfort and strength

• Randy — guidance

• Joshua — guidance

• Brandi — family restoration

• Michelle — guidance with her project

• Delores — healing

• Sally — cancer and healing

• Rebekah — business and finances

• Steven — peaceful resolution

• Anthony Roberts — general prayer

• Barb — peace and comfort

• Sarah — travel and financial needs

• Toni — peace and emotional strength

• Nina — cancer and healing

• Hector — surgery and safe travel

• Shajan — financial needs

• Thobeka — housing and employment

• James — prayer and encouragement

• Mrs. Tate — healing and strength

• Jamel — reconciliation

• Alex — reconciliation

• Lilia — family and financial needs

• James Doss — strength and protection

Anonymous Prayer Needs

• A daughter — freedom from addiction

• Anonymous — Healing and strength

• Anonymous — Finances and sobriety

• Anonymous — Reconciliation

• Anonymous grandmother — Cancer healing

• Anonymous father — Alzheimer’s and comfort

• A mother and son — family restoration

• A married couple — healing and spiritual strength

• A woman in prison — spiritual growth

• A cousin — healing

• An elderly woman — heart and health concerns

• An educator — employment

• A father — healing from persistent headaches

• A family — housing stability

• A grieving family — comfort

• A person struggling to sleep — rest and peace

• A person needing healing — recovery from infection

“Pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” — James 5:16 (KJV)

Good Sunday Morning — September 13, 2026

Universal Life Church — Wayne Adams

Today's Message: 

What Happened to the Preacher?

Today’s Pulpit vs. the Apostles

Key Scriptures: Acts 4:13–20; Acts 20:27–35; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; 2 Timothy 4:1–5

There is a question the church needs to ask:

If the apostles walked into some of our churches today, would they recognize what Christianity has become?

The apostles did not have television studios. They did not have social media followers. They did not have expensive buildings, celebrity platforms, marketing departments, or enormous salaries.

But they had something far more important.

They had a message they were willing to die for.

Peter did not stand on the Day of Pentecost trying to discover what message would make the crowd comfortable. He told them the truth.

Acts 2:37 says that when the people heard Peter's preaching, “they were pricked in their heart.”

That is very different from preaching designed primarily to make everybody feel good.

The apostles understood that sometimes the Word of God comforts us, but sometimes it confronts us.

Sometimes it encourages us.

Sometimes it corrects us.

Sometimes it tells us that something in our lives must change.

The Apostles Didn't Preach for Popularity

When Peter and John were commanded by the authorities to stop speaking about Jesus, they answered:

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:20

They were threatened, arrested, beaten, and persecuted.

Yet they continued preaching.

Compare that attitude with the temptation facing modern ministry.

Today a preacher can become concerned about attendance numbers, donations, television audiences, book sales, social-media followers, reputation, and whether people will leave the church.

Those things can create tremendous pressure to soften an unpopular message.

But Paul warned Timothy:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” — 2 Timothy 4:3

Paul said people would gather teachers according to their own desires because they wanted to hear what pleased them.

His instruction to Timothy was not:

Give them what they want.

It was:

“Preach the word.” — 2 Timothy 4:2

The Apostles Didn't Promise Everybody Wealth

Much modern preaching emphasizes success, financial prosperity, personal advancement, and receiving blessings.

But listen to the apostles.

Peter said:

“Silver and gold have I none.” — Acts 3:6

Paul wrote about experiencing hunger, thirst, persecution, imprisonment, and hardship.

Paul didn't tell Christians:

Follow Jesus and everything will become easy.

He wrote:

“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” — Acts 14:22

That is a very different message.

Biblical Christianity certainly teaches that God provides, blesses, heals, comforts, and cares for His children.

But the apostles never reduced Christianity to:

Give money, have enough faith, and God will make you rich.

Their message was centered on Jesus Christ crucified and risen.

They Were Servants, Not Celebrities

Jesus had already established the standard.

“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” — Matthew 20:27

Paul followed that principle.

In Acts 20, he reminded the Ephesian elders that he had not coveted anyone's silver, gold, or clothing. He even worked with his own hands.

Then Paul reminded them of Jesus' words:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35

There is nothing inherently wrong with a pastor receiving a salary. Scripture itself teaches that those who labor in ministry can receive support.

The danger begins when ministry becomes a means of personal enrichment, celebrity, control, or status.

A preacher should never become more important than the Christ he is preaching.

The Apostles Preached Repentance

Peter preached:

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted.” — Acts 3:19

Paul preached repentance as well.

Jesus Himself began His ministry proclaiming:

“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” — Mark 1:15

Repentance means more than feeling sorry.

It means turning.

There are churches today where almost everything is discussed except sin.

People hear about purpose.

They hear about success.

They hear about relationships.

They hear about finances.

They hear about achieving their dreams.

Those subjects are not automatically wrong.

But if people can attend church year after year without hearing about sin, repentance, judgment, the cross, salvation, holiness, and Jesus Christ, something fundamental is missing.

The Apostles Were Not Afraid of Offending People With Truth

Paul told the Galatians:

“For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10

That statement should be written above every pulpit.

The preacher's first responsibility is not to please the congregation.

It is not to please the largest donor.

It is not to please politicians.

It is not to please television audiences.

It is not even to please himself.

His responsibility is faithfulness to Christ.

That doesn't mean a preacher should deliberately be cruel, insulting, or argumentative.

Truth should be spoken in love.

But love does not require changing the truth.

Paul Refused to Manipulate People

Paul wrote:

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom.” — 1 Corinthians 2:4

Paul wasn't interested in manipulating an audience into an emotional response.

His confidence was in the power of God.

Modern churches have access to lighting, music, video screens, sophisticated sound systems, advertising, livestreaming, and social media.

None of those things are inherently sinful.

They are tools.

But tools become dangerous when presentation replaces proclamation.

You can have the greatest sound system in town and still have nothing spiritually important to say.

You can fill a building and still fail to preach Christ.

Not Every Modern Preacher Has Abandoned the Apostolic Example

We must also be fair.

There are faithful pastors today.

There are pastors serving tiny congregations nobody has heard about.

There are missionaries working in dangerous places.

There are preachers who could make considerably more money doing something else.

There are ministers visiting hospitals, burying the dead, counseling struggling families, feeding hungry people, helping the poor, and preaching Scripture faithfully week after week.

They may never become famous.

And that may make them more like the apostles, not less.

The issue isn't whether someone is a modern preacher.

The question is whether that preacher follows the biblical pattern.

How Do We Test a Preacher?

Jesus said:

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16

So don't judge a ministry merely by the size of its building.

Don't judge it by how many people attend.

Don't judge it by how emotional the service becomes.

Don't judge it by how much money the ministry receives.

Don't even judge it solely by miraculous claims.

Ask:

Does this preacher faithfully teach Scripture?

Is Jesus the center of the message?

Does he preach repentance as well as blessing?

Does he tell people the truth even when the truth is unpopular?

Does his life demonstrate humility and Christian character?

Is ministry being used to serve people—or are people being used to build the ministry?

Those questions tell us far more than popularity ever will.

If Paul Walked Into Church Today

Imagine Paul walking into one of our churches.

Would he ask how many followers the preacher had?

Would he ask how many books he had sold?

Would he ask how expensive the building was?

Would he ask how impressive the stage looked?

Probably not.

Paul would want to know:

Where is Christ?

Where is the Gospel?

Where is repentance?

Where is the cross?

Where is holiness?

Where is love?

Where is service?

And perhaps most importantly:

Are lives actually being changed?

The apostles didn't turn the world upside down because they had better marketing.

They turned the world upside down because they believed that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, and they were prepared to lose everything rather than deny Him.

Closing

The church does not need another celebrity.

It needs servants.

The church does not need preaching designed merely to keep everybody comfortable.

It needs truth spoken with love.

The church does not need men building kingdoms around their own names.

It needs men pointing people toward the name above every name:

Jesus Christ.

Paul gave Timothy a command nearly two thousand years ago that still belongs in every pulpit today:

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” — 2 Timothy 4:2

The methods may change.

The buildings may change.

Technology may change.

Culture may change.

But the message must not change.

Jesus Christ crucified.

Jesus Christ risen.

Sin forgiven through Christ.

Repentance toward God.

Faith in Christ.

And a life transformed by the power of God.

That was the message of the apostles.

And that should still be the message of the preacher today.

Do You Want to Be Born Again?

Jesus said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Jesus began His public preaching with:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)

Repentance involves turning toward God—turning from unbelief and from the sinful direction of our lives—and believing the Gospel.

John 3:18 tells us:

“he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world:

“Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
— John 16:9 (KJV)

But simply knowing that Jesus exists is not enough.

James gives us a startling example:

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)

Demons know that God exists.

They know who Jesus is.

Saving faith is more than merely possessing information about Jesus. It means placing your trust in Him.

Paul writes:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ gave His life for us. His blood was shed on the cross. He died, was buried, rose from the dead, and reigns today.

If you want to come to Christ today, speak honestly to Him from your heart.

Confess your sins.

Ask His forgiveness.

Turn toward Him.

Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.

Trust Him as your Savior and submit to Him as Lord.

Then begin walking with Him. Read His Word. Find a Bible-teaching church. Be baptized and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Closing Prayer

Lord, give Your church faithful preachers. Give them courage when truth is unpopular, humility when they are praised, and wisdom when they are challenged. Protect them from greed, pride, celebrity, and the desire to please people rather than You.

And give us discernment as listeners. Help us test what we hear according to Your Word rather than simply following personalities. Keep Jesus Christ at the center of our churches, our preaching, and our lives.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Good Sunday Morning — September 6, 2026

Universal Life Church — Wayne Adams

Today's Message: When God Stands in the Road: The Warning of Balaam 

When God Stands in the Road: The Warning of Balaam

Primary Scriptures: Numbers 22:21–35; Acts 9:1–19

The story of Balaam is one of the strangest and most powerful warnings in the Bible. Balaam heard God's words, yet his story teaches us that hearing what God says is not the same as faithfully walking in what God says.

Balak, king of Moab, wanted Balaam to curse Israel. He offered Balaam honor and reward if he would come and speak against God's people. God had already made His position clear: Israel was blessed.

Yet Balaam went on his journey.

As Balaam traveled, the angel of the LORD stood in the road with a sword drawn. Balaam could not initially see him, but his donkey could.

Three times the donkey tried to avoid the angel. Three times Balaam became angry. Finally, the donkey lay down beneath him, and Balaam struck her again.

Then something extraordinary happened:

“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass.” — Numbers 22:28 (KJV)

After the donkey spoke, the LORD opened Balaam's eyes. Suddenly Balaam saw what had been in front of him all along—the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword.

Balaam thought the donkey was preventing him from getting where he wanted to go. In reality, the donkey was protecting his life.

Sometimes we become angry at the obstacle when the obstacle may actually be mercy.

A closed door does not always mean failure. A delay does not always mean defeat. Something preventing us from following our plans may sometimes be the very thing keeping us from walking into disaster.

Another Man on Another Road

Centuries later, the Bible tells us about another man traveling down a road.

His name was Saul, later known as Paul.

Saul was traveling toward Damascus with authority to arrest followers of Jesus. He believed he was doing what was right.

But Acts 9 tells us that suddenly a light from heaven surrounded him.

Saul fell to the ground and heard:

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” — Acts 9:4 (KJV)

Saul answered, “Who art thou, Lord?”

The answer changed his life:

“I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” — Acts 9:5 (KJV)

Think about these two roads.

Balaam was traveling when God stopped him.

Saul was traveling when Jesus stopped him.

Balaam could not initially see the angel standing in his path.

Saul encountered Christ and afterward could not physically see for three days.

Both men discovered that there was something about their direction that needed to change.

But here is where their stories teach us something especially important.

What Do You Do After God Stops You?

Being confronted by God is not the end of the story.

What you do afterward matters.

Balaam's later life became a warning. The New Testament says he “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15). Jude also warns about those who run after “the error of Balaam for reward” (Jude 11).

Paul's encounter produced a dramatically different result.

The man traveling toward Damascus to persecute Christians eventually became one of Christianity's greatest missionaries.

The persecutor became the preacher.

The opponent became the apostle.

The man traveling to imprison Christians eventually suffered imprisonment because he preached Christ.

God didn't merely stop Paul on the road. Paul allowed God to change his direction.

That is the difference.

God can put something in our path.

God can warn us.

God can correct us.

God can expose something we've misunderstood.

But then comes the question:

Will we change direction?

When Being Certain Isn't Enough

Saul believed he was right when he started toward Damascus.

That should humble every one of us.

A person can be sincere and still be mistaken.

A person can be passionate and still need correction.

A person can believe deeply that something is God's will and still discover that God is telling him to change direction.

That is why Scripture tells us:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” — 1 John 4:1 (KJV)

We test what we believe.

We compare it with Scripture.

We examine its fruit.

We listen when correction comes.

And when the evidence shows that we have been wrong, we should have the humility to change.

Paul demonstrates that admitting you were wrong doesn't have to destroy your calling.

It may be the beginning of it.

The Question of Balaam

Balaam's story also warns us about motives.

Second Peter describes Balaam as someone who “loved the wages of unrighteousness.”

So anyone claiming to speak for God—including ourselves—should ask:

Am I saying what God actually said, or what I want God to have said?

Would I still say it if there were no money, recognition, influence, or personal benefit involved?

If Scripture or clear evidence corrects me, am I willing to admit it?

The donkey saw something Balaam couldn't see.

Saul discovered something on the Damascus road that he had completely misunderstood.

Neither intelligence, religious knowledge, position, nor confidence guarantees that we cannot be mistaken.

We need humility.

When God Stands in Your Road

Perhaps the greatest lesson from these two roads is simple:

Never become so determined to reach your destination that you refuse to consider whether God is telling you to change direction.

Sometimes the obstacle is protection.

Sometimes correction is mercy.

Sometimes discovering that we were wrong is not humiliation—it is deliverance from continuing down the wrong road.

Balaam gives us the warning.

Paul gives us the possibility of transformation.

So when God stops us on the road, our prayer should not merely be:

“Lord, remove what is standing in my way.”

Perhaps it should first be:

“Lord, open my eyes. If I am going the wrong way, show me—and give me the courage to change direction.”

Do You Want to Be Born Again?

Jesus said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Jesus began His public preaching with:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)

Repentance involves turning toward God—turning from unbelief and from the sinful direction of our lives—and believing the Gospel.

John 3:18 tells us:

“he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world:

“Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
— John 16:9 (KJV)

But simply knowing that Jesus exists is not enough.

James gives us a startling example:

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)

Demons know that God exists.

They know who Jesus is.

Saving faith is more than merely possessing information about Jesus. It means placing your trust in Him.

Paul writes:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ gave His life for us. His blood was shed on the cross. He died, was buried, rose from the dead, and reigns today.

If you want to come to Christ today, speak honestly to Him from your heart.

Confess your sins.

Ask His forgiveness.

Turn toward Him.

Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.

Trust Him as your Savior and submit to Him as Lord.

Then begin walking with Him. Read His Word. Find a Bible-teaching church. Be baptized and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Closing Prayer

Lord, open our eyes to truth. Keep pride, money, recognition, anger, and personal desires from distorting what we believe You are saying. Give us the humility to receive correction. When You place something in our path to protect us, help us recognize Your mercy. And when we discover that we have been traveling in the wrong direction, give us the courage Paul demonstrated to turn around and follow You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Good Sunday Morning — August 30, 2026

Universal Life Church — Wayne Adams

Today's Message: Are You Truly Blessed by God?

Good Sunday morning.

The message this morning is a question every Christian should seriously consider:

Are you truly blessed by God?

A lot of people say, “I am blessed.” They point to the new car in the driveway, the great job, the new house, the successful business, and the money in the bank.

There is nothing inherently wrong with having money or material possessions. The question is: Is that what Jesus meant by being blessed?

The New Testament gives us a very different picture of blessing.

Consider Zacchaeus. Luke tells us that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and that “he was rich” (Luke 19:2). Yet when Zacchaeus stood before Jesus, he said:

“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
— Luke 19:8 (KJV)

Notice his words: “I give.” One interpretation of the present-tense language is that Zacchaeus was describing an ongoing practice of generosity. Scripture does not tell us his annual income, so we cannot assign him an exact modern salary. But Scripture deliberately tells us that this chief tax collector was rich.

Think about the principle.

If you possess tremendous wealth while proclaiming how financially “blessed” you are, how much of that blessing is reaching the poor?

When was the last time you looked at what God has placed in your hands and asked, “How much of this can I use to help someone else?”

Jesus challenged the rich young ruler even more radically:

“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
— Matthew 19:21 (KJV)

Jesus did not tell him to accumulate more so everyone could see how blessed he was.

Jesus pointed him toward treasure in heaven.

What Does the Bible Call a Blessing?

Look at Matthew 5:3–12 — the Beatitudes.

Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed. He calls those who mourn blessed. He calls the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness blessed.

What are their blessings?

The kingdom of heaven.

Comfort.

Mercy.

Being called children of God.

And ultimately, seeing God.

Jesus isn't describing bigger houses, newer automobiles, or larger bank accounts. He is describing spiritual and eternal blessings.

Jesus makes the contrast even sharper in Luke:

“Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”
— Luke 6:20 (KJV)

Jesus also calls those who hunger, weep, and suffer rejection for His sake blessed.

Then comes a warning:

“But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.”
— Luke 6:24 (KJV)

That should make every Christian think carefully before pointing to material wealth as proof that God favors them.

Being wealthy does not automatically mean someone is condemned, just as being poor does not automatically make someone righteous. The issue is where your heart is and whom you serve.

Jesus said:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…”
— Matthew 6:19 (KJV)

Instead, He tells us to lay up treasures in heaven, because:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
— Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

Jesus also warned:

“a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
— Luke 12:15 (KJV)

He immediately tells the story of the rich fool in Luke 12:16–21.

The man's land produces abundantly. He has so much that he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He plans to store everything for himself and live comfortably for years.

God calls him a fool.

Why?

Because he had accumulated earthly treasure while failing to become “rich toward God.”

Jesus repeatedly redirects us away from earthly wealth toward eternal treasure.

Matthew 19:21–24, Mark 10:21–25, and Luke 18:22–25 tell us about the rich young ruler. Jesus tells him to give to the poor, obtain treasure in heaven, and follow Him. Jesus then warns His disciples about how difficult riches can make entering God's kingdom.

Paul likewise tells us where Christian blessing is located:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”
— Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)

There is the blessing.

In Christ.

Peter says Christians have been given:

“an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven…”
— 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV)

James says:

“Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
— James 2:5 (KJV)

And Jesus tells the suffering church at Smyrna:

“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)…”
— Revelation 2:9 (KJV)

Think about those words:

Poor — but rich.

That alone should tell us that God's definition of riches is not the world's definition.

Galatians 3:8–9 and 13–14 explains that through Christ the blessing of Abraham reaches the nations and that:

“we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Romans 4:6–8 describes another tremendous blessing: having our sins forgiven and not counted against us.

Those are New Testament blessings.

Forgiveness.

Salvation.

The Holy Spirit.

Faith.

Mercy.

Eternal life.

An inheritance in heaven.

Knowing Jesus Christ.

What Kind of Fruit Is Coming From Your Life?

Some people profess Christ publicly while their everyday conduct tells another story.

James asks:

“Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”
— James 3:11 (KJV)

Then:

“Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
— James 3:12 (KJV)

James is telling us to examine what is coming from us.

Jesus gives an equally serious warning:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
— Matthew 7:21 (KJV)

Calling Jesus “Lord” is not merely about words coming from our mouths.

Jesus said:

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
— Matthew 7:20 (KJV)

We should therefore examine ourselves.

Is Christ changing us?

Do we love others?

Do we forgive?

Do we care about the poor?

Do we desire God's Word?

When we sin, do we repent?

Are we following Jesus, or are we merely using His name?

My Testimony

I know something about needing Jesus because I know where I came from.

For ten years, I was involved in black magic. My wife prayed for me.

Then, in 2012, I became seriously ill and was rushed to the hospital. The doctor told me that I might die. He had me sign paperwork authorizing emergency surgery if the first course of treatment failed.

Thankfully, the treatment worked, and I left the hospital that night. But the doctor told me they thought I might have cancer.

I went home with a bitter attitude.

One evening, I went upstairs into the bedroom. I experienced the room changing in a way that I understood as spiritual. I believed Jesus was there, although I could not physically see Him.

I said:

“Lord, You can use me or take me.”

Then there was a tremendous sound that seemed to come from above and strike near the closet behind me. The house shook. My son was downstairs, and he felt the shaking as well.

I asked Jesus to forgive my sins, and I repented.

Before that experience, profanity had dominated my speech. Afterward, something changed. The constant cursing stopped.

That was fourteen years ago.

The black magic left my life.

Did every problem disappear?

No.

Being a Christian does not mean you will never experience trouble again.

Paul himself wrote:

“there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)

Paul asked God three times to remove his thorn. God's answer was:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

Christians can experience suffering, weakness, sickness, persecution, financial difficulties, and other hardships while still being deeply blessed by God.

That is exactly why material prosperity cannot be our definition of blessing.

Do You Want to Be Born Again?

Jesus said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)

Jesus began His public preaching with:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)

Repentance involves turning toward God—turning from unbelief and from the sinful direction of our lives—and believing the Gospel.

John 3:18 tells us:

“he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world:

“Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
— John 16:9 (KJV)

But simply knowing that Jesus exists is not enough.

James gives us a startling example:

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)

Demons know that God exists.

They know who Jesus is.

Saving faith is more than merely possessing information about Jesus. It means placing your trust in Him.

Paul writes:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ gave His life for us. His blood was shed on the cross. He died, was buried, rose from the dead, and reigns today.

If you want to come to Christ today, speak honestly to Him from your heart.

Confess your sins.

Ask His forgiveness.

Turn toward Him.

Believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.

Trust Him as your Savior and submit to Him as Lord.

Then begin walking with Him. Read His Word. Find a Bible-teaching church. Be baptized and grow in your relationship with Christ.

And when you ask yourself, “Am I blessed?”, don't begin by looking at your automobile, your house, your job, or your bank account.

Look to Christ.

Because the greatest blessing God can give you is not something money can buy.

It is Jesus Christ Himself.