Introduction and Background

Denis Kozlov, originally from Russia and now an American citizen, shared his testimony of God’s calling to plant a church in Florida. He reflected on his friendship with Pastor Matthew and how their connection was rooted in spiritual discernment rather than analysis—trusting the flow of the Holy Spirit. He encouraged believers to live where the Spirit of the Lord flows, not just where logic leads.

Main Theme: The Benefits of the Gospel (from Galatians)

Kozlov’s sermon was based on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He emphasized that the gospel of grace and law-based religion are mutually exclusive—they cannot coexist. The Galatians had begun their faith in the freedom of grace but drifted back into legalism. Kozlov highlighted that Christians must resist the temptation to “bargain” or earn favor from God; grace is a pure gift that cannot be mixed with self-righteousness.

Four Benefits of the Gospel

Kozlov identified four key benefits believers receive through the gospel:

1. Justified

• We are forgiven and declared righteous before God as though we have never sinned.
• Justification is not based on works or law-keeping, but solely on faith in Jesus Christ.
• Christ became a curse for us, taking on our sin so we could live in the freedom of His righteousness.
• Kozlov used the illustration of his U.S. citizenship—his new passport changed his status permanently; likewise, believers now approach heaven with full acceptance.

1. Adopted

• We are legally adopted as children of God, no longer slaves or outsiders.
• God has made us heirs with Christ—fully legitimate and loved.
• Kozlov reminded the congregation that even when we feel distant, adoption is not based on emotion but on divine truth.
• He quoted Galatians 4:4–7 to show that God sent His Son to redeem us and make us part of His family.

1. Indwelled

• The Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Sonship—lives within every believer.
• This Spirit enables us to cry “Abba, Father,” expressing a deep, trusting intimacy with God.
• Kozlov shared moving personal stories illustrating how God became a true Father to him after growing up without one.
  • As a child, he was lifted onto a man’s lap to “drive” a car—God later used that memory to show how He gives us dignity and guidance.
  • As a young man, when praying about marriage, God taught him responsibility by asking, “You tell me,” shaping him into a mature believer.

1. Empowered

• The gospel empowers us to walk by the Spirit, not just experience emotional highs in worship.
• Kozlov compared the Christian walk to an inchworm—we move forward when our head (faith) and our feet (action) stay connected.
• Many believers receive inspiration but never act on it; faith must lead to daily obedience and small steps of faith.
• The true fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—comes only through the Spirit’s life within us, not through human effort.

Closing Message

Kozlov concluded with Galatians 2:20:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

He encouraged believers to:

• Live rooted in Christ’s love and grace.
• Stop trying to earn God’s favor.
• Recognize that the Christian life is not self-effort but Christ in us, the hope of glory.

He summarized the benefits once more:

• Justified – Heaven is open to you.
• Adopted – You are a legitimate child of God.
• Indwelled – You carry the Spirit of God within you.
• Empowered – You can live and act by the Spirit every day.

Pastor Matthew’s Closing Exhortation

Pastor Matthew concluded by emphasizing the power of overcoming:

• Denis’ life testified that anyone can rise above hardship—fatherlessness, poverty, or pain.
• Many believers live burdened by past wounds, but Christ calls us to overcome.
• “Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” he urged. “You can be an overcomer through the Word of God.”
• The altar was opened for prayer, inviting those ready to leave behind defeat and step into new life through Christ.

Core Message

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about striving—it’s about receiving. You are justified, adopted, indwelled, and empowered. Live as a child of grace, not a slave of the law. And let your life become a testimony that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

“He weakened my strength in the way.” – Psalm

Life’s Waves and God’s Sovereignty

Referencing Psalm 42:7, “Deep calls unto deep,” he explains that it portrays wave after wave of life’s challenges, not mystical depths. Sometimes, trouble comes in relentless succession — one wave after another — yet God uses even pain, sickness, and discomfort to shape us.

We often blame the devil, but sometimes it’s the Lord doing deep work in us.

He reminds the congregation that when we gave our lives to Christ, we surrendered the right to run our own lives.

“We said, ‘You get to call the shots.’ ”

Psalm 84 – Dwelling in God’s Presence

The message centers on Psalm 84, portraying the believer’s longing for God’s house and presence amid a fallen world.

• “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts.”
• Believers must live in the world but not of it, finding their refuge not in wealth, approval, or comfort — but in God’s presence.
• Even the sparrow finds a home near His altar — showing that everyone, humble or lowly, is welcome in His presence.

The pastor urges believers to maintain a “secret place” — a daily sanctuary of prayer and fellowship with God.

We need His manifest presence, not just His omnipresence.

Strength in the Pilgrimage

Psalm 84:5 – “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.”

• True strength comes from the Lord, not self.
• The Christian life is a pilgrimage, requiring perseverance and endurance — “a journey, not a sprint.”
• Like Noah, Abraham, and Jesus, we must walk faithfully even when the outcome seems far away.

“Decide yesterday that you’re not going to quit today.”

The Valley of Baka – Digging Wells

Psalm 84:6 describes the Valley of Baka, a place of weeping, decay, and death.

• Spiritually, it represents the world’s brokenness.
• Believers are called to dig wells — to bring life, truth, and hope where there is despair.
• Each Christian has a circle of influence (family, workplace, community) where God expects them to “dig wells” for others.

He contrasts Absalom, who built a monument to himself, with Jacob, who dug a well.

“The statue is gone; the well still flows.”

The challenge: be an effective well-digger whose influence blesses others long after you’re gone.

From Strength to Strength

Psalm 84:7 – “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.”

• This phrase means believers become an army within themselves because God dwells in them.
• Strength increases through intimacy with God, not worldly alliance.
• Avoid letting worldly media and negativity shape your mind — renew your thoughts in God’s Word.

Illustrations include:

• A soldier in WWII saved by a spider’s web God used for protection.
• A survivor of the Titanic quoting Psalm 91 as God delivered him. These show that God’s care extends to the smallest details for those who trust Him.
• Staying Coupled with the Lord

Psalm 84:11 – “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” The pastor explains that “uprightly” in Hebrew (tāmîm) means “to stay coupled” — like train cars joined together.

• We don’t have to be perfect; we just have to stay connected to God.
• Whether rusty or shiny, the only train cars that move are the ones still coupled.

“If you’ll stay coupled with Me, I won’t withhold any good thing from you.”

The Final Call – Dig Wells, Stay Coupled, Trust God

Believers are called to:

• Remain coupled to God through every trial.
• Commit to the pilgrimage — no turning back.
• Dig wells in dry, dying places.
• Trust God through both good and hard seasons.

“Once you dig a well in Christ, it will always have water in it.”

The sermon closes with an altar call to:

• Renew one’s commitment to Christ’s work,
• Receive strength to influence others, and
• Begin or restore a relationship with Jesus.

Key Theme:

God is calling His people to intimacy, endurance, and influence — to stay coupled, keep digging wells, and bring living water into a dying world.

Primary Text: Zechariah 5 Supporting Texts: Revelation 2, Revelation 17, 1 Corinthians 6, Galatians 5 Theme: God’s judgment against wickedness and deception; the prophetic parallels between Zechariah and Revelation.

• Zechariah 5 is closely related to the Book of Revelation, sharing themes of end-time judgment and spiritual deception.

• The speaker emphasizes discernment in “the last days,” praying for the church to recognize truth and avoid deception, citing Jesus’ warning that even the elect could be deceived.

• Zechariah’s vision of two olive trees—interpreted as the two anointed ones (Moses and Elijah).

• Discussion compares the ministries of Elijah and Moses in Revelation’s two witnesses, rejecting the idea that Enoch must die before the end.

• Enoch is seen as a type of the raptured church, while Moses and Elijah represent the two witnesses.

• The scroll symbolizes a curse over the earth, exposing lies and theft.

• It mirrors New Testament warnings about rejecting truth and living deceitfully.

• The speaker cites 1 Corinthians 6 and Galatians 5 to describe unrighteous behaviors—thievery, fornication, drunkenness, sorcery (pharmakeia / drug use)—that prevent inheritance of God’s kingdom.

• Modern parallels: moral decay, the drug epidemic, and society’s normalization of sin.

• God’s curse enters the house of the liar and thief, consuming it—illustrating divine justice.

• A woman sitting in a basket symbolizes wickedness personified.

• The lead cover restrains her until she is carried to Shinar (Babylon)—a prophetic image of wickedness being centralized and prepared for the final system of evil.

• The vision points to Babylon as the spiritual center of rebellion against God, ultimately reflected in Revelation.

• Comparison to the Church of Thyatira, where “Jezebel” seduced believers into immorality and idolatry.

• Jezebel represents the spirit of manipulation and compromise within the church.

• God, in mercy, still offers her repentance—underscoring divine patience even toward those who corrupt the church.

• The greatest national sin is not just immorality but idolatry—replacing God with false worship or self-gratification.

• The woman in Zechariah 5 reappears symbolically as the great harlot, Babylon, who corrupts the nations and rides the beast.

• She represents the world system of deception, materialism, false religion, and rebellion against God.

• Her adornments (gold, purple, pearls) signify the seductive beauty of sin.

• The nations are “drunk with her fornication,” echoing humanity’s addiction to pleasure and rebellion.

• Eventually, the kings of the earth turn against her—symbolizing the collapse of worldly evil under divine judgment.

• Despite the horror, Christ—the Lamb—overcomes all, as Lord of lords and King of kings.

• Wickedness is real and organized. It will be judged in God’s time.

• Discernment is vital. The church must stay rooted in Scripture to recognize deception.

• Repentance remains open. God extends mercy even to those deep in sin.

• Our allegiance matters. Being “married to the Lord” requires purity and faithfulness, avoiding seduction by the world.

• Final accountability. Every believer will stand before God—motivation to live in holiness and love.

• The end is near; the systems of evil are aligning (“the two storks have flown in the basket of wickedness”).

• Believers must remain faithful, loving God’s Word and reaching the lost.

• The session ends in prayer for steadfastness, gratitude, and daily surrender to God’s will.

Text Focus: Joshua chapters 3–5 — Israel’s crossing of the Jordan River, covenant renewal, and Joshua’s encounter with the Lord.

Joshua leads Israel to the Jordan River as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The ark of the covenant symbolizes God’s presence and direction. The people are instructed to keep a reverent distance and follow where they have not been before — a metaphor for trusting God’s leadership into new seasons.

• Emphasis: Check with God before acting, as David did.

• Without divine guidance, human wisdom leads to destruction.

Joshua tells the people to sanctify themselves—prepare their hearts before encountering God.

• Spiritual application: many believers fail in preparation; we rush to worship or prayer without focus.

• Encourage deliberate quieting of the heart before God.

When the priests step into the Jordan, the waters stop—a new generation witnesses God’s power, as their parents did at the Red Sea. Twelve stones are taken from the river to build a memorial at Gilgal, a lasting reminder of God’s faithfulness.

• Application: Tell your children what God has done; leave spiritual testimonies, not just material inheritances.

• Forgetting the cost leads to complacency—just as people forget the price paid for freedom or salvation.

God commands the new generation to be circumcised, renewing the covenant their fathers neglected. Gilgal means “rolled away”—God rolls away the reproach of Egypt.

• Spiritual meaning: God circumcises our hearts, removing spiritual blindness.

• Revival is not for the lost (“unvived”) but for believers to be revived—to renew their first love.

After the Passover, the manna ceases, and Israel eats the fruit of Canaan.

• Message: God changes seasons—He may not move in the same way He once did.

• Mature believers learn to hear the still small voice, not depend on grand emotional experiences.

Joshua meets the Commander of the Lord’s army—a divine or pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. He is told to remove his sandals, as Moses did at the burning bush, for he stands on holy ground.

• Application: The deepest encounters with God often happen alone, not in crowds.

• God desires one-on-one time with His people—to reveal Himself personally and intimately.

• Make room for personal encounters with God, beyond church gatherings.

• Strength, joy, and peace flow from direct relationship with Christ.

• No one—not even loved ones—can take the place of Jesus in bringing joy or fulfillment.

A call for God’s people to keep Him first, walk closely with His Spirit, and regularly make time for intimate communion with Him—away from distraction.

Praise — A Means to Victory

Text: Hebrews 13:10–15 ; 2 Chronicles 20 ; Acts 16 Theme: Praise and thanksgiving are not reactions — they are weapons of victory and doors into God’s presence.

1. Living in the Last Days

• The world hungers for comfort, not truth — but the church must stand firm in the Word.
• Amos 8:11 – “A famine… of hearing the Word of the Lord.”
• God doesn’t need us, but we desperately need Him.
• Application: Stay rooted in Scripture amid cultural drift.

1. Thanksgiving in Prayer – Philippians 4:6

• “Let your requests be made known unto God — with thanksgiving.”
• Gratitude reminds God that we know He is the source.
• Posture check: Do we ask in fear or faith?
• Thanksgiving opens the door for God to move.

“We’re not stroking God’s ego — we’re acknowledging His hand in everything.”

III. Praise: Our Continual Sacrifice – Hebrews 13:15

• “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise.”
• Praise brings God into our moment; complaining pushes Him out.
• Daily praise > Sunday praise — Sunday should be overflow, not catch-up.
• Prophetic call: Start praising every day — and watch your life change.

1. The Tabernacle of David Restored – Acts 15:16 & Psalm 22:3

• God promised to rebuild David’s tabernacle — the house of praise.
• David danced before the Lord, unashamed.
• Psalm 22:3: “God is enthroned in the praises of His people.”

“When we praise, God brings His throne into our situation.”

• His throne means healing, provision, deliverance, and power.
• Application: Gentiles have been grafted in — we are the new worshiping people of God.

1. Jehoshaphat’s Victory – 2 Chronicles 20

• Surrounded by enemies, Judah sought the Lord.
• God’s word: “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”
• Worshippers went before warriors — and praise won the battle.

“They didn’t need swords — they needed God’s throne in their moment.”

• Praise confuses the enemy and positions believers for overflow.

1. The Paradox of Praise

• Praise in pain defies logic but demonstrates faith.
• David worshiped after loss; Noah endured through faith.
• Real faith acts — it endures and praises through the storm.
• Application: When the world says “complain,” heaven says “praise.”

VII. Paul and Silas – Praise in the Prison (Acts 16:16–34)

• Beaten and chained, they prayed and sang hymns at midnight.
• Their praise reached heaven — and God shook the prison.

“When their praise caught God’s ear, He said, ‘Bring My throne down where the sewage is.’”

• Chains broke, doors opened, and salvation came.
• Lesson: Praise breaks bondage and draws others to Christ.

VIII. Call to Worship and Renewal

• Praise brings heaven into every situation.
• Angels move on behalf of those who fear and thank God.
• Stop fretting — start praising.

“Mix thanksgiving with your requests. Invite His throne into your situation — that’s how victory comes.”

Key Takeaway:

Praise is not a reaction to victory — it’s the means to it. When you praise, God steps in with His throne, and everything changes

Text: Joshua 1–2 ; Romans 6 Theme: Living by faith and obedience through the Word of God

• Joshua 1:8-9 – Prosperity and success come from meditating on and obeying God’s Word.

• Key truth: The Word must have the final say in every decision.

• Personal principles:

  1. God’s Word overrules opinion.

  2. Don’t go to bed angry.

  3. Handle family issues within your own household.

• Application: Blessing follows submission to Scripture, not cleverness or culture.

• Israel prepares to cross the Jordan; obedience brings unity and victory.

• Lesson: God owns everything — we are stewards.

• Disobedience forfeits blessing; stewardship invites favor.

• Moral call: Stand for truth and life — repentance restores, but sin must still be named as sin.

• Joshua 2: Rahab hides the spies and hangs a scarlet cord — a symbol of Christ’s blood.

• Faith requires action; belief is proven by obedience.

• Everyone under the scarlet cord (inside the house) is saved — stay in the house (fellowship, worship, presence).

• Hebrews 10:25 – Do not forsake assembling together.

• Joshua and Caleb believed God despite giants.

• Faith stands on truth, not visible results.

• Warning against information overload — believers must fix their eyes on Christ, not chaos.

• Application: Maintain joy — “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

• Romans 6: Crossing Jordan pictures salvation — leaving Egypt (sin) for the Promised Land (new life).

• The Law is an X-ray — reveals sin but cannot heal.

• Christ is the Physician — He heals through grace.

• Faith and obedience are married; faith without works (obedience) is dead.

• Love produces obedience: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

• Romans 6:6-11 – Believers are crucified with Christ; position overrules condition.

• No longer slaves to sin, but servants of righteousness.

• Reckon (logizomai): The ledger is settled — Christ paid it all.

• Our identity is not in failure but in our position in Christ.

• Jesus is not a hireling — He stays in hard times.

• We didn’t find God; He found us.

• The Good Shepherd rescues His sheep and never forsakes them.

• Application: Trust His leading, rest in His faithfulness, and respond with daily surrender.

“Our position in Christ overrides our condition in life.” Faith acts, love obeys, and the Word sustains.