Classic Sermons

...Bishop Shines uses Matthew 24:4-10 to continue discussing the Apostate Church. When a person separates from God’s original plan, they enter into apostasy. God allows persecution, which can lead to apostasy. Prayer and the Word of God are required to overcome it. Will the culture pull you away from God, or will you stand firm in what He intended you to be? Additional scriptures: Revelation 2:6,...

...Bishop Shines uses Jeremiah 5:1, 30-31, and 2 Peter 2:15-16 to discuss the Apostate Church. Apostasy begins in the house of God, where believers turn away from the things of truth. Areas of apostasy include seducing spirits, doctrines of demons, hypocrisy, a seared conscience, forbidding marriage, and having a form of godliness while denying its power. When these things are seen in places of wo...

...Bishop Shines uses Ephesians 3:16-21 to conclude the discussion on overcoming offense. When an offense occurs, go directly to the person to discuss it. If they do not listen, take one or two others with you to resolve it. If you have done that and they still do not listen, discuss it with the church leadership. Finally, if all of that doesn’t work, begin to witness to them. Diminishing offense...

...Bishop Shines uses Ephesians 3:16-21 to explain how to overcome offense by walking in love. When you’re walking in the fullness of God, you don’t have time to take offense. There will be a test of your fullness. In that testing, can you pray for the offender? Love never changes; it’s not conditional on testing or emotions. When you’re offended, are you emotional or walking in the fullness of Go...

...Bishop Shines uses Psalm 92:7-12 to discuss a cure for offense. The way to avoid offense is to be planted, and you will flourish. When you’re planted, you’re spiritually sound. As a spiritually sound person, you will have the heart of a servant, which will give you liberty, and through obedience, you will avoid offense. Additional scriptures: Psalm 92:13, Romans 5:19, Psalm 119:130 This 12-week...

....Bishop Shines uses 2 Samuel 13:1-14 to discuss when you are critical. A critical spirit begins when you start judging from the outside looking in. It always finds the weakest link. When you become a chameleon, you have a critical spirit and are walking in offense. Being critical causes spiritual death. Are you going to walk in offense or be free? Additional scriptures: 2 Samuel 13:22, 1 Samuel...

...Bishop Shines uses Mark 11:24–26 to explain how to receive answers to your prayers. Holding unforgiveness against others can hinder your prayers. Forgiveness cancels the debt that binds you to others’ actions against you. Forgiveness is not optional; it’s a command. Will you continue to walk in unforgiveness or free yourself by following the command? Additional scriptures: Colossians 2:13-14, M...

...Bishop Shines cites 1 Peter 2:6-8 to discuss the rock of offense and how Jesus offended the religious leaders, family, and staff. When offense stems from truth, it reveals what’s in you. People will be offended by you when you don’t meet their standards. Are you offended by truth, or does it help you obey the Father? Additional scriptures: Romans 9:10, James 2:19, Luke 2:34, Matthew 15:9-17, Ma...

...Bishop Shines refers to Luke 22:21-32 to ask whether you are anchored in pride or in love. What's in your heart will surface in a crisis. Just because the Lord uses you doesn’t mean you can’t walk in offense. If you don’t want to walk in offense, you cannot act like the culture around you. When you are in offense, will you be remorseful only in your words, or will you have true repentance? Addi...

...Bishop Shines cites Mark 4:16-18 to explain how offense can move you out of position. God often uses uncomfortable environments to cultivate maturity, refinement, and strength in your life. A mature person can help others. Refinement teaches you how to handle situations. If you are not prepared, offense comes more easily and can lead to isolation. Will you allow offense to run from the problem,...

...Bishop Shines cites Genesis 50:19-20 and Matthew 24:10-11 to explain how the enemy will use those close to you to offend you and steal your dream. Offense arises when you do not understand what is going on, and it builds a fortified city around you. As a believer, don’t let offense in; destroy the atmosphere that creates it. Are you able to love beyond the offense, or will you hold on to your h...

...Bishop Shines cites Revelation 3:14-20 to explain how offense and pride keep you from receiving from God. Pride keeps you from being forgiven because you feel justified. The believer is refined in the furnace of affliction. Will you allow God to show you who you are through the refining fire, or will you be full of pride and not receive? Additional scriptures: 1 Corinthians 5:6, Hebrews 3:13, I...

...Bishop Shines references 2 Timothy 2:24-26 to explain how offense can be a subtle snare. Offense typically falls into two types: feeling you were treated unfairly or believing you were mistreated. If these feelings trap you, it puts you in a position where the devil desires you to be. Will you choose freedom or fall into the trap? Additional scriptures: Matthew 7, Matthew 18:22, John 3:11, 1 Co...

.....Bishop Shines uses Luke 17:1-5 to explain how offense can affect the believer. From offense, several things can develop: hurt, anger, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. Are you falling for the bait of offense? When you fall for it, you become wounded, divided, and feel betrayed, which can lead to backsliding. When offense comes, will you draw closer to the Father or w...

...Bishop Shines uses Ephesians 6:18-19 to talk about prayer as part of a believer’s authority. Praying all types of prayers, in the Spirit, is necessary to grow in authority. Sometimes, you will need to name something in prayer to bring it under the authority of Jesus. Are you willing to go into the secret place to receive what God wants you to have? Additional scriptures: Ephesians 6:12, 1 Corin...

...Bishop Shines explains how a believer builds their authority in Matthew 18:18–20. Sometimes, a believer's authority grows by going through a process. God created you to walk in authority; it's not about your ability. Do you know or doubt the authority you possess? Additional scriptures: Matthew 13:52, Luke 17:12-14, Romans 5:17-19 MSG, This 6-week series will discuss a believer’s authority to o...

...Bishop Shines discusses the authority to conquer, citing 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 MSG/KJV. As a believer, there should be something within you that you are called to dominate. To conquer a corrupt culture, a believer must confront the conflict within themselves. How do you respond to conflicts in your life—fear or dominance? Additional scriptures: Matthew 5:13-16, Hosea 4:9, James 4:1-3, 2 Corinthi...

.....Bishop Shines discusses enduring conflict, referencing Hebrews 12:3-13. When a believer faces conflict, they must continue to trust what God has said. God's discipline may be the challenge you're experiencing to draw you closer to Him. During your endurance, can you recognize what God is doing and how you can respond to those around you? Additional scriptures: Matthew 24:4-13, John 14:6, Mark...

...Bishop Shines discusses the believer's authority, referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. We usually take our identity from where we come from, but when you are in Christ, you are transformed. God will put something in you that’s greater than your own ability. Will you occupy the role you were created for to change the culture? Additional scriptures: Genesis 1:28, 1 Samuel 8, Acts 17:6, 1 Corinthian...

...Bishop Shines discusses the believer's authority, referencing Ephesians 1:16-23. If a believer is going to walk in authority, they need a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. When you are connected, you will see yourself seated with Christ in heavenly places, not walking in fear. As believers, you must exercise authority even when you see giants in your path. Will you employ...

...Bishop Shines discusses what we can do now, using Amos 4:6-11 as a reference. This week, Bishop reviews how to build by sharing your testimony and wholeheartedly believing in God. It is time to build. Will you build the kingdom of God or make excuses? This 21-week series offers a biblical view of the family: fathers, mothers, divorce, blended families, our children, and much more. To learn more...

...Bishop Shines discusses whether there is anything we can do now, using Luke 5:36-39 as a reference. This week, Bishop reviews how to achieve victory by knowing who Christ says you are, encouraging yourself, and reconnecting. To accomplish any of these things, you will need a foundation of love and moral support. Are you building a new foundation or reestablishing a connection on an old one? Add...

...Bishop Shines continues with part two of divorce, using Malachi 2:16 and 1 Timothy 5:8 as a reference. This week, Bishop reviews reasons for divorce: abuse, adultery, and abandonment. The spirit of family is to work things out, even if they don’t work out. This 21-week series will give you a biblical view of the family: fathers, mothers, divorce, blended families, our children, and much more. T...

...Bishop Shines discusses divorce, using Malachi 2:13-16 as a reference. This week, Bishop reviews marriage as a heritage, emotions, and praying for each other. Marriage is a covenant; when it is broken, the residue of hurt doesn’t go away easily. God sent His Word to heal. Will you allow your emotions to come second to the Word of God? Additional scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:1-15, Mark 10:1-9, Ma...

...Bishop Shines discusses controlling and victim parents, using Isaiah 61:1-4 as a reference. Controlling parents create a structure to make them feel safe. Victim parents often come from backgrounds marked by anger, addiction, or abuse. Both types of parents create an environment that shapes their children. There is good news: God sent Jesus for your wholeness and to help you be victorious. What...