Fanning the flame of Reformation | Frank Castrejon | Sep 14th 2025

Let's pray over the word Father God. I thank you,

Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. I yield all of this

time to you. Change what you need to change, move

how you need to move. I pray that you would

prepare these minds and these hearts in this room and

every voice that hears me today, whether it's on air

or in person. Lord Holy Spirit, have your way and

do your work. Thank you, God be our teacher today.

Let good seed fall into good soil in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen,

I want to ask you a question. I want to

start it with this because I think that it is

an appropriate time. I think far too often the church

has grown accustomed to a set of prayers or an

alter call to come and tell you, to ask you

if you want to give your life to the Lord Jesus.

I think in times past, we've seen moments in time

where we feel vulnerable to the call of God, or

we think we heard from him the moment that he

called us out of darkness. And I just want to

ask you and prompt you with this question as we

go forward, because we're going somewhere together. Did Jesus's words

to you when you decided to give your life to him.

Did his response to you was was it this follow me?

Did he tell you follow me when you believed? Follow

me looks very different for an apostles life. Follow me

looks very different for a Disciples life. He only expects

one thing, and that means changing everything. I know. I'm

intense because these are intense moments. These are intense moments

in light of what's happened to our brother Charlie this week.

I'm just going to get the difficult things out of

the way. So let's go to Revelation two, verse eight

through eleven, and to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna.

Write these things, says the First and the Last who

was dead and came to life. I know your works,

tribulations and poverty, but you are rich. Say I am rich,

and I know the blasphemy of those who say they

are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Do not fear any of those things which you are

about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw

some of you into prison that you may be tested,

and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death,

and I will give you the crown of life. In

the Bible. The number ten is representative of many things,

including the ten Commandments. It is a number of completeness,

divine order, authority, and responsibility. It symbolizes the full extent

of God's authority and the completion of his plan, and

the entirety of the human duty. This is why He

gave us ten commandments. It is for us right, it

is for his people. It is an institution of His

bylaws and laws by which a nation is supposed to

live by. Israel never became a nation until they had

a constitution, a constitution that was given to them by Moses.

Through that command. We're talking about fanning the flame of

reformation today. Verse eleven says, he who has an ear,

let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.

He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

Say I'm overcoming. Persecution often leads us to revivals. Believe

it or not, persecution always leads us into revivals. However,

I've noticed in history that revivals don't always lead to reformation.

God desires to change something in our generation. I said,

He desires to change something in our generation. It begins

here at the church level. I'll tell you a story.

The day after I became the Connect Group director, I

was already going to attend a conference, and the conference

had nothing to do with what I'm going to tell

you about, because it was more about Holy Spirit, and

of course everything has to do with Holy Spirit when

it comes to church matters. Okay, I'll say that now. However,

it was interesting that the speaker was up to speak,

and then he started to speak about this thing called

the Velvet Revolution. Have you heard of it? The Velvet

Revolution happened in nineteen eighty nine, but before that, prior

to that revolution, there was there was a ceasing of

power in Czechoslovakia that happened in nineteen forty eight. The

result of this ceasing of power was that there was

heavy persecution against churches. Was false accusation against pastors of

the flock there was. They were made to confess false

accusations under duress of harm to their bodies or to

their families. They were beaten to death for not cooperating

with government officials. They even implanted their own pastoral heads.

The government did this, implanted their own pastoral heads in

churches in Czechoslovakia at that time. This led, however, to

a underground revival that was led and spearheaded by connect

groups and small groups. Do you think it was a

coincidence that after I said yes to the Lord and

to Pastor Douayne, of course, thank you for the opportunity

Pastor Doaine to direct connect groups, that this man of

God comes and speaks on connect groups and small groups

for about twenty four minutes out of his whole sermon.

You think that's a coincidence. It's divine order. This is

the Lord, And so I was reminded of that during

this time, and then this tragedy happened. Was that coincidence?

Talk about small groups were needed to continue in pure

faith at that time because they were teaching the wrong

things according to what the government wanted the churches to teach.

In order to build social capital, they needed to ordain

in the underground new pastors. There was a study that

came later on after the Velvet Revolution took place, and

they came to find out that wherever there was a

centralized pastor or a connect group leader, right wherever there

was a centralized underground pastor that was ordained, there was

the strongest protest and resistance against communism because those people

were able to connect the community together. We're talking about

connecting connecting us, connecting us to the community around us,

and connecting us to one another to be strengthened and encouraged,

lifted up right and taught the right things. Historically, persecutions

of the faith create perfect environments for the sharing of

the gospel. This is the truth. The advancement of the

Gospel often comes from persecution, and that's not always talked about.

Let's look at the explosion in China that is being suppressed.

In Chris Ris Janity, heavenly persecuted, a lot of miracles,

a lot of signs, a lot of wonders of people

who are being revived in the underground by millions, and

it's suppressed by the media. Iran heavenly persecuted Church of

Jesus Christ. Men are coming and knocking on pastors' doors

who are also underground, saying a man named Jesus spoke

to me in a dream. He told me to knock

on your door, and he said, do you know who

I'm talking about? He says, I do, and you're about

the two hundred person that's done this in the last year.

It's being suppressed in the media. When this tragedy struck,

they started to twist the narrative. They wanted to control

the narrative of what actually was happening to him. There

was deception. See, this is what the enemy wants to do.

He wants to silence the voice of the martyr. He

wants to silence the move of the spirit. He wants

to keep you in the shadows, so that way you

can't know. If it wasn't for our very own centralized

pastors and evangelists and people who are daring to put

their lives on the line to communicate with the rest

of the world what is happening across the globe, you

would have no idea, And I'd have no idea what

is happening in China and Iran and all the other

countries that are being persecuted for his name's sake and

to his glory. They can't stop it, that's right. Historically,

revivals led to a lull. Seldom did they actually lead

to reformation. Some of the greatest reformations were spearheaded by

the Apostles much after they died. The blood of the

Apostles martyrdom led to the Reformation of Rome. See there's

something God wants to do in our generation. There is

something about this moment that God wants to do in

this Generationiah. Unlike most revivals. In nineteen eighty nine, that

Velvet Revolution transformed that nation, and it was led by

peaceful people, peaceful protests, by a body of Jesus who

led the way, and it overturned an entire communist nation

fifty years about. They ruled transformed like that because the

people of God were growing in boldness and strength. The

people of God were doing something that God designed for

us to be connected. He designed it this way for

us to have fellowship. It's his design. It's not our idea.

We weren't the ones to create it. I'm not the

one who started directing it all of the sudden. This

is his plan that the invisible Rabbi Holy Spirit will

come into each one of these leaders that are in

the room, and that he would be in you for

you to confirm that you're listening to the truth. That's

why he says you need no man teach you, but

the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. What

He gave his life for all truth. Even though demons

and Satan tried to silence the voice of the martyrs.

The gospel was preached. Even the ones who hated him,

the gospel they heard. All it takes is courageous men

and women of God to share that. They'll think to themselves, someday,

why did he do that? Could it be that it

was actually true? I really love this story that my

wife shared with me. A social media personality who was

an influencer. He's dressed like a woman with colorful hair,

long nails, and he's talking and he says, I don't

understand why you guys are all cheering about his death.

He's talking to people who follow him. Now listen, He's

got millions of followers. He says, I don't know why

you're rejoiced. I respect that man because even though I

didn't agree with all of his viewpoints, he was never

he was never attacking personally, and what he spoke about

was true. You are living in a delusion, literally, he says,

you are delusional in your thinking. This man spoke the truth.

The gospel was preached. Don't ever back down from the truth.

I believe that what we are witnessing is is this

man's ultimate devotion to God. Well, we got to read

from was his devotion time to the Lord. He understood

that this god man from Nazareth came to a world

who hated him, and yet says, and yet he died

while for me, while I was yet a sinner, although

the world hated him, he yet died for it, while

they are all yet sinners. I think he understood this

kind of love, and I think God wants us to

grab a hold of this devotion time. I believe we

can accomplish this through small groups. This is how it

applies to us. What can you do? She'll be focused

on what the media is doing. She'll be focused on

what people are saying, whether it's good or bad. I

believe that small groups can lead you into a personal

time of revival, which can spur you forward into an

outward expression of reformation. I think that's what God is

telling us. He can help to you to reform every

area of influence and your life. Let's go to this,

Let's go to Luke ten, verse thirty eight. Actually, sorry, hey,

let's go back. Let's go to Philippians. I need to

talk about this. Here's what I think, and I believe

that our friend Charlie would tell us if he can

still communicate to us. I believe, much like the Word

says that the blood still speaks. They defeated the enemy

by the blood of the Lamb and the word of

their testimony. Right, So let's talk about this, because here's

what I believe. This is what came to my mind

as I was thinking about him Philippians one, twelve three eighteen.

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things

which happen to me have actually turned out for the

furtherance of the Gospel. This is what is happening presently

right now next verse, so that it has become evident

to the whole palace guard and to all the rest,

that my chains are in Christ martyred for faith, and

the most of the brethren in the Lord, having become

confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak

the Word without fear. The Lord is giving us strength

and boldness at this time. Some indeed preach Christ even

for envy and strife, and some also from goodwill. The

former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely supposing to

add affliction to my change those that are still coming

against even His name or his memory right next verse.

But the latter out of love, knowing that I'm appointed

to the defense of the Gospel. Even right now, there

are going to be people who hear what he has

spoken in the past. Why do people hate him so much?

I need to go hear what this man was talking about.

When the truth pierces their hearts, there will be a change.

What then, only that in every way, whether in pretense

or in truth, Christ is preached this and in this

I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Come on, come on. That story I told you about

Christ is being preached without him, even without that man,

even using the name of Jesus. He was pointing at

the faith of the man. Now it happened in Luke ten.

Let's go to the most popular This is what I

call it, the most popular connect group you've ever been

to that you read about. Okay, Now, it happened as

they went that he entered a certain village, and a

certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And

she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at

the feet uh at Jesus's feet and heard his words.

But Martha was distracted with much serving, say distracted, and

she approached him and said, Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me to serve alone. Tell

her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha,

you are I'm going to read it in my version

because you guys have a different one up there, and

that's good version. Keep it there, Martha, Martha, you are

worried and troubled about many things. Let's read that verse

again in forty one. But the Lord answered Martha, Martha,

you are anxious and troubled about many things verse forty two.

But one thing is needed in my version, and Mary

has chosen that good part which will not be taken

away from her. Observe Jesus' compassion. A lot of teachers

teach this like it was a rebuke. No, this is

the teacher who's sitting down, the Messiah who is sitting

down right here. I'll take one of your pages. Roman,

I'm gonna get a prop too. He's sitting down, and

she approaches him and he just sets her down. And

notice how he doesn't attack what she's doing on the outward.

Notice how he doesn't rebuke for what she's asking for.

What he is pointing out is something that is happening inwardly.

Jesus grabs hold of her and sets her down, and

he teaches. Because when the teacher is sitting, the students

and the disciples are listening. So this is the posture

of a rabbi's teaching, is to sit. When the god

Man shows up in your small group, suddenly there's peace.

When Jesus is teaching and he's in the room, suddenly

anxieties begin to melt away. His turning towards Martha was

much like his turning towards the church at this time.

Don't be anxious about the persecutions. I'm turning my I

gaze on you, the Church of Smyrna. He didn't even

address the persecutions. He didn't even tell them I'm going

to take them away. He said, if you endure, If

you endure, I will give you the crown of life.

Jesus said it perfectly already. If they hate you, they

hated me first. Rather, the rabbi turns to Martha and

he tells her what things she should be focused on.

He tells her, I want you to do like your

sister and contend for that good part. Yeah, contend for

things which are eternal. Yeah, stop contending for the many

things which cause you anxiety. I think our friend Charlie

understood this, and this is where he got his infeeling

at by sitting at the feet of the rabbi. That's

where his boldness came from. That's where his confidence came

from his devotion. In small group gatherings, we obtained more

than a good time. We obtained that good part which

lasts into eternity. We obtain knowledge and wisdom about the

one who we will live with forever. In small groups

we go to connect with God while connecting with others.

This is where we get equipped. It reminds us that

there are more people who believe like us than just me.

Small groups are a place sometimes where it is difficult

to hide. It is a place of vulnerability. It is

a place of fellowship, accountability, healing, restoration, prayer and trust.

It is a place where you can sit at the

feet of Jesus and be refreshed for the journey ahead.

I believe that in this season God is doing something

amazing with his people, with his children, and he's taking

the position of rabbi. What is your response to him

taking a seat? He said to Jesus. This is God

saying to Jesus, Come sit at my right hand while

I make all your enemies your footstool says in the

Word that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

God will not waste an opportunity for the spread of

the gospel. God will not waste the precious blood of

his martyrs or his children. God will hear the outcry

of his people and the outcry of the blood that

was spilt. God will respond to the persecution. But what

is his church's response to the persecution? Will you begin

this season with being equipped in order to become a

revived person who can reform from a people, a city,

a nation, a world. What did you hear him say

when you got saved? Was it follow me? Maybe you

didn't hear anything at all. Maybe you just decided you

wanted to do whatever you wanted to do and that

God was just gonna have to settle for Sunday. I

know what Charlie heard. I know he heard follow me.

This is what leads a man to speak courageously and

boldly in the name of Jesus, the truth in the

face of adversity, in the face of a people who

gnash their teeth like they did to Jesus, and he

tells them God loves you and he has better for you.

And we're afraid to tell our friends about Jesus, and

we're afraid to mention the name of Jesus in our

family gatherings. Did he say follow me when you believed?

I want us to obtain the good part that leads

in to eternity. That's what these groups are about. That's

what this whole walk has been about. This is how

people can come together and transformation. It's not to be

taken lightly. I know I'm intense. These are intense times.

We've been in the warfare and it's hit home. I

think it's time for us to become a revived people

and fan the flames of reformation. And it starts with

sitting at the feet of the rabbi. But you can't

do that if you didn't hear him say follow me good.

How can you know your marching detail orders without sitting

there and listening to the general give them? How can

you even walk your purpose out if you've not even

heard the call at lease? Bow your heads, everybody across

the room, just bow your head. Let's close our eyes.

I want us to talk to the Lord. I know

I'm going longer, but I think this is really important

for this time. We need to be real with the Lord.

Anyone if you who don't know what I'm talking about,

who've never accepted the Lord Jesus into your life, and

this has moved you, this tragedy has moved you. Now

to make sure that you know, like you need a

surety of salvation, like I need to know that God

called me. I need to know that he said follow me.

I need to know. I have to know. I want

you to be desperate for it because guess what. The

magnitude at which you respond right now is how you'll

always live your life as a Christian. I'm not going

to rush this. This has to be from you. I'm

not going to compel you to do anything. So just

where you're at, as everybody's head is bowed, just raise

your hand if that's you. If you're tired of living

a double life where you're just a Christian on a Sunday,

but every other day you live it however you want to,

I'm telling you right now in these moments, moments like this,

you're confronted with a decision whether you're going to continue

to be lukewarm and take a chance at eternity, or

you're going to know for sure that you'll be standing

like our friend Charlie, and the Lord will tell you

well done, good and faithful servant. So if that's you

right there where you're at, just raise your hand a

little bit. You're tired of the sin that you continue

to do. You're fed up with it living a double life.

You're fed up with being a sham. You're fed up

with feeling like a hypocrite. You're fed up with the pornography.

You're fed up with the drugs. You're fed up with

the addiction. You're fed up with it. You're done. God's

not here to condemn you. God's not here to tell

you that you're not going to make it. God is

here to invite you in. Do you want to sit

at the feet of the Rabbi. You are welcome to

become a disciple. He's telling you follow me, but you

get a response. Just speak to him. Lord. I'm here, Lord,

I'm here. I will follow you. Lord, I'm here. I'm

tired of living how I want to. I see your hand.

That's good. Just talk to the Lord in your own words. Lord,

I'm here. I'm here, Lord. I will follow you wherever

you go. I will follow you for the rest of

my life. I will do what you have called me

to do. I will speak to those who you've called

me to speak to. I will influence them for the kingdom.

Oh Lord, everyone else in the room too, Let's do

this together. Lord. I'm here, Rabbi, I'm here. I'm here

to follow you. Restore to me the joy of my salvation.

Thank you for authority. Thank you for the keys to

the Kingdom of Heaven. I thank you that what we

bind on earth is bound in heaven. I thank you

that what we lose on earth is loose in heaven too.

Thank you for the responsibility of being your child, and

I will follow you all my days in Jesus name. Amen. Amen,

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