Empower Church

You toiled all night and caught nothing. You came home to Ziklag and found it in ashes. You've been renamed by Babylon and left sitting at the well at midday. But Jubilee has come. The same Jesus who sent Peter back to the empty water is sending you back to the place where you failed. This time you go at His word. What broke you won't hold you, what captured you won't keep you, and the One you kept missing has come looking for you. The place where you failed may be the place where God fills your net. 1. CAST YOUR NETS AT THE PREVIOUS PLACE OF FAILURE (Luke 5:4–8) Peter had worked all night and caught nothing. Jesus sent him back into the same water, in daylight and into the deep, which went against everything a fisherman knew. One act of obedience brought a catch so big it filled two boats. 2. THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE (Daniel 1:1–2, 7) Babylon took the vessels, the city and even the names of Daniel and his friends. Captivity is not your final address. YOU ARE GOING TO JERUSALEM. 3. YOUR ZIKLAG (1 Samuel 30:1–2, 21; 1 Samuel 31:5–6) David came home to ashes and to captured families. Soon after, Saul fell. The season that burned you is also the one that clears the road. SAUL DIED, AND DAVID IS GOING TO JERUSALEM. 4. HE NEEDED TO GO THROUGH SAMARIA (Genesis 33:19–20; John 4:3–6) Jacob's well stood at Shechem, on the ground of his reconciliation with Esau. Jesus, tired from the journey, sat down beside it. The woman who came to the well left made well. Did He really need to go through Samaria, or was He looking for you? Download Our Apps to Stay Connected & Deepen Your Faith: 📱 Empower Church App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp 🎓 Empower Bible Institute App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi #empowerchurch #gebhardtberndt #restoration #breakthrough #obedience #jesus #faith

Join us as we come together with expectation, united in faith to seek the face of God. God created you intentionally, with purpose, and in His very own image. When we gather in prayer, we align our lives with who He says we are, stripping away distractions to press deeply into His presence. Expect genuine spiritual breakthrough, physical healing, emotional restoration, and divine transformation as we worship and pray together today. Connect & Engage: 💬 Share Your Story: We would love to pray with you! Leave your prayer requests or share your testimonies in the comments below so we can celebrate what God is doing in your life and lift up your needs together. Download Our Apps to Stay Connected & Deepen Your Faith: 📱 Empower Church App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp 🎓 Empower Bible Institute App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi #Gebhardtberndt #EmpowerChurch #identity #purpose #prayerwatch #prayer

A grudge may start with hurt, but when it is fed, it can grow into bitterness, anger and destruction. In Mark 6, Herodias allowed resentment against John the Baptist to grow until it produced a desire for revenge. Download our new Apps below: EC App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Empower Church EC App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp EBI App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Empower Bible Institute EBI App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi 1. THE DANGER OF HOLDING A GRUDGE Herodias “nursed a grudge.” Bitterness that is continually fed eventually affects our peace, our decisions and the people around us. A bitter root never stays small. 2. GOD CALLS US TO LET IT GO God commands us not to seek revenge or carry grudges. We cannot control what people do to us, but we can choose what we allow to remain in our hearts. 3. WE ALL NEED GRACE Before looking at what someone else has done, we must remember our own need for mercy. Sin brings death, but through Christ we are offered forgiveness, restoration and life. 4. JESUS CAN CLEAN WHAT HAS BECOME UNCLEAN The man with leprosy came to Jesus needing cleansing. Jesus touched him and said: “I am willing. Be clean.” In the same way, Jesus can cleanse a heart that has become contaminated by bitterness, anger and resentment. 5. FORGIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN The unmerciful servant received forgiveness for a massive debt but refused to forgive someone else. Grace received must become grace given. Forgiveness does not mean the hurt was acceptable. It means we refuse to remain imprisoned by it. Do not allow yesterday’s hurt to become today’s bitterness. Do not allow someone else’s actions to determine the condition of your heart. Release the grudge. Receive His grace. Forgive as Christ forgave you. #forgiveness #empowerchurch #resentment #hurt #grace #desire #grudges #cleansing #anger #revenge #restoration #offense

Join us as we come together with expectation, united in faith to seek the face of God. Prayer is not just a routine—it is a powerful, dynamic invitation to press deeply into His presence, align our hearts with His heart, and experience genuine spiritual breakthrough. Whether you are trusting God for physical healing, emotional restoration, financial provision, or personal transformation, we stand with you in faith today, believing that nothing is impossible with Him!
Connect & Engage: 💬
Share Your Story: We would love to pray with you! Leave your prayer requests or share your testimonies in the comments below so we can celebrate what God is doing in your life and lift up your needs together.

Download Our Apps to Stay Connected & Deepen Your Faith:
📱 Empower Church App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp
🎓 Empower Bible Institute App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi
#Gebhardtberndt #EmpowerChurch #identity #purpose #prayerwatch #prayer

Idolatry is not limited to carved images or ancient gods. An idol is anything we place above God, anything we trust to give us the meaning, security, significance, or identity that only He can provide. The question is not only, “What do I worship?” but “What has my heart placed above God?” In this message, we explore: 1. What Is an Idol? - Understanding how anything that receives our devotion or takes the place of God in our hearts can become an idol. 2. The Idols We Cannot Always See - How opinions, pain, trauma, status, wealth, human praise, and the desire to be right can become idols of the heart. 3. The Danger of Small Compromises - Samson did not lose in one night. His downfall came through multiple small battles that gradually chipped away at his resistance until he was lulled into giving in. 4. Obedience Over Sacrifice - Why God is not simply looking for religious activity, but for hearts that trust Him and walk in obedience to His Word. 5. The Idols of This World - From Baal, Molech, Dagon, and the golden calf to the idols we face today, we are reminded that anything competing with our love for God can take His rightful place. 6. The Heart Behind Idolatry - How idolatry begins internally when status, wealth, recognition, opinions, or other desires become more fundamental to our identity and happiness than God. 7. Turning From Idols to the Living God -The call to follow the example of the Thessalonians who turned from idols to serve the living and true God. 8. Will I Trust God? - The challenge of choosing wholehearted devotion, even when obedience is difficult, just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the golden image. We are called to tear down every idol, recover our internal compass, and return to wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As Joshua declared, we must choose whom we will serve: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” #gebhardtberndt #empowerchurch #TearingDownIdols #obedience #jesus

Our identity is not determined by people, circumstances, achievements, failures, or the opinions of others. Our identity is established by the Word and voice of God. At the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus, the Father declared: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Before Jesus performed the works of His ministry, the Father established His identity. In this powerful message, we explore what it means to live from sonship rather than orphanhood: 1. Identity before activity — Why the Father establishes identity before assignment. 2. The imagery we use to see ourselves — How the wrong image of ourselves can prevent us from accessing what God has already established. 3. The cloud and God’s leading — Understanding how God’s presence sets the pace for His people. 4. Moses, Joseph and David — How God can give authority over the very places, situations and weights we have been brought through. 5. The weight that creates capacity — Sometimes you carry things nobody sees because God is developing the capacity required for what nobody else is willing to face. 6. The finished work of the Cross — Jesus has already defeated the powers of darkness. What happens when we stop living as though we still need to earn what Christ has already accomplished? 7. From law to sonship — When our focus shifts from what God has done to what we must constantly do, we can become captive again to performance. 8. The seven places of the Cross — His head, back, side, hands and feet, and what they reveal about the finished work of Christ. 9. The Rock and sonship — Exploring the revelation of Christ, the foundation of the Church, and what happens when we understand ourselves as sons and daughters. 10. The prodigal son — The deeper problem was not simply that the son left home; he misunderstood both who he was and who his Father was. The goal is not merely to receive what God has promised, but to become people who can carry, steward and unlock what He has entrusted to us. There are things you will carry that nobody sees in order to confront giants nobody wants to face. There are places you have been brought out of that God may give you authority over. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 #achievements #sonship #love #promises #covenant #bloodline #setfree #voiceofgod #capacity #foudation #accomplishment #revelation #identity #understanding

Faith is not only about what we believe; it is also about what we are willing to stand for. Throughout Scripture, we see men and women placed in moments where remaining silent would have been easier, but faith required them to speak, act and stand for what was right. Standing for truth will not always make us popular, but when we know who God is, we can stand even when everyone else chooses to bow. In this message, we explore: DANIEL – A FAITH THAT WOULD NOT COMPROMISE Daniel lived in a culture that constantly challenged his faith, but he refused to compromise his convictions. Even when a law was passed that threatened his life, Daniel continued to pray to God as he had done before. His life reminds us that truth does not change because the environment around us changes. Sometimes standing for God means continuing to do what is right when everyone around us is telling us to stop. SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO – WE WILL NOT BOW King Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone to bow before the golden image. Three men remained standing. They knew the consequences. They knew the furnace was waiting. Yet their response was clear: even if God did not deliver them in the way they expected, they would still not bow. Standing for truth means deciding beforehand that there are some things we simply will not compromise. ESTHER – SPEAKING WHEN SILENCE IS EASIER Esther was placed in a position where speaking the truth could have cost her life. Yet Mordecai challenged her with the words, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” There are moments when God places us in certain rooms, positions and relationships because He expects us to use our voice. Silence may feel safe, but sometimes faith requires us to speak. NATHAN – TELLING THE TRUTH EVEN TO A KING When David sinned, Nathan had the courage to confront him. David was king. Nathan understood the risk, but truth was more important than comfort. He stood before David and declared, “You are the man.” Real truth does not change depending on who is standing in front of us. Standing for truth means having the courage to say what is right even when the person who needs to hear it is powerful, influential or close to us. #empowerchurch #david #faith #stand #righteousness #upright #understanding #truth

Faith is not just about where we start, it is also about where we choose to go and what we choose to leave behind. Throughout Scripture, we see people faced with a choice: to move forward in faith or to look back at what God has called them away from. In this message, we explore: RUTH - A FAITH THAT CLINGS Ruth made the decision to stay with Naomi, declaring, “Where you go, I will go… Your God will be my God.” Her faithfulness reminds us that sometimes faith means holding on and moving forward, even when the future is uncertain. DON’T LOOK BACK - KEEP MOVING FORWARD While Ruth chose to follow forward, Lot’s wife looked back. Her story reminds us of the importance of trusting God with what is ahead instead of longing for what He has called us to leave behind. THE PROMISE - GOD IS FAITHFUL TO BLESS God promised Abraham that He would bless him and multiply his descendants. When God makes a promise, He remains faithful. What He has spoken over your life is not limited by what you can currently see. JESUS -THE FULFILMENT OF THE PROMISE Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfil them. Everything God has been working toward finds its fulfilment in Christ, reminding us that God’s plan is always greater than we imagine. DAVID - FACING GIANTS IN GOD’S NAME David did not face Goliath relying on weapons or his own strength. He came in the name of the Lord. When we know who God is, we can face what stands against us with faith and confidence. WHO IS YOUR GOD? David asked, “Who is this Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Sometimes the size of our faith is revealed by how we see God in the middle of our challenges. KEEP GOING - DON’T TURN BACK Ruth’s journey to Bethlehem began with a decision to move forward. Your journey may not always be easy, but faith calls us to keep walking, trusting that God is leading us somewhere greater. The message reminds us that faith requires a decision. Will we cling to what God has called us toward, or will we keep looking back? Like Ruth, may we have the courage to say, “Where You lead, I will go,” trusting that the God who calls us forward is faithful every step of the way. Download Our New Apps Below: EC App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Empower Church EC App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp EBI App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Empower Bible Institute EBI App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi #empowerchurch #gebhardtberndt #faith #FaithOverFear #jesuschrist #faithjourney

Faith is more than simply knowing about God—it is declaring what we believe about Him. The Apostles’ Creed takes us through the foundation of our faith: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Church, forgiveness, resurrection, and everlasting life. Download Our New Apps Below: EC App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Empower Church EC App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp EBI App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Empower Bible Institute EBI App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi In this message, we explore: GOD THE FATHER — ALMIGHTY CREATOR We believe in God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth. He is the Creator, sovereign over all things, and the foundation of our faith. JESUS CHRIST — THE SON OF GOD We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son and our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. THE CROSS — JESUS’ SUFFERING AND DEATH Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. His death is central to the message of salvation. THE RESURRECTION — DEATH COULD NOT HOLD HIM On the third day, Jesus rose again from the dead. The resurrection is the declaration of Christ’s victory and the hope of every believer. THE ASCENSION — CHRIST REIGNS Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. THE HOLY SPIRIT — OUR FAITHFUL HELPER We believe in the Holy Spirit and His work among God’s people, empowering and guiding the Church. THE CHURCH — ONE BODY We believe in the holy Church and the communion of saints. In Christ, we are brought together as one body and called to walk in fellowship. FORGIVENESS & NEW LIFE We believe in the forgiveness of sins and the freedom found through Christ. RESURRECTION & EVERLASTING LIFE We believe in the resurrection of the body and the promise of life everlasting—a hope that extends beyond this present life. The Apostles’ Creed reminds us that our faith has a foundation. We do not simply believe in an idea; we believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Death and sin have no power—they are solved. Because you are dead to sin, sickness has also been removed. God’s perfect will is not merely healing; His perfect will is that you don’t get sick. Download Our New Apps Below: EC App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Empower Church EC App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp EBI App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Empower Bible Institute EBI App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi In this message, we explore: -THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT (Luke 4:1-15) Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, overcoming temptation and demonstrating that we too can walk in victory. -DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE TO GOD (Romans 6:7-11) When we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin. We are now alive to God through Christ Jesus. -THE NEW COVENANT (Romans 5:12-15) Unlike under Moses, where the law brought death, under Jesus we inherit life and peace through grace. -OUR ASSIGNMENT (Mark 16:15-18) We are called to go into all the world, preach the gospel, and lay hands on the sick so they may recover. -CLOTHED IN THE SUPERNATURAL (Luke 24:46-49) We have been endued with power from on high, literally clothed in the supernatural to exercise dominion. Receive today: -Freedom from the power of sin and death. -The realization of your identity in Christ. -The power to walk in divine health. -Boldness to fulfill your assignment in the Great Commission. ARE YOU WALKING IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT? WILL YOU ACCEPT THE DOMINION GIVEN TO YOU? Your body is the TEMPLE. Your faith is the SHIELD. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." 1 Peter 2:24 #empowerchurch #gebhardtberndt #healing #supernatural #holyspirit #Dominion