It is Written for My Travels
It is Written for My Comfort
It is Written... for My Healing
It is Written for My Children
Take the Limit Off Your Requests! |
Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Next
The following questions were received from members and guests at RLCC and responded to by Pastor Sarah Utterbach the morning she announced to the congregation that Pastor Clinton H. Utterbach was asleep in Christ.
QUESTION: I’m not a member of RLCC but I have a question. I was given the opportunity to listen to ten years of ministry tapes from Clinton Utterbach. Through my job I’m able to listen about eight hours a day. So for the last two years, I’ve listened to his teaching for about eight hours a day. Pastor Clinton has done so much to help my understanding of the Word. I’m just in tears inside. I remember on one of his tapes he talked about when his mother passed. He said he was coming down Palisades Parkway, and the Lord spoke to him and told him, "You know, when you get to the hospital, your mother won’t be there." He said, "Yes, I know." He said he hadn’t shed a tear since. I’m trying to embrace that ability. Even though I don’t know him, I feel like I do because for two years now this has been in my head every day, eight hours a day.
SWU: If you feel the need to shed a tear or two or three, go right ahead. Tears are healthy. They’re cleansing. But after you’re through crying, then go and apply what you have heard eight hours a day for the last ten years, okay? Living your life according to the truth of God’s Word that Pastor Clinton taught you will cause him to live on even though his physical body is not here. The man is not gone. I mean, he’s not dead. His physical body ceased to exist, but through people like you and others, he is going to live on because it’s the spirit of what he was assigned to teach you that will remain with you.
All of us are going to leave here physically one day. That’s why we need to be obedient to God so we don’t leave before our time is up. As for the tears, I have not shed one tear about Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin since he fell asleep in Jesus. I loved that man for 25 years and still love him. But I’m living what he taught me, and to me that is honoring him more than if I’d shown up at his funeral or sent flowers or done any of those things. Living what he taught me brings glory and honor to his name. I honor him as my spiritual father by living my life according to what he taught me through the Word of God.
QUESTION: Not to get into idolism, but I would love to do something.
SWU: Do what the Lord tells you to do and in whatever form He tells you to do it. I’m not going to use Clinton’s departure from this life as an opportunity to try to extract anything from anybody, because I don’t have to. God knows what He has assigned this church to do, and He’s going to speak to the individuals about what they should do. And they will obey and do it, or they’ll be in trouble. I don’t have to play on the fact that my husband has gone to stir up people’s emotions to give to me or this church based on their sentiments toward him. I just want everyone to live what he taught. That is the greatest gift you could give.
QUESTION: Do you remember the last words that the pastor said to you for the congregation of the church?
SWU: No, sir, because it’s not Pastor Clinton’s last words that will feed and direct the congregation of this church. It’s Jesus’ present words and His future words that I’m going to be teaching you. I don’t need to remember what my husband said. I need to pay attention to what Jesus is still saying.
QUESTION: I don’t have a question; I want to make a statement. Pastor Clinton always emphasized our authority in Christ, whereas you emphasize our responsibility. What God has for this congregation will continue and, I believe, go to a deeper depth and a higher height. God’s grace is more than sufficient for this hour. But as we look beyond this hour into the next, I believe that "responsibility" has to mature in us. I believe there is a shaking for those who have settled into complacency thinking that that you and Pastor Clinton will always be here. Now it’s time for each of us to draw nearer to God and to continue with what He has for us to do. I know that your assignment is over with Pastor Clinton. But thank God that you’re here still because you have an assignment. And we’re all staying right here.
SWU: I’m going the distance.
Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Next |
