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Submitted by Douglas Newsom on 19 April 2021

Produced and Delivered Web-TV Programming

LaGrave Live

LIVE Evening Worship - 2026-02-08

Ephphatha! Be Opened!

About The Service:
we welcome Rev. Peter Gordon to the pulpit.

Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-2-8-PM-Order-of-Worship.pdf

About Us:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)

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Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact

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The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families.

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Ephphatha: Finding Wholeness in Spiritual Openness

Ephphatha: Be Opened

A Sermon on Physical Silence and Spiritual Awakening by Rev. Pete Gordon

Feb 08, 2026

The Core Message

"I am as whole as I can be, and I am as whole as God needs me to be... Spiritual deafness is a choice; physical deafness is a perspective."

1

The "Ephphatha" Experience

Beyond simple healing, it means Anoigo: opening up to a fresh experience, like clearing stale air from a room to let the glorious in.

2

Empathy vs. Sympathy

Disability is not a result of sin but a platform for God's works. The "broken" are often the ones who listen most proactively.

3

Universal Disability

Everyone is spiritually disabled post-Fall. Physical healing is the "icing," but spiritual forgiveness is the "cake."

Speaker Profile

Rev. Pete Gordon

Campus Pastor, GRCC

#JabezMinistries #DeafTheology

Scripture Focus

•Mark 7:31-37(The Deaf Mute)

•Mark 2:1-12(The Paralytic)

•Isaiah 35:5-6(Prophecy)

Key Keywords

Wholeness Empathy Authority Witness

Location: LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church

Reading Time: ~10 min | Sermon Length: 63 min

In this evening service, Reverend Pete Gordon explores the profound intersection of physical disability and spiritual condition through the biblical narrative of Jesus healing a deaf man. Drawing from his personal experience with profound hearing loss, Gordon challenges the traditional "healing" narrative, suggesting that true wholeness comes from being spiritually "opened" to the glory of God. The service integrates traditional liturgy, the Belgic Confession, and a call to support campus ministries at Grand Rapids Community College.

Detailed Point Summary

The Call to Worship and Liturgical Foundation
The service opened with a call to worship from Psalm 96, emphasizing the glory due to God's name and the call for all creation—from the heavens to the trees of the forest—to rejoice before the Lord’s righteous judgment. This was followed by congregational singing and a formal greeting, establishing a communal atmosphere of reverence. Reverend Gordon introduced himself as a campus pastor for Jabez Ministries at GRCC, a ministry focused on and led by people with disabilities. He noted the personal significance of the evening's music, particularly the oboe, as one of the few instruments he can hear clearly despite his severe hearing loss.

The Priority of Spiritual Healing
Central to the sermon were two accounts of healing from the Gospel of Mark. In the story of the paralytic (Mark 2), Gordon highlighted that Jesus prioritized the forgiveness of sins over physical restoration, calling the physical healing the "icing on the cake". This theme was reinforced by a communal reading of the Belgic Confession, a 17th-century document written by Guido de Brès. The confession describes the Church as a "holy congregation of true Christian believers" preserved by God across the world, regardless of size or perceived strength.

The Meaning of "Ephphatha"

In Mark 7:34, Jesus uses the Aramaic word Ephphatha. While often translated simply as "Be opened," the Greek equivalent Anoigo suggests a deeper transformation:

Beyond the Physical: It is more than just opening a door; it is like opening a window on a summer day to let stale air out and fresh air in.

Fresh Experience: It signifies opening oneself to a "fresh experience" of God's glory and the Word.

Empowerment: The healing was not just a "fix," but an empowerment for the man to become a witness to the Kingdom.

Redefining Disability and Empathy
Gordon provided a deep exegesis of Mark 7:31-37, where Jesus heals a deaf man in the Decapolis. He argued that Jesus’ actions—putting fingers in ears and spitting—were not merely "fixing" a broken person but making the Gospel accessible and fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 35. Gordon challenged the "hermeneutic of suspicion" that views disability as a result of sin or brokenness. Instead, he posited that physical deafness could offer a unique perspective on "spiritual deafness," noting that everyone, regardless of physical ability, suffers from selective spiritual hearing as a result of the Fall.

Personal Testimony and the Theology of Wholeness
The sermon concluded with a powerful personal anecdote regarding Gordon's encounter with a "deliverance minister" who claimed his deafness was caused by unaddressed sin. Gordon rejected this view, asserting that he is "as whole as God needs [him] to be" and that his disability provides a specific lens for his ministry. He urged the congregation to move from sympathy to empathy, recognizing that the "spiritual disabilities" of the Pharisees—their pride and lack of vision—were the true targets of Jesus' corrective miracles.

Ministry Focus: Jabez Ministries (GRCC)

A campus outreach focused on students and faculty at Grand Rapids Community College.

50-100Daily Table Visitors

Gift-BasedApproach to Disability

To-Do / Next Steps

Engage with Jabez Ministries: Seek out the ministry team members present at the service to ask questions about their work with students with disabilities.

Support GRCC Outreach: Provide Bibles for the 50 to 100 students who visit the ministry table daily, many of whom are "hungry for the Word" or questioning their faith.

Practice Proactive Listening: Emulate the "proactive listening" of the hearing-impaired by focusing intently on the words of others to ensure true understanding.

Self-Reflection on Spiritual Disability: Identify personal "spiritual disabilities"—areas where one might be spiritually deaf, blind, or lame—and bring them before the Lord for healing.

Shift Perspective on Disability: Move toward a "theology of gifts" by asking others, "What are your gifts?" rather than focusing on their perceived limitations.

Conclusion

The service serves as a reminder that physical limitations do not equate to spiritual brokenness. Through the lens of "Ephphatha," Reverend Gordon invites believers to recognize that Christ’s ultimate goal is to open the human heart to a fresh experience of grace, ensuring that everyone—regardless of their physical state—is empowered to walk the "highway of holiness."
Ark Of Grace with Amanda Grace

#highalert #breakingnews #prophetic

February Under Fire Nations on the Brink

Join Amanda Grace live as she addresses the prophetic significance of escalating border activity, drones in US airspaces and more as things are intensifying in the nation. Tune in Feb. 12, 2026 at 5:30pm ET.

#highalert #breakingnews #prophetic #drones #border #currentevents #February

Prayer Lines now available Mon - Fri 9am-5pm EST. CALL 845-743-6500 or 845-743-2583

The Revelationary War is available NOW! Get your copy here: https://buff.ly/4fnuDd7
Preorder Amanda’s second book, Brace for Impact: https://buff.ly/PiQgPcE

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February Under Fire: Prophetic Insights on Global Shifts and Spiritual Warfare

Prophetic AlertFeb 12, 2026 • 64 min read

February Under Fire: Nations on the Brink

An analysis of the 10-year spiritual cycles, the Purim window, and the escalating "National Storm" across North America.

◈Core Prophetic Thesis

"The kingdom of darkness hides its true agenda within superficial slogans. Transgender Ideology = 'Siege on God's Order'."

The 10-Year Cycle (2016 vs 2026)

Identical patterns observed: Trump in office + Severe Blizzards + Tragic Canadian School Shootings. A spiritual "lock-in" attempt by dark principalities.

The Purim Window (March 2)

Marked by a Blood Moon. Expect "Divine Reversals" against decrees of destruction. The 18-day countdown to Purim is the peak danger zone for coups.

Critical Indicators

Border EscalationHIGH

Mexican cartels violating US airspace via drones (El Paso). Linked to "Fiery Flying Serpents" prophecy.

DHS StatusSHUTDOWN LOOMS

Political maneuvering to force a security vacuum. Anagram analysis: "National Storm / Assassination / Coup."

KEY THEMES:

#Purim2026 #EpsteinFiles #CartelDrones #CanadaChinaDeal

Next Milestone: Nation Rededication (May 2026)

Spiritual "Armor Up" Strategy Active

This broadcast provides a prophetic analysis of the "ferocious February" of 2026, linking current international tragedies and political standoffs to spiritual cycles. The speaker explores the significance of the upcoming Purim season, warning of a coordinated "siege on God's order" manifesting through border escalations and legislative chaos.

Detailed Summary

The Purim Window and the "Siege on God's Order"
The current season is defined by its proximity to Purim (March 2026), a time historically associated with both "decrees of destruction" and "divine reversals." The speaker identifies a spiritual thread connecting recent tragedies, specifically a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada. By analyzing the phrase "transgender ideology," the speaker posits that the underlying spiritual agenda is a "siege on God's order." This event is viewed not as an isolated incident but as part of a larger spiritual pattern involving previous shootings in Orem, Minneapolis, and Madison, all occurring within a window marked by blood moons. The speaker suggests these events are orchestrated by a "Haman-like" spirit seeking to establish altars of blood in North America.

Prophetic Decoding: "Transgender Ideology"

"The kingdom of darkness hides its true agenda within superficial slogans."

TRANSGENDER IDEOLOGY

⬇️

SIEGE ON GOD'S ORDER

A spiritual analysis of the linguistic roots and hidden agendas identified in the broadcast.

The 10-Year Cycle: Canada and the Trump Presidency
A distinct 10-year pattern is identified between 2016 and 2026, both years coinciding with Donald Trump’s presidency. In 2016, during Trump’s first year, Canada experienced a major school shooting in Saskatchewan alongside a significant blizzard; exactly ten years later, in 2026, these events have repeated with the Tumbler Ridge shooting and recent severe weather. The speaker suggests this is a "locked-in" cycle used by the kingdom of darkness to challenge leadership. Furthermore, the speaker prophesies a "severe backdraft" for Canadian leadership due to recent public deals with China, predicting that scandals involving these agreements will eventually eclipse previous political embarrassments.

Border Escalation and the "Fiery Flying Serpents"
Recent reports of Mexican cartel drones breaching US airspace near El Paso are framed as the fulfillment of prophecies given in 2025. These drones are described as "fiery flying serpents" and represent a heightened level of warfare at the border. The speaker references past words regarding a "weapons run from Mexico" and a deal between cartels and terror organizations. This escalation is expected to lead to high alerts at the Pentagon and eventually a large-scale "act of war" at the border. The speaker also notes a spiritual connection between the fall of cartel wealth and the impending collapse of leadership in Venezuela.

The 10-Year Prophetic Pattern

Element

2016

2026

US Presidency

Trump (Term 1)

Trump (Term 2)

Canada Event

Saskatchewan Shooting

Tumbler Ridge Shooting

Weather Sign

Major Blizzard

Major Blizzard

Political Shaking: DHS Shutdown and the "Absalom" Spirit
The looming Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown is characterized as a strategic "setup" by the Democratic Party to cause national chaos during a midterm year. The speaker warns Speaker Mike Johnson against remaining silent, citing an "Absalom spirit" (manipulation for power) rising within Congress. Prophetic warnings suggest that rogue congressmen are making "backroom deals" to block the administration, with some even allegedly working in concert with cartels to orchestrate city-level attacks. The speaker concludes that a "great humbling" is coming to Washington D.C., where a metaphorical earthquake will flip the tables of corrupt influence, leading to the exposure of the "Epstein files" and forced resignations of well-known officials.

Key Data

Purim 2026 Start: March 2nd at sundown.

Casualties: 9 killed and 25 injured in the Tumbler Ridge shooting.

Pattern Interval: 10-year cycle identified between 2016 and 2026.

Prophetic Timeline: National rededication of the US to God scheduled for May.

Document Dump: 3 million pages of Epstein files recently released to the public.

To-Do

Share this broadcast immediately to help spread the word.

Like and subscribe to the channel to support the ministry's reach.

Pray for the speaker and Chris, particularly for their upcoming event in April.

Visit the ministry website to learn more about the 5th annual tent event (April 17-19, 2026).

Armor up daily according to the spiritual guidelines in Ephesians 6.

Incorporate the Lord’s Prayer and specific scriptures (Psalms 1, 23, 34, 35, 51, 91) into daily prayer life.

Conclusion

The broadcast serves as a call to spiritual vigilance, framing the current political and social unrest as a "national storm" sent to prevent the rededication of the nation to God. While the speaker warns of a coming coup and further border escalations, the overarching message is one of ultimate divine authority and the inevitable exposure of corruption in the "halls of Congress."