The New Birth – #5 – Threefold Proof of the New Birth

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Every truly born-again person, has the threefold proof of the New Birth:

  1. Inward proof
  2. Outgoing proof
  3. Outward proof

1 John 5:1

 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him.

1.  “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”  Personal faith in Christ – that He is GOD – is personal evidence that the born-again individual is a child of God.

  1 John 5: 10, 13 – He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.

  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  This is INWARD proof of the New Birth.

1 John 4:7-11

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

2. “Everyone that loveth is born of God.”  We are to love mankind with the love of God.  Our sinful flesh is not capable of loving what is unlovable;  we must allow God to love mankind through us.  Rom. 5:5 – And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  God’s love for man, expressed through truly born-again souls, is OUTGOING proof of the New Birth. 

1 John 2:29

If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him. 

3.  “. . .every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.”  When we are genuinely converted, and born anew, we will make a practice of doing right at all times and at all costs!  2 Cor. 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  This is OUTWARD proof of the New Birth. 

Dear Readers,  If you do not have the threefold proof of the New Birth as demonstrated in Scripture,  now is the time to get on your knees and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  And when using the term “personal,” it simply means that it is between you and the Lord – no one can do it for you.  There is NO SALVATION  through  your priest, Pope, rabbi, minister, father, mother, family, religion, cult, ritual,  self-help program or book.  You must have saving faith in His vicarious death, burial, and bodily resurrection –  believing that He Personally  experienced torturous death in your place, and overcame the tomb by the power of His Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Tomorrow may be too late!

The New Birth – #4 – The Only Means

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John 3:14-15

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Numbers 21:5-9

5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Moses lifted up the serpent for a sinful, disobedient people.  Anyone bitten by the fiery serpents was given a choice.  With an act of faith and humility, he could simply look at the brazen serpent and live – 0r – with an act of stubbornness and pride, he could refuse to look, and die.

Isaiah 45:22

 LOOK UNTO ME, AND BE YE SAVED, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: FOR I AM GOD, AND THERE IS NONE ELSE.

“Even so must the son of man be lifted up.”  Just as the brazen serpent in the wilderness was the only means for the children of Israel to be healed, so is the death of Jesus Christ the only means for the new birth.  The only way to achieve regeneration is by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

means

noun: means; noun: means of something

  1. 1.an action or system by which a result is brought about; a method.

Romans 1:16

 FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; TO THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO TO THE GREEK.

THE SINNER MUST COME TO CHRIST BELIEVING:

1. That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. 

Isa. 53:1-12 –

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Zech. 13:6 – And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

2.  That Christ was buried.  This is the proof of His death.  He was in the tomb for three days and nights. 

3. That Christ rose again, according to the Scriptures.  Here is the power of the Gospel that saves, but it is powerless to save the sinner who does not believe.  Rom. 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

THE MEANS OF THE NEW BIRTH CAN ONLY BE FOUND ONE WAY:

1. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .”  is the only means of the new birth.  Acts 4:12 –  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2. Our blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, gladly came into the world to become the only means of the new birth.  John 12:27 – Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.  

John 17:1-5 –

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

3. That the Holy Spirit came into the world on the Day of Pentecost to convince and convict all men, everywhere, of their personal need for the new birth.

John 16: 7-11

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

A personal faith in the death, burial, and resurrection is the essential and only means of the new birth.

The New Birth – #3 – The Incorruptible Nature

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1 Peter 1:23

 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The above verse, contains the doctrine of the two seeds, two births, and two natures.

1. Corruptible seed produces a corruptible nature.  Rom. 1:23 – And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  Corruptible man can only produce corruptible seed.  Matt. 7:18 – A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  “ALL HAVE SINNED,” because – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. . . Romans 3:23.    Every single person is born in sin.  Psalm 51:5 – Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

WE ARE NOT SINNERS BECAUSE WE SIN!

WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE SINNERS! 

2. Incorruptible seed produces an incorruptible nature.  2 Pet. 1:4- Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  No matter what we do, born again Christians can not corrupt the incorruptible nature.  Therefore, the incorruptible seed of God gives birth to a new nature that cannot be corrupted – at any time – or in any way.  The new birth produces the life of Christ – which is made living in man – only by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Rom. 8:8-10 –   8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

The seed of man is corruptible; the birth of man is natural – therefore – the very nature of man is entirely sinful. 

The seed of God is incorruptible; the new birth is spiritual – therefore – the new nature is entirely sinless. 

Both natures exist within the born again believer.  Whichever nature we allow to dominate will determine how much we sin, and how closely we walk with the Lord.  Feeding the old nature by fulfilling fleshly and worldly lusts, will keep the old, corruptible nature strong and dominant.  Feeding the new nature with spiritual food via Bible study and memorization, Christian fellowship, and church attendance, will keep the new nature strong, help us to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil – thereby causing us to walk closely to the Lord.

The New Birth – Part 2 – The New Sinless Nature

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And now – for one of the most misinterpreted verses in the entire Bible.   Please do not try to understand it in the light of personal experience. 

1 John 3:9

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

It is essential for believers to keep in mind that the above verse is speaking of the new nature – not the old nature – because the old nature was not born of God.  The old nature is born of fallen man, and it is completely depraved.  The new nature is born of God, and it is completely holy.  The two natures are present in every born again Christian. 

what does the Bible say about the new nature?

1.  The new nature does not sin, because it is the product of the seed of God. [see above verse]

2.  The new nature does not sin, because it is the divine nature of God, and since God can not sin, the new nature that issues from His Holy Seed can not sin.  2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

what does the bible say about the old nature?

1.  The old nature will sin any time we allow it to sin.  Rom. 6:12 – Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  If you are born again, you will continue under the old nature 1 Cor. 9:27 – But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  by not yielding to the desires of the flesh – or the old nature will keep you under, and you will live a defeated Christian life.  Rom. 8:13 – For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

2.  There is nothing good in the old nature.  Nothing whatsoever.  Rom. 7:18 – For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  The power to live a righteous life cannot be found in the old nature, it can only be found in the new nature.  Gal. 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

if you have been “born again” – you have two natures – the old and the new – and you will walk according to one or the other.   Examine your Christian walk according to the word of god – not by comparing yourself to other people.

Romans 8:5-6

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The New Birth – #1 – Jesus and the Two Births

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John 3:1-6

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In the above Scriptures, we see Jesus Christ and Nicodemus – coming face to face.  The Son of God – Jesus – and the son of natural man – Nicodemus.  Although Nicodemus was a very religious man, he was not a child of God.  We can sense his discomfort and shock during the “meeting of minds” he had with the Lord.  It is the same today when people learn that their religion is not enough.  It NEVER is!  Nicodemus comes to Jesus secretly,  thinking of Him only as “a teacher come from God.”  Nicodemus did not know Jesus, but Jesus knew Nicodemus –

John 2:24-25

24 But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men,

25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man.

But Jesus knew that Nicodemus needed more.  Jesus knows that we need more.

  1. We need more than a teacher – we need a Savior
  2. We need more than religion – we need regeneration
  3. We need more than the law – we need life.

Jesus came right to the point when He said  – “Ye must be born again.”  Nicodemus then asks – “How can a man be born when he is old?”

Then, our blessed Savior points out the difference between the two births – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh (the flesh can not change ) and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (the Spirit can not change)

THE FLESH BIRTH. . .

1. The flesh birth produces an old, sinful nature – even in a tiny baby!  Ps. 51:5 – Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2. The flesh birth produces a corruptible nature. – 1 Peter 1:23 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

3. The flesh birth produces an old nature under the sentence of death – from the moment an infant draws breath! – Rom. 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

4. The flesh birth produces an old nature, that makes every single unsaved person – a child of the devil.  1 John 3:10 – In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

THE NEW BIRTH . . .

1. The new birth produces a sinless nature.  1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

2. The new birth produces a nature that cannot sin.  1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

3. The new birth produces a righteous nature.  2 Cor. 5:21- For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

4. The new birth produces a divine nature.  2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

narrow way

Every born again person, no matter what spiritual age, has two natures.  The old nature, from the flesh birth, and the spiritual nature from the new birth.  By the old birth – we are children of the flesh; by the new birth we are the children of God. To what degree we allow the old flesh nature dominate, will determine how much we sin, and conversely, how much we allow the new spiritual nature to dominate, will determine how closely we walk with the Lord.

John 3:7

 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The New Birth – Introduction

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It is of the greatest importance to fully grasp what Jesus meant when He said to Nicodemus – “Ye must be born again.”  The New Birth is Spiritual, and it is as much a birth as the actual physical birth of a human being. 

the new birth is not just a figure of speech!!!!!

Our first birth is of the “seed of man,” and the second birth is of the “seed of God.”

1 Peter 1:23

 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Therefore, one cannot become a child of God by joining a church, any more than a chimpanzee could become a man by joining the human race.  The chimpanzee can dress in human clothing, type on a computer, eat human food, and even drive a car – in many ways living exactly like a man – but the behaviors do not qualify him for the human race.  He is still a chimp.  However, if by some miracle the chimp could be “born again” by the seed of a man, then – and only then – could he become a man.  Acting like a Christian does not make you a Christian, anymore than acting like a human makes a chimp a human. 

The only way to become a child of god is to be “born from above,” by the “incorruptible seed of god.” 

The New Birth is a new creation! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 –  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The New Birth is a spiritual resurrection!

Ephesians 2:1-9 –  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The New Birth is regeneration!

Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

The New Birth is partaking of the Divine Nature!

2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The New Birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith!

John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

The New Birth is being made the righteousness of God!

2 Corinthians 5:21 –  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

the new birth is compulsory (not optional!) if you are to become a child of god. 

John 3:6-8

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Repentance – #6 – The Importance of Repentance

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Repentance is so important that god commands “all men everywhere to repent.” 

Acts 17:30

 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

All means ALL!!!!!

1. The lost are to repent.  Jesus said:  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.   (Matt. 9:13)   He said again:  3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem.  5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.   (Luke 13:3-5)

2. Backsliding, born-again Christians are to repent.  Paul said: Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (2 Cor. 7:9)   The believers in the church at Corinth were quite carnal.  In his first letter to them, he called upon the church to discipline the guilty party, in his second letter he rejoices because the guilty have repented. 

3.  Local churches are to repent!  In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapters 2 and 3, our LORD sent seven letters to seven churches.  He called upon five of them to repent.

The church at Ephesus was to repent because she had left her first love. 

The church at Pergamos was to repent because she permitted the doctrine of Balaam to to be taught, and to eat thing sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 

The church at Thyatira was to repent because she suffered Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s servants to commit fornication. 

The church at Sardis was to repent because she was a dying congregation. 

The church at Laodicea was to repent because she thought she was rich and did not need anything.  In her opinion – she had arrived.  She did not know that she was neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and God was ready to spew her out of His mouth. 

God called on all five of these churches to repent – or he would remove their candlesticks – and they would cease to give their light in the spiritual darkness of the world. 

 The lost are to repent – or perish.

The back-slidden Christian is to repent – or be disciplined.

The local church is to repent – or lose its effectiveness in a world lost to sin. 

Coming up next, the final installment on Repentance – the evidence of repentance!

Repentance – #5 – Impossible to Renew Unto

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Hebrews 6:4-6

4 For it is  impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance ; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The words highlighted in red are the key to understanding this challenging portion of Scripture.  The word “impossible” is saying that the person who so sins, will find it impossible to repent again.

Once again, we will first cover what the Scripture does NOT mean, so that we can fully expose what it DOES mean.

!!!THIS PASSAGE – HEBREWS 6:4-6 – IS NOT ABOUT A BACKSLIDDEN CHRISTIAN!!!

1. Simon Peter backslid. . . Matt. 26:69-75 , repented, John 21:3-17, and was restored to fellowship with the Lord.  King David sinned, 2 Sam. 11:1–27, repented, Psalm 51:1-19, and was restored to fellowship with the Lord . . . 2 Sam. 12:13.

ANY BACKSLIDDEN CHRISTIAN CAN REPENT AND BE RESTORED TO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD.  ALTHOUGH THERE ARE REPERCUSSIONS TO BACKSLIDING, SUCH AS LOSS OF POSITION IN THE CASE OF A FALLEN PASTOR,  FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD CAN STILL BE FULLY RESTORED. 

Lamentations 3:22

 It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

2. So if Hebrews 6:4-6 is not about backsliding, what does it mean?  It is about religiousness.  This Scripture is proof that being religious does not save anyone.  Profession and confession without internal conversion – means no eternal life.  By all outward appearances, they appear to be, and are called – Christians. 

But Jesus said –

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Esau so sinned against the Lord when he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage. . .  Gen. 25:27-3.  Later he tried to repent, but found it impossible to do so!  His repentance was not genuine, in that he lamented over what he had lost, not in what he had done!  He wanted the blessing – but he wanted it on his terms – not God’s.

Hebrews 12:16-17

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

At the Great White Throne Judgment – only the wicked dead will be judged.  They too, like Esau, will try to repent, but will find it impossible. . .

Revelation 20:11-15

11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

great white throne judgment

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Abundant Life – #5 – The Mature Life

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2 Peter 3:18

 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Just as there are four stages of growth in the  natural man, there are four stages of growth in the new born spiritual man, which leads to maturity in the Christian life.

1. The baby stage.  1 Cor. 3:1-4 – And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?  A baby thinks only of itself.  If the baby is denied what it wants, it will wail.  The baby seeks its own, its feelings are easily hurt, and – it is often jealous.  The baby lives to be served – it never serves.  It can only drink milk, and cannot eat solid food.  The baby cries a great deal – but never sings.  It tries to talk – but makes no sense.

IT IS A SAD BUT TRUE FACT, THAT MANY CHRISTIANS DISPLAY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SPIRITUAL BABY.  THOUGH THEY ARE BORN AGAIN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD – THEY NEVER GROW AND DEVELOP SPIRITUALLY.  THE SPIRITUAL BABY IS A CARNAL CHRISTIAN.

2. The little child stage.  1 John 2:12 – I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. Some Christians grow enough to become little children spiritually – but many stop there.  Spiritual little children are often untruthful, envious,  and even cruel.  When rebuked, they take on the role of martyr.  If crossed, they feel resentment, and may even make a scene.  They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear (grownups call it gossip!)  The child is given to emotional outbursts, and their immaturity causes them to be easily puffed up.  They live for praise, and will accept that praise from ANYONE!  The child only seeks after what will appeal to self.

ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL CHILD????

3. The young man stage.  1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  Another sad fact – not many believers reach the stage of a young man in Christ.  He is strong and virile – well able to overcome his enemy – Satan (in his many forms) The young man’s vision for the future consists of his faith and courage.  He is preparing for his most productive years.  

WE CAN BECOME A YOUNG MAN SPIRITUALLY BY “PUTTING AWAY CHILDISH THINGS!”  1 COR. 13:11 – WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD: BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS.

4. The father stage.  1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  This stage can be reached by all believers – but SO FEW EVER ATTAIN IT.  The spiritual father has peace with God.  Rom. 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  The father knows the peace of God.  Phil. 4:7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  He rejoices in his spiritual children.  1 Thess. 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?  The father has learned contentment under ALL circumstances.  Phil. 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  He knows the ONLY source of true strength.  Phil. 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  The father NEVER broods over the past, but continually looks to the future.  

Phil.3: 13, 14 –   13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  He knows that ALL  things work together in his life for ETERNAL GOOD.   Rom. 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

THE SPIRITUAL FATHER ENJOYS THE ABUNDANT LIFE NOW – AND WILL ENJOY IT IN THE LIFE TO COME.  EPH. 2:7 – THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

This concludes our study of the Abundant Life.  Next up in our deep study of doctrine – Repentance!

Study of Prayer – #6 – Does God Answer All Prayer?

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Our Bible is filled with answered prayers from beginning to end.  We are commanded to pray, and God has promised to answer:

JEREMIAH 33:3

3 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE, THERE ARE TWO REQUIREMENTS FOR ANSWERED PRAYER. 

JOHN 15:7

7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Firstly,  we are to abide in Him – that is – to continue in Him: remaining in His perfect will at all cost. 

ROMANS 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Secondly, His Words are to abide in us, becoming a vital part of our lives.  We are to be filled with – and guided by – His Words. 

COLOSSIANS 3:16-17

16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

IF YOU MEET THE TWO REQUIREMENTS – YOUR PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED

1. Sometimes – the answer is immediate.  Peter walked on water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me.”  The answer was immediate. 

MATTHEW 14:22-31

22 And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.

29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

2. Sometimes – the answer is delayed.  ANY delay is according to His perfect will. 

ROMANS 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

A good example of delayed answer to prayer is the resurrection of Lazarus.  Mary and Martha sent for Jesus because Lazarus was sick – and Jesus delayed His visit until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days.   Then He raised him from the dead.  The answer was delayed – not denied. 

3. Sometimes – the answer is no.  When God answers with a “no,”  He always accompanies that “no” answer with peace and grace – if you will receive it!   

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

4.  Sometimes – the answer is different than what we expected!   Pray for patience – and God sends you tribulation. 

ROMANS 5:3

humility 2

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. . .

God answers all of our prayers – not according to our wishes – but according to His perfect will. 

This concludes The Study of Prayer.    Coming up next – A thorough study of faith.

Study of Prayer – #5 – Hindrances to Prayer

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Unanswered prayer is something that every believer encounters in some respect.  But is it really unanswered – or something else?  When prayers go unanswered – we must examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word.  After thorough examination, we are likely to find something that is not pleasing to the Lord.  The solution is to confess it, earnestly believing God for forgiveness that our prayers may be answered. 

1 JOHN 1:9

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 THE FIVE HINDRANCES TO PRAYER FOUND IN SCRIPTURE:

1. An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer. 

1 PETER 3:1-7

3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

2. Selfishness will hinder prayer. 

JAMES 4:3

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

3. An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer.  So many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have sinned against others, or have been wronged themselves, and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.   

MATTHEW 5:22-24

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

4. Unbelief will hinder prayer. 

JAMES 1:6-7

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

HEBREWS 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

5. Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer.

ISAIAH 59:1-2

59 Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

PSALM 66:18

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

When we pray, we must go to God in all humility –    asking  Him to reveal anything in our lives that is not pleasing to Him.  Then judge it, confess it, calling it by name!  And then – forsake it.  Pray in simplicity and earnestness, believing: and then God will hear and answer.  

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Study of Prayer – #4 – Where to Pray

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Anyone who reads the Book of Acts can see the remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus.  It is noted again after Pentecost.  Please consider: Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed  in the Garden.  Matt. 26:36-46

BUT AFTER HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION –

1. They assembled in the Upper Room, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  And they prayed!  We should always pray when assembled with other believers. 

ACTS 1:13-14

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.

2. They prayed as they went from house to house. 

ACTS 2:42-47

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

3. They prayed in the church when Peter was in prison. 

ACTS 12:5

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

4. Paul and Silas prayed (and sang) while they were in prison.  Here, we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers – but not for the purpose of being heard of them!  Never pray to please others who may be present – pray only to please God.  

ACTS 16:25

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

5. The most important place to pray?  Anywhere you can be alone with God! 

MATTHEW 6:6

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

6. We are instructed to pray in all places and at all times. 

1 TIMOTHY 2:8

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

What joy it is indeed, to be able to talk with God, any time, any place and under any conditions or circumstances – and know that He will hear and answer!  

second coming

Coming up next – hindrances to prayer. 

Study of Prayer – #3 – How to Pray

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Is there a way to pray that will cause God to listen?  Are the rote prayers of the Anglicans and Roman Catholics actually heard by God?  Let’s find out! 

AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE:

Our Lord gave this prayer as a model, after one of His disciples asked Him – “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.”

MATTHEW 6:9-13

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

1. We are to pray to “Our Father which is in heaven,” because He is all-wise, all-loving and all-powerful.  And we are instructed to pray in the name of Jesus. . .

JOHN 14:13-14

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

. . . depending on the mediative influence of the Holy Spirit.

ROMANS 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

2. We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom.  Please note that this occurs after the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth.

MATTHEW 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:

32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?

38 When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee?

39 Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.

41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.

44 Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?

45 Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

4. We are to pray for daily necessities.

5. We are to pray for forgiveness, and practice forgiving others.

6. We are to pray for the leading of the LORD, and deliverance from evil.

7. We are to pray in faith.

HEBREWS 11:5-8

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

The model prayer given to us by The LORD is brief, to the point, and NOT repetitious!   It is the “prayer perfect.”  It is not to be recited by rote – it is an ideal example of what should flow from the believer’s heart when communing with His Creator.  

AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE:

Please, please – do not use this as a rote prayer!  It is to be done – “after this manner,” not recited! 

sparrows

Next up in the study series – Where to pray.

Study of Prayer – #2 – Why Pray?

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As we move through this study series, the answer to the title question will be obvious to most believers.  Yet, we can delve into the “why” a little deeper.  And we should delve as deep as we can if we are past the milk stage and ready for solid meat.  Immature Christians will not want to know that much about it – their lives are consumed with worldly cares.  If you consider yourself a more mature believer – come along into the “deep things of God.”

Luke 18:1 

And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint

1. We pray because Jesus said to.  “Men ought always to pray.”  That is not a suggestion – it is an imperative.  We are commanded to pray –

Matthew 26:41

 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

2. We pray because it is the only way to get things from God. 

James 4:2

 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3. We pray because prayer will deliver us out of all our troubles.

Psalm 34:6

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

4. We pray because there is joy in prayer.

John 16:24

 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

5. We pray because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom.

James 1:5

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6. We pray because prayer is a channel of power. 

Jeremiah 33:3

 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

7. We pray, because it is a sin NOT to pray. 

1 Samuel 12:23

 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

8. We pray because sinners can be saved when they pray in faith.

Romans 10:13-14

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

9. We pray because Jesus Christ, while here in the flesh, prayed often to the Father –  how much more should we in our sinful flesh, “pray without ceasing?” 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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 Pray without ceasing.

There it is – the most important reason why we pray.  If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray – it behooves us to be as like Him as we can possibly be. 

Study of Prayer – #1 – What is Prayer?

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In the beautiful communion we have with The LORD, called “prayer,” something deeply intimate occurs between the believer and his Maker.  Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking on a one to One basis with the Sovereign Creator of the universe.  When we pray – we make our requests known  unto Him in faith. 

MATTHEW 7:7

 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

On the surface, the above verse is very simple.  But is it simple?  No.  Therein lies the danger.  On the surface, the Scripture is very simple, so simple in fact, that we are in danger of not recognizing Its immensity.  The LORD instructs (it is an imperative statement or command) believers to ask, then seek, and then knock. 

ASK – SEEK – KNOCK – THESE THREE WORDS COVER THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF PRAYER

Prayer is asking and receiving.  When you know the will of God regarding a need, spiritual or material, you can ask and receive.   This is prayer according to the revealed will of God. 

1 JOHN 5:14-15

14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
15 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

Prayer is seeking and finding.  When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will regarding this need until you find it!  This is prayer for the unrevealed will of God in a specific need. 

COLOSSIANS 3:1

 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

JEREMIAH 29:12-13

12 Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.  

Prayer is knocking and opening.  When you know the will of God, yet find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door.  This is tenacious prayer – prayer for mountain moving faith.  Knocking prayer continues and perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible.  This is miracle-working prayer. 

MATTHEW 17:14-21

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to Him a certain man, kneeling down to Him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to Me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

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All things are possible when you ask, seek, knock . . .

Study of Prayer – Introduction

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Question – What is as old as man, as universal as religion, and as instinctive as breathing? 

Prayer!

GENESIS 4:26

AND TO SETH, TO HIM ALSO THERE WAS BORN A SON; AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ENOS: THEN BEGAN MEN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Prayer is practiced in some form by all of mankind from all faiths.  It emerges from the heart expressing a need – a need greater than man’s ability to negotiate.  Prayer is an acknowledgement of a being higher than himself.

It may be surprising to some, that even though prayers are plenteous – most people don’t know how to pray.  Keep this thought in your mind as we progress through this study – there are only two kinds of prayer. 

In the Parable of the Pharisee and the publican – the LORD teaches us the two different kinds of prayer.

pharisee and the publican

LUKE 18:9-14

9 And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Both men – the Pharisee and the publican – went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose – PRAYER!

  1. The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he believed himself to be worthy.  He gave the LORD a litany of  his exemplary qualities:  his own goodness, he was so much better than others, his good works. “I fast, I give.”  This type of prayer does not reach God.  This is self-righteous prayer. 
  2. The publican, however, presents a much different prayer.  He comes before the LORD in great humility.  He is deeply aware of his sinfulness.  He demonstrates his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner and begging for mercy.  This kind of prayer does reach God.  This is righteous prayer. 

Praying is a privilege.  In fact it is a rare privilege – because when done in humility as in the case of the publican – it brings you into close fellowship with God;  wherein  you admit your need for Him, and your utter dependence on Him.  And if you think about that from a purely practical standpoint – how is it that mere frail humans can commune with the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, Godhead on such a personal level?  It is beyond comprehension – that is what it is.  If thinking about that does not humble you . . .

As this was only the introduction, we hope you come back for a deep, six part study on prayer, installed twice weekly.   We hope that it will bless you and enrich your prayer life, as well as strengthen your ministry to your families and others.

Study of the Church – Part 8

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The teachings on this particular aspect of the church are quite varied due to the manipulations  of men. This study is from Scripture only,  and from Scripture we know that the church has a glorious future in the world, in the air, in the kingdom, and throughout eternity.  The gates of hell will not prevail against the church!

THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD 

Beginning with Pentecost, the Holy Spirit set the course for the church from the time the 120 left the Upper Room until the Rapture. 

  • The church is to wage war:

EPHESIANS 6:10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • The church is to run a race

HEBREWS 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • The church is to labor in love

1 CORINTHIANS 3:9

 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building

The church of Jesus Christ will emerge triumphant despite all the best efforts of the evil one to destroy it.  We can not fail, because for this reason alone – Christ is our Head, the Holy Spirit is our power, and the Word of God is our guide. 

THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH IN THE AIR

  • We shall be caught up

1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17

16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

  • We will receive incorruptible, glorified bodies

1 CORINTHIANS 15:42-44

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body

  • We will meet The LORD in the air and see Him in His resurrected Body  – wow!

1 JOHN 3:2

 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

  • Our works will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ – also known as the Bema Judgment. We do not get punished for our sins here!  Only for our work towards the Kingdom.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:10

 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

  • We will be rewarded or suffer loss of reward

1 CORINTHIANS 3:11-15

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH IN THE KINGDOM

  • The twelve apostles will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel

MATTHEW 19:28

 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • All those who have overcome the evils of Christendom (Laodicea) will sit with Christ on His Kingdom Throne.

REVELATION 3:21

 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.

  • We shall reign with Him for 1,000 years

REVELATION 20:4-6

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH IN ETERNITY

  • After the 1,000 year Kingdom reign of Christ on earth, there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

REVELATION 21:1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

  • The earth will be restored to its original, perfect, created state.

GENESIS 1:1

 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

  • God’s earthly people, Israel, will inherit the new earth

EXODUS 32:13

 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants, to whom Thou swarest by Thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

  • The Bride of Christ will remain in His presence forever – where ever that is.  We can not comprehend how glorious the future of the church is. 

EPHESIANS 2:6-7

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

new heaven and new earth

7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Study of the Church – Part 7

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The last two installments in this series covered the entire purpose of the church.

  1. Worship
  2. Witness

There is a certain amount of conflict over just what the church can do.  Today’s study, the seventh in the series, will cover this aspect relying on sola Scriptura.

the church – its power

Mankind has always lusted after power.  This lust for power is often carried into church.  When we speak of the power of the church – we are not speaking of powerful organized religions headed up by powerful men; nor are we speaking of a mega church, with all the “bells and whistles.” 

On the day of Pentecost, the church received power to evangelize the world.  There were 120 men in the Upper Room, and when they came down, they came empowered by the Holy Spirit.  This was spiritual ecstasy not seen since, and we won’t see it again until the Rapture.   They were filled with joyful, miracle working power –

Acts 20:21

 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

We will first examine where the real power of the church is NOT found:

  • Lavish and/or expensive buildings
  • This or that “new” method of reaching the lost
  • Great wealth – no matter how the wealth is used
  • Prominence/popularity/best selling ____.

The Laodicean church is the bragging congregation:

  • They say we are rich, God says they are poor
  • They say we are wealthy, God says they are wretched
  • They say we do not need anything, God says they need everything
  • They say we are busy in the church, God says they are miserable
  • They say we have a vision, God says they are blind
  • They say we are clothed in fine garments, God says they are naked
  • They say we are satisfied, God says they make Him sick

How to identify a Holy Spirit powered church:

They have the power to evangelize – sharing their faith with a lost and dying world.  Souls are saved. 

2 Timothy 4:5

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

They have the power to reproduce.  Souls are born into the family of God by the “incorruptible seed.” 

1 Peter 1:23

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

They have the power to change people.

Acts 2:37-41

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

They have the power to change places.

Acts 5:28

 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this Name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.

They have the power to change things.

Matthew 17:20-21

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

They have the power to turn the world upside down. 

Acts 17:6

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. . .

When the church is not involved with winning souls – it grieves the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is THE power of the church – not the pastor with personal charisma and mesmerizing speaking skills.  Churches built on pastors are in their very essence – personality cults.  When the pastor dies or moves away – the church will crumble.  When church business meetings consist of “building up numbers” rather than the number of souls saved – that church is lost.  Many, many pastors and church officers fell victim to the “if you build it – they will come,” method of church growth, and as a result – went bankrupt.  A Holy Spirit lead church can never go bankrupt, because it is not filled with bodies – it is filled with the Holy Spirit.  And conversely, a large church building can be filled to overflowing with people – but it can be more empty than the little home church on the other side of town. 

the power of the church consists of  the Holy spirit filled believer sowing the seed, (word of God) the holy spirit hovers over the seed, convicting, converting and leading the lost to a state of repentance – that is when the true spiritual new birth can take place.  the act of witnessing is as much for the saved person who is doing the witnessing – as it is for the lost person who is receiving the witnessing.  the more you talk about jesus christ and his gospel – the more you will be filled with the holy spirit.

Study of the Church – Part 6

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STUDY NUMBER FIVE, COVERED THE THE NUMBER ONE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH – TO WORSHIP GOD.

Study number six, covers the secondary purpose of the church. 

THE CHURCH – ITS WORK

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

The church at Thessalonica did the work of the Lord so thoroughly, that the apostles did not even need to evangelize Macedonia and Achaia.  The church did what is was supposed to do – shared the Gospel with the lost.

Sharing the Gospel is the main work of the church.

THE CHURCH IS COMMISSIONED TO WORK

MATTHEW 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

THE CHURCH WORKS WITH CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

2 CORINTHIANS 6:1

 We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

ACTS 5:32

 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

THE CHURCH WORKS WITH CHRIST IN THE FIELD (THE WORLD)

MATTHEW 13:36-43

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

MARK 16:15

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

THE NEED FOR THE CHURCH TO WORK IS GREAT

JOHN 4:35

 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

THE TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO WORK IS NOW

2 CORINTHIANS 6:2

 (For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

WE – THE CHURCH – ARE TO DO THIS WORK UNTIL THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST – WHEREIN HE WILL JUDGE THE WORK OF HIS SAINTS

2 CORINTHIANS 5:10

 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

THE CHURCH WILL BE REWARDED FOR ITS WORK

1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-15

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The purpose of the church does not consist of self esteem programs, positive thinking and health and wealth.  The purpose of the church is simple:

Come and worship, and go and work.

ACTS 8:1-4

8 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

stoning of stephen

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word.

Study of the Church – Part 3

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Thus far our study of the church has explored that the church is called a:

  • Mystery (Eph. 3:3-10)
  • Body (1 Cor. 12:12-31)
  • Building (Eph. 2:10-22)
  • Bride (2 Cor. 11:2)

It has also been established that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Foundation and Head of both the local church and the universal church.  Today we discuss church organization.  There is Scriptural evidence of some organization in the local church from its very inception.  Indeed – it was a defined and permanent congregation – but not as we know it today. 

THE LOCAL CHURCH IS A MICROCOSM OF THE COMPLETE BODY OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN AND EARTH

Most of the over 100 references to “church” in the New Testament refer to the local church.

Church officers:  

  • “Apostles” – The 12 – There are NO apostles in the church today.
  • “Prophets” – There are NO prophets now, and have not been since the last book of the New Testament was written.
  • “Evangelists” – Evangelists will serve the church until Jesus comes again – they are ministers at large. (2 Tim. 4-5)
  • “Pastors, Teachers and Deacons” – Pastors, teachers, (Eph. 4:11-12) and deacons, (1 Tim: 3:8-11) are local ministers.

Membership Records:

  • The Book of Acts tells of us that there were about 120 in the Upper Room (Acts 1:15-26) and resembles very much a local church business meeting with Simon Peter as the Pastor.  It is here that he leads in choosing one to replace Judas with Matthias by drawing lots. 
  • At Pentecost about 3,000 were added to their numbers by Holy Spirit Baptism (1 Cor. 12:13) followed by water baptism for the local Jerusalem church (Acts 2:41.)
  • About 5,000 were added (Acts 4:4)

Please notice that the above Scriptures state that the numbers were “about,” indicating that they were not striving as many churches do, to achieve a certain number of members in their congregations.  This is a serious problem in many churches, as pastors covet large flocks.  This coveting is often, but not always, fiscally based – frequently  it is very much ego-driven.

ACTS 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Church ordinances:

  • Baptism – There are two Baptisms – Holy Spirit Baptism, (Acts 1:5)  being absolutely necessary for salvation, and the other, Believer’s Baptism, an important and profound symbol of the Gospel (Acts 2:41, 47)  It is important to recognize that water Baptism must come after Holy Spirit Baptism – or else it is meaningless.  In essence – it is like washing a burned, filthy, encrusted, rusted, and pitted pot with water, when it is truly unsalvageable.  Water Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. 
  • The Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s Supper is commemorative of His broken body and shed blood for the remission of our sins.  The Lord’s Supper is restricted to those who are born again or Spirit baptized (1 Cor. 10:16-17.)  It is also restricted to those who are in right fellowship with the Lord, striving to walk with Him and making full confession before partaking in the ordinance.  (1 Cor. 11: 17-30.) 
660b1-sheep-with-shepherd

TITUS 1:5 

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Study of the Church – Part 2

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Thus far in our study of the church, we have observed from Scripture that the church is a mystery, it is a singular body, it is an invisible building built with living stones, it is the only Bride of Christ, and that the only foundation for the church is Jesus Christ. 

Many organized religions endeavor to place a sinful human being at the head of their church.  This is not Biblical!

THE CHURCH: ITS HEAD

He is the Head of the body – the singular body which is the church.  If a body is headless, it is dead, if a body has a sinful, sick head, it is diseased.  His position is all encompassing as The Foundation, The Cornerstone, and The Head of the local church. 

He is also Head in the broadest sense – including ALL truly born again, blood washed, Spirit baptized believers – in heaven and earth – from every tribe, nation, culture, and denomination. 

As a living body built from lively stones, the church is more than a  religious organization – it is an organism – Christ being the living head of that body.  The church is alive with with the life of Christ – which is passed into each member of the body. 

That the body is seen in its many members with different abilities and operations which are under the direction of One Head: 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12

 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

That all are baptized by One Spirit into one body:

1 CORINTHIANS 12:13

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  

The church in the broadest sense cannot be joined – the only way to become a member of His body is to be spiritually born and baptized into it by the Holy Spirit.

JOHN 3:1-7

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The members of the church all differ from each other, yet function as one in the will of God.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:14-18

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.

The smallest and weakest members of the body are just as important to the functioning of the body as the dominant members. 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22-23

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

If one member of the church suffers – the whole body suffers, in the same fashion, if one member of the body is honored, the entire church is honored.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:26

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

WE ARE TO MINISTER TO EACH OTHER IN LOVE!

The Lord Jesus NEVER delegated His authority to any one – not pope, pastor, deacon, or even the majority of a congregation.  He is the absolute and final authority!

  1. THERE IS ONE HOLY SPIRIT
  2. THERE IS ONE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
  3. THERE IS ONE BODY – THE CHURCH
water in a weary land

EPHESIANS 1:22

 And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church. . .

Study of the Church – Part 1

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In the Introduction to this series, we covered that the church is:

  1. a mystery
  2. a singular body
  3. an invisible building
  4. the only Bride of Christ

THE CHURCH: ITS FOUNDATION

There is a great deal of controversy over the passage we are going to study here.  It is my hope that any confusion will be laid to rest.

Upon this Rock I will build My church.

The misinterpretation over who is the “rock,” in the above verse, is the major difference between Roman Catholicism and Mainstream Protestants.   It is very important to understand what takes place before this statement is made.  Leading up to it – Jesus asks His disciples:

MATTHEW 16:13

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

They answer by naming some of the prophets:

MATTHEW 16:14

 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He responds:

MATTHEW 16:15

 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Peter answers:

MATTHEW 16:16

 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

In verse 13, Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Son of man.”  Now, Peter addresses Him as the “Son of the living God.”  Jesus blessed Peter, saying that this Great Truth came from God the Father.

MATTHEW 16:17

 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.

Again  He said to Peter:

MATTHEW 16:18

 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Very important!!!!!

Peter = Petros = little, or small rock

this rock = Petra = great rock

Jesus did NOT say He would build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, the ROCK OF AGES.

Simon Peter called Jesus Christ the “living Stone,” the chief “Cornerstone,” a “Stone of  stumbling,” and a “Rock of offense.”  Peter spoke of ALL believers as “living stones,”  including himself.  Christ is the foundation, and all believers are the building stones.  Peter does no where indicate that he is anything other than one among many of the building stones of the true church.

1 PETER 2:1-10

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Paul speaks of Jesus Christ as the foundation of all the Apostles and Prophets.

EPHESIANS 2:19-2

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Paul also said:

1 CORINTHIANS 3:11

 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Very important – although the church is a mystery in the Old Testament – yet Isaiah wrote:

ISAIAH 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone,

water in a weary land

a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

CHRIST IS THE ONLY AND SURE FOUNDATION OF HIS CHURCH – ALL BELIEVERS – INCLUDING PETER – ARE LITTLE BUILDING STONES, BUILT INTO A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD. 

Study of the Church – Introduction

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The word “ecclesia,” in the New Testament was used to designate any assembly – political – Christian – or national.  Jesus said – “I will build my church (ecclesia)” in Matthew 16:18.  Used in this context it means a “called out” assembly or congregation.  Israel was “called out” of Egypt whereupon they congregated in the wilderness.  Today – the saved ones are “called out,” of the world to congregate in worship.  What we are talking about is something that can not be seen with human eyes.  It is the church that is in the world – but not of the world. . .

The church in the wilderness came to an end, but the church that Jesus Christ is building will never cease.  He said “the gates of hell shall  not prevail against it,” and it consists not of buildings and ordinances, but only of those souls who are saved – they are the building stones of the true church. 

THE CHURCH IS A MYSTERY –

Only fellow heirs can understand this mystery, because it is only revealed through the Spirit.  And only those born again, blood washed, and Spirit- baptized believers constitute the Church of Jesus Christ.

EPHESIANS 3:3-10

3 How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.. .

THE CHURCH HAS A SINGULAR BODY –

Christendom is made up of those who profess to be Christians, but they do not know Christ personally.  The religionists would say that we are outside the faith because we do not obey their tenets – yet the Word of God states that each and every truly born again believer is part of the same body.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

THE CHURCH ITSELF IS AN INVISIBLE BUILDING

Not that there is anything wrong with church buildings, but the true church is built from  the born again souls that occupy the building – not the building itself.

EPHESIANS 2:10-22

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY BRIDE OF CHRIST

As Israel in the Old Testament is often referred to God’s “faithless wife,” the blood washed church is referred to as the pure and spotless “bride of Christ.”

2 CORINTHIANS 11:2

 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

rapture23

This concludes the introduction of our study on the Church.  Please come back for a detailed analysis of the Church, which will be installed in seven parts. 

The Rewards of Crowns – Part 4

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How pleasant it is, during these perilous times, to contemplate the rewards and peace The LORD has promised us in His Word.  Thus far in our study of the crowns we have covered:

  1. THE CROWN OF LIFE
  2. THE CROWN INCORRUPTIBLE
  3. THE CROWN OF REJOICING

THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Not to be confused with the “righteousness of God,”  which the believer receives when he accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior.  When a person is born again of the Holy Spirit – he is “made the righteousness of God in Him.”  This is saving righteousness, and it is a gift of God,  which the lost accept by choice. 

2 Corinthians 5:21

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

The “crown of righteousness” is a reward, not a gift, to be earned only by the saved.  If the believer looks for, and loves the doctrine of the Second Coming – it will be evident in his whole life.  We have no finer example of this than Paul:

Paul fought a spiritual battle his entire Christian life – and won!  2 Tim. 4:7 – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. . .

Paul never surrendered to the enemies of righteousness!  Eph.6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Paul had a set course to travel, and he maintained his course, never detouring around the rocky places, neither did he, at any point – LOOK BACK!  Luke 9: 61,62 –  61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Paul traveled the entire length of the course set before him with his eyes fixed fully on CHRIST!  Phil.1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. . .

Paul never, in his entire walk, betrayed  a single one of the great doctrines – preaching the “whole counsel of God.”  Acts 20:24-31 –

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Paul’s vision was fixed so firmly on Christ – that he looked ahead  to the “Judgment Seat of Christ,” where believers who “love His appearing,” will receive the Crown of Righteousness. 

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

second coming

Do you see how important it is for you, as a believer, to focus your longing on The Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – and not on the antics of the son of perdition?  This crown may be awarded to any believer – who  intensely longs for and loves the Second Coming of Christ more than anything – more than this country, more than their freedom, more than their life. 

Rewards of Crowns – Part 3

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The beauty of our LORD is so evident in the crowns  He gives to some of the saved.  So far in this series we have explored:

  1. The Crown of Life
  2. The Crown Incorruptible

Some say this next crown is the best crown – it is the “soul-winners” crown, and is the reward for the greatest work a believer can do for the LORD.  Bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The degree of joy we experience in heaven is directly related to the souls we have had a part in bringing to Christ. 

THE CROWN OF REJOICING!

1 THESSALONIANS 2:19

 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

It is GREAT wisdom to win lost souls to Christ.  Pro.11:30 –  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

We work AGAINST sin when we win lost souls to Christ. James 5:20 – Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Heaven is FILLED with joy when souls are won for Christ. Luke 15:10 – Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

We SHINE as the stars in heaven when we win souls for Christ. Dan.12:3 –  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

The wonderful thing about this crown, is that it can be won by any believer!  

HOW TO WIN SOULS TO CHRIST:

Make your life a witness!  Live in such a manner that the lost can see Christ living in you.  2 Cor.3:2 – Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. . .

Let the Holy Spirit use your mouth as a witness to give power to the spoken word!  Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Let your “stuff” be a witness, that others may preach Christ with your tithes and offering – and you will have fruit that will abound to your account!  Phil. 4:15-17 –

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

2 Cor. 9:6 – But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

THIS PROMISE FROM GOD –

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

jesus-christ-wallpapers-4

YOU WILL NOT REJOICE ALONE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE CROWN OF REJOICING – ALL HEAVEN WILL REJOICE TOO!

JOHN 4:36

 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

The Rewards of Crowns – Part 2

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As if the Crown of Life weren’t enough – our gracious and merciful LORD wishes to bless some of us even further. 

THE CROWN INCORRUPTIBLE

In 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, Paul makes use of the Greek games as an analogy of the spiritual race of the believer.  As we are in the midst of Olympic games now, this is especially meaningful.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

According to Greek law at the time, no young man could participate in the games unless he was a Greek citizen.  Paul’s brilliant analogy allows us to see that no unsaved person can participate in working for the LORD for rewards.  You must be a citizen of heaven.

Close examination of verse 27 shows us that just as the athlete controls his flesh, so believers must do the same.  The athlete and the believer are both in the race – and both may lose their “crown,” or reward.  If the athlete does not win the crown –  he does not lose his Greek citizenship.  Nor does the believer lose their salvation – they only lose the crown.

THE RULES OF OUR GAMES

The believer must deny themselves of anything that restrains them from full dedication to the LORD and His service.  Heb. 12:1 – Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our eyes must be fixed on Christ – “our finish line,” looking neither to the right hand nor to the left.  Heb. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our strength must be found only in the LORD.  Eph. 6:10-18 –

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

Our all must be placed on the altar of the LORD.  Holding back does not win anything!  Rom. 12:1-2 – 

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We all, must, by faith, refuse anything that will impede spiritual progress.  You may even have to refuse a job or a promotion if it places you  in a situation which stifles (or is openly hostile) to your spiritual growth.    Heb.11:24-29 –

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Should we be “spiritual spectators?”  Or should we enter this most important race of all – to win the incorruptible crown!  

Rewards of Crowns – Part 1

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If you have used the correct “building materials,” (gold, silver, precious stones) then you are sure to receive rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  In the New Testament, these rewards are called “crowns.” 

THE CROWN OF LIFE

Sometimes called the “Lover’s Crown,” because it is built on the love of God. 

JAMES 1:12

 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

Wow.  We need to memorize that one.  Look carefully at it again.  It says that the believer finds strength to overcome the world and it’s temptations and trials through the love of God.  In today’s self-esteeming society, it seems incredible to even think of “glorying in tribulations,” but that is exactly what we do when –

ROMANS 5:3-5

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Without the love of God in our hearts, we can become bitter, even spiteful – thereby – losing the Crown of life!  ALL believers have eternal life – but that does not equate with the reward of THE Crown of Life.  The Crown of Life is given to those who are –

REVELATION 2:10

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

To receive this reward,  we must love The LORD more than our own lives! 

MARK 8:35

 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

LIVE FOR CHRIST ONLY, ENDURE TEMPTATIONS ONLY IN THE POWER OF THE LOVE OF OUR HOLY GOD – IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN THROUGH SELF DISCIPLINE AND “LAW KEEPING,”  YOU WILL FAIL.

Jesus saving

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13

 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The Rewards of Crowns – Introduction

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It is essential to understand the vast difference between the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved. 

Salvation is a gift from God. . .

EPHESIANS 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rewards are  given according to the works of the believer. . .

MATTHEW 16:27

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.

WE DO NOT LABOR FOR SALVATION!!!!!

This Scripture reveals all Truth about rewards-

1 CORINTHIANS 3:8-15

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (every believer will be rewarded according to his own labor)

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. (we are laborers together with God for rewards – not salvation!)

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (the believer is to build on the LORD Jesus Christ – the only foundation)

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (every believer has a choice between two types of building materials – gold, silver, precious stones – the eternal building materials; or wood, hay and stubble – the temporary building materials)

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Every believer who builds with eternal materials, will receive rewards – and those believers who build with temporary materials will not receive rewards – because their wood, hay and stubble will be “burned.”  These believers will actually be ashamed at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

1 JOHN 2:28

water in a weary land

 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear,

we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

It is important enough to mention the doctrine of “Lordship Salvation.”  There is ambiguous understanding of this term among God’s people – largely because of the redefining of the term “repentance.”  What many preachers are teaching as repentance is not what the King James Bible says.  The true definition of repentance means to “turn, or change your mind.”  It does not mean the sinner stops sinning! If you for one minute, think you are capable of not sinning, or keeping the Law – you are effectually denying the complete sufficiency of our Savior’s atonement for the sins of the entire world.  By saying that you are “keeping the Ten Commandments,” you have placed  yourself on His level – which is blasphemy – for only He can keep the Law perfectly, because He is the Personification of it.

Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ,  and turning towards Him in faith for salvation.   Turning from sin is not the definition of repentance, but it is one of the of signs of genuine,  faith-based repentance towards the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to build only on the foundation that is Christ – and not with the shabby materials of wood, hay and stubble, but with solid stones of planting, cultivating, and harvesting the Gospel of Peace.

cornerstone

1 PETER 2:6-8

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Judgments – Part 5

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In review – the first four parts of this series on judgments covered:

  1. The judgment of the believer’s  sins
  2. The judgment of the believer’s self
  3. The judgment of the believer’s works
  4. The judgment of the nations

This fifth and final study on the judgments will cover the judgment of the wicked.

IN THE FIFTH JUDGMENT THE WICKED DEAD ARE TO JUDGED AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE WHICH TAKES PLACE AFTER THE 1,000 YEAR REIGN OF KING JESUS CHRIST ON EARTH

AT THIS JUDGMENT, THE WICKED DEAD WILL SEEK  A HIDING PLACE FROM THE FACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  NO HIDING PLACE WILL BE FOUND FOR THEM.  Rev. 20:11 –  And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

AT THIS JUDGMENT, THE “DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT,” WILL STAND BEFORE GOD.  THE GREATNESS OF THE PERSON WILL BE WORTHLESS.  Romans 3:12 – They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

AT THIS JUDGMENT, THE “BOOK OF LIFE,” WILL BE OPENED .  IF THERE ARE NO SAVED AT THIS JUDGMENT – WHY IS THE “BOOK OF LIFE” OPENED?  THE WICKED WILL BE SHOWN THAT GOD IN HIS MERCY GRANTED SPACE FOR THEM WITHIN THE “BOOK OF LIFE,” SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.  Romans 1: 18-20 –

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

AT THIS JUDGMENT THE WICKED WILL BE JUDGED “ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.”  BECAUSE GOD IS JUST, AND THERE ARE DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL, SOME WILL BE PUNISHED MORE THAN OTHERS.  Luke 12: 42,48 – 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  /  48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

AT THIS JUDGMENT THERE CAN BE NO ACQUITTAL, NO PAROLE, NO PURGATORY, NO HIGHER COURT IN WHICH TO APPEAL.  LOST – AND LOST FOREVER!  DAMNED TO ALL ETERNITY WITHOUT HOPE.  NO SYMPATHY, NO LOVE, NO ESCAPE.  NOT EVEN THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD EXTENDS PAST THE PORTALS OF HELL.  Luke 16: 19-31

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

All the unbelievers who have died and are in Hell will be resurrected and stand before the Great White Throne!  Hell will be emptied and the wicked will stand in a court of LAW before the only righteous Judge of the Universe where they will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire. 

The “Book of Life,” is there in case anyone claims innocence!  None of the wicked dead will be wearing the proper attire – the Blood of Jesus Christ! 

REVELATION 20:14

 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

great white throne judgment

If you are not sure  your name is in the Lamb’s book of life, you need to make sure by trusting in Christ as your Savior.  The future does not end here. . . think about eternity . .

JOHN THEN SEES AN UNINHABITABLE EARTH

REVELATION 21:1

 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

new heaven and new earth

TIME ON EARTH IS FINISHED BUT ETERNITY CONTINUES!