Tag Archives: god

Can the Bible be Trusted?

Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles wrote to the Thessalonians in chapter 3: 1, asking them to pray –

“that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.”

When the Bible is made free – it has the power to change individual lives, turn despair into hope, and hatred into love. From the beginning of the church, Christians were known as the “people of the Book.” Since Satan and his followers can not destroy It – they seek to corrupt It.

Great American Bible scholar – Reuben A. Torrey gave 10 reasons why he believed the Bible was the in-spired (God breathed) and preserved Word of God:

1. On the ground of the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. On the ground of its fulfilled prophecies.

3. On the ground of the unity of the Book. (When 66 Books, written by 40 authors, spanning 1,500 years, among different countries, provide a Book with no contradictions, and consistent doctrine and principles – it must be supernatural)

4. On the ground of immeasurable superiority of the teachings of the Bible to those of any other and all books.

5. On the ground of the history of the Book, its victory over attack.

6. On the ground of the character of those who accept and those who reject the Book.

7. On the ground of the influence of the Book.

8. On the ground of the inexhaustible depth of the Book.

9. On the ground of the fact that as we grow in knowledge and holiness, we grow towards the Bible.

10. On the ground of the direct testimony of the Holy Spirit.

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“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

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:

Inward proof
Outgoing proof
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

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

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

⁹In 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.

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

¹¹Beloved, 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

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

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

Numbers 21:5-9

⁵And 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.

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

⁷Therefore 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.

⁸And 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.

⁹And 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.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?

²For 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.

³He 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.

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

⁵But 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.

⁶All 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.

⁷He 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.

⁸He 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.

⁹And 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.

¹⁰Yet 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.

¹¹He 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.

¹²Therefore 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:

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

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

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

⁵And 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

⁷Nevertheless 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.

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

⁹Of sin, because they believe not on me;

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

¹¹Of 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 – ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But 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. ¹⁰And 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 – #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:

²The 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.

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

⁴Nicodemus 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?

⁵Jesus 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.

⁶That 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

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

²⁵And 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.

We need more than a teacher – we need a Savior
We need more than religion – we need regeneration
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.

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; ²Wherein 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: ³Among 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. ⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ⁷That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not 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

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

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

⁸The 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: ³I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. ⁴Or 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. ⁵I 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

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

⁵And 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

²¹Not 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.

²²Many 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?

²³And 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

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

¹⁷For 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

¹¹And 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.

¹²And 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.

¹³And 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.

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

¹⁵And 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. ²I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴For 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 – ¹³Brethren, 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, ¹⁴I 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

³Call 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

⁷If 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.

²And 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

¹⁶Let 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.

¹⁷And 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

²²And 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.

²³And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

³¹And 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

²⁸And 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

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

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

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

⁷And 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.

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

⁹And 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.

¹⁰Therefore 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

³And 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;

²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

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

⁴But 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.

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

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

⁷Likewise, 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

³Ye 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

²²But 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.

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

²⁴Leave 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

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

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

HEBREWS 11:6

⁶But 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:

²But 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

¹⁸If 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.

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.

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

¹¹Give us this day our daily bread.

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

¹³And 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

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

¹⁴If 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

²⁶Likewise 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.

²⁷And 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

³¹When 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:

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

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

³⁴Then 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:

³⁵For 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:

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

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

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

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

⁴⁰And 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.

⁴¹Then 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:

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

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

⁴⁴Then 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?

⁴⁵Then 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.

⁴⁶And 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

⁵By 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.

⁶But 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.

⁷By 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.

⁸By 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!

Next up in the study series – Where to pray.

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

¹⁴And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
¹⁵And 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

¹²Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.
¹³And 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

¹⁴And when they were come to the multitude, there came to Him a certain man, kneeling down to Him, and saying,
¹⁵Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
¹⁶And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
¹⁷Then 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.
¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
²⁰And 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.
²¹Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

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

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

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

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

¹²For 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.

¹³Wherefore 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.

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

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

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

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

¹⁸Praying 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,

²Looking 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

¹⁶For 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:

¹⁷Then 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

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

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

⁴⁴It 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

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

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

¹³Every 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.

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

¹⁵If 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

⁴And 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.

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

⁶Blessed 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

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

⁷That 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 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

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

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

²⁰Teaching 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

³⁶Then 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.

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

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

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

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

⁴¹The 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;

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

⁴³Then 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

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

¹⁰According 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.

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

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

¹³Every 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.

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

¹⁵If 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.

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

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

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

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:

²The 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.

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

⁴Nicodemus 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?

⁵Jesus 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.

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

⁷Marvel 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

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

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

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

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

¹⁸But 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

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

²³And 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

²⁶And 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!

THERE IS ONE HOLY SPIRIT
THERE IS ONE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
THERE IS ONE BODY – THE CHURCH

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:

a mystery
a singular body
an invisible building
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,

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

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

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

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

⁶Wherefore 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.

⁷Unto 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,

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

⁹But 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;

¹⁰Which 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

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

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

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

²²In 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,

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

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

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

⁵Which 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;

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

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

⁸Unto 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;

⁹And 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:

¹⁰To 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

¹²For 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.

¹³For 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²¹And 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.

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

²³And 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.

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

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

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

²⁷Now 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

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

¹¹Wherefore 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;

¹²That 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:

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

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

¹⁵Having 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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

²²In 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.

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:

THE CROWN OF LIFE
THE CROWN INCORRUPTIBLE
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 – ⁶¹And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. ⁶²And 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 –

²⁴But 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.

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

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

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

²⁸Take 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.

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

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

³¹Therefore 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.

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:

The Crown of Life
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 –

¹⁵Now 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.

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

¹⁷Not 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.

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

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

²⁵And 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.

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

²⁷But 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 –

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

⁹And, 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.

¹⁰Finally, 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.

²And 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 –

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

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

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

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

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

²⁹By 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!

Judgments – Part 5

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

The judgment of the believer’s sins
The judgment of the believer’s self
The judgment of the believer’s works
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 –

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

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

²⁰For 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 – ⁴²And 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? / ⁴⁸But 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

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

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

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

²²And 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;

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

²⁴And 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.

²⁵But 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.

²⁶And 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.

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

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

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

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

³¹And 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.

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.**

TIME ON EARTH IS FINISHED BUT ETERNITY CONTINUES!

Judgments – Part 4

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Quickly reviewing the first three segments of this series (which dealt entirely with the judgements of believers) :

The judgment of the believer’s sins
The judgment of the believer’s self
The judgment of the believer’s works

This fourth part deals with the judgment of the nations, all of which are to be judged at the Second Coming of Christ.

The judgment of the nations is not the great white throne judgment.

The judgment of the nations will take place “when the Son of man shall come in His glory. . .then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” Rev. 20:11-15 –

¹¹And 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.

¹²And 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.

¹³And 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.

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

¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. If you read that passage carefully, you will see that the Great White Throne is never called “the throne of His glory.” The throne of His glory is here on earth – and judges only the living!

At the judgment of the nations, there will be no resurrection of the dead. But at the Great White Throne – ALL the wicked dead are raised. Rev. 20:13 – 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.

At the judgment of the nations, the judge is GOD “the King” judging the living nations in His earthly kingdom. But at the Great White Throne, the judge is GOD, judging only the wicked dead.

At the judgment of the nations – no books are opened! Whereas at the Great White Throne the “books were opened.”

At the judgment of the nations, there are two classes of people judged:

“sheep” – the saved. Rev. 7: 9-17 –

⁹After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

¹⁰And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

¹¹And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

¹²Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

¹³And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

¹⁴And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in his temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

¹⁶They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

¹⁷For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. These are those who are saved during the Great Tribulation, after the sealing of the 144,000 Jews who do the work of evangelizing the world.

“goats” – the unsaved 2 Thess. 1:7-10

⁷And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

⁸In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

⁹Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;

¹⁰When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Hard to believe, but there will be many with hardened hearts, who will still reject Jesus Christ, even while they experience the terrible events during the Great Tribulation.

At the great white throne there is only one class – “the wicked dead”

At the judgment of the nations, the Righteous King gives the earthly kingdom to those who are born again as “sheep.” This begins the millennial earthly reign of Christ. At the Great White Throne which occurs after the 1,000 years – there are no saved, and no Kingdom – they are ALL cast into the Lake of Fire.

The judgment of the nations has nothing to do with the church!!!!

Matthew 25:31-32

³¹When 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:

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

Judgments – Part 2

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The first segment of this study covered the judgment of the believer’s sins. We now move on to the next kind of judgment – the judgment of the believer’s self!

This judgment is far more than judging things in the believer’s life. When we, as believers, judge our own selves, everything comes to light – good and bad. We then confess the bad –

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.

And then forsake it –

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

It is not enough to just judge sin in the believer; he must judge self

To judge oneself, is to practice self-abnegation. When the believer sees self the way God sees him – he will renounce self. Essentially, this is replacing the self-life with the Christ-life. Christ IS the believer’s life. Col. 3:4 – When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

To judge oneself is to deny oneself. This is much more than self-denial. Self denial is denying one’s self of the gratification of the flesh. If we only practice self-denial, we are treating the symptom and not the cause. But to deny self – is to ATTACK the cause, because in that self there is “no good thing.” Deny self – and pick up your cross and follow Him! Mark 8:34-38 –

³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

³⁵For 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.

³⁶For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

³⁸Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

To judge self is to LOSE the self-life, and find the Christ-life. 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.

To judge self is to no longer be self-conscious, but to become Christ-conscious. Matt. 28:20 – 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.

To judge self is to no longer be self-controlled, but to be Christ-controlled. Acts 9:6 – And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the most important – to judge self is to no longer practice self-esteem, but to esteem others better than self. Phil. 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

“Comparative Christianity” is something we all practice, some more than others. The only One we should compare ourselves with is Jesus Christ. This comparison will help you to judge yourself against Him, not other believers. Egoism and pride must be forsaken! Praise Him!

1 Corinthians 11:31-32

³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Judgments – Part 1

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Prepared for more doctrine? Ready or not – here it comes!

The Word instructs us to – “rightly divide the Word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) It is essential when studying the judgements to apply this imperative. If we endeavor to make all judgments conform to the theory of one “general judgment,” we are not correctly dividing the Word. The “general judgment” theory is a religious invention – and is NO WHERE taught in the Word of God.

There are five separate judgments revealed to us in the Bible, and each one differs as to time, place, and purpose. Though different – they all have one great commonality – the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge!

John 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

Everyone – from Adam all the way to the last man born on earth – will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to be judged. This first installment in the Judgments series, will deal with the first judgment – in which the sins of believers have already been judged in Christ on the cross.

The judgment of the believer’s sins

Jesus Christ paid the penalty, and on the grounds of His substitutional death, the believer is separated from his sins forever! Ps. 103:12 – As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

The sins of the believer have been “blotted out,” and God has promised that He will “not remember thy sins.” Isa. 43:25 – I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Our precious Savior suffered for our sins that we might be saved and NEVER come into judgment as sinners. 1 Pet. 3:18 – For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

The believer will NEVER be condemned with the world, because Christ was condemned in the believer’s place. 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.

Christ was made a curse for us on the cross. Gal. 3:13 –Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

The believer will not come into judgment because his sins have been purged.

Hebrews 1:3

Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

This is the “present” salvation – Christ paid for our sins because He was judged in the believer’s stead.

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We often hear talk of someone “losing their faith.” This is not possible. You CAN NOT be UNBORN! If you are truly born again – you are eternally saved.

The Nature of Sin – Part 5

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Deuteronomy 25:16

For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Sin is an evil force, the presence of which cannot be escaped from in this earthly, fleshly, life. No – it cannot be escaped from – but it can be overcome by the power of God!

God’s remedy for sin

Mankind, in the fallen state, is unwilling to accept God’s remedy for his own ruination, and forever strives to bring about his own salvation through human means.

Man continually strives for self-righteousness, when his needs must be made the righteousness of God. 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.

Man continually strives to reform himself, when he needs to be regenerated. 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. . .

Man continually strives to “turn over a new leaf,” when what he truly needs is a “new life.” John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Man continually strives to be justified by the law, when his only real hope is to be justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Gal. 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Man continually strives to “clean up” the “old man,” when what he really needs is to be made a “new man” in Christ. Eph. 4:24 – And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

And finally, man continually strives to be saved by good works, when salvation can only be found through the Grace of God. Eph. 2:8,9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The only remedy for the ruination of man is the Son of God, being made sin for us on the cross at Calvary. The only way to receive this remedy, is through faith in Him as personal Savior.

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

John 20:30-31

³⁰And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:

³¹But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

The Nature of Sin – Part 4

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At this point in our study we have covered:

The origin of sin
What sin is
How sin entered the world

We now will reckon what follows 1,2, and 3 – the results of sin. The very fruit of sin is death!

The wages of sin is death.

As a result of man’s sin, there are actually three deaths! It is essential that we realize that death does not annihilate , as the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe; it only separates. Man was created with a soul that lives forever. . .

In the Garden of Eden, Adam’s sin separated mankind from God spiritually; this is spiritual death.

In natural death, sin separates the spirit and the soul from the body. This is the death that everyone is aware of – physical death.

The final death separates man from the mercy of God forever; this is eternal death.

The wages of sin is spiritual death. In the same way that sin separated man from God spiritually and drove him from the presence of God at the Garden of Eden; so does sin separate us from God. Isa. 59: 1,2 – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: ²But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. The only way back to God is to confess your sins to Him. 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 wages of sin is physical death. All physical death is of sin. Yes – even the deaths of children. Death had no claim on mankind until man sinned -now ALL die, because all are in sin. Death is also universal, because we have a universal effect, we therefore must have a universal cause – UNIVERSAL SIN. This cause and effect will continue until Jesus Christ destroys sin and death. 1 Cor. 15:16 – The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Cor.: – ⁵⁴So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The wages of sin is eternal death. Ezek. 18:20 – The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. This is eternal separation from the love of God. Rev. 20:14 – And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Once the soul passes beyond the portal of hell he is lost and lost forever. There is no hope in the Mormon “Baptism of the dead,” nor in the candles and intercessory prayers for the souls of the dead of the Roman Catholics. The lost will continue to exist! But this existence is without hope – being damned, and damned to eternal separation from God. Luke 16: 19-31 –

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

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

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

²²And 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;

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

²⁴And 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.

²⁵But 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.

²⁶And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Eternal separation from the Love of God, is such a bleak, terrifying, and dreadful thing, that we must ask – how can we ever refrain from sharing the Gospel? Can we honestly say that we care about other people – and not make every attempt to save them from that future? Is that not the single most important thing in the entire world? More important than the evil enterprises of corrupt elites? More important then who is nominated for Academy Awards? More important than our comfort zone, our pride, and our sluggishness? More important than anything?

After reading this, please make a list of all the unsaved people in your orbit. It will be distressing, but needs vigilant attention.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

The Nature of Sin – #3 – How Sin Entered the World

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In the first two parts of this series, it was determined that the origin of sin is a mystery that God has chosen not to reveal to us, and that the existence of sin can not be denied. We now move on to how sin came into the world.

THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY SOURCE FOR HOW SIN ENTERED THE WORLD

By one man sin entered into the world. Romans 5:12 – Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

The fall of man is found not long after the creation in Genesis 3: 1-24. When Adam sinned, his seed became corrupt. 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.

Children do not need to be taught to lie, but they do need to be taught to be truthful. We do not need to teach children to be bad, but you do have to teach them to be good. Romans 5:18 – Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

The Word of God says that ALL men are judged sinners – ALL are condemned already. John 3:18 – He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Sin entered the world through our first parents in the Garden of Eden, and “all have sinned,” because ALL are sinners. Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

We all sin by choice, because we are sinners by nature. The dominion that sin holds over us – is in direct proportion to the delight we take in it. It is our choice.

MAN CALLS IT AN ERROR – GOD CALLS IT SIN

MAN CALLS IT SICKNESS – GOD CALLS IT SIN

We now live in a day and age where man minimizes the seriousness of sin. If our sin was serious enough to require Christ’s death – Christians should never make light of sin.

ROMANS 7:13

King James Version (KJV)

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Sin is the transgression of the law.

DEUTERONOMY 6:24

And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.

Despite this truth – man still determines that God’s way is not best – and decides to transgress God’s moral laws.

JAMES 2:10

¹⁰For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

The Nature of Sin – #2 – What is Sin?

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This second part of five studies on the nature of sin has to do with how we perceive it. Since the very beginning in the Garden of Eden – man and his adversary the devil – have tried to cloud the issue – the existence of sin.

It is impossible to deny the existence of sin. Our entire world has been deep in a conflict between good and evil for thousands of years. If, as pop-culture and satanists maintain, sin is an “illness,” or mere “lifestyle” choice – then there would be no need for prisons, or even a judicial system!

Left to his own imaginations – mankind, under the influence of the evil one – relabels sin to make it more palatable. Adultery is changed into indiscretion. Gluttony, perversion and idleness become simple weaknesses of the flesh. To devout religionists – it is the absence of good – their own brand of good, to be precise. Academia defines sin as ignorance, and evolutionists lump it into the “nature of the beast,” hash. The most recent permutation in the “renaming the sin game” is identifying sin as a disease needing to be treated by science. The patient is not a sinner – the patient is sick!

SINCE MANKIND IS INCAPABLE OF DETERMINING THE TRUTH ABOUT SIN – IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE RELY ONLY ON GOD AND HIS WORD TO DEFINE SIN FOR US.

Sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4 – Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Sin is coming short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Sin is rebellion against God. Isa. 1:2 – Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me.

Sin is unbelief, it makes God a liar. 1 John 5:10 – 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.

Sin is “doing it my way,” planning your life according to your own will, without seeking the will of God. Isa. 53:6 – 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.

Sin is all unrighteousness. 1 John 5:17 – All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

Sin is a folly to deceive you, a force to destroy you and a fact to condemn you. Sin is a volitional act of disobedience against the revealed will of God. [Author unknown]

Psalm 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

“that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.”

1. On the ground of the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. On the ground of its fulfilled prophecies.

3. On the ground of the unity of the Book. (When 66 Books, written by 40 authors, spanning 1,500 years, among different countries, provide a Book with no contradictions, and consistent doctrine and principles – it must be supernatural)

4. On the ground of immeasurable superiority of the teachings of the Bible to those of any other and all books.

5. On the ground of the history of the Book, its victory over attack.

6. On the ground of the character of those who accept and those who reject the Book.

7. On the ground of the influence of the Book.

8. On the ground of the inexhaustible depth of the Book.

9. On the ground of the fact that as we grow in knowledge and holiness, we grow towards the Bible.

10. On the ground of the direct testimony of the Holy Spirit.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,

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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 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.

1 John 2:29

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

(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.)

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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.

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.

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.

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

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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.

WE ARE NOT SINNERS BECAUSE WE SIN!

WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE SINNERS!

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.

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John 3:1-6

THE FLESH BIRTH. . .

THE NEW BIRTH . . .

John 3:7

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

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

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

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.

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Acts 17:30

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

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.

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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.

Lamentations 3:22

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

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.

Hebrews 12:16-17

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

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

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

⁹In 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.

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

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

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

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

**WE ARE NOT SINNERS BECAUSE WE SIN!**

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

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

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

⁸The 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.

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

⁵And 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.

²¹Not 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.

²²Many 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?

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

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

¹⁷For 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.

¹¹And 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.

¹²And 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.

¹³And 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.

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

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

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