RLCF Church: Recent Episodes
River of Life Christian Fellowship
River of Life Christian Fellowship is a growing body of Christian believers in Loveland, Colorado, USA.
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/glory-of-god-shining-through-his-church
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/self-commendation-and-self-condemnation
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/allow-the-lord-to-remove-spiritual-hardness
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/obeying-gods-grammar
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/christian-dont-deceive-yourself
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-new-covenant-explained-simply
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-life-continually-filled-with-joy-and-holy-spirit
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/an-unwavering-commitment-to-never-do-our-own-will
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/communion-following-christ-in-giving-ourselves-up
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/being-one-who-is-precious-whom-god-values-highly
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-listened-to-the-father-and-blessed-needy
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/avoiding-the-cross-is-like-worshipping-satan
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/know-this-that-satan-is-a-defeated-enemy
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/follow-jesus-example-in-studying-the-bible
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/discipleship-the-spirit-filled-life-christs-bride
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/recognizing-and-following-the-true-jesus
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/you-can-receive-mercy-but-you-must-find-grace
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/entering-the-kingdom-of-heaven-by-doing-the-father
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/because-he-first-loved-us-much-we-love-him-much
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/dont-be-one-through-whom-satan-infiltrates-church
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/being-of-good-cheer-throughout-this-year
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/believing-god-will-do-the-unbelievable-for-me
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/he-who-believes-in-him-will-not-be-in-haste
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/blessing-of-new-covenant-is-nearness-of-god
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-living-church-is-engaged-in-spiritual-warfare
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-said-i-am-the-way
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-story-of-two-trees
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/what-am-i-still-lacking
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-said-i-am-the-door
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-speaks-through-trees-and-clay
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-way-forward-for-us-as-a-church
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/zealous-to-be-blessing-to-others-good-deeds
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/global-online-youth-meeting-2023-qa
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/young-people-you-can-overcome-sin-and-satan
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/lessons-from-the-samaritan-woman
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/we-walk-by-faith-and-not-by-sight
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/growing-in-spiritual-maturity
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-higher-new-covenant-standard
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/following-jesus-who-died-to-self-every-day
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/be-saved-from-the-perverted-world-system
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/trusting-god-and-following-in-christs-footsteps
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/rlcf-family-conference-2023-qa
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/eight-truths-to-believe-and-confess
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/having-a-right-attitude-to-money
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-to-have-a-godly-marriage
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-example-of-jesus-as-a-young-boy
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-to-have-the-power-of-god
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-blesses-us-to-make-us-a-blessing
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/elders-follow-jesus-example-as-your-leader
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/grace-strengthening-the-heart
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-yielded-obedience-of-christ
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/give-no-room-to-the-devil
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Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/knowing-the-father-and-overcoming-the-evil-one
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-church-that-brings-down-the-gates-of-hell
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-longing-for-my-heavenly-fathers-seal-of-approval
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/lessons-from-mary-of-bethany
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/consider-the-endurance-of-jesus-so-we-dont-faint
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/blessed-is-the-one-who-is-not-offended-by-jesus
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/looking-to-jesus-for-faith-that-leads-to-life
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/seeking-gods-face-with-the-mind-of-christ
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-brings-to-god-and-find-others-to-meet-him
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-to-be-sure-you-are-making-spiritual-progress
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-living-hope-jesus-is-your-high-priest-forever
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-precious-tested-faith-that-pleases-god
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/you-have-a-very-important-task-in-christs-body
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gods-glory-is-his-goodness-which-we-must-manifest
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/repenting-of-christian-idols-to-truly-know-christ
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/through-many-trials-enter-gods-kingdom-right-now
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gods-purpose-in-suffering-is-that-we-may-know-him
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/keep-eternity-in-mind-in-everything-you-do
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/rivers-of-living-water-from-innermost-being
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/finding-strength-in-jesus-and-not-fainting
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/eternal-life-comes-from-constant-dependence-on-god
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-build-strong-churches-through-strong-marriages
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gods-word-is-a-torchlight-shows-you-the-next-step
Episode Noteshttps://rlcf.church/media/sermons/furthering-gods-great-plans-through-our-lives
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/live-in-the-fear-of-god-remember-his-mercy-always
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/filled-so-that-we-can-be-poured-out-for-others
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/being-a-witness-for-christ-with-compassion
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/true-body-of-christ-conceived-by-the-holy-spirit
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/ian-robson-be-saved-from-this-perverse-generation
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/seeking-only-jesus-in-heaven-and-on-earth
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/manifesting-gods-wisdom-to-the-angels-and-demons
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-holy-spirit-frees-us-from-being-orphans
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/everything-pertaining-to-life-and-godliness
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-must-empty-pride-give-indestructible-life
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/being-a-heavenly-minded-provider-for-his-family
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/what-god-has-joined-together-service-in-the-spirit
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/what-god-has-joined-together-worship-in-the-spirit
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/what-god-has-joined-together-repentance-and-faith
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/become-like-a-baby-to-enter-gods-kingdom
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/accepted-by-god-and-keeping-a-good-conscience
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-the-lord-planted-his-churches-through-cfc
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/christ-be-a-curse-that-we-might-become-a-blessing
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-grace-in-which-we-stand-and-overcome
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/make-sure-that-god-is-hearing-your-prayers
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/what-jesus-really-suffered-on-the-cross
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/crying-out-to-hear-and-see-jesus-personally
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-much-freedom-does-god-have-in-my-life
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/seven-things-that-help-me-persevere
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-pursuit-of-christ-a-life-on-the-look-out
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/christ-must-be-the-source-of-all-ministry
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/foundational-truths-for-young-people
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/seeking-the-lord
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/letting-christ-lay-his-burden-on-us
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gods-mysterious-dealings-are-all-for-our-good
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/spiritual-authority-in-the-body-of-christ
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/we-see-dimly-now
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/do-whatever-the-lord-tells-you-to-do
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/exposing-satans-activity-and-deception
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/test-yourselves-to-see-if-you-are-spiritual
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gods-standard-for-us-today-is-far-higher
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/come-and-die-the-call-to-freedom-from-religiosity
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/spiritual-wake-up-call
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/proving-power-christs-resurrection-our-lives
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gods-desire-for-compassion-and-honesty
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-marks-of-heavenly-wisdom
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/5-lessons-god-has-taught-me-this-past-year
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/physician-heal-yourself
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/elders-be-faithful-to-build-christs-church
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Episode Notes http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/mark-gods-presence-church-spiritual-songs
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/look-to-jesus-and-run-without-regret
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/yet-there-is-one-ray-of-hope
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/mark-gods-presence-church-prophecy
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-will-honor-those-who-honor-him
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Episode Notes https//:rlcf.church/media/sermons/fill-it-to-the-brim
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/let-god-glorify-himself-at-your-expense
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-offers-his-wisdom-to-us
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/the-blessing-of-abraham
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/living-with-sense-urgency-before-christs-return
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/total-freedom-from-self-condemnation
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-ordinary-christian-life-and-church
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/learning-the-spiritual-lesson-from-the-israelites
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gom-qa-22jan22
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/preserving-our-families-from-satans-attacks
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/do-not-be-wise-in-your-own-eyes
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/faith-wisdom-thankfulness-and-brokenness
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/truths-that-will-deliver-us-from-deception
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/repent-daily-satan-afraid-you
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/taste-god-given-christ-likeness
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-the-helpless-one-and-the-interceder
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/which-bread-are-you-eating
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-is-looking-for-nobodies-to-be-his-stewards
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-wants-you-to-live-free-from-all-anxiety
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-has-much-more-for-his-children
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/it-is-the-fear-of-god-that-will-keep-you-from-sin
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-goal-of-the-new-covenant-is-to-win-christ
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/avoid-foolishness-with-gods-help
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-life-of-no-regrets
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/prepare-to-meet-your-god
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/spiritual-backsliding-comes-through-neglect
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/jesus-gave-himself-fully-bride-pure
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/family-marriage-qa-birthday-celebration
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/childrens-qa-zac-annie-poonen
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/bringing-up-our-children-aright
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-healthy-husband-wife-relationship
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-challenge-to-greater-godliness
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/qualities-of-a-godly-elder
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-absolute-importance-of-submission-to-authority
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/will-you-ready-moment-jesus-comes
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/hold-fast-beginning-your-assurance
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/foolishness-destroys-a-church
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/dont-give-to-god-that-which-costs-you-nothing
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/understanding-romans-7
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Episode Notes http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/elders-lead-people-into-new-covenant
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Episode Notes http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/sisters-also-need-baptized-holy-spirit
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-most-important-commandment-of-god
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gom-qa-210911
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/baptism-holy-spirit-genuine-counterfeit
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/sermons/media/secret-living-gods-presence-always
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-choice-between-god-and-money
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/filled-with-spirit-overcoming-satan
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-spirit-of-wisdom-and-revelation
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/judging-ourselves-in-gods-presence
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-jesus-lived-under-grace
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/judge-ourselves-not-be-judged
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/some-principles-for-building-the-church
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/taking-part-in-the-breaking-of-bread-meaningfully
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/you-can-receive-power-from-above
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-to-encourage-others
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Episode Notes Jesus: Savior, Baptizer, Forerunner To watch the Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVnlce5cPEY
Episode Notes Jesus is Crying Out to Us To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9jH7In7d-U
Episode Notes A Life Backed by the Authority of God To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw1JSqR_FNU
Episode Notes God to Whom I Belong To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPtucAqy5KM
Episode Notes Knowing God By Listening to His Voice Daily To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcC4gPIzmXk
Episode Notes The Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP-OtqSoY2Q
Episode Notes In My Father's Keeping To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvXHD5F2sU4
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/a-dwelling-place-for-god-like-heaven-upon-earth
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Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/following-jesus-without-comparing-ourselves-with-o
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Episode Notes Beware of the False Circumcision To watch the Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbHuBBZLsw4
Episode Notes The Spirit of Grace and Supplication To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcmm5NQwirc
Episode Notes Knowing God and All He Has Done for Us To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FASuLFJyOQE
Episode Notes A Well Springing Up to Eternal Life To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwrAkgpsFnY
Episode Notes He Knows My Name To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51RnvicqGi8
Episode Notes A Helpless Soul Hanging on God To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mApSVxZ7pKc
Episode Notes Build on Jesus, the Rock To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AZaiCuXHGk
Episode Notes How the Resurrection of Jesus Can Change My Life To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB6VcfuPiA0
Episode Notes A True Picture of God To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDVdA6vgsOk
Episode Notes The Humble Alone Enter God's Kingdom To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP3NCMcPPV0
Episode Notes Keep Your Conscience Blameless Always To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P45RQc0_Xtw
Episode Notes Keep Your Faith in the Faithful God To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np-G8k3fmV8
Episode Notes Will your flame remain? To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dxqkAz0Vbw
Episode Notes The Holy Spirit's Help Today To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKm7TzMmd9U
Episode Notes Keep Yourself in the Love of God To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3WsV1zwIp0
Episode Notes What do you seek? To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu9N2Zejx54
Episode Notes Behold the Glory of God's Humility To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf1DTjG5gw4
Episode Notes Remember Lot's Wife To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zghXtc9rJCg
Episode Notes Give Your Best to God and He Will Open Heaven Over You
To watch the YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyNrS3RtJe8
Episode Notes Honoring the Lord This Year
To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMfumj4a-Pk
Episode Notes Waiting to do a great thing?
To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OymTsxdrfng
Episode Notes The Rich Man's Plea To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp2yyytAHfU
Episode Notes Why Jesus Came to this Earth To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI_gOKz82ME
Episode Notes A Church of Fresh Anointing To watch the Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN9EzNwJfGk
Episode Notes Being Rich Toward God To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU5apcLfjwk
Episode Notes He Didn't Bring You This Far to Leave You To watch to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0unG_NjFOqY
Episode Notes Are you secure in the mountain of Samaria? To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXEOSMO1CyA
Do You Know the Holy Spirit? To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erd5FDdCyDE
The Ministry of Decreasing and Being a Help To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rekS7hWXeI8
A Pursuit to Know God and His Plans To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwEzP6my1YQ
Even Jesus Lived by Faith
To watch the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9E0Xgya3Dk
Matthew 20:17-24 The disciples, beginning with James and John, saw the approaching glorification of Jesus as an opportunity for them to be exalted to positions of authority. What we can understand from Jesus' response to them is that there are two types of people in the world -- takers and givers. The kingdom of the world is characterized by takers -- whether in their marriages, their home life, the work place, the church, etc. The kingdom of heaven, on the other hand, is characterized by givers, beginning with Jesus who came to serve, not to be served. When you progress in the kingdom of the world, you can expect to be served more and more. If you progress in the kingdom of heaven, on the other hand, you will serve others more. Takers always expect others to meet their needs, and so they will eventually get offended over something or the other -- in their marriages, homes, church, etc. -- and leave. Givers, on the other hand, when they see a need, stick it out and seek God for the grace to meet those needs through them. God wants to make all grace abound to us, not so that we can be takers who accumulate more for ourselves, but so that we can be givers who do good to others as a result (II Corinthians 9:6-8). Because Paul was a giver, not a taker, he refused to be financially dependent on the church in Ephesus, and provided for his own needs (Acts 20:25-35). Jesus also said that following Him on this way of serving involves a cup of suffering (Matthew 20:22-28). This is why we emphasize the way of the cross over all the other good earthly causes with which we could get taken up. Every other emphasis results in a hope that will disappoint (Romans 5:5). The true hope that we have been given is one that we can be completely assured of, because God both said it and then took an oath on it (Hebrews 6:13-20). This hope thus becomes an anchor for our soul. We must ensure, however, that the anchor isn't just sitting unused in the boat, or hanging limply over the side. Our anchor must go all the way into the ground at the bottom of the ocean for the boat to be steadfast. We are told that the anchor reaches "within the veil", into the Most Holy Place where God dwells. Drawing on the design of the Tabernacle, if we get stuck along the way with just the forgiveness of our sins and baptism in water (Outer Court), our hope will disappoint. If we go further, but get stuck with just the experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, or doing some service for God (Holy Place), our hope will still disappoint. Let us therefore follow Jesus our Forerunner all the way into the presence of God (Most Holy Place), and be anchored there as worshipers of God. When God is all we seek, we will find that He fills us according to our needs, and causes rivers of living water to flow out from our innermost being (John 7:38).
When Jesus listed the commandments to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:18-19), he omitted the one commandment that had to do with the inner life — the Tenth Commandment on coveting. All the other commandments deal with outward righteousness, but this commandment deals with the inner life. If that man had been honest, he would have admitted that his inner life was rotten despite all his outward good works. What Jesus was trying to tell him was that the only thing that would give his good works value was if they stemmed from eternal life. To receive that eternal life on the inside, he had to throw away everything that he considered valuable, and follow Jesus. All the things that God allows us to have on this earth — money, sports, career/job, ministry, marriage, reputation, righteous deeds, etc. — are all “0”s. The “1” thing that can give them value is Jesus. Without Him being the central part of them all, no matter how many “0”s you have, they all add up to nothing at all. Some years later, another rich young man (Saul of Tarsus) faced the same dilemma. He, however, was honest to acknowledge that even though he had kept all the outward commandments blamelessly and zealously (Philippians 3:4-6), he couldn’t keep the inner commandment at all. Seeing the evil that was present INSIDE him, caused him to evaluate his outwardly blameless life as “wretched” (Romans 7:7-8,21,24). So, putting no confidence in his good works, and treating his “good life” outside of Christ as rubbish (Philippians 3:3,7-11), Paul obtained eternal life in Jesus, and became the greatest apostle of God’s kingdom. Whose example will you follow today? The rich young ruler who was too afraid of having his world come crashing down, and so remained a hypocrite? Or will you follow Paul, who, seeing things from eternity’s perspective, threw away everything else in order to gain Christ?
Everyone in the world is in pursuit of a "good life". But, whether it is a self-centered worldly-minded way of living on one extreme (Jude 1:15), or a self-righteous works-minded way of living on the other (Isaiah 64:6), both are equally detestable in God's eyes. Just because the former may seem more evil outwardly, that can deceive us into thinking that we are somehow better because our works are outwardly "good." These 2 extremes are evident in all areas of life, e.g.: - Money: On one extreme, money can be your master, controlling your thoughts and actions, and becoming the source of your security; this love of money is the root of all forms of evil (I Timothy 6:10). On the other extreme, you can think that godliness is in being materially poor, or that by being generous or philanthropic you can earn your way into eternal life. Both of these extremes are detestable to God. - Sports: On one extreme, sports can be your idol, captivating your time and thoughts. On the other extreme, you can think that complete abstinence from playing or watching sports makes you more pleasing to God. Both of these extremes are detestable to God. - Career/Job: On one extreme, your career or job can become your identity, leading you away from the kingdom of heaven. On the other extreme, you can neglect your earthly studies in school or work at your job, spending your time instead on religious activities like prayer meetings and Bible studies; yet, God, observing your unfaithfulness with your earthly responsibilities, will not be able to entrust heavenly riches to you (Luke 16:11). Both of these extremes are detestable to God. - Ministry: On one extreme, your lust for ministry can become your passion, yet you can justify it because it's "God's work." On the other extreme, you can neglect the gifts God has given you and lose sight of His purpose for placing you in His Body. Both of these extremes are detestable to God. - Marriage: On one extreme, your evaluation of your marriage can come from a "Hollywood" standard of how "in love” you feel with each other. On the other extreme you can be proud of the "godly marriage" or "godly home" that YOU built. Both of these extremes are detestable to God. - Reputation: On one extreme, you can allow the opinions of people to hold you in bondage. On the other extreme, you can have a "couldn't-care-less" attitude about it, preventing you from being able to receive counsel from godly people who care about you. Both of these extremes are detestable to God. - Righteousness: On on extreme, you can turn God's grace into license to keep on sinning (Jude 1:4). On the other extreme, you can strive in your own strength to overcome sin, and think that that is godliness. Both of these extremes are detestable to God. The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what other good works he needed to do to EARN his way into eternal life (Matthew 19:16); Jesus' answer made it clear that it was instead a life that he had to ENTER into (v17)! The rich man's life was like a tower of good works that he had built, and he expected Jesus to tell him what other building blocks he needed to add so that he could finally reach heaven (like the Tower of Babel). What Jesus told him essentially was that the one thing he was lacking was the foundation, implying that the whole tower would need to be torn down and rebuilt. This was something the rich young man was unwilling to do, and so he missed out on eternity. Jesus isn't calling you to try to live a GOOD life, but to receive His ETERNAL life. The difference between the two is the difference between heaven and hell. It doesn't matter what age you are -- even if you have mere seconds to live, like the thief on the cross -- risk it all today to make Jesus your EVERYTHING. It will be the best decision of your life!
If we overcome, Jesus promises to give us a new name (Revelation 2:17). But, that new name will not be about us or our overcoming. Rather, it will be: the name of God, the name of the Bride of Christ (the Church), and Jesus' new name (Revelation 3:12). The name and image that will be stamped on us will have nothing to do with us individually, and everything to do with Jesus! The spirit of heaven is to make Jesus preeminent. So, the Bride of Christ seeks no other identity or name except to be called, “Jesus' delight” and "married to Jesus” (Isaiah 62:2-5). Let us walk this way of faith so that as people interact with us, they encounter less and less of ourselves, and more and more of Jesus. Then we will truly be ready for heaven.
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it NOW. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again” – Stephen Grellet (1773-1855). Under the Old Covenant, no one could behold the glory of God. Under the New Covenant, because the Spirit of the Lord is WITHIN us, we have liberty to behold His glory (II Corinthians 3:17-18)! This is why we must continually seek to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit. To truly see Jesus is to be blind to all other sights; and to truly hear Jesus is to be deaf to all other voices (Matthew 17:5,8). "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim." How "dim" are the things of earth to someone who is actually in heaven in the physical presence of God? So dim that they would be like complete darkness! Spiritually, under the New Covenant, we too can increasingly enter into this undistracted life, while here on earth! Jesus is not preparing many holy individuals who will then reign with Him; but He is preparing ONE holy Bride (Ephesians 5:27). When God allows us to overcome in some area, let us not try to attach any glory to ourselves because of it. The best we had to offer Jesus was “our vile body” (Philippians 3:21). When we recognize that, it will preserve us in humility, so that Jesus can transform it to be conformed to the body of HIS glory.
Matthew 18:11-22 If your “brother” — i.e., your husband/wife, children, or a brother/sister in the local church — sins against you, seek reconciliation with them privately and gently first (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15). Remember that you are trying to win your brother/sister, not the argument! To "win your brother," is to have the attitude that Jesus had. When He looked down from heaven and saw Saul "breathing threats and murder" against Him and His family, Jesus didn't think how He could destroy Saul, but rather, "I must win Saul!" He did win him, and Paul became one of the boldest witnesses for Jesus. When attempts to privately and gently win a brother are unsuccessful, the elders and the church have authority to deal with it (Matthew 18:16-20). This usually comes at the expense of our own earthly reputation, but that is where we demonstrate our value of and sense of protection for God's family. Let us love like Jesus did -- "to the end" (John 13:1). This means that we will be tested with disappointment and sacrifice along the way. But, when we live this way in forgiveness and reconciliation, then Christ WILL be present in our midst (Matthew 18:20). This is the true Church that Jesus is building. To love the Head, Jesus, is to love His Body as well. May we recognize our need of EVERY member of the body in which God has placed us! "I need you, you need me We're all a part of God's body Stand with me, agree with me We're all a part of God's body It is his will that every need be supplied You are important to me, I need you to survive I pray for you, you pray for me I love you, I need you to survive I won't harm you with words from my mouth I love you, I need you to survive."
(Matthew 18:11-17) In our relationships, we all have some level of knowledge (I Corinthians 8:1). From there, however, we face the choice of either continuing to pursue knowledge -- which will only make us proud -- or pursuing love, which will build others up. Love is the greatest of them all, and is how the church is built. It is when we build the Church, however -- as opposed to a congregation or a club -- that we open ourselves to the risk of being hurt, because we are drawing close to each other. When we love, we make ourselves vulnerable, but that is the only way we can experience true unity. Thankfully, God's Word clearly shows us how we can be reconciled in relationships where there has been friction or even sin. In order to eventually experience true reconciliation, however, we must first ensure that we have the right attitude of love in our heart. Two aspects of this attitude of love are: 1) To cover up another's disgrace. Joseph is the first person called "righteous" in the New Testament, and this is because he chose not to publicly humiliate Mary for what was outwardly perceived as sin. That is why the Father could use Joseph as to raise His Son, Jesus. God needs men and women with this spirit to build the Body of Christ today. 2) To build others up after they've fallen, by uniting with Jesus in the ministry of intercession. When Joshua the high priest was covered in filthy garments (Zechariah 3:1-5), Satan immediately came alongside to accuse him. But, the Lord rebuked Satan, and removed Joshua's filthy garments. Zechariah could have joined hands with Satan in accusing Joshua for what was factually correct ("knowledge"), but instead he joined wholeheartedly with Jesus by adding a turban on top of Joshua's head ("love"). Likewise, God is looking for those who will build others up, not tear them down. When Cain was jealous of Abel, his face showed it -- he couldn't even look God in the eye (Genesis 4:5-7). God warned him that if he didn't deal with that resentment, an enemy was crouching at the door seeking to devour him. That enemy was sin. Cain didn't heed God's warning and was devoured by that sin. Likewise, when we face any situation of conflict, whether in the home or in the church, let's remember that the person with whom we are facing that conflict is not our enemy. We have only ONE enemy -- sin! And, we are our brother's keeper. Let us beware of partnering with the Devil in the spirit of accusation, which often begins with a little curiosity to know others' faults and condemn them. Instead, let us partner with Jesus in the ministry of intercession, which covers others.
Sermon Series: To Save That Which Is Lost (Part 2 of 5) Matthew 18:11-17 Jesus came to earth to save that which is lost. This must also be the mission of every local expression of the Body of Christ -- toward others within the church and toward those around us in the world. If 99 out of the 100 sheep are safe in the fold, Jesus' heart is for the 1 that is not. When we share His burden, we will never be jealous of the love and joy of the Father over a prodigal who returns. In the midst of a Christendom that increasingly teaches that sin is okay, we must learn to balance the holiness of God with the love of God. The Devil, as the father of all lies, loves to portray God as someone waiting to catch us in sin so that He can send us to hell. Yet, the Bible teaches the exact opposite, that God is actually longing that everyone will repent (II Peter 3:8-9). That is why, God still allows this world to exist as it does, despite all the suffering in it. When Jesus does return and puts an end to all suffering, it will also mean the end of all opportunities to repent. "Tomorrow" is not the day of salvation, today is! If you need forgiveness today, it does not reduce God's love and mercy, any more than taking a cup of water out of the ocean reduces its supply. But, God invests His love in us so that His love will flow through us toward others. Having been forgiven and justified (Romans 4:25), God gives us the Holy Spirit as an initial deposit (II Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14) of the love that He wants to shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:1-5). Jesus also needed grace for this, and, starting with the introduction (Luke 2:40) He finished the "book of grace" all the way to the end (Hebrews 2:9). Paul also finished his "book of grace" (II Timothy 4:7), despite the fact that he was an enemy of Jesus for the first half of his life. What God did for Jesus and for Paul, He wants to do for you. We see this in the lavish feast that the father threw for his son who had returned (Luke 15:22). It was an initial guarantee of his love for his son, as the first of many "feasts" he wanted to have with him. Let us seek to receive God's love increasingly, which goes beyond just forgiving our sins, but also preserving us from sin, as we dwell in the Father's presence constantly. If we don't keep ourselves in this love of God, all our sincere attempts to exhort or help others in their faults will only cause more harm -- like a building that is architected correctly, but whose foundation is not good. When we keep ourselves in the love of God and recognize the mercy He has shown us, we will be able to have mercy on others in snatching them from the fire (Jude 1:22-23).
Sermon Series: To Save That Which Is Lost (Part 1 of 5) Matthew 18:11-17 “It is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See how they love one another, they say, for they themselves are animated by mutual hatred; how they are ready even to die for one another, they say, for they themselves will sooner put to death” (Tertullian, 'The Apology'). Imagine a church full of gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, and knowledge; full of faith, where mighty works of power are manifest; which gives all its possessions to feed the poor; in which some have even been killed as martyrs. Yet, Jesus would write a big ZERO over all of it if it didn't have love. This Divine love keeps no record of wrongs and does not rejoice over others’ sin (I Corinthians 13:1-6). God cursed Ham because he rejoiced over his father's failure, but blessed Shem and Japheth because they covered it up. Love covers a multitude of sins, and is hospitable without complaint, serving according to the measure of the gift that God has given (I Peter 4:8-10).
Matthew 18:5-14 What is it about children that God loves? They represent the opposite of what the world esteems – status, ability, accomplishment. Therefore, the world does not have any value for them. But let us realize that to receive a little child is to receive Jesus, and to despise a little child is to despise Jesus! Jesus gave a very stern warning about not causing little children to stumble (Matthew 18:7-11). Children are going to come across stumbling blocks in the world, so it is important that the church and every home represented in it must be the one place of safety for them. We must be able to say to the children in our homes and in the church: “Imitate me as I imitate the Father.” So, whatever they see us do and say, they ought to be able to know that that is what the Father is like (John 14:9). We are not there yet completely, but we must constantly be pressing forward toward this goal. The hand/foot. So, for example, are the habits that you indulge in, things in which you can invite a child to partake with you? Can a child look at your attitude toward money and know that that’s what Jesus is like? The eye: Do you have a radical attitude toward lust (I Peter 4:14-16). So, for example, is the type of music you listen to or movies you watch, something in which you can invite a child to participate with you. Are the jokes you tell the kind at which you can invite a child to laugh with you? God doesn’t say that we are to be holy because He said we should; that was the Old Covenant. Under the New Covenant, He calls us to be holy because He IS holy. That means that we can see His holiness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, like little children, simply become imitators of Him as we partake of His Divine Nature. The tongue: Children absorb much of what they hear, even subconsciously. Let us ensure that we are not a stumbling block to them by allowing in our speech any bitterness, wrath/clamor (how we speak to each other at home), slander (how we speak about others at home), complaining, (Ephesians 4:31; Philippians 2:14-15), etc. The heart: Let us be imitators of God in having a perfectly merciful, forgiving attitude toward others (Luke 6:36; Eph. 4:32-5:2).
(Part 2 of 2 in the series: "Becoming Like an Infant") Matthew 18:1-4 The disciples thought they were ready for “PhD Christianity”. Jesus, however, rebuked them that they weren’t even ready for “Kindergarten Christianity”, unless they made a U-turn and became like little children. The beautiful paradox is that the one who is like a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven! Another characteristic of infants is that they are utterly dependent on their father/mother for everything -- e.g., their inability to remove a blanket from their own face which could suffocate them; the inability to reach over and pick up the pacifier that is lying right next to them, which would satisfy their needs; etc. The spiritual equivalent was the first temptation that Jesus faced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-4) -- to satisfy His own needs on His own power -- but He refused to yield to that temptation. And throughout His life, He never pleased Himself (Romans 15:3) This new way of life that Jesus opened up for us (Hebrews 10:20) is the life of being "good for nothing", but dependent on the Father for everything. In order to set us this example, He had to be tempted like us in all things (Hebrews 4:15). The result is that we can come boldly to the throne of grace. There, we can freely OBTAIN mercy; and most Christians stop there. God wants to give us more, however -- and that is, grace. But, grace is something we must FIND (Hebrews 4:16), and that involves losing our own self-life (Matthew 16:25). Here is the new and living way that Jesus opened up for us: 1. From the beginning, as God, He did everything (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1; Colossians 1:16). 2. He then emptied Himself of this power (Philippians 2:5-8). 3. While on earth, He then said that He could do nothing, but simply constantly received life from the Father (John 5:19-20). 4. While on earth, He faced the constant pull toward the death that comes from not being dependent on the Father, so He cried out to be saved from it, and was heard (Hebrews 5:7). 5. The result was that He was able to do everything -- i.e., perfectly obey the Father (Hebrews 4:15)! 6. He promises to give this same life to all who come to Him (John 5:21). 7. If we choose the same way of going down, we too can do ALL things (Philippians 4:13,11-12). And, when we see Him, we shall be fully like Him (I John 3:2).
Matthew 18:1-4 The disciples thought they were ready for "PhD Christianity". Jesus, however, rebuked them that they weren't even ready for "Kindergarten Christianity", unless they made a U-turn and became like little children. The beautiful paradox is that the one who is like a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven! One characteristic of infants is that they are not at all affected by the worldly importance of people (Matthew 21:6-16). If we seek the honor of men we will never be able to believe (John 5:44). More seriously, God warns us that whatever is of worldly importance is an abomination to God (Luke 16:15). If we have truly entered the New Covenant, we will treat honor-seeking in the same way as we treat those things that God called an abomination in the Old Covenant, and have the same repulsive attitude toward it. The only person who matters to infants is their Father/Mother. When we truly become like an infant spiritually, we start to know God this way -- at the expense of knowing everyone else. This is what Jesus said is eternal life (John 17:3). When we are truly converted and become a new creation, then we will seek to know only Christ and not know or be affected by anyone in a worldly way (II Corinthians 5:16-17). Knowing Christ this way, at the expense of knowing anything/anyone else, was the passion that preserved Paul all the way to the end of his life (Philippians 3:10). May this be our testimony too until Christ's return! Amen.
If you are hurting as a result of experiencing loss, you will ultimately only find peace through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. God wants to show you, as you walk through that loss, that His promises are absolutely trustworthy. Types of loss: 1. Spiritual Oppression: The father of the demon-possessed boy had been through much torment on account of his son (Matthew 17:14-21). But, God was testing him to see if he would persevere through all his setbacks until he actually reached Jesus. God works the same way with us, often allowing us to face frustrations along our journey to Him, so that our hope will be only in Him. Why did Jesus die? It was for far more than just the forgiveness of our sins. It was to render Satan powerless and free us from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). So, when the legions of hell come against you, remember, “The Lamb will overcome” (Revelation 17:14)! 2. Emotional Grief (Matthew 17:22-23) Imagine what the disciples must have felt when Jesus told them that He would be leaving them. If you're struggling with a sense of abandonment in some area, remember the promise of Jesus that He won’t forsake you (Hebrews 13:5b-6) or leave you as an orphan. And in the midst of that trial, you can be as alive as He is (John 14:18-19)! 3. Financial Strain (Matthew 17:24-27) Peter was tempted to despair when he didn't have the money to pay his taxes. But, Jesus had promised that those had forsaken all for His sake would receive "a hundred times" more (Mark 10:28-31). God is waiting for you to relinquish claim to all earthly things so that He can provide you with everything you need. Think about all the material things in your life -- money, job, home, etc. Are you SEEKING for them? Or, are you RECEIVING them from God because you are seeking His kingdom first (Matthew 6:32-33)? Tell God: “Lord, I am living on this earth only to build Your kingdom. So, You must ensure that I have the earthly means -- job, food, clothing, house, physical health, children’s education, etc. -- to fulfill that purpose.” From Psalm 27: In spite of the size of the army against me, I am confident; THEY stumble (v1-3). When I desire only to dwell in God's presence, He will conceal me in His tabernacle (v4-6). When I cried out to God for help, His answer was, “Seek My face” (v7-8). And my answer is, "Your face will I seek. Please teach me Your way" (v9-12). I would have despaired unless I had believe that I would see the goodness of the Lord while I am still alive on this earth, despite all its trials (v13-14). Amen!
Matthew 17:9-13 When Jesus said that Elijah “already came” and “is coming” (Matthew 17:11), that was dual fulfillment of prophecy. In the same way that John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus' first coming (Matthew 17:13; 11:14), the Church exists on earth today to prepare the way for Jesus' second coming. The Church's calling, then, as the "Elijah" of today is: 1. Discerning the True Jesus There were other religious leaders in Jesus’ time who taught many good things (Acts 5:36-37). So, it was critical that John the Baptist know exactly who was the true Messiah, in order to point the disciples to Him. He received this by personal revelation from God (John 1:29-34). God has placed the Church on earth, likewise, to identify the true Jesus from all the false Christs that exist in the world today (II Corinthians 11:2-4). One of the primary marks that the true Jesus has been revealed to us is a passion to decrease so that Christ may increase (John 3:27-30). 2. The Ministry of Restoration God promised that the Church would be involved in reconciling people to God (II Corinthians 5:14-21) and restoring God-ordained relationships (Malachi 4:5). 3. Confronting the Spirit of Babylon The Church will also call people out of a life of “limping on two divided opinions” (I Kings 18:21), to choosing God over Mammon.
There was a group of people who were God's chosen ones, whom He had rescued from slavery, baptized, and fed spiritual food and drink. Yet with most of them He was NOT well pleased. This was becasuse they: craved evil things; allowed food, drink, and play to become idols to them; didn't take sexual sin seriously; tested the Lord with their impatience; and grumbled against Him. Their story is recorded for us to learn from their bad example. Let us take heed lest the same becomes true of us, but living with the confidence that God gives us a way of escape through every temptation. (I Corinthians 9:24-10:13) Then came Jesus, opening a new and living way, and about Him, the Father said that He WAS well-pleased (Matthew 17:5). When we get revelation of Jesu, what we see is His INNER life, more than just physical or emotional manifestations. This life of the beloved Son is: 1. The life of peace: That means no more picking up your weapons to fight against others (Isaiah 42:1; 2:1-5). 2. The life of humble insignificance: That means not calling attention to what you do with loud speeches or gaudy parades (Isaiah 42:2); not seeking earthly esteem (Luke 16:15); not seeking earthly signs or wisdom (I Corinthians 1:21-31). 3. The life of encouraging others: That means not brushing aside the bruised and the hurt, and not disregarding the small and insignificant, but encouraging the fainthearted and those tempted to despair (Isaiah 42:3a). 4. The life of faithfulness: That means living out righteousness steadily and firmly day by day (Isaiah 42:3b). 5. The life of endurance: That means not tiring out or quitting, not stopping until you've finished your work (Isaiah 42:4). If you have faith like Jesus, you too will be able to endure unto the end (Hebrews 10:35-11:2; 12:1-3).
If Jesus has only been transfigured to you, you will be taken up with either physical manifestations (visions of Jesus/angels, etc.), or with intellectual or emotional religious fervor (Matthew 17:2-3). This is what happened to Peter. He had received revelation of Jesus the Messiah directly from the Father (Matthew 16:17). Yet, deep down, he was not really seeking God's interests (Matthew 16:23). As a result, six days later, he got carried away in the moment on the mountaintop and lost sight of the preeminence of Jesus (Matthew 17:4). So, the Father had to send a terrifying cloud over the disciples to remove the competing allegiances, and allow only Jesus to remain. When we receive revelation from the Father, what we see of Jesus is His INNER life. This life is given to Jesus by the Father (John 5:19-26), and then given to us by Jesus (I John 5:11-12). It is this eternal abundant life that Jesus came to earth to give us (John 10:10).
Revelation, Authority, Discipleship (Matthew 16:13-28) Revelation from God's Word is more important than just reading it. God gives revelation to those who have become like babies spiritually (Matthew 11:25-26). To become like babies is to consider ourselves as capable of producing NOTHING, because our adequacy is from God alone. Only then will the veil be lifted from over our hearts (II Corinthians 3:4-18) so that God's Word comes alive to us. We must come to God to receive revelation from Him directly (rather than trying to get it secondhand from men) on: 1. Christ: so that Jesus becomes the ONLY one to us (Matthew 16:13-17). 2. The Church: so that we value Her, and exercise the authority that Jesus has given us (Matthew 16:18-20) 3. The way of the Cross: that it is the only way to follow the true Jesus (Matthew 16:21-28)
- Learn the Fear of the Lord – “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge” (Proverbs 14:26 NIV). – Wisdom is building the house, knowledge is furnishing it (Proverbs 24:3-4, 9:10). – You will know the fear of the Lord when you don’t withhold from God your last and “only” (Genesis 22:12). 2. Learn Discipline – Ask yourself: “What is most important?” Then, remember that what you want, or feel like now, will often be in conflict with it. So make choices based on your priorities. – “Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to.” (I Corinthians 9:27 TLB) – Areas of discipline: Time, Money, Dependability, etc. 3. Have Faith – God is a multiplier if you have faith (Matthew 14:16-20). – The stages of faith: 1.Believing in God 2.Learning about God 3.Working for God 4.The Wall! 5.Living with God 6.Loving like God
I. Report back to Jesus: Mark 6:7-12,30; they returned from doing a tremendous work; perhaps they expected some commendation from Him; at least they did the right thing in coming to Him, rather than going to Man. II. Seclude yourself often: Matthew 14:13,23; this does not mean being inaccessible to people; essence of Babylon : church imitating the world; Jesus’ seclusion came at His own inconvenience. III. Recognize your constant need of the Father: Hebrews 5:7; how desperately would you cry if you’d never sinned?; highest archangel: became Devil when he grew tired of being told what to do (Isaiah 14:14); Jesus: exalted to highest place by humbling Himself in only doing what the Father told Him to do (Phil.2:5-11)
The reason many hear but are never able to truly understand is because their hearing is not combined with faith (Matthew 13:10-13; Hebrews 4:2). Faith comes when Christ's voice becomes the only thing that we pay attention to (Romans 10:17). Many Christians worship other "gods" along with Jesus. When we care for the approval of others because we love our reputation, we make "gods" out of people. Then, no matter how much we hear, we will never receive faith (John 5:41-44). The one who comes to God must believe that He IS -- which means that everyone/everything else ISN'T (Hebrews 11:5-6)! Enoch lived such a life for 300 years after he was warned about the coming judgment, and thereby received God's approval (Genesis 5:21-24). Enoch walked with God for 300 years and "was not" (physically). Jesus likewise walked with His Father for His entire life and "was not" of this earth (spiritually). This is the true life of faith that we also are called to live.
The secret of the New Covenant is that Jesus is our model for everything (Galatians 2:20). So, when you’re tempted with a jealous or judgmental thought, let Jesus model for you how to respond with praiseworthy thoughts instead (James 3:14, 4:11). When you stand in front of the mirror in the morning getting dressed, let Jesus model your clothes for you (I Peter 3:3-4). When you’re tempted to have a complaining or unjoyful attitude, let Jesus model thankfulness and joy for you (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). Jesus was the light of the world while He was on earth by manifesting the Divine Nature as a human being. He received the Father’s commandment to lay down His life and did so on His own initiative (John 10:18). We are the light of the world now if we manifest the life of Christ similarly (Matthew 5:14-19). We prove whether we are in the New Covenant by our attitude toward the least of God’s commandments. The Bride is comprised of the overcomers who make Jesus their model, and seek God’s highest. Others, including even professing “New Covenant Christians”, make the world their model, and live their lives trying to see what they can “get away with” on earth. Such can never be Jesus Bride. Make it your goal to be standing at the altar with Jesus at the marriage of the Lamb.
The danger when we are around a lot of preaching, even if it is sound, is that we can become a people who see without perceiving, and hear without understanding (Matthew 13:10-13). If you don't obey what you hear, you will become "saturated" with hearing, always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Timothy 3:7). Some people study Scripture, listen to sermons, etc., expecting to get life out of THEM (John 5:38-40). Instead, our hearing must lead us to "behold the Lamb of God", and "come and see" HIS life (John 1:35-41). Then, Jesus invites us further to become partakers of His life. Yet, this invitation is offensive to most people, because it requires taking up our cross and putting our Self-life to death (Matthew 16:16-26). If you only talk about the way of the cross, but never actually walk it, you will never experience the power of Jesus' resurrection. This is a frustrating life, so many people end up finding false comfort in "cheap grace" instead.
It is the root of spiritual adultery that causes people to be sign-seekers (Matthew 12:39; James 4:4-5). A sign is that which points to something else. Don’t make the sign your destination! If you do, your last state will become worse than the first (Matthew 12:45). Diligent GOD-seekers receive the reward -- which is God Himself (Hebrews 11:6). Along the way, their journey consists of: 1. Becoming a nobody (John 9:6) -- responding to God in faith (II Kings 5:10-14) and honesty (Mark 8:22-26). 2. No compromise (John 9:13-33) -- freed from fear of your relatives and fear of religious people. 3. The Intercessor (John 9:34-35) -- even if you feel all alone, Jesus is looking for you. 4. Revelation (John 9:36-37) -- the second “eye-opening” (Matthew 11:25), when we receive knowledge of God Himself, beyond just His works (Psalm 103:7). 5. Worship (John 9:38) -- the response that comes from within us when Jesus becomes preeminent (Colossians 1:18; Psalm 27:8)
Jesus identified Himself as “the Son of Man” to set an example for us. The New Covenant is based on Jesus' blood of forgiveness, which is better than the blood of Abel, Moses, Elisha, etc., which cries for vengeance. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is knowing something as the work of God, and still speaking against it. This is usually done for personal gain, legalism, etc. – e.g., Judas Iscariot, the Pharisees, etc. The proof of such blasphemy is that there is no desire for repentance. There are 3 aspects of justification: justification by faith (Romans 5:1); justification by our works of faith (James 2:24); and justification by our words of faith (Matthew 12:36-37). The solution to not speaking careless words is not that we live in constant fear of what we will say, but ensuring that our TREASURE is good. Foul words indicate foul treasure, empty words indicate empty treasure. If our treasure is set on things above, then our deeds and words WILL be good (Colossians 3:1-9).
Matthew 9:10-13. Recognizing How Sick I Am: The real test of your spirituality is in how you react when someone does something you think is wrong. Matthew 9:12; John 8:9; Jesus is close to whoever recognizes how “sick” he is; Like wearing clothes pressed and dry-cleaned, but never taking a shower. Being Merciful to Others: Matthew 9:13: prep for final exam: “go and do your homework!” Matthew 23:23: preach condemning standards, but unfaithful in secret; Even the worst external sin is only a speck compared to the sin of unmerciful judgmentalism. Ultimate Loyalty to God: Hosea 6:6: loyalty; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7: compassion; Ultimate loyalty to God is demonstrated in how compassionate we are toward others. Luke 6:36; “I’m after love that lasts not more religion. I want you to know God not go to more prayer meetings.” (MSG)
Who is My Brother's Keeper? Proverbs 24:11-12; Isaiah 56:1-6; Genesis 4:6-9 – you have only one enemy; “rescue the perishing… tell them of Jesus the mighty to save”. The Oppressed: Matthew 8:28-34; the disciple goes boldly into Satan’s territory to rescue the oppressed, not away from it! Satan and his hosts are already doomed and have a limited time to torment people (Revelation 12:12); demons recognize Christ, even if He is in flesh, and beg Him for mercy. The Discouraged: Matthew 9:1-8; the disciple is willing to be inconvenienced and persistent in seeking help for others in their care; your faith can make the difference! God primarily wants to set people free from sin this angers the Devil and the religious hypocrites.
Matthew 8:28 - 9:8. Loving Through Prayer: Jude 1: v12: “caring for themselves”; v20-21: build yourself up in the faith, praying, keep yourself in God’s love and mercy; v22-23: not just for yourself, but also for others! I Peter 4:8: keep fervent in love which covers; James 5:13-20: by prayer. Who is my Brother's Keeper: the ministry of accusation (curiosity); the ministry of intercession (covering).
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/living-from-the-spirit-not-the-soul
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Discipleship with Jesus (II Corinthians 11:2-3). Fellowship in the Body (I John 1:7). Power to be His Witnesses (Acts 1:8).
PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS: Genesis 1:27 – Your Heavenly Father made you in His image. Romans 3:23 – You managed to distort that image. Romans 3:24-26 – That didn’t change His love for you at all. He was willing to make a public spectacle of His own Son, Jesus. This was to demonstrate His perfect righteousness – as Just and Justifier! ROMANS 3:23, MSG: “Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners, and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.” THE INTERCESSOR: Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25: Your elder Brother Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. And He spends His time 24/7 making intercession for you. THE SHEPHERD: Isaiah 40:10-11; When you see Your Heavenly Father flexing His muscles, it’s to tend and carry you as His sheep. THE EXULTOR: Zephaniah 3:17: If you hear a loud roar of excitement coming down from heaven, that’s Your Heavenly Father exulting over you! SONG OF GRATEFUL PRAISE: Mark 7:37; Now in a song of grateful praise, to Thee, O Lord, my voice I’ll raise; With all Thy saints I’ll join to tell: My Savior has done all things well. How sov’reign, wonderful and free has been Thy love to sinful me! Thou sav’dst me from the jaws of hell; My Savior has done all things well. Since e’er my soul has known His love, what mercies He has made me prove Mercies which do all praise excel, my Savior has done all things well. And when on that bright day I rise, and join the anthems of the skies, Above the rest this note shall swell, my Savior has done all things well. And above the rest this note shall swell, … My Savior has done all things well.Samuel Medley (1780)
Luke 16:10. Purpose: Psalm 139:13; Before you were born, God chose you, and chose your children. What are you building? Result of seeing the purpose: Faithfulness; Contentment; Rest amid weariness. Presence: Psalm 46:1: “Very present”; Matthew 18:10: Learn from the angels; Luke 10:38-42: One thing is needful. Power: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – unity: Lifting up; Warmth; Strength; Psalm 127:4 – warrior mentality: Make prayer and the Scriptures a way of life at home; Apologize and forgive quickly; Stop to laugh sometime.
The Gospel: good news = proclaim to Zion: “our God reigns”; Psalm 136:1; Isaiah 52:7; I John 4:16: 1. God is always good 2. God is always in control 3. God is your Father. In The Beginning: Ephesians 1:4-7: Your Heavenly Father’s plan for you began even before the foundations of the world. In His plan, He picked you to be His son / daughter. Your Physical Beginning: Jeremiah 1:5: Your Heavenly Father knew you before even your Mama knew you! And while you were in her womb, He had already set you apart for Himself. Your Formation: Psalm 139:13-15: Your Heavenly Father took great pains in stitching together your entire being. So He loves you just the way you are! Your Personal Calendar: Psalm 139:16: While you were growing in your mother’s womb, your Heavenly Father was writing the calendar of your life – every single day. And, He finished it before you were even born! Thinking Of You: Psalm 139:1-3,17-18: Your Heavenly Father knows everything about you – even when you sit down and stand up. Stop by the beach and count the sand on the seashore; your Heavenly Father thinks about you more often than that! Attention To Detail: Matthew 10:29-31: When you got up this morning, you probably didn’t even notice that some of your hairs had fallen out onto your pillow. But, Your Heavenly Father did! Keep Hope Alive: Jeremiah 29:11-13: You don’t know the plans Your Heavenly Father has for you... but He sure does! And those plans haven’t changed one bit, despite the poor choices you’ve made in the past. It’s not too late! If you will seek Him with all of your heart you WILL find Him. That’s His promise. On Your Side: Romans 8:31-32: Your Heavenly Father is on your side against the Devil. And He delivered up His own Son to prove it!
(Matthew 8:23-34) Christ Manifest in the Flesh: Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. (I John 2:6 TLB) As Jesus is, so are we in the world! (I John 4:17b). II Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:14-15; I Peter 3:6.
(Matthew 8:23-34) Christ Manifest in the Flesh: Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. (I John 2:6 TLB) As Jesus is, so are we in the world! (I John 4:17b). Jesus exercised authority on this earth not by His power as God, but by His power as a Man full of the Holy Spirit. Whether at home or or absent… (II Corinth. 5:6-17) When you make the decision to truly be a disciple of Jesus, things will get really bad outwardly! Living as Jesus lived will take you boldly into the storm, not away from it! The test of your spirituality is not that you make it through the storm, but that you are at rest in themidst of it. True spirituality is to know the Father (John17:3) I John 4:8-19 (esp. v9)
Matthew 8:18-22. Sunday VS Monday: never forget your “why” (I Peter 1:8-9). difference: Monday VS Sunday! (Mark 7:6); test of spirituality: not how you feel on Sunday. purpose = freedom from sin (Psalm 119:11); “it is written of ME” (Hebrews 10:7-9). God’s blessing = more like Jesus (John 8:12); Disciple: Obsessed with Master: disciple: Monday just as important to you; discipleship = personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus; Jesus never proclaimed devotion to a cause. He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself! “Miracle Jesus” VS “Lord Jesus”: Matthew 8:18; everyone loves “miracle Jesus”; world hates “Lord Jesus”. Matthew 8:19-22; “Lord” Jesus requires always choose only Him! Looking for a comfortable life on this earth? Attachment to anything in domain of the dead? The Need for the Holy Spirit: disciple = passion for Jesus from Holy Spirit; admirers = like to be impressed. Romans 5:3-5; disciples can exult in tribulations. John 16:14; ministry of the Holy Spirit: look for any opportunity to glorify Jesus in us; sets you ablaze with devotion to Jesus.
Focus on the joy: Jesus lived His life focused on the joy (Hebrews 12:2); the disciple follows the Master’s footsteps (Matthew 13:44); Follow Jesus in focusing on the joy! Rejoice! You are God's inheritance: God already gave His most precious for you (Romans 8:31-32); He treasures you like the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8); God considers himself richer because of you (Ephesians 1:18); It’s not what you do, but Whose you are, that makes you precious. You are a gift to the Body of Christ! Rejoice! You are redeemed: what is your “heaven” like? Psalm 16:11; Matthew 25:21,23.
- Faith is the Key: Matthew 8:12-13; not: “faith by association”; but: “as you have believed”. 2. Spiritual Power is Immediate: Matthew 8:3,13,15,16; no long dialogue; Mark 9:28-29: a life of “prayer and fasting”. 3. Zero Fanfare: Matthew 8:4,15,18; The Divine Nature is most powerfully manifest when the Human Nature gets zero glory! 4. Physical or Spiritual?: Matthew 8:3,16; loved to touch the “untouchables”; never laid hands on demon-possessed. 5. Ultimate Purpose: Matthew 8:15; discipleship.
- The Word (Acts 20:27): Be grounded in the whole counsel of God: KNow it fully; Obey it immediately; Teach it completely. 2. Faith (Matthew 17:20): Don’t look for human solutions for the promises of God (Numbers 11:21-23). You have circled some mountains long enough (Deuteronomy 2:13)! 3. Prophecy (Romans 10:613): The righteousness based on faith speaks! You will never defeat Satan in your life without the word of your testimony (Revelation 12:11). 4. A Light (John 1:56): The dark room in which God has placed you needs light more than it needs words not the “come and hear” church (Matthew 3:5), but the "come and see" church (John 1:39). “The fierce urgency of now” -- the way you are living right now is an example to those around you, for better or for worse. 5. Abiding Life (I John 2:36): Live as Jesus lived until you are like Him (I John 3:2) . This is abiding in the Head (John 15:47). 6. Abiding Love (I John 3:14): You will only fully know Christ by being knit together in the church (Colossians 2:2). The Body of Christ today is as much without stately majesty, and as unattractive and unesteemed to the world as Jesus was, and very few have believed in it (Isaiah 53:13).
Spiritual Leprosy: Pain is to body what conscience is to soul. Root of all sin is selfishness – wanting to please myself or have my own way. Conscience warns us: child vs adult. Result: seared conscience (I Timothy 4:2); shipwreck (I Timothy 1:19). Leprosy: attacks nerve endings; can’t feel pain. A Cleansed Conscience: examples: how we speak to or treat others; anger and lust; obeying the laws of the land – taxes, etc. (Romans 15:1-5). The basis of final judgment (Romans 2:14-16). Paul’s testimony (Acts 24:15-16). Only solution is cleansing in blood (Hebrews 9:14; Leviticus 14:3-7). Jesus says, “I am willing” (Matthew 8:3). Leper proclaimed it freely (Mark 1:45).
The Basis of Spiritual Authority: Matthew 8:8-10: Jesus had authority because He was under authority. Hebrews 13:17: submit to your leaders… for your own profit. I Peter 5:5-9, James 4:6-8: when you submit to God you will be able to resist the Devil.
Jesus’ Authority Through the Church: Jesus is my example in having authority over the Devil, not in His being fully God, but in His being fully human. John 14:30b; 16:8-11 The only real threat to Satan’s kingdom are those who have spiritual authority. Jesus' authority given to the Church: Matthew 16:16-19; 18:15-20.
John 5:18-24 – why Jesus was killed. Matthew 21:12-14,23. Matthew 7:28-29 (MSG, NASB) The crowd had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that He had authority because He was living everything he said – quite a contrast to their religion teachers! Spiritual authority comes from eternal life of God.
10 Warnings: 1. Your standard of righteousness in even little things must exceed that of the legalists! (5:13-20) 2. Anger and sexual lust will send you to hell! (5:21-30) 3. God hates divorce, falsehood, and unloving attitudes! (5:31-48) 4. The desire to have a reputation among or be noticed by others negates all your righteousness! (6:1-6,16-18) 5. God will not forgive you if you have an unforgiving attitude toward anyone! (6:9-15) 6. If you love money, you are serving Satan, and your entire life is in darkness! (6:19-24) 7. If you call God your Father, you insult Him when you are anxious or worried! (6:25-34) 8. If you judge others, you are a hypocrite, and will be judged by God in hell! (7:1-6,23:33) 9. The majority of disciples, despite being impressed, will be content with only the outward appearance of godliness, and rejected by God! (7:13-20) 10. Intimacy with Jesus through obedience is the entrance test for the kingdom of heaven! (7:21-27) 7 Conditional Promises: 1. Remain poor in spirit, and the entire kingdom of heaven is yours! (5:3) 2. Constantly mourn over your un-Christ-likeness, and you will be given the Holy Spirit! (5:4) 3. If you allow Your Heavenly Father to tame your will, He will one day give you everything! (5:5) 4. If you are truly desperate to be righteous, God will lift you up over all sin! (5:6) 5. Be merciful to everyone, and God will be merciful to you! (5:7) 6. If your devotion to God is pure, you will one day be fully like Him in His Divine Nature! (5:8) 7. If you always look for the way of peace, God will trust you as a mature son in His kingdom! (5:9)
The second burning: Hebrews 13:9-13; Leviticus 4:1-21. 1. in camp (public): removal of sin. 2.outside camp (secret): burn everything else; this is where you allow Jesus to “know” you; He imparts eternal life to you (John 5:26,21). Fellowship with Jesus: Philippians 3: (v2) true circumcision: set apart, consecration; (v7) counted those things that were gain as loss; (v8a) counted all things as loss; (v8b) suffered loss; (v10) sufferings => death => resurrection. Example of Abraham (Genesis 22:12); “now I know… because you have not withheld. 1. Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee. Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be. Perish every fond ambition, all I've sought or hoped or known. Yet how rich is my condition! God and heav’n are still my own. 2. Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too. Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue. O, while Thou dost smile upon me, God of wisdom, love, and might, Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright. 3. Man may trouble and distress me, ’twill but drive me to Thy breast. Life with trials hard may press me; heav’n will bring me sweeter rest. Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me while Thy love is left to me; Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee. 4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure, come disaster, scorn and pain; In Thy service, pain is pleasure, with Thy favor, loss is gain. I have called Thee Abba Father, I have stayed my heart on Thee; Storms may howl and clouds may gather; all must work for good to me. 5. Soul, then know thy full salvation, rise o’’er sin and fear and care; Joy to find in every station, something still to do or bear. Think what Spirit dwells within thee! Think what Father’s smiles are thine! Think that Jesus died to win thee! Child of heaven, canst thou repine? 6. Haste thee on from grace to glory, armed by faith and winged by prayer Heav’n’s eternal days before thee, God’s own hand shall guide us there. Soon shall close thy earthly mission, soon shall pass thy pilgrim days; Hope shall change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
There is an intimacy of Jesus that He wants you to know (Psalm 25:14). He calls you friend, not slave (John 15:14-16): 1. call: Jesus chose you. 2.purpose: to bear fruit out of His eternal life. 3.authority: ask anything in Jesus’ Name.
Do you have a second-hand relationship: If you love God, you are known by Him (I Corinthians 8:3). Matthew 7:21-27: “I never knew you... we weren’t intimate". Do you know God? If so you will be learning His ways (Exodus 33:13). If you are simply a spectator (Psalm 103:7): anxiety/worry; fear; impatience; jealousy/competition; etc. Jesus calls you friend, not slave (John 15:14-16): 1. call: Jesus chose you; 2. purpose: to bear fruit out of His eternal life; 3. authority: whatever you ask in Jesus’ name, Father will give.
The Holiness of God: II Chronicles 6:18: the new tabernacle. Areas of unholiness: 1. pride: II Chronicles 26:1-23; Isaiah 6:1-8. 2. dissipation: process of slowly disappearing because of foolish usage; behavior that shows you’re interested only in pleasure; Exodus 24:1,9; Leviticus 9:22-10:11. 3. love of money and immorality: I Samuel 2:12-17,22-25; I Corinthians 6:15-20; imitating the world’s new-fashioned way; II Samuel 6:1-7; Numbers 4:5, 7:9; I Samuel 6:7.
Joshua 5:1-15: v1: the hearts of the enemies are melting; v2-8: cut off everything of the flesh; v9-11: your reproach is rolled away; v12: the reality! not just a promise (Exod.3:8); v13-15: “the place where you are is holy”. Isaiah 6:1-8: “Holy! Holy! Holy!”
Hell no more at war with us now than before. Devil loves for Christians to focus on “those bad people”. lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-20); pride themselves on not being “cold”; reality: “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked”. mountain hindering power of River of Life (Matt. 17:20): defeat with eyes, tongue; conflicts in home/church; obsession with entertainment; world impacting home/church more than vice versa; easily offended when given reproof; awakenings/resolutions short-lived. Mt. Ease: Amos 6:1,4-6 (not agonizing in prayer over sins); Ezekiel 9:4. lukewarm = amazement of Jesus has become lost on you; “new car smell” gone = disqualified (I Corinthians 9:24-27); manna (I Corinthians 10:1-5,11-12). baptism in Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39): everyone must have assurance; power: personal (life); ministry (gifts). The dying church is the one that is not praying!: lack of prayer = lack of thirst; dying man in desert, not even 99% desire (Jer. 29:13). cry out like Bartimaeus (Luke 18:35-43): prepared to even make a fool of yourself! not completed overnight, but there must be a beginning: decide: will not let go of God until He moves mountain; respond quickly! e.g. forgive (Mark 11:23-26; Luke 17:3-7). Mark 10:49 “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.”
Wolf Characteristics: 1. biting and devouring Genesis 49:27; dividing and scattering John 10:12 From the desert / place of emptiness Jeremiah 5:6; Isaiah 34:14; blesses God at the same time! James 3:8-12. Wolf behavior in the church: slanderous words (James 4:11); result: no hunger for Word, no growth (I Peter 2:1). “rash” words (Proverbs 12:18); daggers instead of balms. discord-sowing words (Proverbs 6:19b); corrupting (Ephesians 4:29); deep, long-lasting damage (Proverbs 18:8). gossipy, busybody words; greater tendency in women (I Tim. 5:13; Titus 2:3-5); make it your goal to mind your own business (I Thessalonians 4:9-12; II Thessalonians 3:11-15). Zion the true Church: radical = from the root up! (Mark 11:20); if you see bad fruit coming out of yourself; if you hear bad fruit coming out of someone else. no man to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:23-31); The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-13); shepherds of the precious (Acts 20:28-29). Zion! glorious resting place for God (Isaiah 11:1-10); who tremble at God’s Word (Isaiah 65:17-66:2).
RLCF Men's Conference 2015 Session 8. Acts 26:16-18 – Paul was entrusted with the ministry of “eye opening”. Ephesians 1:18-23 The Eyes of Your Heart Enlightened - 1. (v18a) You are called with a purpose; I Corinthians 9:24-26 – to finish second is to lose; I John 3:1-3 – we shall be like Him; Hebrews 6:17-20 – an anchor for the soul. 2. (v18b) You have a doting heavenly Papa; Isaiah 49:16. 3. (v19) You have surpassingly great power; v22-23; Romans 16:20 – Satan crushed under our feet; Ephesians 3:16-21 (TLB, MSG) - Jesus will be more and more at home in your hearts; rooted and grounded in love with the saints; know the full extent of God’s love; live full lives, full in the fullness of God; Jesus will be glorified in the church. Ephesians 4:1-3 - Amen! So, walk worthy!
The Three Parts of You: I Thessalonians 5:23: body: carnal (external): what pleases the body; soul: soulish (internal/hidden): what stimulates the intellect or emotions; spirit: spiritual (internal/hidden): what pleases God. Hebrews 6:19-20: God dwells “within the veil” (tabernacle); Hebrews 10:20: veil = flesh (Self-will); Hebrews 4:12: decisions based on what God says. Three men were walking on a wall — Feeling, Faith, and Fact; when Feeling took an awful fall and Faith was taken back; so close was Faith to Feeling, he stumbled and fell, too; but Fact remained and pulled Faith back, and Faith brought Feeling, too. Luke 6:46-49; 8:13,15: “dug deep”; Hebrews 5:11-6:2: signs you may be a soulish (baby) Christian: you act based on being convinced in your mind, or “feeling” like it; you quickly become bored when you study God’s Word or pray; you enjoy social aspects of church life, but never experience true fellowship (“walking in the light”); etc. Colossians 1:9-10: know God’s Will => walk! => bear fruit. Romans 12:1-2: not IN-formation, but TRANS-formation; not workers, but worshipers; not based on knowledge, but based on love. Hebrews 5:7; Mark 14:35-36; Luke 22:42-44: “Father, I don't feel like doing this, but if it is Your will, I will.” King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary. Lest I forget Gethsemane, Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary. May I be willing, Lord, to bear, Daily my cross for Thee; Even Thy cup of grief to share, Thou hast borne all for me.
- Gifts without Life: Fig Leaves: Matthew 23:5,29-31; Matthew 6:1-18; public: religious talk, meetings, prayer, fasting; secret: anger, gossip, anxiety, complaining; Root of sin: Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; James 1:26; ungratefulness; attitude of bitterness; Spiritual Fruit: II Cor. 4:10-11; Phil. 3:10-11; Eph. 4:29; daily dying with Jesus => prophecy. 5. Oppressive, not Merciful: Fig Leaves: Matthew 23:4; Root of sin: II Timothy 3:2-3; unloving, arrogant, brutal, irreconcilable; Spiritual Fruit: Matthew 23:23; love, meekness, faithfulness, mercy. Trees Without Fruit: Matthew 15:12-14: not planted by the Father; Jude 1:12: hidden reefs in your love feasts! trees without fruit; clouds without water; caring for themselves. The Way of Cain (Jude 1:11): religiosity: Genesis 4:4-5; Cain’s deeds were evil (I John 3:12); still offered religious sacrifice; offer anything but yourself (Heb. 10:5-9); hates spiritual (Matt.23:35; Gal.4:28-31); spirituality: Abel offered himself by faith (Heb. 11:4); secret to the anointing and fire. The Error of Balaam (Jude 1:11): religiosity: Numbers 22; 31:16; love of money and honor; still served God; Demas went elsewhere (II Tim. 4:10); spirituality: secret “manna” and “name” (Rev. 2:14-17). The Rebellion of Korah (Jude 1:11): religiosity: Numbers 16; priest of God; competition with others over ministry; rebelling against God-appointed authority; using religious language; in the home, and in the church; defiles many others; spirituality: seek only God’s interests (Phil. 2:21). Radical! Mark 11:20-23; radical = “from the roots up”; have faith in God to move this mountain.
Tree not sustained by hidden river of life; leaves give the appearance of life; Mark 11:12-23; Genesis 3:6-7: man-made = covering of fig leaves; God-made = covering of skin. 1. Of Man, Not of God: Fig Leaves: Matthew 23:23-28; exact obedience in external areas; Root of sin: II Timothy 3:5; Philippians 3:9; “of man, by man, for man”; Spiritual Fruit: Romans 11:36; the Divine Nature. 2. An Employee, not the Bride: Fig Leaves: Malachi 1:8; calculating employee; “What can I get out of the Lord and the Church?” Root of sin: II Timothy 3:2-4; lovers of Self, money, and pleasure. Spiritual Fruit: II Corinthians 11:2-3; Revelation 2:4-5; Bride serving endlessly out of love; “What can the Lord and His Church get out of me?” 3. Active, but not Devoted: Fig Leaves: Revelation 2:2-3; Matthew 23:13-15; ministries, “burden” for evangelism, etc.; Root of sin: Man’s great kingdom (Babel, Babylon); Spiritual Fruit: II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 21:2; pure devotion to God : His holy city.
Called to a Life of Fruit-Bearing: rivers and fruit trees interwoven throughout the Bible; Genesis 2:8-10,15-17; Revelation 22:1-5. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil = the world; it is passing away (I John 2:15-17); will eventually be completely destroyed. The Fire of the Holy Spirit: Hebrew 12:29 – a consuming fire! Matthew 3:7-12: act of repentance ===> fruit of repentance; God wants living children, not just birth certificates! hypocrisy: attaching fake fruit, ripping out “bad” branches; the Baptism in the Holy Spirit = laying ax to the root of tree: burns the tree and any remaining chaff in unquenchable fire. Genesis 3:22-24: sword around the Tree of Life, but not the Tree of Knowledge; II Corinth. 4:10 : life of Christ manifests only through dying; Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:57-62 : the new and living way. The River of the Holy Spirit: John 7:37-39; Isaiah 44:1-5. Ezekiel 47:1-12: ankle-deep… knee-deep… waist-deep… “over my head” deep; v9: brings life wherever it goes. The river of life (Revelation 22): v1b: originates from the throne of God; v1a: clear as crystal.
The Narrow Gate: Characteristics: narrow, contracted by pressure; few find it. Description: John 10:7-10 - the door is Jesus; Heb. 10:19,21,22 ? confidence in Jesus' blood. Broad Gate: opposite of above (Matthew 7:13). The Narrow Way: Characteristics: narrow, compressed; few find it; leads to eternal life; false prophets hate it (Matthew 7:15). Description: Hebrews 10:20 - new and living way; II Peter 1:2-13 - persevere in seeking the Divine Nature. Hebrews 10:23-31. If we go on sinning willfully, it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hold fast the confession of our hope; stimulate each other to love and good deeds; do not forsake meeting for encouragement.
We can ask for anything (John 16:23-27): Father loves you because you love Jesus; love Jesus = love others as He loved you (John 14:15; 13:34). The crossroads at John 14:15: impossibly high standard; Jesus has already asked! (v16). The Baptism in the Holy Spirit: result: a baptism in love (Romans 5:5); the promise: rivers of life-giving water (John 7:38). Seeking the fullness of the Holy Spirit requires: 1. Honesty (Luke 11:5-13): unashamed about your need; reject human, intellectual, theological arguments on dispensations, etc. 2. Hunger interested in more than just going to heaven when you die; dissatisfied with empty, powerless life (John 7:37; Isaiah 55:1-2); God gives Himself completely to those who have no other option (Jeremiah 29:13; Hebrews 11:6). 3. Humility: (James 4:5-6) water flows to the lowest place; your "worthiness" comes simply from the fact that God is a good Father (Luke 11:13). Life-Changing Power: before you “go into all the world” (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15)… wait to receive power (Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:8). Changed into “another man” inside (I Samuel 10:6).
God sets the ball in motion by drawing us into a relationship ofFather-child love (Matthew 7:11). His purpose is that His love will snowball through us (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31). God has given us a blank check on His unlimited funds! (John 14:14) As proof, He gives us an initial deposit, signed with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13-14) Your response to God’s blank check (unlimited promise) indicates whether you are truly His child or not: Your own pleasures : adulteress (James 4:3-5). Keep His commandments (John 14:15); one commandment: love (John 13:34); “Father, I want your “business” of love to prosper through me (John 14:12-13). The Endorsed Prayer: God’s “Yes” + my “Amen” = God’s glory through me (II Corinthians 1:20-22).
The mark of the New Covenant is soft-heartedness (Ezekiel 26:26-31): judge myself first (I Peter 4:17; I Corinthians 11:27-32); instead of judgment (John 3:17), God chose love (v16); true judgment comes from the Light of Christ (v19). Because we know only in part, we prove our Christ-likeness by loving, instead than judging! (I Corinthians 13:9) Practical love (I Corinthians 13:4-8): not impatience with others, but “suffering long”; not unkind words and actions, but thoughtful of others in word and deed; no root of bitterness and jealousy, but secure in the Father’s love; not bragging about self and family, but considering others more important; not seeking own interest, but interests of: 1. Christ and 2. others; not keeping track of wrongs, but covering the faults of others; not assuming worst in others, but hoping all things; not giving up easily, but committed to love for eternity. This is overcoming love (I Corinthians 13:8; Romans 12:21).
God alone has the right to judge (James 4:12). Yet, Jesus didn’t judge when He was on this earth, in order to be an Example to us (John 8:15). Judgment: associated with death (Hebrews 9:27), but God’s goal: give eternal life (John 5:21-24); so He delays judgment: to allow for repentance (Acts 17:30-31); to show mercy and compassion (Psalm 135:14). So He alone is a worthy Judge (John12:46-48). Judge based on what you cannot see (John 7:24): unfair judgment: one side of the story; unrighteous judgment: both sides of the story; righteous judgment: discernment (God’s side of the story). Discern: 1. Is the spirit of Christ in your actions? (II Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:1-4); 2. What external spirits influence you (I John 4:1-3): if fruit (words/deeds) is not Christ-like (Matthew 7:15-20); immoral or undisciplined in the church (II Corinthians 5:11; II Thessalonians 3:6); Christian psychology in teaching, songs, or conversation. 3. how to expose darkness (Matthew 7:6; Ephesians 5:11): know when it profanes God’s Name (Acts 13:44-52; 19:9).
http://rlcf.church/rlcf-church-vision-2015 "If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of leader. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting. Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear." (A.W. Tozer) Knowing the Fear of God: (II Corinthians 5:10-11) everything we do, say, or think; every motive and attitude – is being recorded for judgment; Your “New Year’s Resolution” will only be as good as the specific choices you make each moment of each day of the year ahead. (Proverbs 23:17) 1. life (Deuteronomy 30:15) the way that seems right to our natural inclination will lead us to death (Proverbs 14:12); the way of life is exciting (Proverbs 14:14 TLB). 2. abiding in God’s rest (Hebrews 4:9-11), not our own works. 3. joyful praise and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:4-6), not complaining (Philippians 2:12-14). 4. forgiving love (I Corinthians 13:5-7), not bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). 5. building up words (I Corinthians 8:1, 14:3),not gossip (Hebrews 4:9-11). 6. giving (Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35), not waiting to be given.
In order to have Christ formed through her, Mary and Joseph: I. faced Poverty and Oppression (Luke 1:46-55; Luke 4:18-19). II. had to make the choice, and faced loneliness, and fear. (Lamentations 3:21-26). III : were those who believed the Lord’s words (Luke 1:37-38); handmaiden mentality is saying, "Why is it me God has asked? I am nothing!" (I John 1:6-7) fellowship is one Christian saying to another, “He is moving in me… and in you” (I Kings 19:11-12). IV. bore Christ’s reproach in silence with honor (Hebrews 11:25-26; Romans 15:3; Matthew 1:21) Jesus means, “He will save His people from their sins” (Philippians 2:12-13) God’s will for Christ to be formed in you is greater than any of your fears. V. became partakers of the sufferings of Christ (II Corinthians 1:3-5; Colossians 1:24-29) we labor to present everyone with Christ in them perfectly; (John 13:14-15) God forms Christ in those who wash the feet of others amid their own trials; (I Peter 4:12-13; Romans 8:18-30). VI. realized that Christ is for all mankind (Psalm 30:5b; Romans 6:23) "We have each been given a gift". Don't be afriad to let the world get their "grimy" hands on the Chrit in you. VII. slept in heavenly peace (Revelation 12:10-12) Satan will try to “end” God’s prophecy over your life through persecution; (John 7:30) every detail of Jesus’ life was planned by His Father; (Colossians 3:3; John 17:23; II Timothy 3:15-16) the mystery of godliness is Christ came in our flesh; (Romans 8:31-39). Are you a “wise man” simply following the star and bringing your gift to Jesus, or are you a bondslave in whom Christ is being formed?”
“The Prosperity Gospel”: God watches how you use worldly wealth (which is not yours) to see if He can entrust you with heavenly wealth (which is yours). (Luke 17:26-37) world: Self-absorbed with pleasure; disciples: like vulture watching the body. Every heresy has an equal and opposite heresy. “The Social Gospel”: (Matthew 7:13-23) world: Self-absorbed with philanthropy; disciples: absorbed with Father's purpose; (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20) The Great Commission: make disciples. Bring Them Home: (Luke 5:29-32) lead sinners to repentance; (Luke 15) Father brings lost home; (Luke 16) sons likewise bring lost into “eternal dwellings”... not just better earthly circumstances. The Brothers and Sisters of Jesus: (Matthew 12:48-50) who do the Father's will; (Matthew 25:40,45) least of “My brothers”; (Luke 16:9) Lazarus' was rich man's brother; (Galatians 6:9-10) first the household of faith; (James 2:14-16) works = “brother or sister”; (I John 3:16-18) love = your “brother”; (II Cor. 8:1-9 TLB) joy + poverty = giving; (II Cor. 9:13-15) result: glorify God.
Joyful Generosity: (Luke 15) God spares no expense on His lost; (Luke 16) He asks us to do likewise to them; (Luke 16:8) Mammon's “martyrs” put many Christians to shame by their shrewdness; (Luke 16:9) use “unrighteous wealth” to be generous to others to build God's kingdom; (Matthew 6:19-21) these are your treasures. Faithful in a “Very Little Thing”: (Luke 16:10-12)God watches how you use worldly wealth (which is His), to test whether He can entrust you with heavenly wealth (which is yours); (I Timothy 6:17-19) the generous are the truly rich; (Proverbs 13:7) there are those who “impoverish themselves” who are truly wealthy. (I Peter 4:7-11) love like your life depends on it; (Luke 12:35-48) “Don't die old. Die empty!" (Luke 16:9; Matthew 25:40; Galatians 6:9-10) this is not the “social gospel”... “these My brothers”.
Mammon: (Matthew 6:24-25) deceptively lures with Self-serving pride; puts YOU on throne, in control of your life and future. (Matthew 6:27) fine until something happens beyond your control; result: prison of anxiety about your life and future. (Matthew 6:26) solution: realize you are child of Heavenly Father! (Matthew 18:1-4) characteristic: humility, which leads to rest. (Psalm 131) when facing “great matters... too difficult for me”; little child is anxiety-free. (II Corinthians 11:3) root of anxiety: desire to know information, unfulfilled; the opposite is the Tree of Life = knowing God. (I Peter 5:5-7; Philippians 4:4-6) humility, meekness = cast your cares, no anxiety. (Matthew 6:34) Let God have your complete attention, here and now! (Psalm 121:3-4) “Sleep, child, for your Father never sleeps!” (Psalm 139 TLB) O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away You know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place Your hand of blessing on my head. This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous – and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me! Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
What Defiles You? Mark 7:14-23 - not what you eat. Two absolute (“all or nothing”) sins: 1. an evil eye of envy 2. gossip. II Corinthians 12:20 - this is the Holy Spirit's concern. Gossip: James 1:26 - your religion is worth ZERO! James 4:11; 5:9 - don't even sigh. Proverbs 17:4; 26:20 - refuse to add wood. If you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, don't speak of it or listen to it. Envy: Matthew 6:19-24 - you know your treasure by your emotions (joy); the way you look at monetary situations determines how much of God you will see; Matthew 20:1-16 - testing your heart and treasure. The Evil Eye and the Clear Eye: evil eye – earthly-minded sense of fairness; thinks that material blessing > generosity; complains out of selfish ambition; clear eye – heavenly-minded sense of God; principle of giving > receiving (Acts 20:35); genuinely excited in God's generosity. If you love money, you hate God. If you love God, you will despise money. Dealing with the Problem of Envy: Results of Envy: disorder and every vile practice (James 3:16); no hunger for the word of God (I Peter 2:1-2); affects physical health (Proverbs 14:30). Overcoming envy: ask Jesus to heal your blindness (Mark 8:22-25); be a worshiper of God (Psalm 73:21-28); be filled with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26).
Why Does God Crush Us? It brings Him pleasure (Isaiah 53:10). God delights in faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith = “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Jesus prayed this prayer on His cross every day (John 6:38; Luke 22:42). This is perfect faith (Hebrews 12:1-4)! This is our hope (I John 3:1-3). Who Does God Use? God isn't some desperate employer waiting for anybody to come work for Him. He would rather not build His church at all, than use gifted workers who are unbroken. But, if you are brokenhearted, nothing can overpower you, because God is with you (Psalm 34:18)!
- Compassion: the breaking of Joseph (Genesis) - jealousy (37:4,5,11); sold into slavery (37:18-20,28); falsely accused (39:19-20); insignificant and forgotten (40:23); “the Lord was with Joseph” (39:2,21). God wants leaders who are full of compassion (Genesis 45:5-8;50:20). 2. Humility: the breaking of Moses (Exodus; Numbers) - “hunted” life (Exodus 1:22, 2:5, 2:16); misunderstood (Exodus 2:14, 5:20-23); bearer of blame (Exo. 16:1-4; Num. 12:1-3); “God spoke to him face to face” (Exo.33:11). God wants leaders who never justify or promote themselves (Numbers 12:2,16:4; Exodus 32:8-14). 3. Contentment - the breaking of David (I Samuel) - the forgotten son (16:7,11,13); the vicious hatred of the king (18:7-29); “a man after God's own heart” (13:14). God wants leaders who never grab for themselves (I Samuel 24:1-22; 26:1-25). Jesus' example (Philippians 2:5-6). 4. Sympathizing: the breaking of Peter; rebuke after the revelation (Matthew 16:15-23); Satan's sifting (Luke 22:31-32, 54-62); “...and Peter” (Mark 16:7). God wants leaders who never despise others (John 21:15-17; II Peter 1:5-11). Jesus' example (Hebrews 4:15).
Passionate About the Inner Life. It is because most Christians are content to live an external Christian life, that they are primarily interested in the external actions of Jesus, and the external manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Meditate on Jesus' secret years (Hebrews 12:2); When tempted, we face this choice: either pleasure (Hebrews 11:25) or suffering (I Peter 4:1).
The effectiveness of your prayer is determined by the righteousness of your relationships (James 5:16-18; I Peter 3:10-12). Men must be understanding of your wives (I Pet. 3:7); without a fighting attitude (I Tim. 2:8). Women must have hidden and modest virtue (1Pet3:1-6; 1Tim2:9-15). In other relationships, you must have a clear conscience (Matthew 5:23); a forgiving heart (Matthew 6:12,14,15). Pray in secret (Matthew 6:5-6) - Mark 1:35 (early in the morning, alone); Luke 5:16 (“slip away to the wilderness”); Luke 6:12 (“all night”); Matthew 26:39 (“on His face”). Pray to “Daddy” (Matthew 6:7-8): thankful attitude (Colossians 4:2); no anxiety, guard of peace (Philippians 4:6-7); with godly fear (Heb. 5:7; I Peter 4:7).
Praying in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20) is like being pregnant with prayer -- carrying the burden that God has placed in us through His Spirit (Romans 8:19-32). These are the prayers that ascend up to heaven back to God, and He collects them as bowls full of incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). God attends to the prayer of the righteous (I Peter 3:10-12): women who are submissive and modest (v1-6) and men who live with their wives in an understanding way (v7).
“The condition of the church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer meetings. So is the prayer meeting a grace-ometer, and from it we may judge of the amount of Divine working among a people. If God be near a church, it must pray. And if He be not there, one of the first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness in prayer.” (Charles H. Spurgeon) God wants to breathe into our spiritual being like He did into Adam's physical being (Genesis 2:7). God wants us to “breathe (in our spiritual beings) without ceasing”! (I Thessalonians 5:17) Prayer is communion with God: from His breath, flowing through His Spirit in us, back to Him. (Matthew 6:9-13; Romans 11:36) Elijah's prayer was from God (I Kings 18:1,36) and his only goal was to exalt God and His promises (v31,37); that's why it was answered.
The Law permitted evil for evil: "tit for tat" justice/fairness mentality is okay as law in society (I Timothy 1:8-11). The goal of the Christian under the New Covenant, however, is unadulterated love (I Timothy 1:5). Love is to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). When harmed physically: ask, but don't fight back (John18:23). When mistreated materially: live with contentment (Luke12:15; I Timothy 6:6). When your dignity is insulted: seek God's reputation alone (Matthew 12:32). Test your love especially by your reaction when: your “enemy” falls (Proverbs 24:17) or your “enemy” is in need (Proverbs 25:21). Love from the center of who you are (Romans 12:9): outdo each other in showing honor (v10); be inventive in hospitality (v13); make friends with "nobodies" (v16).
Your “enemy” is that person in any given circumstance who, in order to love them, will cost you love of Self. God never intended for us merely to taste His love, but for that love to become a compelling, reconciling force within us! (II Corinth. 5:14-20)
It is important to know what compelled Jesus love (John 14:30 - 15:17). If God is Love, then the test of your GOD-liness is a test of your LOVE-liness. The ultimate test of love is whether you can love your enemy. The world is characterized by SELF-love (II Timothy 3:1,5); God is characterized by UNSELFISH love (John 3:16; I John 3:16). We must be transformed from our human nature to the Divine Nature of Love (Romans 12:2).
The defining characteristic of Man is that he is a born liar (Psalm 58:3; Romans 3:4). The defining characteristic of God is that He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). Lying is more than just a matter of spoken words. The spirit of deception is in our human nature (Jeremiah 17:9). The very first sin recorded in the Bible (Genesis 3:4) and the very last sin recorded in the Bible (Revelation 22:15) is the sin of lying. In God’s list of 7 serious sins, He lists lying twice (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8,27)! Under the Law, because of their hardness of heart, they were only accountable for their words if they made a vow (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Under the New Covenant (the Law of Love), God says never make a vow, but be like Him in always speaking only the truth (James 5:12). 1. Lying to the Holy Spirit is: giving the impression that you’re 100% committed to God and His work, but secretly holding back something for yourself (Acts 5:1-11); calling yourself a Christian, but secretly walking in sin (I John 1:6, 2:4; John 8:31,34,44); claiming to love God, but having an unloving attitude toward another brother/sister (I John 4:20). 2. Lying to others: Lying is your old nature. Put it aside, and be renewed into the image of the One who cannot lie (Colossians 3:9-10). Some examples of lying are: signing false statements; cheating on taxes; making promises that we don’t take seriously to keep; perpetually being late without being bothered by it. Satan will try to convince us that the lie has power to deliver. Our confidence, however, must be in God, who alone has power to deliver!
Lord, teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). There is a big difference between doing good and doing what you are good at. The latter will bring you the honor of men; the former is the example that Jesus set us (Acts 10:38). A heart of wisdom always… Is honest and humble: Our response to God’s rebuke against sin in our life must always be: honest like David’s, “I am the man… I have sinned” (II Samuel 12:7,13); and humble like the tax-gatherer’s, “God be merciful to me the sinner” (Luke 18:13). If you’re humble, Satan will resist you. If you’re proud God will resist you! (I Peter 5:5-9). Is desperately hungry for God: If you are daily watching and waiting at God’s gates for wisdom, you will receive life and favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:34-35). Only seeks God’s favor: Never seek the favor of men because the heart of Man is deceptively wicked (John 2:24; Jeremiah 17:9). The prayer of Jesus (Matthew 26:39) is greater than the prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:9-10). Value God’s favor more than His blessing. Is rich toward God and His kingdom: It was because he laid up treasure only for Himself and was not rich toward God, that the rich man was a fool (Luke 12:16-21). A fundamental principle of the New Covenant is, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). If you are calculating in how you bless others, then God will be calculating in how He blesses you (Luke 6:38). Has the heart of the Good Shepherd: When Jesus builds His Church, He gathers people from different backgrounds, and gives them shepherds who have the same heart that He has (Jeremiah 3:12-15). Jesus is looking for those who will stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) for others by interceding on their behalf. This is what Jesus is doing constantly, seated at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).
Only the overcomers will inherit the things of God (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7). True faith is that which overcomes the world by keeping God’s commandments (I John 5:3-5). The world includes: sexual desires; the love of money, greed, financial debt; arrogance, anger, judging others; etc. (I John 2:16). Jesus has set us a perfect example in overcoming the world (John 16:33). The Three Laws: The Law of Sin and Death (Romans 8:2, 5:12): like the law of gravity, constantly pulling us down. The Law of God (Romans 7:7-15): the rule that says that we “should not” drown; but it results in making us “want to” drown; God designed it to show us how horrible sin is. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2-3): like the law of flotation; through power, fulfills requirement (and some) of the Law of God; in fact, we can do anything God asks (Philippians 4:13). The righteous man is not necessarily one who never falls, but one who rises up as many times as he falls with the faith to overcome (Proverbs 24:16). Sin won’t be your master if you’re under grace (Romans 6:14). You get power over sin through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Overcoming is a walk by the Spirit’s power (Galatians 5:16). So, seek to be constantly filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). God gives His Holy Spirit to those who are: honest (Luke 8:15); humble (I Peter 5:5); hungry (Luke 11:5-13, 18:7-8; Matthew 5:6).
It is when we love those who see things differently from us, that we prove ourselves to be sons/daughters of our Heavenly Father. In this we must pursue perfection. (Matthew 5:43-48). Characteristics of the 2 lineages in the world: children of the Devil: strife (Philippians 2:14-15); sons/daughters of God: peace (Romans 12:18). ‘The pagans must be able to say about us Christians: “See how they love one another…” (for the pagans themselves are animated by mutual hatred)… “and how they are ready even to die for each other” (for the pagans themselves would sooner put each other to death).’ -Tertullian (c. 160-225). Romans 14: v19: pursue the things which make for peace; v16: In your pursuit of your conviction, or what you think is good for you, don’t let it result in bringing a lack of peace between you and your brother/sister, so that it is spoken of as evil! v2-4: e.g., food; v5-6: e.g., special days; v7-12: remember, we all live or die for the Lord; v13-15: don’t let something like food result in your causing hurt to others by what you say; v16-22: have your faith as your own conviction before God. Hebrews 12: v14 MSG: Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. v15: if you’re not pursuing peace… 1. seed of misunderstanding / suspicion 2. falls into ground and takes root (bitterness)… 3. springs up and defiles many. The God of peace will crush Satan under the feet of His sons/daughters – the peace-pursuers! (Romans 16:20) Don’t let Satan get a foothold in your marriage, your children, your home, your church life, etc. Be a peace-pursuer! This isn’t “Nobel peace”, this is Divine peace!
Don’t assume that you can see God; Jesus promised it only to those who are pure in heart (Matthew 5:8). To be pure in heart is to have an unadulterated devotion to Jesus. Signs that you haven’t seen God (Psalm 73): compare yourself with others prosperity (v3); complain about your suffering (v4-5); constantly aware of your own righteousness (v13); become embittered toward God (v21). Purify your heart, and you will see God (Psalm 73): “Whom have I in heaven but Thee?” (v25); God is my strength even when body fails (v26); the only “good” I desire is being near God (v28). Worship is the spontaneous response of your overwhelmed heart when you finally see God! When you see God you see a merciful and holy God: Moses’ testimony: Exodus 34:6-8 - until I see God’s mercy, I can never see His holiness; John’s testimony: Revelation 1:17. We’ve truly begun to worship when we “fall at Jesus’ feet as a dead man”. There is no heart more “pure” than that of a dead man! When you see God you see a big God: your problems become small (Psalm 24:1-4); you are not shaken (Psalm 16:8); you are delivered from fear (Psalm 34:4); no one can steal your joy (Psalm 105:3-4). The Church is built by worshipers: 1. you fall into the ground and die (John 12:24); you will see God in increasing measure when you are constantly decreasing, until you are as a dead man (John 3:30). 2. Jesus is lifted up (John 12:32); God is most glorified when we are most dead to ourselves and alive in Christ. 3. He draws others to Him (John 1:35-42); let this be the sign at the entrance of our church: “Come in if you want to fall into the ground and die!”You know you’ve truly seen God when you can’t see anything else!
There is “another Jesus” that will lead you to “another righteousness” which is false (II Corinthians 11:4). A righteousness that does not make you more merciful to others is a counterfeit! Holiness without mercy is legalism! (Luke 18:9-17) What God expects of us is very simple: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. God expects perfection in being merciful (Luke 6:36, Matthew 5:48). This is the “Golden Rule”: “Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them” (Matthew 7:12, MSG) Treat others better than they deserve… because that’s how God is merciful to you. Forgiveness from God is conditional (Matthew 6:12,14,15; 18:21-35). These are characteristics of the unmerciful: proud of their holiness and despise others (Luke 18:9); nitpick at rules and blind to needs of others (Matthew 23:4; Matthew 12:1-7; Luke 13:10-16); no compassion for sinners (Matthew 9:10-13). Being exact in following the letter of the commandments while having an unmerciful attitude is like straining the gnat out of your teacup, but missing the camel inside (Matthew 23:23-24). Don’t swallow the camel!
Let us live full lives in 2014... full in the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19b MSG). In order to do this we must have: 1. Purpose: Purpose comes through revelation from God (Ephesians 1:17-18). This is exemplified in the lives of those God uses; e.g. Noah (Hebrews 11:7); Abraham (Hebrews 11:8); Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26; Exodus 3:4-12); Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10); Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:1-7); Hosea (Hosea 1:2) God called you with a specific purpose. Make it your goal in 2014 to lay hold of that purpose! (Philippians 3:12-14). 2. Power: The strength of God’s might working on your behalf is surpassingly great (Ephesians 1:19)! You come to know this power through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Don’t expect God to empower your circumstances; He wants to strengthen your inner man with power to deal with your circumstances! God wants to baptize you in His Holy Spirit. Make it your goal in 2014 to receive that Power with complete assurance! (Acts 1:8) The Result – Love!: This is how we become rooted and grounded in love together with the saints (Ephesians 3:17b). Only then can we comprehend the greatness of God’s love (Ephesians 3:18). Let us walk worthy f this calling (Ephesians 4:1).
The goals for our life should be: to obey every New Covenant command; and to experience the fulfillment of every New Covenant promise. At the end of each year, it's good to examine our lives in these 2 areas. Satisfaction is something that everyone seeks -- the world knows temporary satisfaction; Jesus promised eternal satisfaction. In light of the satisfaction that Jesus promises (Matthew 5:6), ask yourself: “Am I experiencing the fulfillment of the eternal satisfaction that Jesus promised me in this verse?” Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness the way starving people hunger and thirst for food and water? “The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man’s life is satisfying / exciting” (Proverbs 14:14 TLB). God calls us only to seek His face (Psalm 27:4-8). To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst for God Himself (Philippians 3:7-9). We will find God when we seek Him with all of ourselves (Jeremiahs 29:11-13). “My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God; at any cost, dear Lord, by any road. So faith bounds forward to its goal in God, upheld by Him, my soul is following hard, 'til God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer. No matter if the way be sometimes dark, no matter though the cost be oft-times great, one thing I know, I cannot say Him nay; one thing I do, I press towards my Lord; my God my glory here, from day to day, and in the glory there my great Reward.” (Frances Brook, 1895) Jacob, "the grabber" made one last grab when He said to God, "I will not let You go until..." (Genesis 32:6-7,24-30). He sought “Peniel” (the face of God) with weeping (Hosea 12:4) and received it. When we seek God's face, He tests our earnestness; finally, at our weakest moment, He says, “You’ve won!” “Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life's alarms when by myself I stand; iImprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.” (George Matheson, 1842-1906)
“While seeking to be justified in Christ... if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove to be a transgressor... I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ... I do not nullify the grace of God” (Galatians 2:17-21). Part 1: “Justified IN Christ” (v17); I accept death to the Law as a means of justification. Part 2: “Crucified WITH Christ” (v20); I accept death to Self. If however I “rebuild what Christ destroyed” (and He destroyed (1) “justification through the Law” and (2) “living for Self”), then “I prove to be a transgressor and nullify the grace of God”.
Understanding Meekness: Meek (“praus” in Greek) means: humble, gentle, lowly; like a wild animal that has been tamed by its master. The difference between earthly and heavenly wisdom is the quality of meekness (James 3:7-18). Meekness is actively submitting to undesirable circumstances at the Master’s hand, knowing that it will eventually result in the greater good. Seeing Yourself as God Sees You: The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather, he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God’s estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is, in the sight of God, more important than angels… He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God) The Perfect Example of Being Tamed: Jesus was the first to be perfectly “tamed” and He calls us to walk with Him under the same yoke. If we are “tamed” with Him, we will get rest (Matthew 11:29). We enter God’s rest by resting from your own works. 1. The “Tamed” Regard Others as More Important: Philippians 2:3-4. This is what it means to “love unto the end” (John 13:1-15). Let the Holy Spirit tame you to assume the lowest place, and make you willing to do even the least desirable tasks. 2. The “Tamed” Do Not Grab: Philippians 2:6. Example: Abraham with Lot (Genesis 13:8-17); Moses with the people (Exod. 32:31-32; Numbers 12:3); David with Saul (I Samuel 24:6; 26:9-11). The world is only gathering what God will eventually give to those He has “tamed” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). Let the Holy Spirit tame you to give up your rights and let others pick first; in the end, you will receive everything from God’s hand. 3. The “Tamed” Live Gently with Others: Wives: your submission to your husband is a jewel that is precious in the sight of your Master (I Peter 3:1-6). Husbands: your living in an understanding way with your wife gives you power with your Master (I Peter 3:7-8). Let the Holy Spirit tame you to live in symphony with others, then you will be beautiful and powerful in God’s eyes. The Church is Built with the “Tamed”: God will remove the stiff-necked ones, and exult over the tamed remnant – His Church! (Zephaniah 3:11-17)
- Mourn over God’s people straying (Luke 19:37-44): they are like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36); God marks those who groan over abominations (Ezekiel 9:4). 4. Mourn with others in their grief (John 11:33-35): “He had no tears for His own griefs, but sweat drops of blood for mine… how marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior’s love for me!” (C.H. Gabriel) Jesus knew the outcome, but still wept (Hebrews 4:15). How we receive encouragement: individually through the Holy Spirit: “Encourager” is His Name (John 16:7,20-22), a Father overflowing with encouragement (II Corinthians 1:3-7); through a church filled with the Holy Spirit: comfort others with the comfort we received (II Corinthians 1:4-6), prophecy (I Corinthians 14:1,3,31), a local expression of Christ’s Body: hearts knit together (Colossians 2:2), encourage each other daily (Hebrews 3:13, 10:25); “Church: where never is heard a discouraging word”.The God who sees: God does not afflict lightly (Lamentations 3:32-33); mourning is not passive; it’s sowing (Psalm 126:5-6); no more death, mourning, or pain (Revelation 21:4); “You keep track of all my sorrows; You have collected all my tears in your bottle; You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8). The Comforter Has Come: (Frank Bottome, 1890) O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found, Wherever human hearts and human woes abound; Let ev’ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come! The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come! The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n; O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found — The Comforter has come! The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last, And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast, As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast! The Comforter has come! Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings, To ev’ry captive soul a full deliverance brings; And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings; The Comforter has come! O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine — That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine! The Comforter has come!
The joy of the Lord comes only through mourning (Matthew 5:4). Most people in this world are pursuing a "joy" that feels good. You know you have the true joy of the Lord when it gives you strength in the midst of your affliction (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus more than just "wept" once or twice (John 11:35); He was called a "Man of Sorrows" and was well-acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). Hallelujah... what a Savior! Jesus is our “dictionary” for all spiritual concepts, so when we look at Him we learn what it means to mourn... 1. Mourn to be saved from sin: get desperately serious if sin is ruling over you (Psalm 13:1-5; 6:6-10); don't give excuses or blame anyone else (Psalm 32:1-6,11); weep and mourn, then God will exalt you over your spiritual enemies (James 4:7-10); weeping is an indication of deep grateful love (Luke 7:37-39). 2. Mourn over any break of fellowship with the Father: Jesus sweat blood over this (Matthew 26:38; Luke 12:50); Jesus endured the cross for the joy before Him (Hebrews 12:2)
The only thing that will matter in the end is whether you obeyed what you heard (Matthew 7:13-27). The Old Covenant pertained to the kingdom of Israel (I Samuel 10:25) and contained earthly promises and blessings. Jesus came to inaugurate the New Covenant pertaining to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:17) and containing spiritual promises and blessings. Very few Christians are truly interested in the kingdom of heaven, because they are still only interested in earthly promises and blessings. The kingdom of heaven is ruled by a King (Colossians 1:13); it’s not a democratic republic. Once your life is transferred to the kingdom of heaven, you no longer have a say in making decisions in your life; all decisions are made only by the King. The kingdom of heaven is not for the future (“in heaven”), but is here and now on earth (Luke 16:16). The kingdom of heaven is an inner spiritual kingdom (Luke 17:20-21). The kingdom of heaven is not in the words you say, but in the power in your life (I Corinthians 4:20). The kingdom of heaven is righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The kingdom of heaven is hated by all earthly kingdoms, including religious kingdoms. That is why the Pharisees crucified Jesus! The poor in spirit are always in need (Proverbs 8:34). One who is not poor in spirit doesn’t have time for God’s Word and for prayer, because he feels like he can go on through his day without dependence on God. The poor in spirit never compare themselves with others’ faults. They always seek to go down, and that’s why they are God’s dwelling place (Isaiah 66:1-2). The poor in spirit are always compassionate toward others (Matthew 9:12-13). The poor in spirit never make demands on others (Matthew 21:31,43). The poor in spirit never take pride in their obedience to God (Luke 17:7-10). “Holiness without brokenness will make you a legalist!” (Zac Poonen) “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less!” (C.S. Lewis). You will think of yourself less when you think of God more. After all that Job knew and had heard about God, it was only after he saw God that He became poor in spirit (Job 42:5-6).
There were two groups of people who “followed” Jesus: the few who became disciples (Matthew 4:18-22); and the great multitudes (Matthew 4:23-25). The multitudes: didn’t have to leave everything to follow Jesus; came because they saw the miracles Jesus did; followed at their convenience (Matthew 13:34-36). Today, likewise, the “followers” of Jesus can be divided into these 2 groups. The multitudes are drawn by: healing (Luke 5:15; Matthew 15:31); teaching (Matthew 7:28; Mark 12:37); curiosity (John 12:9); rejoicing (Luke13:17); “praise and worship” (Luke 19:36-44). Eventually, the same multitude will gather for: betrayal (Luke 22:47); condemning to death (Luke 23:21); pity at “this spectacle” (Luke 23:48). This is the discipleship test that Jesus gave: 1. Do you seek a “resting place” on earth? (Luke 9:57-58) 2. Do your circumstances (suffering/loss) mute your preaching of the gospel? (Luke 9:59-60) 3. Do you have an attachment to family or friends? (Luke 9:61-62, 14:26) 4. Do you have any interest in yourself? (Mark 8:34; Luke 14:27) Jesus used the test of discipleship to weed out those with “multitude mentality” from those who were truly His disciples (John 6). You’re either crucifying Jesus or being crucified with Him!
The “Great Light” didn’t seek prominence in Jerusalem, but withdrew into “insignificance” in Galilee… He was at rest in His Father’s planning (Matthew 4:12-16). The Father would take care of fulfilling the prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-7). The “light of men” was the life in Jesus (John 1:4-5). The darkness did not comprehend the light like death cannot comprehend life. When “the Light” interacted with others He said, “neither do I condemn you”, “go your way, and from now on sin no more”, and led people to not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:1-12). “The Light” existed with the purpose of doing the works of God… going about “doing good” (Matthew 4:23-25; Acts 10:38). Jesus was the light while He was in the world (John 9:1-5). This is the life that is the light of men: being poor in spirit; being a mourner; being meek; hungering and thirsting for righteousness; being merciful; being pure in heart; being a peacemaker; rejoicing when persecuted for the sake of righteousness (Matthew 5:3-15). “The Master will take care of the great lighthouse: let us keep the lower lights burning” (D.L. Moody). Let the Lower Lights Be Burning by Philip P. Bliss: Brightly beams our Father’s mercy from His lighthouse evermore, But to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore. Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave! Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save. Dark the night of sin has settled, loud the angry billows roar; eager eyes are watching, longing, for the lights along the shore. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; some poor seaman, tempest-tossed, trying now to make the harbor, in the darkness may be lost.
After filling you, the Holy Spirit will lead you into the wilderness to prove His power in you. The greatest proof of you’re being filled with the Holy Spirit is not that you speak in tongues or heal the sick or raise the dead, but that you have power to resist temptation in the “wilderness”. Jesus was tempted in all points of “the world” — the lust of the flesh, the boastful pride of life, the lust of the eyes (I John 2:15-17; Matthew 4:3,6,9) — yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). If there’s one thing that characterizes the Devil’s tactics it’s not power, it’s craftiness. He’s not a mammoth, but a serpent. We must not be ignorant of Satan’s devises... 1. Satan Tempts You in Your Mind: Jesus wasn’t actually physically taken to “the pinnacle of the temple” or “a very high mountain”; He was in the wilderness, tempted in his thoughts. You are what you think! (Romans 8:4-8; Colossians 3:1-3; Romans 12:2) 2. Satan Uses Siege Tactics: Satan waited until Jesus had fasted for 40 days before coming to tempt him with food (Matthew 4:2-3). Job’s real temptation was not his physical affliction, but in the pressure that followed it: from his wife, his friends, his own thoughts. Temptation is strongest when it comes dressed as relief from your current affliction. 3. Satan Asks for Just a Little: Rather than force his way in, Satan only asks you to leave the door slightly ajar, and is willing to nudge at it multiple times. His strategy (Genesis 3): 1. Question God’s Word (v1) The Devil does not initially come with an “exclamation mark” against God’s Word. He comes with a “question mark”. 2. Enter into dialogue (v2-3) 3. Oppose God’s Word (v4) 4. Prod you with a sense of entitlement (v5); e.g. “because you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3,6) 5. Appeal to self-pleasing (v6). Temptation does not aim to uproot your tree by force, but to dig around it and loosen your root of faith.
Jesus had the Father’s backing because He lived His life with the attitude that all He had was the Father’s. (John 17:10) Jesus had the Father’s love because He laid down His life on His own initiative. (John 10:17-18) Jesus calls us to follow Him in living the same way. (Luke 9:23-24) Every little aspect of Jesus’ life was foreordained, and all of Satan’s attempts to thwart God’s plan failed. The Word of the Lord: God’s action is always initiated by His Word. (Genesis 1) The Word of God is as different from the word of man as pebbles and different from seeds. (I Peter 1:23) Spoken Through Prophecy: In the New Covenant all are called to prophesy. (Acts 2:17; I Corinthians 14:1,39) Before you prophesy... love! (I Corinthians 13; esp. v4-8) Prophecy brings: edification, exhortation, and consolation to the church (I Corinthians 14:3-4); and conviction and worship to the unbeliever/ungifted (I Corinthians 14:24-25). Fulfilled: We can be absolutely certain that God’s Word will accomplish that for which it was sent. (Isaiah 55:8-13) God Who began the work will perfect it. (Philippians 1:6) Follow Jesus’ example of remaining in repose at all times through the circumstances of our life: when you’re tempted doubt the Holy Spirit’s work (Matthew 1:18-25); when you feel insignificant (Matthew 2:1-6; Micah 5:2-5); when you are being oppressed (Matthew 2:13-15); when you are being punished (Matthew 2:16-18; Jeremiah 31:10-37; Hebrews 12:1-13); when you are despised (Matthew 2:19-23; John 1:46; Acts 22:8). How shall we conclude? – If you love and God and are called according to His purpose, He will cause all things to work together for your good and nothing/nobody can succeed against you! (Romans 8:28-39).
- Salvation: Perfected through suffering: Jesus’ life was the first through whom God demonstrated that perfect salvation is possible (Hebrews 2:10). When the Son of Man came down to earth, He put Himself in a position of submission where He too needed to be “saved”… from death (Hebrews 5:7). Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). Because He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). God “beautifies” your affliction with salvation (Psalm 149:4)
- Salvation: Birth and Growth: Salvation comes when the heart is set toward repentance (Luke 19:9). We face the choice in our affliction: either resentment which drives us away from God; or repentance which we will not regret and which results in salvation (II Corinthians 7:9-10). If you haven’t experienced it yet, now is the right time for this birth of salvation (II Corinthians 6:2). After the birth of our salvation, there must be the “growing up” to salvation (I Peter 1:23-2:3). Salvation comes through sanctification by the Spirit (II Thessalonians 2:13). The salvation that God works in us, we must then work out with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). We work out our salvation by saying “No!” to ungodliness through the grace of God (Titus 2:11-12). If we persevere in paying close attention to our conduct and teaching, we will insure salvation of both us and those who hear us (I Timothy 4:16).
What salvation is not: only being being saved from hell; only forgiveness of sins; forgiveness was available even under the Old Covenant (Psalm 103:3), and is only the beginning of the knowledge of salvation (Luke 1:76-77) 1. Jesus is Salvation: Salvation in your trial is not some thing, but Jesus Himself! Simeon, looking at Jesus, proclaimed: “My eyes have seen Thy salvation” (Luke 2:30). God repeatedly told His people: “I am your salvation” (Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 35:3; Psalm 38:22; Psalm 62:2,6,7; Psalm 68:19; Psalm 118:14,21). 2. Salvation: The Holy Spirit’s secret work: Like Jesus grew hidden in Mary’s womb after He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, our salvation grows in secret (Matthew 1:20). The work of salvation produces the obedience of faith (not of reason) like it did in Joseph and Mary. The work of salvation brings reproach and misunderstanding, not popularity (Luke 6:26; Matthew 5:11-12).
- Faith in God’s Purpose: Ruth had a personal identification with God’s purpose: “God, You will be my God,” “Your people shall be my people,” “nothing shall separate me from God’s purposes” (Ruth 1:6-17). “The Lord will reward your work… the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge” (Ruth 2:11-12). 3. Works of Faith: Rahab was disobedient like the others in Jericho, but did not perish because of her faith (Hebrews 11:31). Rahab was justified by her works (James 2:14-26). Just as in the natural, the proof that your spirit is alive is your functioning body, in the spiritual, the proof that you have faith is your works. 4. Building God’s House: God spoke to Zerubbabel because God’s people lived in comfort while God’s house was in ruin, and their name was not dishonored, but God’s Name was (Haggai 1:1-9). When Zerubbabel responded in obedience, God promised Him, “I’m going to shake everything and then I will make you like a signet ring, because I have chosen you” (Haggai 2:20-23). This promise was fulfilled in Christ (Isaiah 42:1; 43:10).
- Responsibility and Repentance: In order to experience God’s promise we must first see sin as exceedingly sinful (Romans 7:13) and God’s anger against sin must burn within us. The beginning of the pathway to the promise is that when the Holy Spirit convicts saying, “You are the man!” your response, like David’s, is “I have sinned” (II Samuel 12:5-13). The beginning of the pathway to destruction, on the other hand, is to give excuses like Adam did (Genesis 3:11-12). We learn from Jesus’ example that if you want to be happiest person on earth, you must love righteousness and hate sin (Psalm 45:7). The joy that is triumphant in every circumstance of your life is not a joy that you can manufacture, but the joy that God pours over your life. We learn from the 2 thieves on the cross beside Jesus that even in the very presence of the work of salvation, you can miss it, if you don’t take responsibility and repent of your sin. God says, “Only acknowledge your sin… and I will bring you to Zion.” (Jeremiah 3:13-15)
The only thing that limits God from doing works of power in and through us is unbelief (Matthew 13:58). Faith Lesson #1: Christ came to save sinners and to use us as an example of His grace (I Timothy 1:12-16; Ephesians 2:4-7). Faith Lesson #2: Give yourself with abandon to God because He gave Himself with abandon to you! (I Timothy 4:9-10 MSG; Romans 8:31-32): serve like a bondslave (Luke 17:1-10); be rich toward God (I Timothy 6:18-19); leave nothing undone that you ought to do (II Timothy 4:5). Faith Lesson #3: Look to the Promiser, not the answer (I Timothy 3:11-12; II Timothy 4:18): Abraham did not look at the circumstance, but at God (Romans 4:18-22; Genesis 22:17-18); true faith will outlive your life (Hebrews 11:13).
At the appearing of Christ, there will be those who, like Adam, will be afraid and hide because the nakedness of their secret sin will be exposed (Genesis 3:10). As children of God, however, we can come boldly into God’s presence because we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:12-16). The crown of righteousness is not a reward for good works. This is the righteousness of God: that you can do nothing of yourself, but only out of the life of God in you! (John 5:19,21,26) You will experience this life only if you seek the glory of the one and only God! (John 5:44) Paul’s desire was that He would not be found with his own righteousness, but be “found in Christ”. (Philippians 3:9) Jesus rejected the foolish virgins because His life was not in them. (Matthew 25:1-12)
- Fight the Good Fight: There is only one “good fight”(Ephesians 6:12); Be specific and focused in your battles (I Corinthians 9:24-27); This is a fight! There's no such thing as “coasting” into heaven. 2. Finish the Course: Don't consider your life on any account as dear to yourself; Let there be no smell of self-preservation (Acts 20:17-38). 3. Keep the Faith: It’s not about the facts (of your trial); It’s not even about your failure; It’s about your faith (Luke 22:25-32).
Going into labor with God's work and being poured out as a drink offering for the sake of the church.
When Christ Jesus returns, He will judge everyone. Unless you are constantly mindful of Christ’s return, you will be caught unawares. If you are part of God’s kingdom, your life will be restless until your King is back from exile. If the Word has been made flesh in you — reproving you, rebuking you, and exhorting you — then you are ready to preach the Word. When Jesus preached He said, “This Scripture has been fulfilled [through me]” (Luke 4:21) and “Behold I have come (in the roll of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy Will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7). The disciples’ preparation for going into all the world to preach the gospel was that they first forsook everything (Matthew 19:27-30), and then were immersed in “the Word made flesh” for three-and-a-half years. It is by doing the will of the Father that we are truly given authority to preach God’s Word (Matthew 21:23-31). Because all authority has been given to Jesus, we can boldly preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). If Christ — the “Word made flesh” — is set apart as Lord in your heart, you will be able to preach the Word even when it’s inconvenient (I Peter 3:15a). In preaching, we must give people hope and we must speak with gentleness and reverence.(I Peter 3:15b).
Meditating on God’s Word should be like receiving spiritual CPR — life breathed in by the One who has Life. After Joshua’s generation of elders died, the Israelites did what was right in their own eyes because they had no king (Joshua 24:19-31; Judges 2:6-11, 7:33, 17:6, 21:25). Baal is characterized by playing the harlot — thinking you can serve both Jehovah and Baal (I Kings 18:21). The New Covenant equivalent of Baal is Mammon (Luke 16:13) — wealth or power, and greed for it, personified as a deity in which one trusts. The Church has been entrusted with the ministry of Elijah, to call God’s people out of harlotry into pure devotion to the true God. Our personal convictions must not be fixed because of the traditions of men, nor reactionary swinging to the other extreme. Rather they must be a constant correcting to the equilibrium point which is Christ, the Living Word. It’s important not to confuse being filled with the Spirit (John 3:8) with being double-minded (James 1:6-8).
If you were to write the Bible, would you have made it more “appealing” to the reader? (II Timothy 3:16) God hides his glory in that which is unappealing (II Corinthians 4:2-7). If there is a veil over God’s Word, it’s because you haven’t “repented” (turned) toward the Lord (II Corinthians 3:13-18). God’s glory in His Word is unveiled as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 3:3-12). Do you want to know God’s perfect will in your life? Then offer your body and mind fully to the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul gives Timothy a solemn charge to fulfill his ministry (II Timothy 4:1-5). It isn't outward "ministry" that builds the church; ministry serves to equip each member ("set apart" one) to build the church. God tests us in our priorities before He approves us for the work of the ministry. We must have a hunger for a personal revelation of God like Joshua had (Exodus 33:11). We must do our service out of a desire to please our Bridegroom like Paul (Philippians 3:4-8). If you're employed by Christ, you’ll need a sabbatical; if you’re married to Him, life IS a sabbatical. We are not servants of God who worship Him; we are worshipers of God who serve Him (Matthew 4:10).
When God allows us to go through suffering, He wants to reveal to us just how great is His: compassion (James 5:11) and power (II Corinthians 12:8-10). Through our suffering, we are reminded of God’s heart that none should perish: God knows every detail of what is happening to us (Job 23:10 TLB). Out of his immense love for us He warns us that amid suffering, our heart is in greater danger than our body! He warns us not to leave our first love (Revelation 2:4-5; Matthew 24:12-13). He urges us not to fear (Revelation 2:10; Luke 12:1-7; Isaiah 8:13 TLB). He warns us against worldliness (Revelation 2:14-15). He warns us against spiritual adultery (Revelation 2:20). He warns us against hypocrisy (Revelation 3:1). He warns us against spiritual laziness (Revelation 3:11). He warns us against pride and spiritual blindness (Revelation 3:17). The Spirit calls, “Wake up!… Remember!… Repent!… Hold Fast!” Through our suffering, we are reminded of God’s promises to the overcomer: Despite our failures, the Spirit is still speaking to the churches, for all who will hear. God promises that the overcomers will eat of the Tree of Life which is in the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7). God promises that the overcomers will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11). God promises that the overcomers will be given hidden manna and a personalized white stone with a secret name on it (Revelation 2:17). God promises that the overcomers will have authority like Jesus has received from the Father (Revelation 2:26). God promises that the overcomers will be clothed in white garments and confessed before the Father by Jesus (Revelation 3:5). God promises that the overcomers will be made pillars in God’s temple and given a new secret name (Revelation 3:12). God promises that the overcomers will sit with Jesus on thrones (Revelation 3:20).
When God allows us to go through suffering, He wants to reveal to us just how great is His: compassion (James 5:11) and power (II Corinthians 12:8-10). Through our suffering, we are reminded of God’s power to defend His Church: His churches and messengers are held by Him (Revelation 2:1). He had the first say and will have the last say; He has overcome the greatest enemy, Death (Revelation 2:8). He’s on the offense, the Enemy is on the defense (Revelation 2:12). He sees the innermost parts, judges sin severely (Revelation 2:18). He is the source of all power and revelation (Revelation 3:1). He opens and shuts, and no one can stop Him (Revelation 3:7). He started the story and will finish it; He is the faithful and true Witness (Revelation 3:14).
We are called to be careful followers of Christ in persecutions and sufferings along with all the aspects of godliness (II Timothy 3:11-12). This pathway leads us to eternal life (Mark 10:24-31). And this is what it means to truly know Jesus (John 17:3). Suffering will be difficult if you haven’t counted all things as loss compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). To truly know Jesus is: fellowship in His sufferings; being conformed to His death; experiencing power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10-11). God uses suffering to put to death every little bit of “righteousness of your own” (Philippians 3:9). In you trial if you seek for Christ you will find Him: in appearance as a man; obedient even to the point of death; highly exalted by the Father (Philippians 2:7-8). This is true evangelism: inviting others to “follow me as a follow Christ” in His sufferings. Suffering proves you are an heir with Christ. (Romans 8:14-15) God causes all things to work for good (Romans 8:28). If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:35). In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer! (Romans 8:37) In the midst of your trial, hear the whisper of Jesus, “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
A warning especially to men about the deception of hypocrisy: Beware of becoming content with a good reputation in the church, when your inner life is not ignited by the fire of God. A deception watch-list especially for men: sexual lust and addictions; anger; Mammon; unforgiveness. Jannes and Jambres were able to duplicate miracles using rods which were not empowered by a secret igniting encounter with God like Moses’ rod was (Exodus 7:10-12, 8:18). In the same way, the Devil will try to deceive Christians with a duplicate “godliness” which lacks true power within. A warning especially to women about the deception of insubmission: Beware of pursuing knowledge that leads you away from submission to your husband. A deception watch-list especially for women: when your husband is spiritually weak or struggling; when your expectations of your husband are not me; when you are discouraged or swayed by impulses. This is how you can test the real knowledge of the truth: it comes through repentance (II Timothy 2:25) and will result in your being set free from sin (John 8:32).
Christians will be persecuted. We know this from God’s Word (Matthew 24; II Timothy 3:1,12, etc.), and from the fact that Christians have been and are being persecuted even today. If it was the last hour in John’s time (I John 2:15-18), then we are in the dying minutes of time. Satan’s trick: “If you can’t beat ’em join ’em!” (II Timothy 3:2-5) As the world demonstrates increased lawlessness, most “Christians” will demonstrate a cooling in their love (Matthew 24:12,24). Four Types of Lovers: Lovers of Self: boastful and arrogant; abusive in speech (revilers); disobedient to parents; ungrateful, unloving, and irreconcilable; brutal, malicious gossips; Lovers of money: Pharisees (Matthew 16:13-15); Lovers of pleasure: unholy; without self-control; Lovers of God: those with a pure devotion to God (James 4:4, I John 2:15). The most prominent sign of the end times is that Satan will present “another Jesus” (Matthew 24:5,11,23,24,26) — promoting religiosity mixed with Self, money, and pleasure! Babylon is built as a result of spiritual immorality (Genesis 11; Revelation 17-19).
When Satan sees that we are serious about discipleship and fellowship, he will try to distract us by getting us to quarrel with someone (II Timothy 2:23-24). The world can be divided into two categories of people: sleepers in darkness, and warriors in the light. When Joshua asked the angel of the Lord if he was for him or against him, the angel replied, “No” — he was not on either side, but on God’s side. (Joshua 5:13-15). The church is built through prophecy (I Corinthians 14:3-4). Prophecy is fueled by love (I Corinthians 8:1). True love is to lay down your Self (John 15:13). Instead of quarreling, we are instructed to: have a kindly disposition, with courtesy and gentleness; be patient and forbearing, willing to suffer wrong; make it your goal to rescue those held captive by the devil (II Timothy 2:24-26). Be a lamb in the earthly realm, who is a lion in the spiritual realm! Will you live as one who’s been forgiven? Will you walk with joy in knowing your debts are paid, that your name is clear before your Father, and that you are His child and will not be afraid? Will you, so greatly pardoned, forgive your brother? Will you the law of love gladly obey? Will you live as one who’s learned compassion? Having been so loved, will you risk loving too? Do you know how fear builds walls instead of bridges? Will you dare to see another’s point of view? And when relationships demand commitment, will you be there to care and follow through? Will you let God feed a hungry world through you?
When a telescope’s focus is sharpened to view a distant, higher object clearly, nearer, lower objects become more blurry. In order to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives we must have a “one thing” mentality toward Jesus (Matthew 13:46, Luke 10:42). Purity of heart is purity of devotion to Jesus, which means that we don’t have room in our heart for anything else besides Jesus. We only see God (Matthew 5:8) and only do His Will (Acts 13:22). To be a true disciple and to experience true discipleship is to “hate”. A disciple of Jesus is one who hates: all rights to himself; wanting to be remembered; his own desires, interests, and conveniences; bringing Self into the picture; his selfish ways. True fellowship is in having the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose, with the same attitude that Christ had.Fellowship is built by hating: all selfishness and empty conceit; anything that does not come from humility of mind; thinking of yourself as more important than anyone else; looking out for your own interests, rather than for others’ interests. The kind of church we want to see God establish here is one in which we come here not thinking, “Is this the church that will best meet my needs?” but rather: “Is this the church where God can use me to best meet the needs of others?” When we waters others, God will water us (Proverbs 11:25). That’s why it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
We must be aware of Satan’s schemes and not allow him to take any advantage of us (II Corinthians 2:11).
Vessels in God’s house that bring Him embarrassment are those who are full of Self-filled chatter — thoughts and words that are worldly (not originatinig in God) and empty (not empowered by God). Self-filled chatter causes the Holy Spirit to leak out of our lives. Words are the indication of the treasure that fills the heart. God will weigh our words to either justify or condemn us (Matthew 12:34-37). Vessels in God’s house that bring Him honor are those who are full of God-filled words, by cleansing themselves of Self-filled chatter, and whom God then sets apart in His “China Cabinet”. God’s testimony of Samuel was that none of his words fell to the ground because God was with him. God’s Word will not return empty without accomplishing that for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11). And when we speak as God’s mouth, the same can be said of our words. New Covenant prophecy is to speak as God’s mouth, giving edification, exhortation, and consolation to the Body through a variety of spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 14:3,26). We must rid ourselves of all rotten words, and learn to speak prophetically in every situation — i.e., a word perfectly suited to each moment, imparting grace to the hearers (Proverbs 25:11, Ephesians 4:29). The two-fold seal of God’s firm foundation is this: 1. The Lord intimately knows the treasured vessels whom He puts in His “China Cabinet”. 2. If you desire to be such a treasured vessel, abstain from wickedness. (II Timothy 2:19)
Paul suffered hardship and was endured all things for the sake of God’s chosen people (II Timothy 2:9-10). Paul had this attitude because he sought nothing for himself, having already counted all things as loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). To suffer so that others would benefit was the spirit in which Christ came to earth. To suffer so that others will benefit is the spirit in Christ’s Body today. Church membership is a relationship of care — sharing in the suffering of other members, and rejoicing in the honor of other members (II Corinthians 12:25-26). Suffering is the means by which the children of God claim their inheritance of Christ’s glory (Romans 8:17). When your suffering is not contaminated with murmuring or complaining, it becomes a drink offering that God pours out on the lives of others (I Peter 4:12-13; Philippians 2:17-18; II Timothy 4:6-7). “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” ~C.T. Studd
The true mark of spirituality is having the humility of Jesus, who learned it by becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
It is important to know what the works of Satan are, so that Christ can destroy them in our lives (I John 3:8, Genesis 3).
Man lost his way trying to navigate through the thick “jungle” of the Old Covenant. So God put us in an even thicker “jungle” in the New Covenant! Yet the New Covenant is easier… because we have a Guide. Consider Jesus! God had many faithful “employees”… but it wasn’t until Jesus came that He finally had a Son on earth! (Hebrews 3:1-6, Matthew 3:17) A son/daughter: values the Father’s Name and riches; is secure in the Father’s love and discipline; is always at home with the Father. Now God wants others who live their lives faithfully as younger brothers/sisters of Jesus. At the end of time, Jesus will present them with Himself to the Father. (Hebrew 2:13) After rescuing the Israelites from slavery, God was angry at them because of their un-faith! (Hebrews 3:16-19) Faith is to rest from your own works and enter God’s rest. (Hebrews 4:10) The faith of Jesus may open the mouths of lions and may not allow you to escape the edge of the sword! (Hebrews 11:33-34) Your chances of going into the presence of God were “one in a million”, and even then you probably kept it as short as possible. (Hebrews 9:1-7) Worship is no longer an un-satisfying “pretend tea party”, and we have no fear about being in God’s presence because our Intercessor is there. (Hebrews 9:8-10) Worship is to “gaze and gaze on Thee”.
The Church is the “John the Baptist” and the “Elijah” of today, preparing the world for the coming of Christ by “repenting” the hearts of the fathers to their children so that God can bring restoration. (Malachi 4:5-6, Luke 1:17) 1. Will you love God? 2. Will you value God’s Word? 3. Will you treasure me? 4. Will you show me the way? 5. Will you always love Mama? 6. Will you consecrate me to God? 7. Will you intercede for me?
Paul was persecuted by the world (II Timothy 1:12) and deserted by other Christians (II Timothy 1:15, 4:10,16). We must retain the standard of the Gospel in faith, by guarding it like a treasure (II Timothy 1:13-14). When Jesus knew that Peter would be tested, His only prayer was that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22:31). We must retain the standard of the Gospel in love, by being eager and unashamed about refreshing others (II Timothy 3:16-17). True love is to lay down our lives for the brethren like Christ did for us (I John 3:16). The Devil uses these “thorns” to poke holes in our vessel of faith and love to drain us of the standard of the Gospel: the worry of the age, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life (Luke 8:14). Jesus is building His Church as a witness to the entire world of the Gospel (Matthew 24:14). The Church is built from the lives of those who have faith to say, like Paul, “the Lord will deliver me” (II Timothy 4:17-18(); and who have love to lay down their lives for the brethren (I John 3:18).
God called you according to His purpose from all eternity (II Timothy 1:8-12). You were a “twinkle in His eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10, Zechariah 2:8) even before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). God chose you after He foreknew everything about you — the good, the bad, and the ugly (Romans 8:29)! It wasn’t the nails, but your sin that held Jesus to the cross. And yet, God picked you on His team, knowing full-well that you would “stab Him in the back” (I Timothy 1:15). God’s plan for you before the foundation of the world included: foreseeing you, a useless “worm” (Psalm 22:6); predetermining that Jesus would come to save this “worm”; foreseeing that this “worm” would be the ringleader in killing Jesus, the very source of salvation; predetermining that the story wouldn’t end there; foreseeing that this “worm” would respond to the call to salvation; this is the gospel that was preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:23-28). God’s plan for you now includes (II Corinthians 4:7-18): shining the light of immortality through your life despite the fact that outwardly you might still look like a “worm” to everyone else — you are afflicted in every way, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, constantly delivered over to death; but your confidence is in the fact that God will not abandon you, and even though outwardly things go from bad to worse, inwardly you are being renewed; so don’t look at what you can see but on what you can’t see.
You will be a shy Christian if you seek to preserve your own reputation or honor. You will be a shy Christian if you rely on your own ability and Self-confidence, rather than on God. You will be a shy Christian if you are not experiencing Christ’s resurrection power in your inner being. You will be a shy Christian if you don’t know God as your Father who is able to keep your life which you have entrusted to Him.
Authority: You cannot take upon yourself a ministry in God’s kingdom without God calling you to that ministry. You have authority in the life of others only if you are called to that purpose by the will of God (II Timothy 1:1). If you have authority in the life of others you must be in constant prayer for them (II Timothy 1:3). The laying on of hands is a symbol of spiritual authority, so be careful in how you exercise that responsibility on others or allow others to exercise it on you (II Timothy 1:6). Authenticity: Your life will be authentic if you are holding fast to the promise of life in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 1:1). Your life will be authentic if you are serving God with a clear conscience (II Timothy 1:3). Imparting the Grace of God: Grace comes only from God, but He imparted it into our lives first through Jesus. Now He wants to impart it likewise into the lives of others through us. Grace is not merely a past reality, but a present and future reality! Imparting Indwelling Faith: May the people who interact with you see the leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ, in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness, without pretense — this is what it means to have a sincere faith (II Timothy 1:5 AMP). If you give this sincere faith a permanent home in your heart, God will be able to impart it into the lives of others through you.
In order to become like a little child, you must be truly converted from the kingdom of this world. Here are 4 spiritual lessons that the Lord taught me from observing my interaction as a father with my little child: 1. The humility of a little child (Matthew 18:4): Humility is not a pious look, or thinking your good-for-nothing. Humility toward God is always being mindful of God’s mercy to you as a sinner (Luke 18:9-17). Humility toward others is to esteem everyone as better than yourself (Philippians 2:3-5). King David, despite his earthly position of authority, was like a weaned child in his heart (Psalm 131). That’s why he was called a man after God’s own heart. 2. The little child’s hunger for pure milk (I Peter 2:20): When you truly become like a little child, there will never be any substitute for the pure Word of God! 3. The likeness of the Father in the little child: As a child of the Heavenly Father, you should be imitating him in: showing mercy (Luke 6:36); kindness, forgiveness, and love (Ephesians 4:31-5:2); purity (I John 3:1-7); holiness (I Peter 1:14-16); speech (Philippians 2:14-15). 4. The yearning between Father and little child: ave you seen the Father’s heart yearning for you (Jeremiah 31:20), longing to gather you like a hen gathers her chicks (Luke 13:34). Do you yearn for your Father, content that the nearness of God is your good (Psalm 73:28). The only place of quiet rest where sin cannot molest is near to the heart of God. Jesus’ parting desire for us was that we would know that we are loved by the Heavenly Father with the same love with which He loved His Son, Jesus (John 17:23-26).
Paul offers this final caution to Timothy as he closes his first letter to him — beware of riches! The greatest enemy of godliness is wealth! When Jesus returns in glory He will separate the world into: goats — those who loved Mammon and spent their lives acquiring riches for themselves on this earth; sheep — those who loved God and spent their lives acquiring riches for themselves in heaven by doing good to others (Matthew 25:31-46, I Timothy 6:18-19). The love of money will turn your zeal for God into legalism. The Pharisees were an example of this (Luke 16:14). The love of money will turn you from being a co-worker with God to a deserter. Demas is an example of this (II Timothy 4:10). The love of money will turn your church with all its revelation on spiritual truths, ministries, perseverance, discernment, etc., into one from which Jesus removes His light. The church in Ephesus is an example of this (Ephesians, Revelation 2:2,5). The only people about whom Jesus said it is very hard for them to enter the kingdom of God is the rich! A rich man: fixes his hope on riches which are uncertain; is proud, arrogant, and contemptuous of others; lives for this present” world, acquiring things for himself, praying “my kingdom come, my will be done”; lives a life that leads to death (Luke 12:13-21); (I Timothy 6:17-18). A man rich toward God: fixes hope on God, Who is certain; is rich in good deeds toward others; lives for the world to come; lives a life that leads to life indeed (I Timothy 6:18-19). The richest person in heaven is the one who obeyed the Father the most in doing good and being generous (I Timothy 6:18-19). If there is a lack of blessedness and joy in your life, it’s because you still like to get things more than you like to give (Acts 20:35). If you claim to be born again but continue to willfully live with Self as the center of your “universe”, rather than Christ, then you are deceiving yourself! Jesus is building His Church today out of disciples who can say, like He did, “The Prince of this world is coming and He has nothing in Me” (John 14:30) Jesus is not looking for rich businessmen who will go into partnership with Him, but for disciples who have forsaken all to follow Him. Your love for God will grow cold when your love for His opposite (Mammon) grows hotter!
Who will see God?: the pure in heart (Matthew 5:8); those who have pursued sanctification (Hebrews 12:14); those who love one another (I John 4:12); etc. Revelation is to the eternal, what sight is to the natural. We see throughout God’s dealings with His people that His purpose has always been to give Man eternal rest (Exodus 33:14; Hebrews 4:9). The “wise and intelligent” find rest in earthly things and therefore never come to the place of being spiritually weary and heavy-laden. The “babes” are those who have grown weary of the earthly and come to Jesus for rest (Matthew 11:25,28). Most of the world is too “wise and the intelligent” to see that the easiest and most exciting life is the way of being yoked to Jesus in gentleness and humility (Matthew 11:25-30). “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me! Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to have real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)
Paul repeatedly exhorts Timothy, a man of God, that the godliness of our life must correspond to the doctrine we preach (I Timothy 5:7,14, 6:1-3). God’s Name is reproached most by Christians who preach the doctrine, but don’t demonstrate godliness in their everyday life. The Immorality of the Workplace: The immorality of the workplace is this mindset: “What I do to earn a living isn’t important to God. So: I will do as little work as possible for as much money as possible.” The consequence of an immoral attitude toward work is that: we avoid work as much as possible (II Thessalonians 3:10); work loses its purpose because it’s only a means to an end; we think that work is of the world, so we treat it as a place of compromise. John Wesley taught: “Earn all you can (I Thessalonians 4:10-12)… save all you can (I Timothy 5:8)… give all you can (II Corinthians 9:6-8).” The Idolatry of the Workplace: The idolatry of the workplace is this mindset: “Money is my god. So: I make all of my life’s decisions based on how they will impact my opportunities to make more money.” When dealing with mammon, remember: even if you buy it, you still don’t own it (I Corinthians 10:26); learn to be content with food, clothing, shelter (I Timothy 6:8); even God took a rest from His work (Genesis 2:2-3). You can tell a dog’s master by whom he responds to. So also, you can tell a man’s master by whom he responds to (Matthew 6:24)! If you’re anxious, it is a sure sign that you love money (Matthew 6:24-25). Work was a part of God’s plan before the Fall (Genesis 2:15). Mankind is designed to work, because we are created in the image of the Master Workman (Genesis 2:2-3). God shows us the process for work in Genesis 2: He creates (v4), we cultivate (v5), He causes the growth (v9). If you are bored with or complain about your work here on earth, you will be out of place in heaven.
The way God establishes authority in the church is the exact opposite of the “pyramid schemes” used by the world to establishes authority in its organizations (Marks 9:35, 10:44). Jesus set us the ultimate example of how to be a ruler in God’s kingdom by humbling himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-9). The church needs plurality of elders for leadership because: the elders must set an example of submission to the flock, by submitting to each other; there must be a balance of vision and administration through the elders; the elders must share the burden of responsibility, lest they burn out; the elders must have accountability; this is the example that the apostles set out in the first century. 1. Elders must rule well (I Timothy 5:17). 2. Elders must live above reproach, because they incur the greater judgment from God (I Timothy 5:19). This is also why an accusation of an elder by an individual must never be received. 3. Elders must instill the fear of God in the church by rebuking sin (I Timothy 5:20). 4. Elders must be impartial (I Timothy 5:21). 5. Elders must keep free from every appearance of sin (I Timothy 5:22). 6. Elders must not be legalistic (I Timothy 5:23). 7. Elders must fight against every form of hypocrisy (I Timothy 5:24-25). Once someone chooses to submit to authority in the church, they must obey their leaders. The elders then have responsibility for those who submit to them (Hebrews 13:17). Elders must be considered worthy of double honor. God gives permission to those who preach the gospel to earn their living from it. Those who, like Paul, understand their obligation to the gospel, and are under compulsion, as having stewardship before God, will not use the right to earn a living from the gospel so that they cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ (I Corinthians 9:12-17).
If you are serious about building the Body of Christ, God will give you family that is closer than your own immediate family. The gate into the church must never be anything other than this : have you forsaken all to follow Jesus Christ? When the church begins to help people without truly ascertaining whether there is a genuine need, the result is that people become: idle, house wanderers, gossips and busybodies, given to wanton pleasure; this brings reproach to the name of Christ (I Timothy 5:3,6-7,11-13). This is the danger of the “social gospel”. All human compassion is as far away from the compassion of God as heaven is above the earth (Isaiah 55:9). The secret to seeing the practical needs of people around us met, is to get them gripped with the message of being a disicple of Jesus Christ. The reason Jesus was able to accomplish everything that He was suppposed to do even in the short 33 years, is because He only did what the Father commanded — no less, no more. Jesus is the perfect example that if we walk in step with the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish within our lifetime, everything that the Father has intended for us to do on earth. As a church it is vital for us to be sure that the work we are doing is that of gold, silver, and precious stones (I Corinthians 2:12-13) — that it is from God, through God, and to God (Romans 11:36). Before someone receives assistance from the church he/she must: have a good testimony in marriage and home, have a reputation in good works, have shown hospitality, have been a servant to the church, have assisted those in distress, have devoted themselves to every good work; this gives the enemy no occasion for reproach (I Timothy 5:9-10,14). Before a church provides assistance to someone we must remember the Scriptural principle that immediate family has the first responsibility: children must provide for needy parents, and parents provide for needy children (I Timothy 5:4,16). When we provide for our immediate family, it’s an indication of our fear of God, and it pleases God (I Timothy 5:4). The “Corban” mentality (Mark 7:6-13) will cause you to neglect the responsibility that you have to your immediate family. Such a person has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8). When will the Devil want you to read the Bible? When doing so prevents you from doing that other thing that God wants you to do! This is how he comes as an angel of light. If you are a person requiring assistance from the church: fix your hope on God, and continue in entreaties and prayers night and day (I Timothy 5:5). If you truly believe the church is your family, you will: treat church resources as if they are your own; be frugal with church money so that genuine needs can be met; be a steward who is both faithful (not cheating) and wise (not wasting).
There are ‘Santa Claus’ Christians, ‘Plan B’ Christians, and ‘Abandon’ Christians. Which one are you? You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. (I Timothy 4:9-10, 15-16 MSG) When you start to act out of fear – because of your expectations (that others will fail you) or your reputation (that you’ll look like a fool), you will then start to make excuses to fulfill your physical needs (money, health, etc.); your emotional needs (past hurts, loss, sorrow, etc.); and your relational needs (family, friends, etc.) – Luke 9:57-62. This is the path to becoming a ‘Plan B’ Christian. Paul become an ‘Abandon’ Christian after receiving this commission from Jesus: “Wake up! I have spoken to you for this purpose: to appoint you as an ambassador – of the things which you have already seen, and the things which I will yet show you. While delivering you from the world, I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among all the others who have been made pure by faith in Me.” Paul served the church in Ephesus with complete abandon (Acts 20:13-38). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… we love because He first loves us” (I John 4:18-19). We abandon ourselves to Him because He first abandoned Himself to us.
Our mission at RLCF: Building a local church as an expression of the Body of Christ. 1: The Holy Spirit is looking for spiritual virgins — ones who are absolutely chaste — through whom He can form the Body of Christ (Luke 1:26). 2: The Body of Christ is conceived only by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35-37). 3: The Body of Christ is formed through those who have the attitude of a bondslave (Luke 1:38-55). The local church must be propagating “Christ-mas” (Christ’s mission) every day through the lives of its members. It is as impossible for you to build the Body of Christ, as it was for Mary to conceive Jesus on her own. The Holy Spirit must do it! To be a bondslave is to bear the “reproach of Christ” – that means: not identifying with the world; choosing to endure ill-treatment with the people of God; valuing the reproache of Christ more than money (Hebrews 11:24-26). You know the Body of Christ is truly being formed through you, when you can rejoice in the benefit others will get from your sacrifice (Luke 1:46-55, Phil. 2:3-8) and suffer inconvenience without complaining (Luke 2:35).
The deadliest form of evil to beware of, is that which has the appearance of good. The deception of a demonic doctrine is that it appears to lead you toward holiness, but eventually leads you astray. The Devil is a smart enemy. Demon-possession is repulsive. Demon-teaching, however, is attractive to the flesh, it tickles the ear. What the Serpent offered Adam and Eve was evil in the appearance of godliness. There is a “being like God in knowing good and evil” that will kill you (Genesis 3:4,5,22). The Devil’s deception is to present a way to “godliness” that still allows you to live for your Self. If we believe his lie, we end up with a form of godliness, but lacking real power against him. It’s like trying to fight him with a paper sword. When you try to earn godliness by offering God something other than the sacrifice He desire — i.e., your body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) — then you’re trying to offer a “replacement sacrifice”, which He cannot accept. There is only one sacrifice that God accepts now — the perfect sacrifice of His Son Jesus. So, you must be united with Jesus in His death in order for God to accept your body as a living sacrifice. “Just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him” (Colossians 2:6 TLB). Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow; all for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.
Jesus was made lower than the angels so that He might deliver us human beings (who had fallen lower than the angels) from slavery (Hebrews 2:5-18). Jesus appeared on earth for the sake of you and redeemed you with His precious blood. Now, if you call Him Father, be holy like Him, and live your whole life in fear. (I Peter 1:15-19) If you can sin casually, you haven’t seen the real value of the blood of Jesus, that it is far more valuable than even gold and silver. (I Peter 1:18-19) If you want the devil and his agents to be upset at you, proclaim that Jesus is standing at the right hand of God. Be warned, however, that it might kill you! (Acts 7:56-60) A Jesus at the right-hand of the Father is greater than a Jesus on earth (John 14:12). The secret to coming to an overcoming life is to come boldly to God’s throne to ask for mercy and grace in your time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16), knowing that Jesus is seated at the right-hand of that throne of power (Luke 22:69, Mark 16:19), and that He is making intercession on your behalf because He can sympathize with your weakness (Romans 8:34). Jesus has already Himself been glorified. But, when He returns He will be glorified in the persons of His Holy ones (II Thessalonians 2:9-12).
God wants our love more than anything else. So, He has hidden the deeper mysteries of Himself, to see if we will search them out (Proverbs 25:2). The secret to living a godly life is getting revelation that Jesus Christ came in flesh like mine. This is the revelation that Jesus, as God, lived on earth as a man, facing all the types of temptations we face (Hebrews 2:17-18) and was proved spotless and pure in spirit (Hebrews 4:15). The secret to freedom from sin is grace (Romans 6:14). Jesus never sinned because He was under grace — from birth (Luke 2:40), to death (Hebrews 2:9).When God said, “If you [disobey] you will die”, the Devil deceived with, “You shall surely not die” (Genesis 3:3-4). Likewise, when God says, “If you live after the flesh you will die” (Romans 8:13), the Devil deceives many so-called believers with the same lie that they will not die. Most churches are preaching this “another Jesus” (II Corinthians 11:3-4). The reason God called you is to follow Jesus’ example of godliness on earth (I Peter 2:21-25). That’s far greater than His simply calling you to forgive your sins! To truly follow Jesus is to live with the same mentality that He had when He lived on earth, that I can’t afford to sin even once, I can’t afford to be outside of the Father’s Will for even one second. To live like Jesus lived you must be as desperate for that life of holiness as Jesus was — He cried out with loud crying and tears and feared God (Hebrews 5:7). When we neglect the mystery of godliness and disobey God it results in spiritual deafness. If we progress down that part we won’t be able to hear the Spirit speaking anymore (Hebrews 5:11). Having received revelation on the mystery of godliness, when we obey God in faith, He will establish us (Romans 16:25-27).
When God puts up job postings for His Church, He doesn’t look at qualifications or experience; He looks at character. This is God’s job description for servants in His Church: a man/woman of dignity and worthy of respect; a man of your word who doesn’t love money; a woman who is self-controlled and dependable, and doesn’t gossip; a man who is committed to his wife and whose home-life is in order; someone who won’t use his position to try to run things (I Timothy 3:8-12). Most Christians are content to let others do the work in the church because they: (i) exalt the worker because of his gift (preaching, music, etc.); and (ii) divide God’s work into spiritual and non-spiritual. There are no “un-spiritual” gifts or functions in the Body of Christ. If you think that in order to serve the food at a church gathering you don’t have to be full of the Holy Spirit, then you haven’t understood what it means to be a servant in the church (Acts 6:3). Everything we bring into the Church must be out of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. It’s significant that the Church’s first martyr was someone with a hidden practical ministry – serving food to widows (Acts 6:1-5). Someone with a bondslave mentality will not be able to casually stay home during a gathering of the church, thinking that the work can go on without them. Unfortunately, many churches today are plagued by hidden organs that are deadweight — simply “tagging along” wherever the body goes, but never fulfilling their function in the body. The fact that God has incorporated you into the Body of Christ does not leave you off the hook; you still have to fulfill the purpose for which God placed you in the Body. Eternal life is a free gift of God (Romans 6:23), but it is for those who have been set free from bondage to sin and become bondslaves of Jesus (v22). The only life of freedom from bondage to sin is the life of being a bondslave to Jesus Christ. The reason many Christians slip back into bondage to sin and never experience sanctification that leads to eternal life is that they aren’t bondslaves of Jesus. If you are truly a bondslave of Jesus (the Head), you will be a bondslave of the Church (His Body on earth). It was on his being a bondslave of Jesus Christ that Paul based his preaching (II Corinthians 4:5) and teaching (Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1). God will not grab you by the neck and force you to be His bondslave. You must deliberately choose that life. “The passion of Christianity is that I deliberately sign away my own rights and become a bondslave of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I do not begin to be a saint” (Oswald Chambers). One mustard seed is stronger than a 1000 pebbles of stone — because it has life! So also, it’s not the quantity of faith, but the quality of it — it must be real faith (Luke 17:6)! To be a true disciple is to be a bondslave of Jesus, someone with no right to anything — not payment, not honor, not reputation, nor anything else. After you have done all the things which Jesus commanded, finish by saying, “I am an unworthy slave; I have done only that which I ought to have done” (Luke 17:10).
One: Doctrine and Life are 2 spiritual legs. It is most important that they are equal in length; otherwise you will walk with a spiritual limp (I Timothy 4:16). Two: God will keep you always full of His Holy Spirit, if you always remain: Honest (Luke 8:15); Humble (I Peter 5:5); Hungry for God (Matthew 5:6). Three: Always wait on the fullness of God’s time, and then He will accomplish His perfect will in your life (Galatians 4:4). Four: Stop right now and picture this: When you come to God, He is rejoicing over you with shouts of joy (Zephaniah 3:17). You come, God will run (Luke 15:20)!
The gospel that we have a Mediator in Jesus Christ should result in the following for women: modesty in external adornment; and submission as inner adornment
The amazing paradox of the Christian experience is that as you get to know God more and more, you will actually feel like you know less and less of Him. This is because when you were first born again you were still pretty earthly-minded. As you grow in Christ, you will become more heavenly-minded and will realize that God is far greater than your pea-sized brain could ever fathom. God's plan for mankind is that we are not only saved but also come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). He made no such plan for the angels who fell away, yet sadly most of mankind wastes His plan of salvation. For there to be a mediator between God and Man, it had to be someone who fit both sides. That's why Jesus, the Son of God had to also become the Son of Man (I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:14-18). When we truly see that it is in the same spirit of mediation with which Christ came to earth as a man, that men are now called to pray (I Timothy 2:5,8), it will change the way we pray. You've only truly prayed when at the end of it, you have a little more of God's thoughts and a little less of your own. Your prayer-life will change when you realize that if God was willing to give up the most valuable thing He had — His only Son Jesus — for your sake, He will freely give you all things that come with Jesus! John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the first coming of Christ, and he is describe in these terms: there came a man sent from God (John 1:6). We in the Church have the same mission to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ. So, even if it can't be said about anyone else around you, let God be able to say of you, "There came a man/woman sent from God..." God is looking for men and women sent by Him who have the same mentality that Christ had - that they can't afford to sin even once. He can accomplish Christ's work of mediation through such men and women. In the example of Jesus we see what it really means to "be a man" (Philippians 2:6-8): not grabbing His position; laying aside His privileges; becoming a bond-servant; making Himself like others; humbling Himself; becoming obedient to the point of death. The true man of God (I Timothy 2:8): is devoted to prayer; has hands that are holy; is cleansed from anger; is cleansed from dissension — i.e., quarreling, resentment, and doubt.
Episode Notes https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/how-to-partake-tree-of-life
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When we came out of our mother’s womb, we were born for the first time into the realm of this earth. Similarly, when we are born again, we are born for the first time into the realm of faith. God has made faith so precious that you have to fight for it, and the reason many Christians stop living by faith (Romans 1:17) is that they aren’t fighting for it (I Timothy 1:18). The world’s way is fighting in your own strength for victory; God’s way is praising your way into victory (II Chronicles 20:22). The former is actually quite tiring; the latter is peace. When you pick up your weapons of the flesh (words, actions, etc.), you effectively drop the mighty spiritual weapons God has given you (II Corinthians 10:4), and this immediately makes you powerless against the Devil and his hosts (Ephesians 6:12). Faith Battlefield #1 – God is Ruler of Time: God is the same yesterday, today and forever: He wants to work in your past as much as in your present and your future. If He loved you enough to forsake His only begotten Son on Calvary, how will He not also freely give you all the things that come along with Christ (Romans 8:32)? Level 1 of faith is trusting that God causes my present to work together for good. Level 2 is trusting the same about my future. Level 3 is trusting that God causes the events of my past also to work together for my present and future good! If one of the Devil’s fiery arrows of anxiety and worry was able to get through into your life, it just means that you failed to take up the shield of faith in that area. Don’t let it get through next time. When the Devil tries to sow unbelieving thoughts into your mind about what COULD happen (II Corinthians 10:5), destroy them by reminding him about what DID happen (Colossians 2:15). Faith Battlefield #2 – The Word of the Invisible God Will Come True: God is contrary to your natural senses. That’s why you can only understand Him by faith. Every time you look at the world around you, it should be a reminder that the God who brought all of it into existence from nothing, will bring into existence spiritual reality in your life — by His word (Hebrews 11:3). The reason the world does not take God’s word seriously is because He is invisible. But, His word spoken then, is just as powerful today and o fight the fight of faith is to punish all disobedience (II Corinthians 10:6). Faith Battlefield #3 – God is the Only Source of Wisdom: God knows best, and His stamp of approval is the only thing that matters (Hebrews 11:2). The reason God resists us when we’re proud (I Peter 5:5) is that every lofty thought is an affront to Him and prevents us from knowing Him (II Corinthians 10:5). I have come to see this new definition of God: He is the only one who gets all the glory. So, the moment I try to take some glory to myself, I am effectively claiming that there are now two gods; and God hates polytheism (Exodus 20:3).
An excellent husband, who can find? He is worth ten thousand others. The way you view God in His dealings with you, is the kind of husband or father you will be to your family. "There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up." (I Corinthians 4:15 MSG) Many men know what a "Proverbs 31 wife" is, whose worth is above jewels (Proverbs 31:10); but, they don't know what her husband is like (Proverbs 31:23, Job 29:7-25). 1. An excellent husband is respected by others for his wise speech and blameless conduct, and for how "well-dressed" he is in righteousness and fairness (Job 29:8-11,14). 2. An excellent husband helps others in their time of weakness — especially his wife and children when they feel like spiritual or emotional widows and orphans (Job 29:12-13). 3. An excellent husband wrestles in prayer on behalf of others — especially his wife and children (Job 29:17; Ephesians 6:12). 4. An excellent husband is merciful and compassionate, never provoking or exasperating others; when he sees his wife or children struggling in unbelief, he responds with a long-suffering smile and the light of encouragement from his face. (Job 29:24; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). 5. An excellent husband knows God's ways and speaks of God's faithfulness; he guides his wife and children by exhorting, encouraging, and imploring them (Job 29:25; I Thessalonians 2:11). We ought to be able to say, "If you have seen me as a father, you have seen the Father" (John 14:9). The Church is the "Elijah" whose ministry it is to restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers before Christ’s return (Malachi 4:6).
Unbelief is spiritual cancer and the only remedy for it is to always live in dependence on God in every area of your life. Faith is complete dependence on God in every area of our lives. So any area of unbelif is actually an area of pride. Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of a single cell. Likewise, spiritual cancer begins with allowing one area of self-dependence (unbelief) in our lives, which quickly spreads to other areas. The saddest verse in the Bible is Matthew 13:58. Three things that cause spiritual cancer are: the love of money (I Timothy 6:10); empty worldly chatter (I Timothy 6:20-21); and false teaching (II Timothy 2:18). Faith is like: 1. Taking a check to the bank and cashing it. You only need to be sure that God is good for His money. 2. The sails on a boat. You don’t have to manufacture the wind; you only need to put your sails up, and God will send His power. 3. A shield against fiery arrows. Anytime the Devil throws negative thoughts at you, resist them with the shield of faith in God’s promises. 4. A child climbing into Daddy’s arms when facing something difficult or scary. A bad conscience is spiritual leprosy and the only remedy for it is to let the Holy Spirit constantly sensitize your conscience. The fact that we have a conscience is proof that we are made in God’s image. A good conscience is complete sensitivity to sin in every area of our lives. Leprosy attacks the nerve endings, destroying the body’s ability to feel pain. Likewise, spiritual leprosy is neglecting the pricks of the Holy Spirit in our conscience, which makes us less and less sensitive to sin. Satan’s goal is to desensitize our conscience. The Holy Spirit’s goal is to re-sensitize our conscience. The conscience is to the spirit what pain is to the body.
The process of purifying always involves removal - of that which is impure - and that removal is often painful. The things that God asks us to give up, are the things that He will use to bring His triumph and authority into our lives. Paul's letters to Timothy were written toward the end of his life, as his "handing off the torch" to Timothy, the one co-worker he had who did not seek his own. The apostle who had the greatest amount of revelation on Christ and His Church summarizes the goal of the entire gospel as love from a pure heart. The reason you exist on earth is to further God's authority on earth by faith (I Timothy 1:4). Purity of heart is different from purity of the flesh and purity of mind. It is being focused on God alone. Make your goal love that will: 1. Seek Only the Face of God (Psalm 24): Have you seen that everything belongs to God (v1-2)? Are you broken and desperate for God like Jacob was (v4)? Are you tired of only asking God for His blessings (Psalm 24:5a)? Then ask Him for Himself - His very Divine Nature (Psalm 24:5b) - and you will never thirst again? 2. Find Satisfaction in God Alone (Psalm 73): Your circumstances don't determine who you are; who you are, however, does determine how you react to circumstances; such is the unshakeable life of one who has Christ living in Him; Have you experienced the deeper level of goodness that God shows to those who are pure in heart (Psalm 73:1)? If you have been tempted by the seeming problem-free life of sinners (v3), them come "home" (v17) and let God be all that you want (v25-27); The only "good life" is one in which God is near (v28). When a telescope is not focused, you can see many things, but they're all blurry. When you focus it on one thing, everything else vanishes from sight, but you can see the one thing clearly! Do you want to see God? Then purify the motives of your heart (Matthew 5:8). "But, folks, it's boiled down to one issue. One desire. It's more than wanting to be loved and appreciated, or the cheers and praises of Man. It's more than being comfortable and knowing that you're secure in your old age, you've got some retirement plan. That means nothing! It comes down to this one issue: I want to be like Jesus. I want to see His face and I want to be a reflection of who He is. Lord, when you said, 'Seek my face,' my heart said unto You, 'Thy face, Lord, will I seek.' That's the answer!" (David Wilkerson)
It's popular these days to talk about the "gospel" and yet most Christians do not know the full inheritance that God has given to them. The Gospel according to Paul (the book of Romans) is more complete than the four other New Testament Gospels because it includes the good news about the "greater works" of the Body of Christ that Jesus referred to in John 14:12. This is the premise of the gospel: Jesus was a born a Son of Man and was declared the Son of God; the same can be said about you and me (Romans 1:3-6). The obedience of faith is not the obedience of understanding nor is it blind obedience. It is the submission of the mind (will) to the spirit. The Complete Gospel as 7 Steps in the Obedience of Faith: Step #1: You are a sinner! - Chapter 1: worldly sinner (v18); Chapter 2: religious sinner (v27). Step #2: Redemption in Christ by faith - Chapter 3: forgiveness through Christ's propitiatory death and burial (v24-25); Chapter 4: justification through Christ's resurrection (v25); The reason so many Christians live glum, sour, boring, grumpy lives is that they do not really believe that they have been justified by Christ. Step #3: The new mindset of a new Man - Chapter 5: new attitude toward tribulation — as a means to our hope (v5); Chapter 6: new attitude toward sin — for freedom through the grace of God (v14). Step #4: True freedom from the power of sin - Chapter 7: sin still present as a result of bondage to the Law (v23); Chapter 8: sonship — freedom from sin through the life of Christ in me (v1,14); The Christian life is the most "natural" life for one who is born of God — because it is not me trying to imitate Christ, but Christ (in me) being Himself. Step #5: The faithfulness of a righteous God who is sovereign - The Devil is in the business of trying to make a mess out of those things that God has brought back into order. He does this by questioning: Chapter 9: God’s sovereignty in all His dealings; Chapter 10: God's righteousness in judging sin; One of the greatest misconceptions about God is that He is too loving to be righteous. The reality is that He is fully loving and fully righteous. Chapter 11: God's faithfulness to His word. Step #6: The Body of Christ and Submission - Chapter 12: submission to God in our body (v1); Chapter 12: submission in the Body of Christ (v4-5); The gospel that does not preach the Body of Christ and loving the brother and sister whom you see, is an incomplete gospel. Chapter 13: submission to earthly authority (v8); Chapter 14: submission to those who hold different convictions from us (v1); Chapter 15: submission unity of vision and voice (v6-7); Most people would rather hear the gospel set in the context of emotional music than set in the context of the call to give up your will! "But drops of grief will ne’er repay the debt of love I owe. Here, Lord, I give my self away! ‘Tis all that I can do." The secret of experiencing the resurrection power of Christ in every situation in our lives is in saying, "Father into YOUR hands I commend my spirit." Step #7: Defeating the Enemy - Chapter 16: the obedient church, consisting of members living with a clear conscience toward God and toward Man; God crushes Satan under the feet of the Body of Christ. If the gospel you heard allows you to keep your "whats-in-it-for-me" mentality, you haven't heard the full gospel. To receive the full gospel you must only be thinking about what benefit God will get out of your life. Do you want the Romans 16:20 type of authority over Satan in your life? Then live out the Romans 12-15 type of submission toward God and His delegated authority on earth. May God put a hunger in our hearts to experience the FULL gospel.
Satan attacks the Obedient Church because he knows that God crushes him under the feet of such a church (Romans 16:1-20). What do people notice when they visit your church? Do they notice your loyalty and obedience to Jesus (Romans 16:19)? The marks of an obedient church are that it consists of: godly women like Phoebe, Mary, and Persis, who were servants of the church and helpers of many; godly women like Rufus’ mother, who was a mother to the apostle Paul; godly couples like Prisca and Aquila who risked their lives for the sake of the gospel and partnered in building the church (Romans 16:3-5), and were well-versed in God’s Word and the doctrine (Acts 18:26); many who can be called beloved, fellow prisoners, outstanding, fellow-workers in the Lord, approved in Christ, and choice in the Lord (Romans 16:5-13). Sadly, many Christians, who themselves will be saved, will send their life's work on the conveyor belt and into the furnace at the Judgment seat of Christ, only to find it all get burned up (I Corinthians 3:12-15). Satan believes in the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" principle of warfare (Romans 16:17-18). So, he attacks the Obedient Church by sending into its midst people who: cause divisions; cause others to stumble; teach things contrary to the whole counsel of God; seek their own gain - financial, emotional, in sympathy, etc.; flatter the unsuspecting in order to deceive them. To combat this we should: value unity in the Spirit in the brotherhood; stay away from those who sow stumbling thoughts; fill your mind with what is good and reject what is evil; don’t be unsuspecting; beware of those who flatter. There is an unhealthy lust in our flesh to want to hear an evil report. The first promise that God gave mankind after the Fall was that He would crush Satan under our feet (Genesis 3:15, Romans 16:20). The purpose of a church being the Body of Christ is so that the Head (Christ) crushes Satan under our feet. The only way that Satan can be crushed under our feet is if we are partners with the God of peace - by living at peace with God and with others as far as it lies with us. Let this be our church mission statement: “The God of peace is crushing Satan under our feet.”
Jesus went to the Cross first out of love for the Father, and only then out of love for us because the Father commanded Him to (John 14:31). This bi-directional love can be represented by the vertical and horizontal beams of the cross (Matthew 22:35-39). The vertical beam of our cross is seen only by God in secret, because it involves the heart, mind, and soul. God has intended it this way, to see who are the ones who really fear Him alone. The horizontal beam of the cross is what identifies us outwardly as followers of Jesus (John 13:35). A beam by itself is no cross. The cross at Calvary was only the last of over 12000 (365days * 33.5years) crosses that Jesus carried (Luke 9:23). The Church today is comprised of disciples (cross-bearers) who follow Jesus in saying, “I don't do what I want, but only what God wants.” The Congregation is simply a large gathering of vertical beams, for whom the Cross has done nothing new. Their relationship with God is only external and on the basis of the Old Covenant. The Church is the Body of Christ comprised of disciples whose relationship with God is on the basis of the New Covenant. If you haven’t hidden your devotion to God, you haven’t understood the New Covenant (Matthew 6:1-18). Uniformity in the body or the soul can be knit by human means. Church unity comes when “the two become one in spirit” (Ephesians 4:3), which is something only the Holy Spirit can knit among disciples who have surrendered their will to God (Colossians 2:2). In daily situations when I give up my will, I am filled me with the spirit of Christ by fellowship in His sufferings. The more I walk this way, the more my heart is knit together in fellowship with others who have the same spirit. Unity in the Body does not come from glueing organs together, but from the same blood flowing through all of them from the Head. The Club is built out of love for others, driven by human compassion and care. Relationship with God is on the basis of no covenant, so personal devotion to God is absent, or minimal. In the Club, it doesn’t matter how tall the vertical beam is, as long as the horizontal beam is sufficiently long. In the Club, the emphasis is only on more activity and more time spent together, but this does not breed fellowship. The members of a “Club”: try to find their security in man and membership, not in God; get offended when corrected; expect others to pamper them; experience no spiritual growth year by year, and slowly backslide. The most religious thing you can do is build a house for God based on good preaching; the most spiritual thing you can do is build God¡¯s house based on obeying His Word (Matthew 7:24-27). The wise man and the foolish man both listened to the same sermons. The difference was that the wise man decided to take his secret life before God seriously, and the foolish man didn’t. The foolish man’s house is a mansion, but its fall is just as great (Matthew 7:27). The Club is a gathering of convenience. The Church is a uniting of fellowship n Christ’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10).
One of the areas in which Jesus is an example to us is as a priest (Hebrews 6:20). Paul was effective for God because he realized this (Romans 15:16). God showed us His kindness by choosing us as priests to serve Him continually (I Peter 2:3-9) – through our individual lives, in our marriages and homes, and in the church. A faithful priest daily seeks to present an offering to God without any defect. The priests ministry is first toward God, in being cleansed and sanctified: In the Old Covenant this meant making sure they wore holy garments (Exodus 28:42-43); In the New Covenant this means making sure that when we serve as priests on earth we are cleansed from things like malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (I Peter 2:1). The priests ministry is then toward mankind in: having a heart full of goodness (Romans 15:14); being filled with knowledge (Romans 15:14) by being immersed in the Word so that we are continuing to grow (I Peter 2:2); admonishing, counseling, and instructing others (Romans 15:14); receiving grace from God (Romans 15:15) by: walking in humility (I Peter 5:5); becoming like all of our brothers (Hebrews 2:17, 5:1-5); sympathizing with the weaknesses of others (Hebrew 4:15); getting our hands dirty in the atoning work of others. The two verses of the new song that we will sing in heaven are (Revelation 5:1-14): 1. Jesus is worthy because He purchased us with His blood; 2. We who are purchased have become priests to God.
- The “god” you know... is the “god” you will be to your children. 2. The amount of mercy you believe you have been shown by God is the amount of mercy you will show to your children. 3. Your kids say and do the darnedest things... because they imitate you. 4. The words you speak to your children now will make or break their relationship with you later. 5. The small battles for your children that you neglect now are the big wars in their lives that they will have to fight later.
Remember that God looks at you for who you will be – glorified – as if it’s already who you are. The secret to an overwhelmingly conquering life is abiding in the silent love of God.
Never get so comfortable anywhere in this world, that there does not arise from within you a groaning for the redemption of your body! A "Christ-ian" is found where Christ is. Yet, many who call themselves Christians are satisfied to see Christ on the cross, and grieve and be sorrowful for His sake, but never want to be anywhere near Him, never want to be on that cross with Him.
The choices you make in life come from your mindset – what your mind is set on. If you make decisions in your life based on what you think is best for you, you’re walking according to the flesh. Walking according to the Spirit means being constantly dependent on the life of the Spirit to direct and empower my life.
The Law of the Letter will never bring you victory over sin. Only the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus does. Thank God He does not do away with our body of sin, because without it we would not have a living sacrifice which is acceptable to Him.
Spiritual Fatalism is the characteristic of in-between slaves. The every day choices of your heart determine who your master is. Sin has a guaranteed paycheck - DEATH!
Salvation to the uttermost is to receive resurrection power; and that comes only if we live like Jesus in a life of unbroken koinonia. If there's slavery to sin at one end and an "uttermost salvation" at the other, you can be sure there's every kind of counterfeit in between!
Grace is the highest denomination in God’s currency. Baptism is the death certificate to show your old slave master. If you claim to be "born again" but never really died in the first place, you've been slipped a counterfeit!
Legalism stems from the absence of justification... If Sunday is your day of reckoning with God, it's time to turn the pages over past Malachi into Matthew!
Your love for Jesus is because of who you were (your past) - Stage 1; what you do (your ministry) - Stage 2; and who you are (your identity) - Stage 3.