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The Trinity… Right Before Our EyesIn Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of His grace.

Ephesians 1:7

Critics often point out that the word “Trinity” isn’t found in the Bible, and they’re right. But the truth of the Trinity is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and we can see it clearly in the first 14 verses of Ephesians. Consider the following:

In the original Greek, Ephesians 1:3-14 is actually one long, complex sentence consisting of 202 words. In our English translations, this single Greek sentence is broken up into several sentences for better readability and understanding. And depending on the translation, it’s divided into anywhere from 3 to 7 sentences. When taken as a whole, these verses paint for us an incredible picture of the totality of God, in which each Person of the Godhead is active in our salvation.

For example, the work of God the Father is primarily described in verses 3 through 6, where He planned our salvation even before time began. In Ephesians 1:7-10, we see the work of the Son who achieves salvation for us by His redemptive death on the cross, or “through His blood” (Eph. 1:7). And the final few verses, Ephesians 1:11-14, highlight the role the Holy Spirit plays in applying salvation to our lives. It couldn’t be more clear. But it was all “in Him” or “in Christ” that we were granted redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus is the One responsible for all of this.

Note: I have already discussed the “in Him” or “in Christ” aspect of this verse in an earlier post. So, let me encourage you to go back and look again at that to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ impact on all aspects of our Christian life, not just our salvation.

And then, we move on to the incredible word, redemption.

RedemptionRedemption is an essential core theme of Christianity. In fact, this one verse, Ephesians 1:7, summarizes the entire gospel, where it says, “In Him (Jesus, the Son) we have redemption (how) through His blood, (described as) the forgiveness of sins, (on what basis) according to the riches of His grace.” If John 3:16 is the first and most important verse kids learn in Vacation Bible School, then Ephesians 1:7 runs a close second.

But how important is the idea of redemption to Christianity? It’s indispensable.

B.B. Warfield (1851-1921), a prominent American theologian and professor at Princeton Theologica, emphasized the significance of Christ’s role as Redeemer when he said:

“There is no one of the titles of Christ which is more precious to Christian hearts than ‘Redeemer.’ Whenever we pronounce it, the cross is placarded before our eyes and our hearts are filled with loving remembrance not only that Christ has given us salvation, but that He paid a mighty price for it.”

That’s right. When we think of Christ as our Redeemer, we always picture Him as the Christ of the cross, whose blood provided for our redemption.

Understanding RedemptionBut what exactly does “redemption” mean? In his book “Systematic Theology,” Wayne Grudem defines redemption as “Christ’s saving work viewed as an act of ‘buying back’ sinners out of their bondage to sin and to Satan through the payment of a ransom.” Okay, that makes sense. But is there more?

The New Testament primarily uses two Greek words for redemption (and their derivatives). The first is agorazō and comes from the noun meaning marketplace, or agora. It means “to buy” or “to buy in a marketplace.” This word emphasizes the price Jesus paid for our salvation. In essence, He purchased or bought us back in the marketplace where we were sold, like slaves, based on the consequences of our sins. Pretty telling picture, isn’t it?

The second Greek word for redemption is luō, and its various derivatives, which means to “loose or set free or deliver by the payment of a price.” In other words, our Redemption was accomplished when a price was paid for our freedom at the marketplace or slave market of sin. And that price was the blood of Christ, where He purchased us and set us free from the consequences of our sins. As a result, we are justified in God’s sight, as if we had never sinned.

Ok, got that. We’ve covered the technical stuff, and I understand it academically. But how does my redemption change my life today?

Simply put, understanding your redemption should change your whole view of your salvation. You came to Christ and received all the blessings we have been studying, and more, not by mentally acknowledging a list of historical facts about Jesus and then trying to live by some moral code better than you did before. It’s recognizing that in your lost state, you were guilty, convicted, and enslaved by sin, and facing eternal death as a consequence. But Jesus, through the sacrifice of His life and the shedding of His blood on the cross, redeemed you— He paid the ransom to set you free.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s – 1 Corinthians 6:20.

But there’s more.

The Appreciation of RedemptionOnce you begin to understand the true nature of your salvation, it should deepen your appreciation for the gifts and blessings you have already received. The greatest of these blessings, and the one from which the others flow, is your election by God the Father (Eph. 1:4), the provision for your sin through the blood of His Son (Eph. 1:7), and the application of that truth to your life through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). This should always bring a smile to your face and give you a reason to get up in the morning. After all, “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3) includes your redemption.

And if that wasn’t enough, Christ “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:6), that “He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Then Peter reminds us that we were “not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

In fact, redemption is so incredible that it is listed among the things Christ became for us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, where it says, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God —and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” Let that sink in for a moment.

Even in Revelation 5:9, when the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fall down and praise the Lord, they specifically mention redemption: “For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

So, before we pray, let’s ask ourselves a few questions.

Renewing Your Love for JesusHow much do you love Jesus? No, I’m serious. How much do you really love Jesus? Has your relationship with Him become commonplace— maybe even somewhat boring, taking for granted the fact you were chosen, adopted, predestined, and redeemed by His blood? Have you ever deeply considered the price He paid to redeem you from the penalty of your sin, to forgive you, and to present you faultless before God’s presence, all the while keeping you from stumbling in the process (Jude 1:24)?

One of the most dangerous things that can happen in the Christian life is allowing these profound blessings and truths to become mere footnotes to our current experiences or day-to-day habits. And when that happens, we lose the awe, wonder, and thankfulness for everything Christ has done.

Don’t let that happen to you.

So Let’s PrayAs you pray, consider anew the depth of what Jesus has done for you. For when you do, you will love Him more, yield to Him more, and abide in Him more. You’ll put aside everything in this world and embrace Him and His kingdom alone. And as you do this, you’ll experience Him like never before. The abundant life, that sometimes seems so fleeting, will become your normal life, as He allows you to bear fruit for the glory of His Father.

Nothing compares to this. Nothing. So consider who you were and what Christ has done for you. Think about the place He’s prepared for you in His home, and how He did all this, and so much more, by the wonderful word, redemption. Submit everything in your life to His Lordship, and hold on tight— because there’s a wild ride ahead!

And we will talk more soon.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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593: How to Hear God’s Voice When He Speaks

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The Antidote for Self-DoubtTo the praise of the glory of His grace,

by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:6

As believers, one of the most incredible truths we can embrace is that God has made us, even with all our failures and shortcomings, “accepted in the Beloved” or “accepted in His Son” (Eph. 1:6). This short phrase reveals the depths of God’s love and the privileged position we now enjoy in Christ. And when we grasp the full implications of these few words, they will revolutionize the way we view ourselves and how we live out our faith on a daily basis. That’s not hyperbole, just the facts.

Let’s look at what it means to be truly “accepted in the Beloved.”

God’s Gracious ChoiceAs we begin to unpack the richness of this verse, we must start with the declaration that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Let that sink in— before God spoke creation into existence, and before He formed the galaxies or breathed life into Adam, He had already selected you to be “holy and without blame” in His sight. And He chose you for no other reason than the “good pleasure of His will” or, more precisely, because He wanted to (Eph. 1:5).

Just think, you didn’t earn His sovereign choice of you, and you certainly don’t deserve it— none of us do. But that’s what makes His grace so amazing. God set His affection on you, not because of your merits, but simply because it delighted Him to do so. He predestined you to be adopted as His very own son or daughter (Eph. 1:5). The King of Kings wanted you in His family.

But, and I know it may be hard to believe, it gets even better.

Accepted and Highly FavoredNow, because of His loving choice and predetermined plan, you are “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6). The word “accepted” means much more than we assume when we use it today. We speak of inclusion, such as, “I just got accepted into college” or “I feel accepted by my co-workers.” But in Greek, “accepted” (charitóō) means being “highly honored” and “greatly favored.” In fact, it is the same word used of Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her saying, “Rejoice, highly favored one (charitóō), the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). And this is the only other place in Scripture this particular word is used.

Just as Mary found grace and favor in God’s sight to be chosen as the mother of the Messiah, you also have found grace and favor to be chosen and accepted by Him as His beloved child. Jesus took on the punishment your sins deserved, paying their penalty of death on the cross and, by doing so, made you righteous and reconciled to the Father. So when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your sins, failures, and shame, but the perfect righteousness of His Son imputed to you (2 Cor. 5:21)— His now adopted son (Eph. 1:5).

In Christ, you are now (and I know this may be hard to believe) highly honored and esteemed, deeply loved, and greatly blessed in Him. And God doesn’t begrudgingly accept you because He spoke too soon, maybe before He knew what you were really like, and has to fulfill a promise He’d rather not. No, He now joyfully allows His grace to “abound” toward you in all His wisdom and prudence because of the “riches of His grace” He was pleased to lavish upon you (Eph. 1:7-8). How does that make you feel? And where is the place in your life for insecurity when God has already highly honored you to the degree He has? Read the verse again, if need be.

No More Insecurity… Ever!Think about what this means for your identity and sense of self-worth. You no longer have to be crippled by feelings of insecurity or inadequacy, constantly striving to prove yourself and win acceptance from others. Your standing with God is not based on your performance but your position in Christ. It’s not what you do, but who, or Whose you are. Therefore, you are loved and favored by the only One whose opinion ultimately matters. So, who cares what people say about you behind your back, on social media— or anywhere?

God’s acceptance frees you forever from the fear of rejection. Though people may betray you, and they will— God will never turn His back on you. He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5) because His love and acceptance are unconditional and irrevocable. So, in those moments when you feel like a failure no one could ever love, you can proclaim this truth to yourself— “I am accepted in the Beloved. What can man do to me? (Eph. 1:9; Heb. 13:6). God’s favor and acceptance of you is steadfast and unchanging, and as secure as God Himself. So rest easy. You are secure in Him.

Living as the Favored of the Most HighKnowing you are accepted in the Beloved doesn’t just change your self-image; it empowers you to live differently, more abundantly (John 10:10), which is your birthright in Him. When you see yourself as God sees you, it gives you the courage to take bold steps of faith because of Him. You can move forward with confidence, not in your own strength and abilities, but in the unshakable favor and acceptance of God.

Again, instead of being paralyzed by what others think, you are free to pursue God’s unique calling in your life. The need for people’s approval loses its grip when you are already approved by the Most High God— who is also your Father. Think about that for a moment. If you have already been accepted by the best (God), why spend a second worrying more about what the less (others) think of you? Then, like Paul, you can learn to be content in any circumstance, assured that Christ has made you “accepted in the Beloved.”

Let this truth become the soundtrack of your soul, especially in times of fear, self-doubt, or discouragement. Proclaim it to yourself, out loud, again and again, if necessary. Let this passage overshadow your circumstances. You are blessed. You are favored. You are honored. And you are accepted— not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for you.

Are you smiling yet? You really should be.

Grace-Fueled ObedienceUnderstanding your acceptance in the Beloved also motivates your obedience to Him and His Word. Joyful, grateful submission to Him naturally flows from a revelation of God’s glorious grace. You serve Him, not to gain His approval, but because you already have it.

And when you sin, you don’t have to wallow any longer in shame, fearful that somehow you’ve fallen from God’s grace and He no longer wants you as His child. No, you can boldly approach the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), knowing that Christ’s blood continuously cleanses you and that you are forever accepted in Him (1 John 1:7). Repentance, once often neglected, now becomes a gracious opportunity to realign yourself with the truth of who you are in Christ.

Now, secure in your standing with Him, you are empowered to love and serve others freely. You can offer the same grace that you have received and become an instrument of God’s unconditional acceptance to those, like you once were, desperately longing for it. People will be naturally drawn to the Christ they see in you, the One who makes sinners His favored sons and daughters— which is a perfect picture of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

Rejoicing in Your Spiritual BlessingsAnd as you meditate on the wonders of being “accepted in the Beloved,” don’t lose sight of the broader context of what we have been reading in Ephesians 1:3-14. Paul’s declaration of your acceptance comes amidst an amazing description of the spiritual blessings you possess in Christ— right now, in full.

You have been chosen, predestined, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. You have obtained an inheritance and been given wisdom to know the mysteries of God’s will. And all of this is “to the praise of His glory.”

Anything else? Just one more thought.

Remember, your acceptance in the Beloved is not an isolated reality, like a line item on a balance sheet, but is inseparably linked to the full package of heavenly blessings that are yours in Christ. And these blessings are not something you have to strive for, but something you already possess. They are stated in the past tense, meaning they are your birthright as a child of God.

So Let’s PrayWhen you pray, let your heart rejoice with thanksgiving for all that is yours in Him. And as you face challenges (which you will), remember that you are fully equipped for them, whatever they are, with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). You lack nothing. After all, the same favor that rests upon Christ rests upon you, since you are “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Ah, to be just like Jesus.

So let Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers be your prayer for yourself today (and be sure to make it personal):

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you (make it personal, put your name here) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your (put your name here) understanding being enlightened; that you (and here) may know what is the hope of His calling (for you), what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (of which you are), and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us (and you) who believe, according to the working of His mighty power – Ephesians 1:17-19.

May this become our prayer as well. May the eyes of our understanding be enlightened to truly comprehend the hope, riches, and power that are ours because we are “accepted in the Beloved.” May we grasp the height, depth, length, and width of Christ’s love for us (Eph. 3:17-19). And may we live in the confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord— or in His Beloved (Rom. 8:38-39).

Finally, may we live for Him as the highly favored sons and daughters that we are. And may our lives be a continual praise to the glory of His grace.

And we will talk more later.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

Our Latest Posts:596: Obtaining an Inheritance or Becoming an Inheritance

595: The Dependent Relationship of Jesus With His Father

594: How Should We Live in the Face of Persecution?

593: How to Hear God’s Voice When He Speaks

592: Embracing the Call to Radical Christianity

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“In Him”… and it Only Gets BetterIn Him also we have obtained an inheritance…

Ephesians 1:11a

In this passage, we see more of the blessings that are ours because we are “in Him” or “in Christ.” Again, I suggest you spend a little time with Blue Letter Bible or another Bible software program of your choice and search the phrases “in Him” and “in Christ” for yourself. After all, we all learn better by doing rather than just watching someone else do it. So jump on in and get your feet wet. And when you do, begin with “in Christ” and scan the verses to see how the theology of these two words permeates almost all of Paul’s writings. He obviously understood the significance of being “in Him,” and it would do each of us good if we understood it as well.

What it SaysWe have been studying the first chapter of Ephesians and are focusing on verse 11, where it says:

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

So let’s look at each word and phrase in the first part of this verse to see exactly what God is saying so we can determine exactly what He means by what He says (we are only going to look at the first eight words today; we’ll cover more next time).

In Him – We have discussed this at length in a prior post. Basically, this phrase reveals to us that, apart from Christ, the only thing we can expect from God is condemnation for our sins. But, because of Christ and because we are now found “in Him” (which is all a gift from God lavished upon us), we can rejoice in all circumstances for:

There is therefore now (present tense) no condemnation to those (put your name here to make it personal) who are (what) in Christ Jesus, (described as those) who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit – Romans 8:1.

We Have Obtained an Inheritance – This phrase is a translation of a single compound Greek word, eklērōthēmen, which has two renderings. In other words, this word can be translated in two different ways. And each of these translations, even though they mean something entirely different in English, are correct both grammatically and theologically. Plus, this word is in the aorist active indicative tense, which means it is so certain to happen, that it can be spoken of as having already taken place. We see this also in Ephesians 2:6, where the same tense is used when it states God, “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” The certainty of this is so secure that the Holy Spirit speaks of it as having already happened. And the same applies to our obtaining an inheritance in Him.

But there are two correct renderings of the Greek word in question. The first, and the one that seems to fit the context best, means “we have obtained an inheritance” in Him. Or, we have received an inheritance from God as adopted sons whom He predestined or predetermined from eternity past (Eph. 1:4-5). And the inheritance we have received in Him is just part of how God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). This is why Romans 8:15-17 makes the point of revealing we are not only “children of God,” but “heirs”— those who receive an inheritance. But it continues, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” So, it would appear the first rendering of this passage, of our receiving or obtaining an inheritance from God, is accurate and supported by Scripture.

But what about the second rendering? Ah, this is where it gets interesting.

We Were Made an Inheritance – The second rendering of the word reads, “we were made an inheritance.” Now that’s something else altogether, isn’t it? Now, instead of us receiving an inheritance, we are the inheritance God gives His Son. We are Christ’s possession, His bride, and a gift from His Father. We see this truth of us belonging to Christ all throughout Scripture. Check it out for yourself.

So, one rendering speaks of our salvation, where we have received eternal life, intimacy with God, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, all summed up in our inheritance in Him. And the other speaks of our sanctification, where we are to live in accordance with Christ and “to walk (or live) as He (Jesus) walked” (1 John 2:6). Or, more simply, to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).

And if that wasn’t enough, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 speaks of both renderings. Consider the following and be amazed:

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come— all are yours (having obtained an inheritance). And you are Christ’s (were made an inheritance), and Christ is God’s.

So what have we learned?

Some Key PointsGod has chosen to give us all things in Christ, because we are His children and, as children, heirs, even joint heirs with His only begotten Son (Rom. 8:17). And He did this for no other reason than His good pleasure, or because it made Him happy (Eph. 1:5). This should put a smile on your face no matter how bleak your circumstances may seem.

God has also chosen to present us, as His church made up of redeemed individuals like you and me, to His Son as His inheritance. We, as the bride of Christ, are the gift the Father has chosen to bless His Son with. Therefore, if you think about it, every blessing we receive is a residual blessing coming from the Father to His Son, and since we are “in Christ,” passed to us. Boy, that will take your pride down a peg or two, won’t it? Clearly, it’s not about us (never has been), it’s all about Him.

So Let’s PraySince we have everything in Christ, what is there to worry about? Exactly. Let Philippians 4:6-7 guide your prayer of thanksgiving to Him today.

And if we are to be presented to Christ as His inheritance, don’t you think we should reflect the glory of Christ a bit more than we do? Maybe it’s time we bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5) or diligently try to “walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). Or, in other words, be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16). This is what sanctification is all about and how we glorify Him the most.

So now it’s your turn. What has God said to you through these first eight words of Ephesians 1:11? How have they affected your life? How does He want you to turn them back into prayer to Him? And how will they change you from this moment forward?

I look forward to hearing how our Lord will speak to you during your prayer and study time. What you share will be a blessing to all.

And we will talk again soon.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

Our Latest Posts:595: The Dependent Relationship of Jesus With His Father

594: How Should We Live in the Face of Persecution?

593: How to Hear God’s Voice When He Speaks

592: Embracing the Call to Radical Christianity

591: How to Prepare Yourself to Meet With God

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God’s Choice vs Our ChoiceJust as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Ephesians 1:4

We have looked at the blessings the Lord has given His children in Christ, even to the point of the promise of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3), which are now ours because of Him. And one of the greatest blessings is being chosen by God to be adopted as His son. Nothing can compete with this. Nothing.

Just think, when we were not looking for God or even had Him on our mind, He chose to bring us into His family as His child for no other reason than “the good pleasure of His will” or simply “because He wanted to” (Eph. 1:5,9). And if God wants to do something, who is going to tell Him, no? Not me.

So, in Ephesians 1:3, we are introduced to the wonder that we have, past tense, already been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” And every means just that, every— or all, each, the entire, in totality, and without exception. In other words, there are no blessings that you have not already been blessed with. You have them all, every one of them, and on steroids. But that doesn’t mean you are currently experiencing those blessings. That is another subject altogether, and we’ll dig into that when we talk about the life of sanctification at a later time. So hang on.

The Sum of Our BlessingsLet’s look at just a few of the blessings the Lord reveals to us in the first few verses of this chapter.

• Election: Where God chose us before the foundation of the world to become just like Him, holy and without blame in love (1:4).

• Predestination: God pre-determined that we would become His son through adoption by Jesus Christ to Himself. And He did this, not because we were worthy or somehow merited sonship. No, He chose us to become part of His family because He wanted to, and for no other reason (1:5).

• Acceptance: God, for some reason I’ll never understand, chose to accept us into fellowship with Himself regardless of our past or how bleak our present may seem. And He did this because of His Son (1:6).

• Redemption: God chose to pay the price for our freedom from the consequences of our sins by the sacrifice of His only Son. He redeemed us and forgave all our sins— past, present, and future, because of the riches of His grace (1:7).

• Mystery: And if that wasn’t enough, He has made known to us the mystery of His will because, again, He wanted to and it brought Him pleasure (1:9).

This we could call, “Our Blessings, Part One.” But it gets even better.

The Sum of Our Blessings… Uh, and Even MoreThe book of Ephesians tells us even more about how blessed we are in Him. For example, the sphere of our spiritual blessings is in the heavenlies (our translators added the word places in 1:3). This is where God dwells and where we will spend eternity. So our blessings are not temporal or have an expiration date, like everything else in this life. No, they exist, like God, forever.

We are given a glimpse into Christ’s present enthronement, which is also in the heavenly places, seated at the right hand of the Father (1:20). And we are then told, since we are “in Christ,” that our present enthronement is also with Him in the heavenly places (2:6). And it is in the heavenly places (or heavenlies) that the angels witness God’s wisdom on display in His church as a rebuke to them (3:10). And finally, the battleground of our present conflict with the forces of evil spirits are also found in the heavenly places (6:12), where God is seated with His Son and we with Him. Can you think of a safer or more secure place to be? It gives you another sense of what Jesus meant when He said,

“And I (Jesus) give them (His sheep, you and me) eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” – John 10:28-29.

And how is all this possible? Keep reading.

“I and My Father are one” – John 10:30.

Case closed. Mic drop. It doesn’t get any better than that.

“I’ll Take Him”And it all begins with His choice of us to call unto Himself. Amazing. Even as the shy, fat kid with thick glasses, God wanted us on His team. Therefore, He chose us and called us by name before we even knew who God was. This is what it means to be chosen by Him.

The fact that God has chosen us for salvation is a staggering thought and should elicit praise from those He chose for all eternity. And maybe it will once we fully understand what it means. The Scriptures say that before we were even born, before we had done anything good or bad, when God had no reason to choose or not choose us, He had already set His love upon us and predetermined to save us and make us like His Son (see Romans 9). And this choice was not based on our merit or worthiness, but solely on His grace and loving-kindness toward us (if it seems I am belaboring this point, well, I am. All of life changes when you fully grasp what you have been given in Christ). As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is (note) the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

But God’s choice goes beyond just salvation; He has also chosen us to have a personal relationship with Him. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we have been reconciled to God and adopted as His children (Eph. 1:5). That means we are no longer strangers or enemies, but beloved sons and daughters who can approach God with confidence and call Him “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). In fact, we are also deemed heirs and joint-heirs with His Son. Read it for yourself in Romans 8:14-17. This intimate relationship is the foundation for all other blessings we receive in Christ. It is the foundation from which all our blessings flow.

Chosen to Be Holy and BlamelessGod also reveals in Ephesians 1:4, the purpose for which God has chosen us: to be “holy and without blame before Him.” This means that our salvation is not just about escaping hell or enjoying eternal life or having our “Best Life Now”— as some believe. No, it’s about being transformed into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29) and living a life that is pleasing to Him. As 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts us, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all (pas) your conduct, (why) because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'”

Being chosen to be holy and blameless is both a privilege and a responsibility. It means that we are set apart for God’s purposes and called to reflect His character in all that we do. It involves putting off the old self with its sinful desires and putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24). This is not something we can accomplish in our own strength, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to renew our minds to be more like Christ (Rom. 12:1-2).

And in Jude 1:24, God is praised for being able to “keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” So God not only makes us holy and blameless but will make sure we remain that way because it brings Him exceeding joy (and it will bring us joy as well). This is all part of the blessings we have in Him.

The Antidote for PrideOne last thing before we pray: Do you realize that God chooses almost everything regarding our salvation and how He wants to be worshiped? Research it yourself. He chose His disciples, not the other way around (John 15:16). He chose the people of Israel to be His special people (Deut. 7:6). He chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt (Moses certainly didn’t volunteer for the job). He chose the tribe of Levi to serve as priests unto Himself (Num. 3:12). He chose the exact blueprint for the Tabernacle and the Temple and how it was to be built. God chose specifically how He wanted to be worshiped in Leviticus. He didn’t leave that up to the passing whims of His people. And He even chose that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were to be engraved on two onyx stones and placed on the shoulders of the ephod (Ex.28:5-10). Let’s face it, God chose almost everything and did not leave any of this up to you or me.

Except one thing.

After salvation, after we are changed by regeneration and the Holy Spirit lives within us (Eph. 1:13-14), God allows us to choose (and expects us to choose correctly) how we will worship and serve and obey Him with the lives He has redeemed and given back to us (John 14:15). Again, this is called sanctification, and we will spend quite a bit of time unpacking what that means at a later date.

So, once you understand God’s sovereign choice in just about everything, where is the place for our pride? Exactly, there is none. Think about that before you pray.

So Let’s PrayAs we pray today, being guided by His choice of us in Him before the world was created, be filled with gratitude and a deep desire to serve and honor Him with the life He has blessed and given back to you. Nothing, I believe, would please Him more.

Dear Father,

I come before You with a heart overflowing with gratitude for the incredible blessing of being chosen by You. It amazes me that even before the foundation of the world, You set Your love upon me and predestined me to be holy and blameless in Your sight (Eph. 1:4). I still don’t understand why, but I can never thank You enough.

I recognize that this choice was not based on any merit or worthiness of my own, but solely on Your grace and loving-kindness toward me (Eph. 2:8-9). I am humbled by the realization that You wanted me to be part of Your family, not because of anything I have done, but simply because it was Your good pleasure (Eph. 1:5). And again, I don’t understand why, but thank You so much for this blessing.

Thank You for adopting me as Your child through Jesus Christ, according to the kind intention of Your will. I am overwhelmed by the privilege of being able to call You “Abba, Father” and to have a personal, intimate relationship with You (Rom. 8:15).

I understand that being chosen by You comes with the responsibility to live a life that is pleasing to You, reflecting Your holiness in all my conduct (1 Pet. 1:15-16). And I know I haven’t always been at the top of my game in that regard. Forgive me and help me, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to put off my old self with its sinful desires and to put on the new self, created to be like You in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24).

I praise You for Your ability to keep me from stumbling and to present me faultless before Your glorious presence with great joy (Jude 1:24). And I trust in Your faithfulness to complete the good work You have begun in me (Phil. 1:6).

May my life be a testament to the riches of Your grace and the depth of Your love (Eph. 1:7). Use me as an instrument of Your will, and may I always find my greatest joy in serving, honoring, and obeying You (John 14:15).

In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Being Thrilled With What You Already HaveBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Ephesians 1:3

The Cup is Always FullLet’s face it, we live in troubling times. Almost everywhere we look, there is division, chaos, fear, uncertainty, and corruption that erodes our confidence in our so-called “sacred institutions” and can be so depressing they often keep us from wanting to get out of bed in the morning. The future, for many, looks bleak. And the present doesn’t look so hot either. But that should never be said of a believer— especially after praying through this one verse, which is part of a long, single sentence in the letter to the church at Ephesus. No, this truth should give us hope and encouragement as we see life, not from the physical, horizontal perspective, but from God’s perspective. After all, His way is always better. And our problems always look smaller, almost insignificant, when viewed from heaven (Isa. 55:8-9).

Remember, we don’t have to choose to look at the glass as either half full or half empty. It is always full, totally, right to the brim. But it’s not necessarily full of the same thing or with what we can readily see. Half may be water and the rest air. But it is still full, nevertheless. And so it is with God. Some things we can see and some things we can’t. But He is still present, filling everything to the brim, even if our eyes are not open to Him moving. Then, we rely on faith in His promises and rest in the goodness of our God (Rom. 8:28). What an incredible place to live.

For this is where we experience the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).

But don’t take my word for it; experience His peace yourself. Ask Him to put you in a place where you have nowhere to look but up, and see what this will do for your faith. Still not sure, then check out Hebrews 11 for some examples.

“Blessed,” “Every,” and “Heavenly Places”When you pray through Ephesians 1:3 today, focus especially on three key phrases: “has blessed us,” “every spiritual blessing,” and my favorite, “in the heavenly places.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ – Ephesians 1:3.

In our last time together, we spoke about the past-tense nature of our blessings, meaning they have already been given to us, and we possess them now (even if it doesn’t feel like it so much). This is not some minor grammatical detail, but a liberating spiritual truth once you wrap your mind around it. Basically, all God has in store for His children is available to us today, right now, in our present situation. The phrase, “has blessed us” means we don’t have to wait until He returns to earth to set up His kingdom, or we die and go to live with Him in heaven, or the trump of God sounds and the rapture takes place before we come into possession of “every” or “all” (pas) of our spiritual blessings. Nor do we have to earn them by living flawless lives or working ourselves ragged to gain His favor. No, we have them with us already, always— just like the Holy Spirit, who continually dwells in us.

Next, we are drawn to the words “every” (pas) and the phrase “spiritual blessing.” For me, I am reminded He has held nothing back from me, and I am now completely “blessed” with “every” or “all” spiritual blessings. Our Lord, our Father, has already bestowed on us things we cannot understand— truly amazing things, unheard of things. Try this one on for size:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man (what) the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” – 1 Corinthians 2:9 (quoting Isaiah 64:4).

And these things are described as being “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). Ah, takes your breath away, doesn’t it?

Plus, the “spiritual blessings” we possess are just that: spiritual. They are blessings that pertain to our spiritual life, our relationship with God, and our eternal destiny— you know, the things that last, unlike cars or money or houses or fame. And they are blessings that involve the work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the word translated “spiritual” (pneumatikós) always pertains to the work of the Holy Spirit. Always. You might want to look into that amazing truth yourself.

And finally, these blessings are not limited to our time here on earth, but are reserved for us “in the heavenly places” where God dwells. Where time is abolished. Where we will spend eternity with Him. Where our true reality resides, and not just this shadow of things to come. And where it really matters.

Some Blessings That Matter MostAs a quick reminder, look at some of our “spiritual” blessings revealed in just the first fourteen verses in this chapter (we will look at each of these in the days to come):

1. Election – Ephesians 1:4

2. Adoption – Ephesians 1:5

3. Acceptance – Ephesians 1:6

4. Redemption – Ephesians 1:7

5. Forgiveness of Sins – Ephesians 1:7

6. The Revelation of God’s Purpose in History – Ephesians 1:10

7. Our Inheritance – Ephesians 1:11

8. Sealing by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13

Tell me, what more could we need, or want, than what we already have?

“Complete in Him”…er, Lacking NothingOne final thought before we pray.

While looking at this passage, I was also drawn to Colossians 2:9-10, where the Lord tells us we are “complete in Him” and, by definition, lack nothing. It means, there is nothing to add to make us more than we are. There is nothing we need to make us whole or more loved by the Father. In Him, and only “in Him,” we are right now, at this present moment, and just like we are: complete. And the word translated “complete” is pleróō which means to “make full, supply abundantly, or impart richly.” This is who we are in Him and the spiritual blessing we already possess.

And if that wasn’t enough, in Psalm 23:1, our Shepherd, the Lord Himself, promised us, “I shall not want.” Do you know why? Because we are already, past tense, “blessed” with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” What is there to want if we already possess all there is to have in Him? Makes you think, doesn’t it?

So Let’s PrayI hope you experience a bit of awe when you pray this verse today. And I hope these truths will give you pause to reflect on how much the Father truly loves you, no matter what you have done, no matter your past— and no matter how messed up your present may seem.

Now, armed with this, go to Him in prayer, use these marvelous truths to allow His Word to guide your prayers, and see how our Lord desires to reveal Himself to you.

Dear Father,

Once again, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude and praise for Your choice of me “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). And I thank You that in Christ, You have blessed me with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). What an incredible truth this is! To know that the moment I placed my faith in You, You chose to lavish upon me the full riches of Your grace and blessing (Eph. 1:8) for no other reason than the “good pleasure of Your will” (Eph. 1:5). Thank You so much for giving me what I don’t deserve, nor ever will.

And thank You that these blessings are not something I have to earn or strive for, but are already mine in Christ. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins, for my adoption into Your family (Eph. 1:7), and for the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit (Eph.1:13-14). Thank You for the wisdom, the hope, the peace, and the joy that are my inheritance in Christ.

Father, I pray these truths will not just be intellectual knowledge for me, but become living realities in my life. Help me grasp the incredible scope and magnitude of the spiritual blessings I possess in Christ. Open the eyes of my heart to see myself as You see me— seated with Christ in the heavenly places, blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 2:4-7).

I pray the truths of these blessings will transform the way I live each day. Help me to draw upon the spiritual riches that are mine in Christ, to walk in step with Your Spirit, and to live out the fullness of life that is mine in Your Son. When challenges and trials come, remind me that my life is anchored in the unshakable realities of Your eternal kingdom.

Above all, may the truth of these blessings lead me to a life of continual praise and thankfulness to You. Keep me from ever taking Your grace for granted or living as a spiritual pauper when in reality, I am a spiritual millionaire (or billionaire)! Fill my heart with wonder and awe at the glorious inheritance I have in Christ.

Finally, Lord use me to be a conduit of Your blessings to others. Let me not hoard the spiritual riches You have given me, but freely share them with those around me. Make me an instrument of Your grace, Your love, and Your truth in this world.

Thank You, Father, for the unsearchable riches of Christ that are mine in Him (Eph. 3:8). I pray I will spend the rest of my days exploring the depths of these blessings and living in light of the glorious truth of who I am and what I have in You.

In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

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Our Blessings in ChristBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 1:3a

The phrase “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” appears three times in the New Testament, and in each instance, it highlights some often-neglected spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ (Eph. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3). And once we learn to embrace these blessings and not let them slip out of the spotlight because of our trials, temptations, or just the chaotic stuff of life, then we can remember how truly blessed we are, regardless of how we feel or what others might say. Long two sentences, I know. But let’s look at some of the incredible things God has already given us by virtue of our redemption provided by the sacrifice of His only Son (John 3:16).

The Letter to EphesusIn Ephesians 1:3, Paul proclaims, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (why) who has blessed us with (what) every spiritual blessing (where) in the heavenly places in (how) Christ.” He then lists some of these blessings that are easily ignored. For example (and we’ll only look at the ones found in this one, long sentence):

• We Have Been Given Every Spiritual Blessing: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed (past tense, action already accomplished) us with every (pas) spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ ” (Eph. 1:3). This overarching truth sets the foundation for all the blessings that follow. In Christ, we have been granted access to every (pas) spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms— which means there are no existing blessings we do not have access to. Everything, all of them that ever existed, are available to us as His children. This is the meaning of the adjective “every” (pas) in the Greek. It doesn’t say we have been blessed with “some” of the blessings or “most” of them are available to us. No, it says “every” or “all” (pas). Think about that for a moment. Do you understand what that means?

• We Have Been Chosen for Holiness (to be just like Him): “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4). Before the creation of the world, before time began, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in His sight. And our holiness is not based on our own efforts, which are usually littered with failure, but on His sovereign choice and the work of Christ in our lives, where He imputed His righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:21). God chose us to be like Him, holy, faultless, and without blame, simply because He loves us and wants us to be with Him (Jude 1:24).

• God Determined to Adopt Us to Himself: “Having predestined (to predetermine the outcome beforehand) us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, (why) according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:5). God not only purposed to adopt us as His children, but has also elevated our status as children to heirs, and even joint-heirs with Christ Himself (Rom. 8:16-17). Can you imagine what that means (we will unpack this truth at a later time)? God determined, long before we proved ourselves worthy or not, to bring us into His family as His children for no other reason than “the good pleasure of His will.” Or, as we would say, “Simply because He wanted to.” It was His choice to choose you as His adopted child, and this unspeakable blessing should make everything else in life pale by comparison.

• God Has Chosen to Accept Us to Himself: “To the praise of the glory of (what) His grace, by which He made (His action and not based on our merit or work) us accepted (charitóō – to be highly honored or greatly favored) in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6). The world may reject you, as they did Jesus, but the Father never will. By grace, God has determined to accept us unto Himself, even covered with the scars of our sins and past failures, because of His great love for His children, including you and me. And again, what problems in life could we possibly have that compare to this blessing? I can’t think of any. Can you?

And all this is only from Ephesians 1:3-6, which is just the second sentence in this letter. Can you imagine the multitude of blessings we can find elsewhere in Ephesians? I, personally, have found over sixty— and the number keeps growing daily.

How Should We Respond?In light of these truths, what should we do? How should the blessings of God change our view of life, church, worship, and how we approach Him and others?

First, with gratitude and praise. When we reflect on what we already possess in Him, our hearts should overflow with praise and thanksgiving to God for His grace in Christ, freely given— no, lavished, on us (Eph. 1:8). We did nothing to earn or deserve these blessings because they flow from God’s love and mercy alone. So, as we meditate on these spiritual riches, let us remember the words of David: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

Next, we should be encouraged and strengthened in the face of trials. When we encounter hardships that just come with life, we remember that our identity, security, purpose, worth, future, and hope are always anchored in Christ, and not in our circumstances. Pain and suffering are for only a moment, but eternity lasts forever. And we have a compassionate Father who is ‘the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3), who will one day wipe away every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4). From His perspective, our sufferings and trials are nothing more than “light afflictions, which is but for a moment” (2 Cor. 4:17), and are “working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Finally, these blessings should inspire us to live holy and godly lives. Truth is, we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him (Eph. 1:4). That seems to be one reason He created us in the first place. Therefore, our lives should be marked by growing conformity to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:29, which is called sanctification), by our daily choosing to put off the old self and put on the new (Eph. 4:22-24). And as we abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, we will bear His fruit that gives glory to our Lord and points others to Him (Gal. 5:22-25)

Let’s Put it All TogetherThere is so much more to this life with Christ than we have been taught or experienced in the church in the West. And I’m not sure why that is. But, our blessings in Him are inexhaustible and already ours in Christ. They are not some future promise for those who meet some predetermined condition, nor something we receive only when we die and go to heaven. They are ours now, as stated in the past tense. We have been “blessed” (past tense) with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (where God lives) in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).

Tell me, what does this world offer that you don’t already have in Him? That’s right, nuthin’.

So Let’s PrayAs you pray, remember to never cease to thank and praise God for the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8), that are yours, right now. And ask Him to give you a life overflowing with gratitude as we share with others the wonders we have found in Christ (1 Pet. 2:9).

Dear Father,

I can’t thank You enough for all the blessings that are mine because of Your choice in me before the foundation of the world. It literally takes my breath away. And just think, You chose me for no other reason than the fact You wanted to. Lord, I am overcome with humbleness, knowing that I’m Your son, adopted into Your family because of Your love, mercy, and grace. And that this is something You actually wanted to do. You forgave all my sins. You redeemed me and made me an heir, a joint heir with Your Son. How is this possible? And why did You choose me?

Lord Jesus, I don’t know the answers or what You had in mind, but thank You for making all of this possible.

Would You teach me to show the same grace and gratitude towards others that You have shown me? And never let me get so burdened with the trials and temptations of today that I forget who I am in You, and once again view myself for who I once was. That person is dead, buried with Christ. I know I am no longer that person, but I am now someone new, created in Your image. Lord, help me live like that today, just for You.

And let me remember today, and commit to memory, Galatians 2:20:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Father, bring this verse to my memory several times today and let me contemplate how truly blessed I am. Thank You for all You’ve done for me. And allow me to live a life worthy of Your grace and sacrifice.

In the name of Your Son Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Just Scratching the Surface: Grace and PeaceGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:2

There is so much here in these fourteen words of verse two that it is hard to know where to begin. Paul, as was his custom, often presents these two fundamental truths of the Christian faith, “grace and peace,” at the end of his greeting to those recipients of his letters (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Phil. 1:2; 2 Thes. 1:2, Phlm. 1:3). It is almost like he wants to remind them of the gift of salvation and eternal life they have received by faith, based on God’s grace towards them, which brings a peace the world cannot understand nor experience (Phil. 4:7).

And sometimes Paul would add “mercy” to “grace and peace,” creating a holy trinity of blessings we have received from Christ (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2, Titus 1:4), yet he seems to reserve “mercy” for his letters to individuals rather than churches. We’ll dig into the reasons for that at a later date.

What is Grace?Grace is a word that Paul uses to both begin (1:2) and end the book of Ephesians (6:24), and it occurs another ten times within these six chapters. Ephesians speaks of the grace of God’s unmerited favor in providing salvation through the sacrifice of His Son (1:7; 2:8) and His power granted to each of us to lead a life of sanctification, a holy life (4:7, 29). It also speaks of the fact that by grace, and grace alone, we are saved (2:5, 8) and that it is a gift of God to be shared with others (3:7).

But what exactly does the word mean? And how are we to understand this blessing of grace given to us by the mercy of God. Grace (cháris) means to “rejoice, and is God’s great kindness freely given towards those who are undeserving of His favor.” But more specifically:

This word may, at times, indicate kindness, as a quality or attribute of God or of the Lord Jesus Christ. It may also describe the state of salvation, and thirdly, the believer’s gratitude for the salvation received or for any gift of God. But in the present instance it refers undoubtedly to God’s spontaneous, unmerited favor in action, His freely bestowed lovingkindness in operation, bestowing salvation upon guilt-laden sinners. Grace is the fountain from which everything in Christ flows.¹

Just think, God the Father is called the “God of all grace” (1 Pet. 5:10), and Jesus is the Author, Giver, and Dispenser of grace (Acts 15:11; 2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 16:20; 1 Thes. 5:28). Not to be left out, the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29), and the very throne of God is referred to as His “throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16). As you can see, grace seems to permeate everything in the realm of God— and rightly so.

But What About Peace?The peace this passage talks about is not just the absence of conflict, like peace between two warring factions, but it is a peace that is the result of God granting us His grace. When we speak of “grace and peace,” we are looking at two bookends of the entire Christian experience. What begins with God’s grace freely bestowed upon us undeservingly, ends with our peace— peace with God (Eph. 2:14, 17), peace with others (2:15; 4:3), and peace with ourselves. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

And this peace knows no bounds. We cannot imagine what it is like until we experience it ourselves because it is unlike any peace the world can offer (Phil. 4:7). Jesus said so Himself:

“Peace I leave with you, (described as) My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” – John 14:27.

“Grace and peace” are pivotal, key terms in Ephesians that are not simply chosen randomly. For example, in Ephesians 6:15, the good news is called “the gospel of peace,” and in 2:14, it states that Jesus Christ, “He, Himself is our peace.” So if we want a concise summary of the good news that the letter to the church of Ephesus proclaims, we could not find a better one than these three small words, “peace through grace.”

It Gets Even BetterFinally, this verse reveals the source of our grace and the peace that follows. And it comes from none other than “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These two, mentioned in this fashion back-to-back, once again remind us that Jesus is God, co-equal with the Father, and has granted you and me direct, unhindered access to God Himself. The veil of separation has been torn, top to bottom, by the sacrifice of Jesus, who provided for us the forgiveness of sins and His imputed righteousness, thus allowing us access to the Holy of Holies where God dwells (Heb. 4:14-16). This is what it means to experience grace. And this is what it means to have peace.

Paul used these twin terms in his greetings to the churches to show them their blessed position in Christ and to reinforce to them that only through God’s grace and His ensuing peace can we live the sanctified, holy, God-pleasing, abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10)—the Higher Christian Life we so desire. And if God has provided us with His peace through His undeserved grace, then why should we ever worry about anything?

So Let’s PrayBefore you pray, consider deeply the meaning of these two words and the great blessings you have received from Him through them. You have been given grace, even though you don’t deserve it and never will. And you can experience peace, even though you were once an enemy of God (Rom. 5:10), of yourself, and others. Both of these, grace and peace, are gifts freely given by the One who will allow nothing to come between you and His love (Rom. 8:38-39). And I mean nothing.

So when you pray, be sure to thank Him for what you have and not moan over what you think you lack. This is also how faith grows.

Dear Father,

I come before You with a heart filled with gratitude for the gifts of grace and peace that You have so freely bestowed upon me. Your Word reveals the depths of these blessings— that grace is Your unmerited favor and kindness towards me, a sinner undeserving of Your love. Yet in Your infinite mercy, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the author and giver of grace, purchasing my salvation through His sacrifice on the cross. And I know that it is by grace alone, through faith, that I am saved.

Thank You that Your grace not only redeems me, but empowers me to live a life pleasing to You. By Your Spirit of grace dwelling within me, I can walk in holiness and offer words of grace to build others up. Lord, help me to do that daily. And I can’t thank You enough that Your throne of grace is always open to me, inviting me to boldly approach You to receive mercy and find grace in my time of need.

Father, I also praise You for the perfect peace You give to those who trust in You. This peace surpasses all understanding— it calms my troubled heart and drives out fear, for You Yourself are my peace. Through Christ, I now have peace with You, peace with others, and peace within myself. No matter what storms rage around me, I can rest secure in Your unfailing love and unshakable peace.

I pray that I would never take these precious gifts for granted or fail to extend grace and peace to others. May I be quick to forgive as I have been forgiven, to love as I am loved by You, and to share the good news of grace with all who cross my path. Let my life overflow with thanksgiving for all You have done and reflect the glorious realities of who I am in Christ.

Thank You that nothing can ever separate me from Your love and the blessings of grace and peace that are mine in Jesus.

It is in His mighty name I pray, Amen.

Notes1. Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Ephesians (Vol. 7, p. 71). Baker Book House.

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Uh, Sorry. We Don’t Do Saints in Our ChurchTo the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1b

“Saints. Really? That sounds kinda Catholic to me.” And for many, it does.

But the term “saints” seems to be God’s go-to description for those He redeems and calls to Himself. In fact, Paul uses this term to identify those he addresses in his letters. For example, in Romans, he writes, “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). In the same manner, he addresses those in Corinth as “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). And he repeats this pattern in his letters to the churches in Philippi (Phil. 1:1), Colossae (Col. 1:2), and Thessalonica (1 Thess. 1:1).

By addressing believers as saints, Paul reminds them, and us, of the reality of our new identity in Christ. Being deemed a saint is not a status earned through good works or perfect behavior, nor is it a title given by a religious body to commemorate some meritorious act, but it’s a descriptive designation God bestows on His children by grace. It’s how He sees us— no matter how much we may have lived un-saintly lives or how we have grieved His Spirit (Eph. 4:30). This designation as a saint reminds us we are no longer defined by our past sins or failures, but by our relationship with Christ and the righteousness He imparts to us (1 Cor. 5:21).

But What is a Saint (hágios)?In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as “saints” is “hágios,” and carries the meaning of being “holy, set apart, and dedicated to God.” It is not a title limited to a select few who achieved some higher level of spiritual excellence, performed miracles, or made great sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel, but it refers to all believers who are set apart for God’s purposes. Being called a saint implies we are consecrated and dedicated to God, and reflect His holiness in our lives (or at least, we should be reflecting the holiness of God in the way we live. But we’ll address ‌sanctification at a later time).

In Ephesians 1:1, Paul uses this term to remind those in Ephesus of their unique identity in Christ— not by defining them by what they were, but by who they are now (1 Cor. 6:19). And as saints, they in Ephesus, and we today, are called to live in a way that honors God by demonstrating His character in our daily lives. Remember, this life of holiness is not something we achieve on our own (because we can’t), but it is made possible only through the work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Note the operative word: holy— as in Holy Spirit. Our holiness is simply a reflection of the Holy Spirit who now lives in us.

The Indwelling of the Holy SpiritCentral to our identity as saints is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, which is one of the most amazing things about this life with Christ. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes,

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with (what) the Holy Spirit of promise, (described as) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

The moment we believe and regeneration takes place, the Holy Spirit makes His home within us, marking us as God’s own, and acting as a seal and guarantee of our eternal inheritance in Christ. This seal signifies ownership, security, and authenticity. It is a divine guarantee of our future inheritance in God’s kingdom, a promise that we will one day fully partake in the blessings of eternal life with Him.

The Spirit’s presence in our lives is not a passive reality, but an active, transformative power that allows us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). The Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13), empowers us to live righteously (Gal. 5:16), and produces spiritual fruit in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23). And as saints, we must learn to walk in step with the Spirit (Rom. 8:14), yielding to His leading and allowing Him to give us the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16).

And the presence of the Holy Spirit is not just a future promise, but a present reality that empowers us to live holy lives, as saints, right now (which is the essence of the Higher Christian Life). For without the Holy Spirit, there is no salvation (Rom. 8:9), for it is the Spirit who brings about the new birth and sustains us in our faith journey.

Saints Are Faithful, Like the Ones in EphesusAs saints, we are called to live lives characterized by faithfulness to God. The church in Ephesus serves as a model in this regard. In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus commends the Ephesian church for their diligence, perseverance, and discernment, while also exhorting them to return to their first love. This passage highlights key aspects of faithfulness that we should see growing in our own lives.

First, faithfulness involves diligence in our spiritual walk. We must be committed to growing in our knowledge of God’s Word, engaging in fervent and frequent prayer, and actively participating in the life of His church. These spiritual disciplines have defined a faithful believer since the Book of Acts and still do today.

Second, faithfulness requires perseverance in the face of trials and challenges. As saints, we will inevitably face opposition and hardships (it comes with the territory – 2 Tim. 3:12), but we must remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God’s goodness and sovereignty, no matter what. After all, trusting Him when we’re flying blind and can’t see tomorrow is the best way to have your faith tested and grow (Jas. 1:2-4).

Third, faithfulness demands discernment— like big time. We must be able to clearly distinguish between truth and error by holding fast to sound doctrine and rejecting false teachings that would lead us astray. Remember, Jesus said the primary sign of His soon return would be deception. Read it for yourself in Matthew 24.

Finally, faithfulness is rooted in our love for God and for others. Jesus called this love the two greatest commandments, and it should flow from a heart wholly devoted to His and seeking to extend His love to those around us.

“‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” – Mark 12:30-31.

So Let’s PrayAs we embrace our identity as saints (even if it still makes us feel a bit uncomfortable), let us continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). May we daily surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. And may we, like the church in Ephesus, be known for our unwavering devotion to Christ and our commitment to living out His truth in a world that desperately needs to see the light of the Gospel, no matter how difficult that may be in the days ahead.

Dear Father,

I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for the incredible privilege of being called Your saint. Thank You for setting me apart for Your purposes and filling me with Your Holy Spirit. I am humbled by the knowledge that Your Spirit dwells within me, sealing me as Your own and guaranteeing my future inheritance in Christ.

Lord, I desire to live a life that reflects my identity as a saint. Help me to be faithful in my walk with You, just as the church in Ephesus was faithful. Strengthen my commitment to prayer, so that I may communicate with You daily and align my heart with Your will. Grant me the grace to obey Your Word, living out Your commandments with joy and faithfulness.

Fill my heart with Your love, so that I may love You with all my heart, soul, and mind, and love my neighbor as myself. Lord, please inspire me to serve others selflessly, following the example of Your Son, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). Empower me to be a bold witness for You, sharing the good news of Your truth with those around me. And let my life be a testimony to Your transformative power and grace.

Father, I ask that You draw me closer to You each day. Continually remind me of my identity as Your holy one, and help me live in a manner worthy of Your calling. May my faithfulness bring glory to Your name and advance Your kingdom here on earth.

I pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Zero to Hero on a Dusty RoadPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

Ephesians 1:1a

As we embark on this adventure in prayer and the study of the book of Ephesians, let’s begin by looking at the person God chose to write this letter and evangelize the known world at that time. His name is Paul, formerly Saul— whom the Lord designated as an apostle of His Son, Jesus Christ.

There is much to learn about this simple change of names and, more importantly, the change of identity that accompanies the new name. And the transformation we see in Paul is the same transformation that occurred in you— if you know Christ and have experienced true regeneration and salvation. But more on that later.

In the opening few words of his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul identifies himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (Eph. 1:1a). Note that this transformation was by the will of God and not based on the strength of Paul’s personality, his own merit or hard work, nor his ambition, education, family background, or career choice. It was by God and God alone— because only God has the power to transform lives and use individuals for His divine purposes like He did Paul and countless others throughout church history. Paul’s life is a living testament to this. Once he was Saul, a violent persecutor of the early church and an enemy of Christ. Then, in a blinding light, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. And now, everything changed (read it for yourself in Acts 9:1-19). As Mary Magdalene from the series The Chosen said when she was trying to explain her transformation to Nicodemus:

“I was one way— and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him.”

This is what happened to Paul, and to each of us who Christ has changed.

From Saul to Paul or From Darkness to LightSaul was a zealous Pharisee who dedicated his life to upholding Jewish law and tradition. It was his passion, and therefore, he saw the early Christians as a threat to his beliefs and actively sought to silence them through persecution, imprisonment, and, ultimately, death. However, God had other plans for Saul. In a blinding moment of revelation and truth, all orchestrated by God and when Saul least expected it (which is often how the Lord works), Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and confronted him with the truth he had so vehemently rejected (Acts 9:1-9). This encounter marked the beginning of Saul’s transformation into Paul, who became one of the most influential Christians and an example to all. He became a missionary, evangelist, church planter, apologist, and the writer of most of the New Testament.

But what happened to Paul was not an isolated event. God is still in the business of changing lives, even yours— if you would surrender your life to Him. But once again, we’ll talk more about that later.

What Does it Mean For Us Today?Paul’s story is a reminder that no one, including you and me, is beyond the reach of God and His wondrous grace. Just as God changed a violent persecutor of the church into a committed proclaimer of the Gospel, He can also transform our lives, no matter how messed up we have made them, and use us for His glory. All throughout history, we see examples of ordinary people, like you and me, who experienced the extraordinary, life-changing touch of God:

• Augustine of Hippo was once driven by worldly ambitions and desires (he was actually a pretty nasty dude), and became the most influential theologian during the early history of the church and penned such classics as “The City of God” and “Confessions.”

• There was John Bunyan, once a profane and blasphemous man, who became a preacher and the author of the Christian classic “The Pilgrim’s Progress” after he encountered Christ.

• Then consider John Newton, a former slave trader who encountered God’s grace and became a minister, abolitionist, and the author of the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace.”

• Mary Magdalene was a woman once possessed by seven demons (Mark 16:9), who became a devoted follower of Christ and the first witness to His resurrection after she encountered Jesus and He freed her from her bondage.

• And don’t forget Chuck Colson, a former political operative involved in the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration, who found redemption in Christ while in prison and founded Prison Fellowship, a ministry dedicated to transforming lives behind bars.

• One of my favorites, Corrie ten Boom, was a humble Dutch watchmaker who the Nazis imprisoned for helping Jews escape to freedom. After the war, and after experiencing the horrors of life in a concentration camp, she traveled the world sharing her story of forgiveness and God’s unending love, touching countless lives (including mine).

• And finally, there is you. That’s right, you (put your name here ______________ ). You were once one way before Christ came into your life and now, by His grace and the redeeming power of the Spirit, you are someone new.

And your life is just as valuable to God as those we have listed above. All you need to do is place your new life in His hands like those heroes who have gone before us have done. The rest, as they say, is up to Him.

Our God is the God of Second and Third (and More) ChancesThese stories, along with countless others, demonstrate that God’s transformative power knows no boundaries. He can take our broken pasts, our failures, our weaknesses, and what we are most ashamed of, and shape them into something beautiful for His kingdom. In fact, He can do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). All He is waiting on is for us to ask. So do that today.

If you find yourself feeling unworthy or too far gone and beyond the reach of God’s love and grace, remember the story of Paul. No matter your background or the mistakes you’ve made (or are still making), God sees you through the lens of His unconditional love. He has a plan and purpose for your life, always has, and He desires to transform you from the inside out and conform you to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).

Remember the encouraging words from Paul:

Therefore, if anyone (put your name here) is in Christ, he (and here) is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17.

This is His goal for you. It always has been— and always will be.

Self-Examination and PrayerAs we reflect on God’s transformative power, let’s examine our own lives. Think, are there areas where we need to surrender to God’s will and allow Him to work in us? Are we open to the changes He wants to make in our hearts and minds? Take a moment to pray and invite God to reveal His purpose for your life. Ask Him to guide you and grant you the courage to follow His lead (and to let you know His perfect will for you), even when it means stepping out of your comfort zone and doing what may seem frightening or impossible. This is how faith grows (see Hebrews 11).

So Let’s PrayBe sure to make your prayer personal, just between you and your Father.

Dear Father,

I come to You today, thanking You for transforming Saul into Paul and me into the image of Your Son, just like You promised. I cannot thank You enough for Your grace, mercy, and unconditional love. Thank You for Paul’s example, who reminds me that no one is beyond the reach of Your grace including, and especially, me. I pray You will continue to work in my life, molding me into the person You have called me to be.

Give me the courage to surrender my life to Your will, trusting that Your plans for me are good and perfect. Help me to embrace the changes You want to make in my heart and mind, even when it means stepping out of my comfort zone. And Lord, when I am tempted to return to my old habits and mindset and way of life, remind me of who I am in You.

I pray for those who may feel unworthy or think they are too far gone from Your love to ever return to You. Remind them of Your unconditional grace and the transformative power of Your presence in their lives. And use me, Lord, as an instrument of Your love and truth. May my life be a testament to the work You have done in me, and may I be a light to those who are searching for hope and purpose.

I ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

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Small Beginnings Lead to Great EndingsAs we pray through the marvelous book of Ephesians, I want to give us an overview of some truths in this first chapter that will literally change your life. The book of Ephesians is something you could spend your entire life studying, and still not discover all God has hidden in its pages. It is magnificent, speaking to the very core of our being as believers in Christ, and it has an inexhaustible supply of spiritual truths and revelations that are so needed today.

As an overview, early in chapter one, we encounter a grand display of God’s sovereignty revealed by His choosing us, in Him, before the foundation of the world. We see this in verses 3 through 6, where it says:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved – Ephesians 1:3-6.

Next, this amazing chapter ends with the proclamation of the power and might of our wonderful Lord where the Holy Spirit proclaims that God placed Jesus “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:21). And as you will see later in this study, “principality and power and might and dominion” not only refers to earthly kings and kingdoms, but more specifically, demonic kingdoms (Eph. 3:10; Col. 2:10). But we will unpack these amazing truths later.

And finally, the chapter is stuffed full of graduate-level discussions of the church, the body of Christ, and the power that rests with the church because of Christ. In today’s turbulent times, I can’t think of anything more important than for the church to understand the power we have because of our risen Savior and Lord (Eph. 1:22-23; Matt. 16:18-19). This is a topic we will spend some time trying to fully understand in order to be the salt and light we are commanded and empowered to be (Matt. 5:13-16). But once again, we’ll have to wait a bit before we feast on this life-changing truth.

As you can see, there is so much for us to discover as we strive to grow into the likeness of Christ (Eph. 4:22-24). And this is only the beginning.

Asking Important QuestionsOne skill I hope each of us will gain during our study is the ability to ask simple questions of the text and feel comfortable doing so. These questions do not lead to doubt, but they allow us to dig a little deeper into what the text says and means, rather than settle for just scratching the surface.

You may recognize many of these questions from high school English, if you were paying attention, which I wasn’t (which means I had to learn this later in life, which is always harder. Ahem). They are what we call the who, what, when, where, why, how, and my favorite, to what extent types of questions. What we find when we ask questions of the text is that the macro (large, expansive) view becomes the micro (small, detailed, specific) view, and we are better able to grasp, understand, and internalize more of what the word of God is saying. And we can do all of this without additional study and resources by just asking a few questions.

Let me give you an example of Ephesians 1:3-6, which are the verses we looked at earlier. But now, let’s look at them and ask a few clarifying questions.

Blessed be (who) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has (what) blessed (who) us with (what) every spiritual blessing (where) in the heavenly places (how) in Christ, just as (who) He (what) chose (who) us (how) in Him (when) before the foundation of the world, (why) that we should be (what) holy and without blame before (who) Him (how) in love, having (what) predestined (who) us to (what) adoption as sons (how) by Jesus Christ to (who) Himself, (why) according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He (what) made us accepted (by whom) in the Beloved – Ephesians 1:3-6.

Now read these few verses again, slowly, intentionally emphasizing the questions and the answers that naturally follow the questions. Can you feel the impact of this passage more than you did when you simply read it to yourself? Do you see how the Lord provides for us, in the text, the answers to the questions we ask? And can you experience the conversation, your questions and His answers, by just reading His Word with new eyes? I sure can. And I hope you will learn to do so as well.

What it Says, What it MeansOne final thought before we pray and close out this first day. It is one thing to casually read a portion of the Scriptures, focusing on what you understand and skipping words or themes you are unfamiliar with. But it is quite another thing to take your time and truly meditate on what the Lord is trying to say to each of us in His Word. This process takes time, and obviously some work. But the benefits are so incredible they make the added effort well worth the time. (Note: take a moment and see what the Lord says about meditating on His Word versus simply reading it. For once you do, you’ll never be satisfied with just reading it again. But this is something you need to discover for yourself. Don’t take my word for it).

For example, in the passage cited above, there are a few words and concepts that need better understanding before we can comprehend and fully appreciate what the Lord is saying to us as we pray through His Word.

Let me list just a few.

• What are the blessings God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have blessed us with?

• What does the phrase, “every spiritual blessing” actually mean?

• And where are the “heavenly places” where we receive these blessings?

• What does the phrase “in Christ” mean? We see it many times in the New Testament, but is there a deeper meaning to this phrase than we may know?

• How did God choose us “in Him” before the “foundation of the world”? What did He choose us for? And on what basis did He choose us?

• And it appears the phrase, “according to the good pleasure of His will” means “because He wanted to” or “because He felt like it.” Is that true? Or is there something I’m missing?

I hope you are as excited about this adventure through Ephesians as I am. Together, we will mine the deep truths of this letter and turn it back to the Lord in prayer. And who knows what God plans to do with each of us during this process?

So Let’s PrayAs we go to the Lord in prayer, we’re going to make each prayer personal, in first person. That way, we can’t hide behind the “we ask You to forgive us of our sins” type of prayer. But, “I ask You to forgive me of my sins.” I hope you see the difference.

So make this prayer your own and pray from your heart.

Dear Lord,

Thank You so much for the freedom I have to read Your Word and talk with You in prayer. And Lord, as I embark on this journey in prayer through Your book of Ephesians, will You help me grow closer to You and understand the amazing truths You are going to reveal to me in this study? I literally can’t wait.

Please help me stay committed to this time with You and not let anything, especially the enemy and my flesh, keep me from this appointed time of prayer and study. I humbly ask for Your guidance and wisdom in everything.

Would You open my heart and mind to receive the deep truths and revelations hidden within these pages? And help me approach Your Word with a spirit of curiosity, freely asking questions and seeking to understand the full meaning of each verse. And then, once You have revealed Your truth to me, please change me into the image of Your Son as I embrace the truth of Your Word.

I pray that as I meditate on Your Word (and Lord, please teach me how to do that), You will reveal to me the incredible blessings You have given me in Christ. Help me comprehend the significance of being chosen by You before the foundation of the world and the power and authority that is available to me as a member of Christ’s body, the church.

Lord, You know my heart. And You know my desire to grow into the likeness of Christ. As I study this letter, please transform me from the inside out, renewing my mind and enabling me to walk in the fullness of my identity in Him. Give me the strength to lay aside my old self and put on the new self, created to be like You in true righteousness and holiness.

Thank You for the opportunity to dive deep into Your Word and to commune with You through prayer. I trust that as I faithfully seek You, You will guide me, teach me, and empower me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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“Faith or No Faith, That is the Question”All throughout Scripture, we see examples of people who have faith, but it’s non-saving faith. After all, every one of us has some type of faith, and we exercise faith every day. We have faith a car will stop while we cross the street, we have faith our prescriptions will do what our doctor told us they would do, we have faith a chair will hold us up when we sit down in a crowded restaurant, and we have faith the sun will come up in the morning as we prepare to go to the job we have faith we still have. We all have faith— but we have faith at different levels and in different things. And not all faith is the same.

For example, we have a certain type of faith in our government, our economic system, or the media. But that faith is not as strong, nor of the same substance, as the faith we have in the sanctity of our marriage, or the trustworthiness of our best friend, or in our ability to keep a promise to those we love. Each of these kinds of faith is as varied as the objects of that faith. And none of these reach the level of faith or trust or dependence we would expect to have in Christ. Hence, we would call these examples non-saving faith.

But what happens when a seeking person, just like you or me, comes to Jesus for salvation with nothing more than non-saving faith? Would that person be saved? Or would they be deceived into thinking what faith they had, bordering on intellectual curiosity, was sufficient for salvation?

The Deception of Non-Saving FaithThe Scriptures repeatedly warn about the deception of non-saving faith. In the Parable of the Sower, seventy-five percent of the seeds sown did not lead to salvation (Matt. 13:3-9). Those who sowed in the shallow and thorny soil were deceived into thinking that mere growth, without corresponding fruit, equates to salvation. Or, to put it another way, faith, without corresponding fruit, leads to salvation. And the Scriptures clearly state they don’t.

The Scriptures also talk about having a “form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:5). We see people like Hymenaeus and Alexander, both lost, serving as prominent members of the church (1 Tim. 1:20). There are those who come to the wedding feast dressed in clothes of their own righteousness. The result? They were bound, hand and foot, and “cast into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13). We have the warning from the Lord about the wide road that leads to destruction and the narrow gate that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). And, in the book of Hebrews, some were “once enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift” but never fully drank of the living waters of salvation (Heb. 6:4).

Remember, Jesus said He “did not come to bring peace on the earth, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34) and “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matt. 10:36). How? Because our commitment to Christ must be greater than our love and devotion for those we hold most dear, even our own family. When asked, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”— Jesus said of His own family, “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 12:48-50).

The sad truth is many people come to Christ but never fully partake, or drink, of Him (John 7:37) and are deceived into believing they are truly saved. Many people, most in fact, go part of the way towards Christ and end up short of true salvation. They feel and recognize their need for Christ and acknowledge He is the only One that can satisfy their deepest longings, yet they fail to appropriate Him into their lives on His terms. They thirst, they come— but they fail to drink. They create their own gospel, their own way of salvation, and their own standards of righteousness, holiness, and sanctification. Yet they are deceived— because a man-made Gospel does not lead to Christ.

Thirst, Come, and DrinkOn the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, approximately six months before Jesus was to celebrate His last Passover in Jerusalem and was later betrayed and crucified (John 13:1), He stood amid the crowd and gave the following invitation: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). Jesus gives His gospel presentation to a group of people who have very different views about who He is. And whenever Jesus presents us with Himself— He always forces us to choose. We are forced to either accept Him on His terms or reject Him outright. There’s no middle ground, no gray area, and it’s not open to personal interpretation. It happened to the crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles and it happens today every time we proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

The questions are always the same: Who is Jesus? What is truth? (John 18:38). Is Jesus who He says He is? And, if He is, what does that mean for me? Is it possible to have my sins forgiven? How can I be reconciled with God? Tell me, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 2:37).

In this passage, three key words describe the path to true salvation: thirst, come, and drink. And the promise, of course, to those who thirst, come and drink is eternal life with God and the filling of the Holy Spirit, the living water Jesus talked about (John 7:39).

Thirst – Those who thirst recognize a deep longing, an intense craving, an unsatisfied need in their life. It’s those who come to grips with the reality that their life has no eternal purpose or meaning and they are “dead in their trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). They instinctively perceive there’s more to life than what they’re experiencing and, therefore, they try to fill the void they feel with all sorts of carnal sensations— sex, drugs, food, false religions and philosophies, immoral relationships, pride, selfishness, arrogance— until they finally admit only Jesus can bring light into their darkness.

Come – When the personal longings become unbearable, and the promise of redemption seems so alluring, captivating, and enticing, many come to Jesus for what He promises to offer. These understand who Jesus claims to be, the exalted Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord— and they understand what He has done for them, redeeming them from the penalty and power of sin by dying for them on the cross. What they know and understand about Jesus is true. The problem, however, is what they do with that truth.

In other words, there’s more to salvation than simply coming to Jesus. You can’t just come and receive Him on your terms as some sort of trade or barter transaction. You must enter through the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13), on His terms, and His terms are not open to negotiation. His terms are all or nothing, total commitment, His life for yours. He doesn’t come to make us better or to enhance certain aspects of our lives. No, He comes to put us to death and raise us to life again in His image, as His child, to do His will and not our own (Rom. 6:3; 1 Peter 3:18). He is the Lord, the Sovereign One, God Almighty (Phil. 2:10-11), and we are now voluntary slaves, bondslaves, of His. Remember the words from Romans 10:9: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Note, it’s Jesus as Lord and nothing else. You cannot come to Jesus as Savior only. He is Savior, because He is Lord.

Most people never make it this far. They never move past simply coming to Jesus, and they never progress to true salvation. Most view Jesus as an enlightened master or great teacher or the supreme moral example for all mankind, but never as Lord. They fail to take Him at His Word, or count the costs of salvation (Matt. 8:19-22), and give their lives to Him in abject submission and humility. They want what He can do for them to make their life better, but they do not want Him as their Lord. So they say a prayer and try to incorporate some behavior modification or moral changes into their life and maybe even experience a deceptive sense of salvation, like a sensation of peace or contentment, but they never yield or surrender their life to Him nor submit to His Lordship. And, as sad as it may seem, they’re still lost. Why? Because their nature has not been changed (2 Cor. 5:17), redemption and regeneration have not taken place, and the Holy Spirit does not indwell them as their deposit, the guarantee of their future inheritance in Christ (Eph. 1:14). And then Jesus will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:23).

Drink – This is where true salvation takes place. You have a thirst, and you come to Christ to quench and satisfy it. Yet simply coming to where the Living Water flows does not, in itself, quench your thirst. You must drink. You must partake. You must be engulfed, enveloped, saturated in Christ, the Living Water. He must be everything to you if you are to receive anything from Him. Salvation, being a joint heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17), requires more than reciting some prayer as a nine-year-old at VBS. It’s a radical, unconditional, total and complete, without reservation and with reckless abandonment, pledge, vow, promise, commitment, and allegiance to Christ as Lord. You are no longer your own to do what you wish with your life (1 Cor. 6:19). You have been bought with a price, you now belong to Him, and you are to live to bring Him honor (1 Cor. 6:20). You are now pilgrims and strangers on the earth (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11) because this world is not your home (Heb. 13:14).

This kind of all-or-nothing relationship marked the disciples, the early church, and every true believer from Pentecost until today. And if you truly know Christ and are known by Him, it will mark your life as well.

Those Who Believed Jesus… KindaThe Scriptures tell us when Jesus finished His invitation to the unbelieving crowd to come and drink of Him and those who would come and drink would receive, in themselves, the flowing rivers of eternal life in the person of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39), the crowd was divided. Some believed His words, but only partially. Some didn’t believe at all, and wanted to destroy Him (John 7:44).

Nothing much has changed. As it was back then, so it is today.

“Truly, this is the Prophet”John 7:40-41 states: Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” Note, they said He was the Prophet, capitalized, and not just a prophet. This first group asserted that Jesus was the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:15, in which Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.” For centuries, this passage had been interpreted to prophetically speak of the coming Messiah, the Christ. However, by the time of Jesus, the Jewish scholars, from their understanding of Malachi 3, believed the passage spoke more of the forerunner of the Messiah (Mal. 4:5-6), and not the Messiah Himself. Now the Prophet was someone who would show men their need for a Redeemer, for Christ, and then faithfully point them to the only One who could satisfy their need. But the Prophet was not the Messiah and could not, in himself, satisfy their thirst, need, or longing. He could just point the way or be a path or channel, but He had no power or authority to grant salvation.

Unfortunately, many people still believe this about Jesus.

They believed Jesus came to point men towards the truth, but they would fervently deny He was the Truth (John 14:6). They would declare Jesus came to point men to someone or something coming to satisfy all their needs, but He was not that Someone and did not possess the something they were looking for. The men who said, “Truly this is the Prophet” (John 7:40), recognized and affirmed the special status Jesus had as a one-of-a-kind religious leader who did things and taught things unlike any religious figure before (John 7:46). He was in a class all by Himself. They would even go so far as to say Jesus was sent by God and had a special relationship with God (John 3:2). But they would not receive Him as God or serve Him as Lord. They wanted Jesus and something else, anything else. These were those who thirsted and came, but never drank.

“This is the Christ”The second group said, “This is the Christ” (John 7:41). This group recognized and believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of Israel, the One prophesied from the Old Testament (Luke 2:11). Yes, they knew these facts about Him to be true, but they defiantly refused, like the first group, to bend their knee to Him as Lord (Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10). They refused to commit their lives and future to Him as the Sovereign One. The Scriptures do not indicate this group followed Jesus as Lord. They simply said, “Yes, I believe He is the Son of God and, yes, I believe He is the Messiah and the Christ. So what? What does that mean to me? Now, pass me the butter and biscuits. I’m hungry.”

This group confessed Jesus as something, but not as Lord (Rom. 10:9). They had non-saving faith in Jesus as the Christ.

“This is the Christ… uh, but…”Then there’s the group that fully confessed Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16), but would rather argue and bicker and debate over trivial matters of their own theology and reject Jesus because, in their mind, He didn’t meet every jot or tittle they thought He should (Matt. 5:18). These are the ones who argue, saying, “He can’t be the Christ because He came from Galilee and the Christ is supposed to come from Bethlehem. Plus, the Scriptures teach the Messiah must come from the line of David, and I’m not sure where this guy comes from” (John 7:40-42). So they compared what little they knew about Jesus with their own limited and incomplete knowledge of the prophetic Scriptures and concluded He could not possibly be the Messiah because He failed to meet all their sincerely held convictions of what the Messiah would be. We have many in the church today who operate the same way. They smugly elevate their own statement of beliefs or denominational creeds or preferences to the level of infallible Scripture and use them as a litmus test for fellowship or, sadly, salvation— and even truth.

But if this group had investigated further, they would’ve discovered Jesus was from the line of David (Matt. 22:42) and did come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah (John 5:39). But they were more concerned with being right in the eyes of each other and promoting their own theological brand or position than in knowing the truth. Because of their apathy and laziness, they failed to look for the truth because they arrogantly assumed they’d already found it. And in their pride and hypocrisy, they missed their Messiah.

Again, just like the first two groups, they also missed out on eternal life.

Those Who Did Not Believe JesusThe final group was those who hated the Lord Jesus and wanted to destroy Him. These were the ones who wanted to take Him by force (John 7:44) but were prevented because, from God’s perspective, it was not yet His time and His hour had not come (John 7:30). Needless to say, the people in this group did not understand Christ nor receive the gift of salvation He offered (John 7:37-39).

To What Group Do You Belong?So where do you fit in? What is your response to Christ? Do you believe partially, somewhat, kinda, in Him? Do you say, “Yes, He was a good man, and yes, He was sent from God, and yes, He’s a great moral teacher and example, and yes, He’s a path or a way of some sort to God?” If so, that’s not enough. Your confession of Him or your profession of faith is severely lacking. Fatally lacking. For Jesus, He is all or nothing. There is no partial with Him. There’s no halfway, no honorable mention, no consolation prize, and no kudos for trying. He’s all or nothing, totally in or totally out, through the narrow gate only, and on His terms without negotiation or compromise.

Remember His words,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed” (John 6:53-55).

In other words, Jesus gives eternal life to those who ingest Him into the core of their very being, as their strength, source of daily nourishment, and sustenance. Jesus did not come to make us better or to enhance or improve our fallen lives. No, He came to make us new, to put the old man to death, and to raise the new man to live with Him. And what kind of life does He promise? It’s beyond anything we can ask or think (Eph. 3:20-21). He offers a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). And He promises we will be children of God, and if children, then heirs, and if heirs, then joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Just think, all that Christ is and all He possesses becomes ours as a joint heir with Him— when, and here is the requirement, we give all that we are to Him. This promise belongs to those who exercise real, genuine, saving faith in the completed work of Christ.

One final thought, the seeds that fell on the path, in shallow soil, and in the soil infested with weeds and thorns, did not produce fruit (Matt. 13:3-9). They did not lead to eternal life. Why? Because Jesus never said you’ll know My disciples by their profession, church membership, civic good works, non-profit activities, or from the applause of men— you will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16-20).

Fruits. And nothing else.

Do your fruits show you belong to Him?

Our Latest Posts:596: The Dependent Relationship of Jesus With His Father

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Imitation is the Highest Form of FlatteryJesus did something that seems so out of place for us today, living in a culture that exalts pride, ambition, and independence— He voluntarily lived in a dependent relationship with His Father and deferred all glory to Him. But He didn’t have to live this way. This was His voluntary choice between equals. And remember, Jesus is God Himself, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. He is the Second Person in the Trinity, and not some innately subservient, second-class God.

To set the scene, Jesus is in the midst of a brutal attack by the Jewish religious elites because He said, “My Father,” showing a family relationship with God Himself. And the Jews responded with rage and death threats. His statement about being God’s Son seriously enraged them.

So Jesus clarified His statement and His relationship with God the Father by stating this about His dependence on the Father. You would do well to note the implications of what He is saying.

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly (truly, truly), I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, (why) but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He (the Father) does, the Son also does in like manner” – John 5:19.

It appears the Son has chosen to live in a dependent relationship with His Father, much like a slave (doúlos) does to their Master. Yet, being fully God, Jesus chose this posture to ensure, as an example to each of us, the importance of seeking the will of the Father and not our own will. And if it was good enough for the Son of God to live that way, surely it is good enough for us.

Jesus Speaks His Father’s WordsNext, Jesus reveals the importance of seeking only the will of the Father and not His own will. And again, you would do well to note the implications of this subservient posture of our Lord.

“I can (dúnamai – to be able, to have power by virtue of one’s own ability and resources) of Myself do (to carry out or perform an action or course of action) nothing (no one, none at all, not even one, not in the least). As I hear (from the Father who sent Him), I judge; and My judgment is righteous (just, correct, right), (why) because I do not (the voluntary choice of Jesus) seek (to strive for, wish, require, demand) My own will (desire, inclination, plan of action, purpose) but (in contrast) the will (desire, inclination, plan of action, purpose) of the Father who sent Me” – John 5:30.

This passage does not say Jesus was something less than the Father or had to appeal to a power or authority greater than Himself to perform miracles. Quite the opposite. Jesus states He is choosing, as an equal with God, to put aside His personal desire and agenda and give glory to His Father by living in a dependent relationship with Him. And His judgment is righteous because it came directly from the Father. So, to His Jewish detractors, Jesus was saying, “If you’ve got a problem with Me or with what I am saying, take it up with the Father. For I am only doing what the Father commands me to say and do.”

But it continues.

His Purpose Was to Do His Father’s WillIn the next chapter, Jesus teaches the troubled masses that He is the bread of life the Father sent from heaven for them, using the imagery of Moses and manna in the wilderness (the first of seven “I Am” statements in John). And in revealing this aspect of His ministry and purpose to them (using a familiar Old Testament testimony), Jesus says:

“For I have come down from heaven, (why) not to do My own will, but the will of Him (Father) who sent Me” – John 6:30.

Again, this is another explicit statement about the dependent relationship Jesus assumed and maintained with the Father while on earth to teach us, among other reasons, how to relate to the Father as His child and slave (doúlos), all at the same time. Jesus was the perfect picture of a voluntary slave, or bond slave (doúlos), that Paul used to describe himself in many of his letters to the church. (See Exodus 21:5-6 for more about being a voluntary slave).

Jesus is God, Yet Remains DependentNote what Jesus said about the revelation they would receive when He was crucified for their sins and how He, even to the cross, remained faithful to the will of His Father.

Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know (ginṓskō) that I am He (I AM), and that I do nothing of Myself; but (contrast) as My Father taught Me, I speak these things” – John 8:28.

Besides showing His total dependence on the Father, Jesus states He is not something less than the Father, but also the God of the burning bush, the “I AM that I AM” (Exodus 3:14). The italicized He in this verse shows our translators added it to make it flow smoother in our English translation. But, in Greek, Jesus actually said, “then you will know that I AM,” indicating He was just as much God as the Father Himself. And as co-equal with God, He nevertheless assumed a posture of dependence on the Father, His equal.

Jesus may have been living out for us this truth, so we could have an example to follow:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross – Philippians 2:5-8.

Authority and Miracles? The Father Calls the ShotsJesus also spoke about having His Father’s authority to speak, not His own, and that the Father “dwells in Me and does the works” that we see Jesus doing.

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works” – John 14:10.

So even with His profound teachings, like the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), or His indescribable miracles, like raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11), Jesus depends upon His Father for everything. And again, if that posture of a dependent relationship with the Father worked for our Lord and was what He willingly assumed, then it should also work for us.

But does it? Have you truly given it a try?

Final Few QuestionsAre you ready to assume the role of a slave to the Lord? Are you ready to quit striving to have things your own way and simply trust and abide in Him (John 15)? And are you ready to have the Lord use you in ways you cannot even comprehend when you completely surrender your will to the One who gives you life?

If so, good. Welcome to the Higher Christian Life.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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“What Am I Missing?”As believers living in the Laodicean church age (Rev. 3:14-22), we often look back and marvel at the extraordinary lives of our Biblical heroes and spiritual giants who have gone before us. We see them in Scripture, read their biographies, watch movies about their lives, study their teachings, and aspire to experience the intimacy and devotion they had with God that allowed them to do great things. Yet, for many of us, there seems to be a sad disconnect between the vibrant, Spirit-filled experiences we admire in these heroes of the faith and the comparatively subdued, lackluster, and lukewarm reality of our own spiritual lives. And try as we may, we can’t seem to put our finger on why.

We find ourselves wondering, “Why does my spiritual life feel so different from theirs? Where is the promised power they exhibited that is so lacking in my own life?” Or, in essence, “Is this what Jesus meant when He talked about the abundant life in Him? I sure hope not. And if so, is there something I’m missing?” These questions are not uncommon, and they point to a deeper longing within our hearts— a desire to experience the fullness of life in Christ we see so graphically portrayed in the lives of these spiritual giants that is clearly missing in most of the church today.

This brings us to the encouraging part of our dilemma, which is finally recognizing this longing comes from Him. It is a God-given desire to know Him more and to experience the closeness and intimacy with God that is our promised birthright as one of His children. This unfilled longing is your invitation to pursue what has been referred to as the “Higher Christian life”— a life characterized by a profound, transformative relationship with Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. And the door to this “abundant life” (John 10:10) Jesus promised is opened by your surrender to Him. It is really that simple.

Time For Self-ReflectionAs you begin this journey of embracing the Higher Christian life, take a moment to ask yourself a few questions about your own spiritual experience:

• Have you ever felt a deep desire for more of God’s presence in your life?

• Do you long to experience the joy, peace, and power that seem to characterize the lives of the spiritual heroes you admire?

• And have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a life fully surrendered to and empowered by the Holy Spirit?

If you can relate to these questions, great— you’re in good company. The desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God is a common thread woven throughout the lives of countless believers throughout the ages.

Glimpses of the Higher Christian LifeTo better understand what the Higher Christian life entails, over the next few days, we will look at the lives of a few well-known spiritual giants who exemplified this way of living and their personal experiences with surrendering to the Holy Spirit that marked a dramatic change in their lives. I think these should prove to be not only instructive, but also encouraging.

We shall begin with Dwight L. Moody, more commonly known as D.L. Moody.

D.L. Moody (1837-1899)For those of you who may not be familiar with D.L. Moody, he was an American evangelist who founded the Moody Church in Chicago, the Moody Bible Institute (which still functions today), and the Pacific Garden Mission (I listen to their radio broadcasts weekly, and have for over thirty years). It is estimated that over a million people came to Christ under his powerful and passionate preaching in both the United Kingdom and across America. And, on a personal note, he is also one of my spiritual heroes.

Moody’s life-altering encounter with the Holy Spirit came in 1871, years after his transition to full-time evangelism, and it marked a significant turning point in his ministry. It seems in Chicago, there were two godly women, Mrs. Sara Cooke, and her friend Mrs. Hawxhurst, who attended Moody’s meetings and had a burden on their hearts for the Holy Spirit to fill D.L. Moody. And so, faithfully, they prayed to that end. The lesson for us is never to underestimate the truth found in James 5:16 about the power of prayer. Read it for yourself.

In his own words, Moody described the impact these two women had on his life:

“I can myself go back almost twelve years and remember two holy women who used to come to my meetings. It was delightful to see them there, for when I began to preach I could tell by the expression of their faces they were praying for me. At the close of the Sabbath evening services they would say to me, ‘We have been praying for you.’ I said, ‘Why don’t you pray for the people?’ They answered, ‘You need power.’ ‘I need power,’ I said to myself, ‘Why, I thought I had power.’ I had a large Sabbath school, and the largest congregation in Chicago.

“There were some conversions at that time, and I was in a sense satisfied. But right along these two godly women kept praying for me, and their earnest talk about ‘the anointing for special service’ set me thinking. I asked them to come and talk with me, and we got down on our knees. They poured out their hearts, that I might receive the anointing of the Holy Ghost. And there came a great hunger in my soul. I knew not what it was. I began to cry as never before. The hunger increased. I really felt that I did not want to live any longer if I could not have this power for service. I kept on crying all the time that God would fill me with His Spirit.”1

Then, in 1871, came the Chicago fire, in which one-third of the city was destroyed, and over 100,000 were left homeless. With his preaching hall in ruins and so much of the city in need, Moody traveled east to solicit funds. It was in New York that God finally answered the prayer that changed Moody’s life— the same prayer that can change yours.

We’ll let Moody describe it in his own words:

“My heart was not in the work of begging. I could not appeal (for funds to help the hurting in Chicago) I was crying all the time that God would fill me with His Spirit. Well, one day, in the city of New York— oh, what a day!— I cannot describe it, I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to name. Paul had an experience of which he never spoke for fourteen years. I can only say that God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand.

“I went to preaching again. The sermons were not different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted. I would not now be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you should give me all the world— it would be as the small dust of the balance.”2

This powerful encounter with God’s love and the infilling of the Holy Spirit completely transformed Moody’s ministry. Instead of relying on natural charisma and a determined work ethic, Moody began to preach, yielding and surrendering to the Holy Spirit. His ministry became characterized by a deep reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, and he often emphasized the necessity of being filled with the Spirit when we spoke. Here are just a few examples:

“I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.”3

And just how important was this experience with the Holy Spirit? Moody is pretty clear:

“I would rather have the Spirit of God rest upon me for five minutes than to have the assurance that I would get to be with Him when I die.”4

Moody also spoke of the importance of surrender, but he did so in typical Moody fashion:

“I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him, when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray that He would empty us.”5

And finally, Moody revealed the desire and motivation that drove him to seek more than what the church of his day deemed satisfactory and to never settle for something less. Moody was driven to love more, know more, experience more, be used more by Christ, leave nothing on the table, and make his life count. And we would do well to emulate this same conviction in our own lives. This is also one of my favorite quotes:

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. With God’s help, I aim to be that man.”6

This, in the words of D.L. Moody, is the essence of total surrender to Him.

“I Aim to be That Man”As we consider Moody’s testimony, may we be encouraged to earnestly seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our own lives by trusting that God desires to reveal Himself to us and empower us for His service, just as He did for D.L. Moody and countless other spiritual giants throughout history. When it comes to seeking the Higher Christian Life, let us “aim to be that man.”

If it is true there may be more to this life with Christ than what we are currently experiencing, then join me as we “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

He is calling and waiting. How will you respond?

Next: We will look at the life of Andrew Murray and how God has blessed untold thousands through a simple man surrendered to Him.

Notes:

1. Edman, V. Raymond. They Found the Secret: Twenty Lives That Reveal a Touch of Eternity (Clarion Classic) (p. 101). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

2. W.R. Moody, The Life of D.L. Moody (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1900), 149.

3. D.L. Moody, Secret Power, or the Secret of Success in Christian Life and Work (Chicago: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1881), 28.

4. D.L. Moody, quoted in A.T. Pierson, The Life and Labors of D.L. Moody (Chicago: The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1900), 92.

5. D.L. Moody, quoted in R.A. Torrey, Why God Used D.L. Moody (Chicago: The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1923), 44.

6. W.R. Moody, The Life of D.L. Moody, 441.

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Persecution: An Inconvenient TruthAs followers of Jesus, we are promised that trials, tribulations, and persecution will come to all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12). It simply comes with the territory. After all, Jesus warned, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). And so, what they did to Jesus, they will do to those who call Him Lord (Matt. 15:18-20). But don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself.

So rather than responding with fear, doubt, blame-shifting, or finger-pointing (which is often our natural reaction to mistreatment and persecution), we can look to the example of the early church in Acts 4 to see how they faced opposition with faith, prayer, unity, and incredible boldness. Their response holds valuable lessons for the church today as we try to navigate our increasingly hostile culture while being the light in this present darkness Jesus ordained us to be.

The First Wave of Persecution (Acts 3-4)Acts 4 opens with Peter and John boldly proclaiming the Gospel and performing the miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:2). This act of faith, however, attracts the attention of the religious authorities, who arrest and interrogate the apostles, even while the crowds are filled with “wonder and amazement” at what they had just witnessed (Acts 3:10). Plus, Peter preached a rather pointed sermon to the people, clearly exalting the crucified and risen Jesus as the Messiah which, no doubt, had the Jewish religious establishment filled with rage and indignation. It was a rather amazing day for the infant church.

So, threatened by their bold message, the religious leaders arrested them and commanded them to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18). This is a pivotal moment for the church, revealing not only the apostles’ unwavering faith and commitment, but also setting the stage for the church’s response to future governmental intrusions, demands, and subsequent persecutions.

Civil Disobedience: A Bold ResponseBut rather than cower in fear and scurry away with their tail tucked between their legs, Peter and John responded with firm, but respectful defiance, appealing to a higher authority than the Jewish politburo: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (4:19-20). In essence, “We say ‘No’ to you and ‘Yes’ to God.” For, despite further threats and a future of beatings, imprisonments, cancellations, removal of tax-exempt status, lockdowns, and death— the church will not be silenced.

As Christians, we are called to stand firm in our faith, regardless of the circumstances we face. We must remember that our ultimate loyalty is to God and His Word, and not to the pressures or expectations of this world which is soon to pass away (1 John 2:17).

Unified in “One Accord” in PrayerAfter their release, Peter and John returned to the church to report all that had happened, including the severe threats from the authorities and their response (Acts 4:23). But instead of panicking or becoming divided (which is a common church response today), they came together in unity, what the Scriptures call “one accord,” and raised their voices to God in prayer.

This “one accord” type of unity is vital when facing persecution. As Jesus said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Likewise, a church united in faith, purpose, and prayer, under His Lordship, will not be shaken by opposition, no matter how severe. But a church splintered by divisions, factions, and discord will struggle to stand, even on a good day.

When faced with challenges, we must stand together as a body of believers, seeking God’s guidance and strength through prayer. As Philippians 1:27 reminds us, we are called to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

Acknowledging and Embracing God’s SovereigntyTheir unified prayer began by recognizing God’s sovereign power as Creator (Acts 4:24), which is a critical starting point. Likewise, when we face unsettling circumstances, we must remember our God is still on His throne, unmovable, unshakeable, and supreme Lord over all. He hasn’t changed, nor will He ever (Heb. 13:8). And we must also realize our current situation, as bad as it may seem, is not a surprise to God— because He is fully aware and in control of all events, everywhere, at all times, even the persecution we may face.

Today, we can take great comfort in embracing that simple fact because it brings profound peace, knowing that even during trials and difficulties, God has a plan and purpose for everything He allows to come our way. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” And that promise (“all things”) holds true for trials, tribulations, and even persecutions.

Praying for Boldness, Not DeliveranceNotice that the church did not pray for God to remove the persecution or rain down fire and brimstone on their persecutors. Instead, they prayed for boldness to continue speaking God’s Word in the face of threats, no matter how severe: “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29). Their focus was not on escaping persecution, but on remaining faithful to their mission in spite of their suffering. This is a mark of spiritual maturity and graduate-level faith that is so lacking today.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with asking God to deliver us from trials (Matt. 6:13), the greater need for His church is strength and courage to remain faithful in the midst of them, should God choose not to remove them. Like the apostles and many others throughout church history, our primary concern should be boldly fulfilling the mission Christ has given us, and not avoiding hardship along the way.

Embracing Our Identity and Purpose in HimThe apostles prayed, not as free agents or independent contractors, but as servants (literally “slaves” or “doúlos”) of God (Acts 4:29). This speaks to their clear understanding of their true identity and purpose in Him. They recognized and accepted the fact they belonged wholly to God and existed to do His will. They lived for an audience of One.

In our Western world, with our emphasis on personal freedom, independence, and autonomy, this slave mentality is foreign and even offensive, especially in our racially weaponized culture. But from a Biblical perspective, it is the proper posture for believers to take. Remember, “We are not our own; we were bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). So like the apostles and the early church, we must learn to embrace our identity as slaves of Christ and find our purpose in pleasing and glorifying Him alone.

Stepping Out in Faith and Expecting the SupernaturalNote also that the apostles prayed for God to move in a specific way and expected God to stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders (Acts 4:30). They understood the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (whom they had just received two chapters earlier) and believed God could (He can) and would (He will) work supernaturally through them as they stepped out in faith. They truly believed what we claim to believe, that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8), and that He is no respecter of persons and does not show partiality for one church age over another (Acts 10:34). For what He did for His church back then, He can and will also do for us today.

This embracing of the supernatural nature of the Holy Spirit challenges our anemic expectations and “play it safe” mentality. Just think: Do we really believe the same Spirit who worked mightily through the early church lives in us? And if so, do our prayers reflect that confidence? God’s power has not diminished over the centuries. What He did in Acts, He can still do today through a church that dares to believe and step out in faith.

When God Answers, He Really Answers!God’s response to the church’s prayer was swift and powerful— actually earth-shaking. “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31) — and their first request was answered immediately.

But what about their second request for signs and wonders? Acts 5:12 records, “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.” Note, if you keep reading, you will discover this powerful working of the Spirit was accompanied by the believers living and ministering in “one accord” unity (Acts 5:12). Amazing.

Finally, this event also showcases the power of united prayer and the importance of expectant faith (Heb. 11:1) from those who didn’t even own a Bible. When they back then, and we today, cry out to God in one accord, believing He is not only able but willing to answer our prayers, we best position ourselves to see Him move in incredible ways.

Some Lessons for His Church TodaySo what does this mean for us today? Simply this: As followers of Jesus, we should expect opposition and persecution as we live out our faith in an increasingly hostile world. And when it comes (and it will), we should embrace it and “rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).

And like the early church, our response to persecution must be rooted in:

• Unity: Striving side by side for the gospel in “one accord,” not allowing petty divisions to weaken us.

• Prayer: Crying out to God together for boldness and power, not just deliverance.

• Faith: Trusting in God’s sovereign purposes, even in our suffering.

• Obedience: Faithfully serving Christ and speaking His truth, regardless of the consequences.

• Expectancy: Believing God for the supernatural as we step out in faith to do His will.

So let us face the challenges of our day not with fear, but with expectant faith. Let us link arms as the body of Christ, united in prayer and purpose, and let us boldly shine the light of the gospel, confidently knowing that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church (Matt. 16:18).

Remember, our God is still on the throne. His power has not diminished, His purposes will always be accomplished, and He is keenly aware of the trials of His children. So may we, like the early church, be found faithful in our generation, come what may.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

Our Latest Posts:593: How to Hear God’s Voice When He Speaks

592: Embracing the Call to Radical Christianity

591: How to Prepare Yourself to Meet With God

590: How to Experience God When You Pray

589: The God-Ordained Way to Increase Your Faith

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“Follow Me, and I Will Make You… Whatever I Want”In the Gospels, we encounter a radical figure who issues a bold invitation to those He calls unto Himself: “Follow Me.” These words, spoken by Jesus, are not merely a suggestion but a summons, a mandate to leave life as we have always known it and embark on a journey that has no end— at least on this side of heaven. His invitation is to die to self, to follow Him wholeheartedly, and to imitate Him in all aspects of life.

Or, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him to come and die.” But what does it really mean to follow Jesus, especially in the context of the 21st-century woke Christian culture we find ourselves in? How can we be faithful disciples of our Lord?

What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus?The essence of Jesus’ call to “Follow Me” is about more than just physically moving from where you are to where He is. It’s an invitation to a new way of life. It’s about leaving behind old priorities and identities (like nets or tax booths in the Gospels) and embracing a new identity rooted in faith and obedience to Christ. And this call is marked by a willingness to let go of personal ambitions and possessions, or to take up one’s cross (Matt. 16:24), and to enter a life of service and mission with Him, by following Him. It’s about embracing all that Christ offers: His teachings, His lifestyle, His ambition, His mission, His sacrifice, and the purpose of His life.

Ok, got that.

I’ve heard sermons about giving all to Christ for as long as I can remember. But ‌every time I try to truly follow Him wholeheartedly, I seem to fail. Sometimes miserably. There has to be something I’m missing— maybe some key ingredient I have somehow overlooked.

And, to be honest, there is.

The Importance of Hearing His Voice When He SpeaksBut there is also one vital aspect of following Jesus that is often neglected in our preaching and church practices— and that is being able, or acquiring the ability, to hear His voice when He speaks to you. Otherwise, how can you follow Him? For without His direction, you’re basically flying blind. I mean, how can you know what He wants you to do? How can He encourage you, instruct you, or even rebuke you? And how can you have fellowship with Him or grow in the likeness of Him if you can’t hear Him when He speaks?

Remember, one vital and essential key to following Jesus is to speak to Him and have Him speak back to you. This is the essence of a relationship with the Lord. All relationships, with God or with someone else, are built on two-way communication and not a single monologue from only one partner. And without a relationship… well, we’re just talking about religion. And nobody wants religion.

Some FAQs About Hearing His VoiceSo let me ask you, are you a follower of Jesus? Do you hear His voice when He speaks to you? And if you’re not sure, let me answer just a few questions you may have.

Q: How do I know if it’s God speaking to me?

A: God’s voice will never contradict Scripture. Never. And His voice brings peace and clarity in confusing situations, often challenges us to grow spiritually, and is always consistent with His character of love. Plus, and I know this may sound mystical, but when God speaks, you will recognize His voice like His sheep do their Shepherd (John 10:3-4). Or, to put it another way, there is no way you cannot hear His voice if you belong to Him as one of His sheep. Read the chapter yourself.

Q: What if I don’t hear anything?

A: God can even speak in silence. These times of silence may be opportunities for you to grow in trust and faith in Him, or in what He last spoke to you. So keep listening, keep praying, and remain open. Remember, God can speak to you any way He chooses. He can even guide you with just the look in His eye (Psalm 32:8). Sometimes, God’s silence is preparing you for what’s next— and that’s a good thing. A really good thing.

Q: Can God speak through other means, like circumstances or other people?

A: Absolutely. See above. God can speak to you in any way He chooses. It’s one of the prerogatives of being God. He can communicate with us in any number of ways, including through other people, circumstances, dreams and visions, a bolt of lightning, a blinding light on the way to Damascus, while riding a donkey, and even through the quiet nudging of our spirits. But it is essential that you discern these extra-Biblical messages of God in light of Scripture and prayer.

Q: How can I be sure it’s really Jesus speaking to me and not just my own thoughts?

A: Remember, learning to discern the voice of Jesus takes time and practice. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture and spend time with Him in prayer, the more familiar we become with how God speaks and what His voice sounds like. Practice makes perfect, especially when discerning the difference between our thoughts and the voice of the Lord. Jesus’ voice will always align with His Word and character. So, if you’re unsure, seek the counsel of mature believers and wait until you know for certain it is the Lord speaking before acting on what you have heard.

Q: Do I need to hear Jesus’ voice audibly to follow Him?

A: Absolutely not. Hearing Jesus speak audibly is not a requirement for following Him. Throughout church history, countless believers have followed Christ faithfully without ever hearing His audible voice. Jesus speaks in many ways, and how He chooses to communicate with you is sufficient. Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and He does what He pleases”— including how He chooses to speak to you. So don’t put Him in a box of your own expectations.

Q: What should I do when following Jesus feels difficult or costly?

A: Following Jesus is not always easy, but He promises to be with us every step of the way. When the path is difficult (and it usually is), you simply must cling to His promises, lean on His strength, and keep your eyes fixed on the eternal joy set before you (Heb. 12:1-2). And remember, the heroes in Hebrews 11 all faced trials and difficulties, far more difficult than we usually face, yet they remained steadfast, resolute, and unmovable. How? Because they understood “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). So when following Jesus seems scary, just follow Him closer. Believe me, it works every time.

ReflectionWherever you are on the journey of learning how to hear His voice, remember that following Jesus is a lifelong process. We will never arrive, at least not on this side of eternity. But day by day, step by step, as we keep our eyes fixed on Him, He is faithful to lead us, to mold us, and to use us for His purposes and His glory.

May we continually hear and heed the Savior’s call: “Follow Me.”

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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Challenging the Status QuoWe live in a world where the term “radical” often evokes images of extremism and division and has developed a rather nasty reputation in our culture since the ’60s. Therefore, it may come as a surprise that at the very heart of Christian discipleship lies a call to a radically different way of life. This radical lifestyle is not about taking up arms or shouting louder than the voices of opposition. Instead, it’s about embracing a radical love, a radical commitment, radical obedience and sacrifice, and a radical transformation that only comes from fully embracing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ himself— who was the greatest radical who ever lived.

That’s right. Let that thought sink in for a moment.

What is a Radical, and Why Should I Care?But first, to set the stage, let’s define what the word “radical” means. According to Webster, “radical” is ‌defined as “something (or someone) new and different in contrast to what is traditional or ordinary.” In other words, being “radical” is a relative term based on a comparison with what society deems common or ordinary or what we refer to as the “status quo.” This means it is the ordinary and traditional aspects of a society that determine, right or wrong, if something (teachings or ideas) or someone (individual or actions) is radical or revolutionary. Consider that last statement carefully. Note where the power to make the determination lies (mainstream opinion and not actual truth). Do you see the problem?

When a culture refers to individuals or their beliefs and practices as radical, it means they are considered extreme, controversial, and even dangerous to the mainstream. And since they could harm the status quo by threatening change or something even more frightening, accountability— those accused of being radical are often marginalized, excluded, punished, canceled, and eventually eliminated for the good of the whole, or at least for the good of the power elites who govern the whole.

But What About Jesus?This compels us to address the question nobody wants to ask. Namely, is it OK, maybe even expected, for the Christian life to be viewed as radical by our lost and dying culture that rejects the claims and teachings of Christ? And if so, are our Christian ideas and actions supposed to challenge the status quo of our society (both secular and sacred) at this point in history? Or do we just blend into the woodwork and hope the culture will leave us alone to do the religious things we want? Which is it? You can’t have it both ways. But we all know that.

To answer this question, we need only look at Jesus’ teachings and how the mainstream reacted to His life. Were He and His message considered radical and revolutionary by the Jewish establishment of His time? Was He viewed as a threat, a danger to the profitable inner workings of their religious complex? How did they view, for example, His cleaning out the corruption in the Temple by overturning the tables of the money changers (Matt. 21:12-13)? How did they respond when He called them out as hypocrites and encouraged the people to follow God and not man-made traditions (Matt. 23)? And what did they finally do to silence His voice? Exactly.

It would appear, from any honest assessment, that the powers-to-be viewed Jesus as a radical and revolutionary and, as such, had Him put to death. And we are called to follow in His footsteps, to be the light of the world (which exposes darkness, John 3:19) and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). Remember?

We Follow a Risen Savior (Who Was a Radical)Consider a brief overview of the radical life and teachings of our Lord. Let’s begin with some of His radical actions:

• Eating with Sinners and Tax Collectors – Mark 2

• Touching and Healing Lepers – Matthew 8

• Forgiving Sins – Mark 2

• Challenging the Sabbath Traditions – Mark 2

• Cleansing the Temple – Matthew 21

• Teaching and Practicing Humility – Mark 10

• Welcoming Children – Mark 10

• Interacting with Samaritans – John 4

• Affirming the Value of the Poor – Luke 6

• Healing on the Sabbath – Luke 13

• Associating with Women – Luke 8

• Criticizing Religious Hypocrisy – Matthew 23

• The First Shall Be Last – Matthew 20

• Washing His Disciples’ Feet – John 13

• Ministering to Gentiles – Matthew 8 and 15

• Teaching in Parables – Matthew 13

• Proclaiming Spirit Over Letter of the Law – Mark 2

• Challenging Social Norms – Luke 15

And now, let’s look at His revolutionary teachings. We’ll begin with the Sermon on the Mount.

• The Definition of Being Blessed – Matthew 5:3-12

• Higher Standard of Righteousness – Matthew 5:20

• Deeper Meaning of Adultery – Matthew 5:27-28

• The Permanence of Marriage – Matthew 5:31-32

• Turn the Other Cheek – Matthew 5:38-39

• Give to Everyone Who Asks – Matthew 5:42

• Love Your Enemies – Matthew 5:43-48

• How to Pray (Kingdom Come) – Matthew 6:9-13

• Do Not Accumulate Treasures – Matthew 6:19-21

• You Cannot Serve God and Money – Matthew 6:24

• Seek First the Kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33

• Do Not Worry, But Trust God – Matthew 6:25-34

• Do Not Judge – Matthew 7:1-2

• Love Others Like Yourself – Matthew 7:12

• Wide Path and Narrow Gate – Matthew 7:13-14

• Words and Fruits – Matthew 7:15-20

• Saying and Doing – Matthew 7:21-23

• Build on the Eternal, not Temporal – Matthew 7:24-27

And we’ll throw a few more in for good measure.

• The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37

• The Prodigal Son – Luke 15:1-32

• The Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31

• The Greatest in the Kingdom – Matthew 18:1-4

• Forgive Seventy Times Seven – Matthew 18:21-22

• The Pharisee and the Tax Collector – Luke 18:9-14

What Does This Mean for His Church?If our Lord was considered a radical by the culture in which He lived (because His teachings challenged the mainstream status quo), then should our life not also do the same? Should we not commit to being just like Jesus— to live a life of radical obedience to Him and counterculture to the morals and customs of our society (John 6:38)?

After all, we are not of this world (Phil. 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11), and neither was Jesus—and that should show in every aspect of our lives. So join with me and accept His life’s total consecration to the Father, which will most definitely be viewed as radical by your friends and family, maybe even your church.

But who cares? After all, to “live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

Our Latest Posts:591: How to Prepare Yourself to Meet With God

590: How to Experience God When You Pray

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587: The Purpose of the Christian Life – Experiencing God

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Disclaimer: Let’s Define Some TermsAs we discovered in Part One of How to Experience God When You Pray— when we talk about experiencing God in prayer, we are specifically defining prayer as more than a monologue, but something even deeper. It is a true, two-way conversation with God, where you speak, and He listens, and He speaks, and you hear His voice. Then, as the abundant life revealed (John 10:10), we rinse and repeat, as often as we like, and grow in our relationship with Him through a true conversation in prayer. Nothing is greater than having God personally speak into your life. And your prayer life and intimacy with God will be completely revolutionized when you experience His presence when you pray.

In this post, we will examine some ways to prepare ourselves to experience God when we pray.

Our Preparation for PrayerWhen you went on your first date with the person who later became your spouse, do you remember the preparation you made to meet with the person you wanted to build a relationship with? I do. I remember it was very important for me to make a good first impression. Why? Well, to do otherwise was failure— and nobody wants to fail on a first date.

So I dressed in some reasonably nice clothes, or at least what was clean and didn’t smell too bad. Granted, it was not my Sunday Best, but it was the best I had for a first date. I made sure I brushed my teeth, ran a comb through my hair, forcefully tamed any unruly eyebrow hairs, and tried to bring out the best of me when I was meeting Karen. And why wouldn’t I? After all, I was enamored with this woman, totally smitten, or as the owl said in Bambi, twitterpated. I wanted to build a long-term relationship with her and hopefully, someday, maybe, if I got really lucky and won the lottery, make her my wife.

So preparation was important— really important. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Preparing to Enter His PresenceAnd if this is true about a first date, how much more is it true about entering into the presence of God in prayer? This means that when we pray, when we desire to have a direct, personal conversation with the Creator of the Universe— when we speak to the Almighty and expect to be heard and then expect Him to stoop to our level and respond, there must be some prior preparation that takes place. After all, we take the time to update our resume and try to look our best and learn about the company before we sit down for a job interview, don’t we? And we would never go to our childhood friend’s wedding in the same clothes we wore while mowing the yard, would we? And most certainly, we brush our teeth, sometimes twice, before sitting in the dentist’s chair. So if we make preparations before these events, how much more before we bow our heads in prayer?

Let me list three steps we need to do before boldly entering into His presence in prayer. But be warned, each of these is vital for experiencing Him when you pray.

First, We Must Prepare Our Hearts to Meet With HimJesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, (why) for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8), which is exactly what we are hoping to accomplish through prayer. We want to experience His presence— and that begins with preparing our hearts before Him. Since God is holy, we must make ourselves as holy as we can by confessing our sins and asking for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). This way, we can come to Him as He requires, with “clean hands and pure heart” (Psalm 24:4). We must also search our heart and forgive those who have hurt us as He, in the same manner, has forgiven us who have sinned against Him (Matt. 6:14-15). And we must surrender all self-will and independence to Him by freely and voluntarily presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice, one that He finds “holy and acceptable” (Rom. 12:1). This allows the Spirit to renew our minds and align our desires more according to His will (1 John 5:14-15), which is vital to having your prayers answered.

Next, We Enter His Presence, His WayThe Scriptures give us clear instructions on how we are to enter into His presence, and we would be wise to follow what it commands. Psalm 100:4 says, for example, as we come to God in prayer, we are to enter His presence with praise, worship and thanksgiving, focusing on His character, His mighty works, and His unmatched worthiness. This is one way we “bless His name,” as the Psalm requires. We must recognize who He is and who we are and then, once again, surrender control of our lives to Him as we strive to get our eyes off ourselves and onto Him. We then wait in stillness before Him, opening our spiritual senses in eager expectation of His presence in a way that fills us with supernatural peace (Phil. 4:6-7), joy (Psalm 16:11), and spiritual strength (Isa 40:31). There is truly nothing like it this side of heaven.

Finally, the Good Stuff— a Two-Way ConversationIf we prepare ourselves to meet with Him, prayer then becomes a two-way conversation and not a one-sided monologue. We speak to Him, and we listen for His still, small voice to speak to us in return (1 Kings 19:11-13). Or maybe He chooses to speak to us in something other than a still, small voice, which is sometimes frightening (Ex. 19). No matter. He can do what He wants, and we just marvel that He is willing, and we are able, to communicate with the Creator of All. We make our requests known to Him as our loving Father (Matt. 6:8, 7:7-11), while having the freedom to express our thoughts and emotions honestly (Ps. 62:8), knowing there is no condemnation in Him (Rom. 8:1). We can ask for insight into His Word and receive revelation by the Spirit (John 16:13-15), as we wait patiently for Him to speak to our inner being about the concerns on our hearts. This is what prayer is all about, a two-way communion with God that fuels our love for Him and puts our faith on steroids. And this is an experience you can have when you pray— personally hearing from God and then responding accordingly.

Some Final ThoughtsIn closing, let me list just a few final points to help us experience God when we pray.

One, Learn to Make Jesus-Centered PetitionsAfter aligning our own hearts with the Father in worship and two-way conversation, we’re now ready to intercede for others. As we lift up people and circumstances to Him by name, we base our petitions on the finished work of Jesus on the cross, which secures our relationship with the Father, and on the Father’s will, and not on what we think needs to happen. We ask in faith according to His will (1 John 5:14-15), with confidence in His compassion and power to always do what is right, even when we can’t see it at the present time (Rom. 8:28). We pray His Word, and we pray according to His Word, which always accomplishes His purposes (Isa. 55:11). And this fact alone gives us profound trust to intercede to our Father for those we love, and then leave the results in His capable and loving hands. If you learn to approach God this way, you will never be disappointed. His timing is always perfect.

Two, Come to Him in Child-like BoldnessJesus said He would answer prayers asked “in My name” (John 16:23-24). To pray in the name of Jesus means to come before our Father with the full authority Jesus has given us as children of God. Just as a child asks something of their loving father based on their loving relationship rather than merit, we can now boldly approach God’s throne of grace in full assurance of His love and acceptance (Heb. 4:16), no matter what. So as we grow in intimacy with Him and in our understanding of His love and delight over us as His children, we will gain confidence to ask Him for anything and everything on our hearts. And while God delights to give us the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4), He also lovingly gives us what He knows is best when our desires don’t align with His greater plans, which, unfortunately, often happens. And so, as we trust Him fully in child-like dependence, He fills us with His peace and joy in the midst of every circumstance— no matter how unpleasant that circumstance may be at the time.

Three, Learn to Stay ConnectedFinally, remember that God designed prayer for continual connection and communion with Him because He longs for a relationship with us. As we learn to pray with a clean heart, enter His presence in worship, listen for His voice in a two-way conversation, intercede in Jesus’ name for others, and come to Him with child-like boldness, we will experience His presence in ways that transform our everyday lives. It is a given. Our job is to simply stay connected to the Vine, which is Christ, and let Him take care of everything else (John 15). And prayer is His designed way to keep us connected to our Father.

But don’t take my word for it, try it yourself. Take some time to prepare yourself before you pray, and see if God doesn’t reward your diligence with a renewed infilling of His Spirit and the joy of His presence. You will then begin to experience God when you pray, which is nothing short of heaven on earth.

Go on, give it a try.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

Our Latest Posts:590: How to Experience God When You Pray

589: The God-Ordained Way to Increase Your Faith

588: Be Encouraged by the Small Words in Scripture

587: The Purpose of the Christian Life – Experiencing God

586: Experiencing True Repentance from Psalm 51

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The Joy of PrayerWhat if your times of prayer could become so much more than reciting words or listing random requests? What if your prayers could transport you into a holy place to experience God’s presence in a very real and tangible way? What if you began having personal, life-changing encounters with the Creator of the universe every time you prayed? And what if you had the confidence to know, to truly know— that God hears your prayers and delights in answering them? How would this change your prayer life?

All of this is not only possible, but readily available and expected every time we pray. The problem for most, however, is that we either devalue what prayer truly is or do not fully understand who we are praying to. And if we did, how the floodgates of heaven would open and pour on us an experience with God that would rock our world and change us forever.

Let’s explore prayer a little deeper.

What is Prayer?— In Just a Few WordsSimply put, prayer is talking with God. Or, as the theologians would say, “Prayer is personal communication with God.”¹ Ok, got that. But what does “communication with God” really mean? In essence, “communication” is the exchange of information between two entities or individuals, both the giving and receiving of the same. And “with God” means He, the Sovereign Creator of All, the One that transcends all human thought, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Immutable One, is on the other end of our two-way conversation.

Let that sink in for a moment.

When we pray, and as often as we pray, we are in the process of not only talking with God but having Him also talk with us. Prayer, just like all communication between two individuals, is not saying what you want to say and then hanging up the phone. It was never intended to be a monologue. No, prayer is a two-way conversation, both giving and receiving, between you (ultimately dust and ashes) and God (revealed in resplendent glory), whereby information (praise, requests, supplication, petitions— and His answers, instructions, commands, and encouragement ) are mutually shared. And the highest glory you can ever experience is to have the only Person worthy of praise actually speak to you personally, in direct conversation. It is a life-altering and faith-building encounter that will change everything about you in an instant.

And this is available to each of us whenever we pray. But we have to pray, and we have to understand exactly who we are in conversation with in order to have confidence when we pray.

Let me explain.

Sovereign, Ruler, King… and FatherIn the Old Testament, God was often presented as unapproachable. He only met with His people once a year, nestled between the outstretched wings of the Cherubim above the Bema seat of the Ark of the Covenant, hidden behind a thick veil. Or when He revealed Himself to the masses, it was usually with fire and smoke and lightning, like on Mt. Sinai, which only reinforced His unapproachableness (Ex. 19). And when Moses asked to see His glory and His face, God said, “No.” His actual words were, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (Ex. 33:20). And regarding seeing His glory, God also said, “No.” But He did allow Moses to look at His receding glory as He passed by (Ex. 33:23). Something like, “Not My face, Moses, but you can see My back as I walk away.”

So much for an intimate relationship with our Creator.

But in the New Testament (and hints in the Old), Jesus reveals another aspect of God’s nature and His relationship with us. He is not a despot— a frightening, powerful King ready to abuse and punish His lowly servants for any slight infraction. No, God is our Father, with all the implications that word conveys about our relationship with Him. Jesus showed us, by His example, what it was like to live on earth with the confidence of knowing God is our Father and that we can come to Him with anything, at any time, and have His complete attention. And Jesus teaches us how to pray in His Sermon on the Mount with these words, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9). You see, it’s all about a family relationship.

God is our Father. Maybe not like the flawed and imperfect father you may have had growing up. But He is our Father, the perfect Father, who loves His children beyond description and only wants the best for them. Remember, as much as you love your children and, if necessary, would gladly sacrifice your life for them— God loves you, His children, even more. And He has already sacrificed the life of His Son because of His love for you. That fact alone, if you have ears to hear, should take your breath away and fill you with joy.

He is Father… but Also Sovereign, Ruler, and KingYes, God is love, and He loves us as His children (1 John 4:8). But when we pray, we also must realize that God is all-powerful (without limit) and all-knowing (without limit) and always present (without limit) and never changes (no matter what). There is nothing higher than our Father. There is no court of appeals that can overturn His ruling, no other official He has to get permission from before speaking, and no one to whom He is accountable. And there is nothing greater than our God— nothing (Isa. 40:25). This means that when you pray to your Father, when you speak with Him about whatever is on your heart, there is no one greater than the One listening to your prayers. No one, ever— nor will there ever be.

After all, He “spoke” the universe into existence (Gen. 1). What do you think He can do for our simple requests?

But it gets better.

God, our Father, is the only One who can answer our prayers. He alone has the power and wisdom and sovereignty to do what no one else can do. So when we approach Him as His children, dearly loved by our Father, we have access to the only One who can grant our requests, take away our pain, heal our loved ones, restore a broken relationship, redeem a wayward child, heal a broken body or a crushed heart, or tell us what to do when the way forward seems dark and foreboding.

Our Father is the King of the Universe. And (as our Father) He grants us bold access to (as Sovereign King) His throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), so we can experience the supernatural peace of knowing, in our present, uncertain situation, no matter how dark or hopeless it may seem, our Father is in control. As Paul said to the church at Philippi:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:6-7.

Or, as Coach Grant Taylor asked his players after winning the State Championship in Facing the Giants, “You tell me what’s impossible with God?” And they answered, “Nothing, coach.” That’s right, nothing is impossible with God (Matt. 19:26), and this is where our peace is found.

As our Father, we have direct access to Him and His complete attention. And as Sovereign Lord and King, our Father is the only One who has the power to answer our prayers. So rest in this truth, and put it into practice when you approach Him in prayer.

And once you tell Him what is on your heart or make a request of your loving Father, the King— leave it there. He is quite capable of dealing with your problems and concerns.

But There is MoreWe have much more to say about prayer and how to experience God when we pray. In future posts, we will talk about how to approach Him in prayer, how to prepare our hearts before we pray, how to pray with confidence and expectation, how to pray according to His will and in His name, how to cultivate a two-way relationship with Him that brings boldness and indescribable joy when we pray, how to stay connected to Him in prayer even amidst the chaos and noise that surrounds us, how to pray in childlike simplicity and faith, and so much more.

But for today, focus on your relationship with Him as His child (which makes Him approachable) and on His power and sovereignty in everything (which means He can do anything at any time, so why worry when we leave our troubles with Him), and rest on these two facts alone.

Pray with confidence, pray with expectation, pray with thankfulness, pray continuously, and then share with others what He has shown you in your conversations with Him.

And remember, the best is yet to come.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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Just Get Out of the Boat! In almost every area of life, when we commit to a plan of self-improvement, we expect to spend time, incur costs, and suffer strain during the process. It just comes with the territory. Whether we decide to get in shape and eat healthier, or go back to school and change careers— everyone seems to follow the same pattern of sacrifice that defines our struggle, and they seldom complain about it. And when we have achieved our goal, we look back at the sacrifice as a badge of honor, something we are proud of.

Each of us embraces this journey of sacrificing our time, effort, costs, and strain in every area of life except the spiritual. For some reason, when it comes to our relationship with God or our desire for more faith, we must think it comes by osmosis to passive observers because many of us refuse to put in the time required or count the costs to achieve the results. Therefore, we really shouldn’t be surprised when nothing changes, and we’re the same as we were before.

Remember the words attributed to Albert Einstein:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

So, if you want your faith to grow, you will have to make some changes in your life to position it to grow. Or, you will have to deliberately place yourself in situations where you can experience God’s faithfulness firsthand by voluntarily embracing the testing of your faith and the trials that inevitably follow. And you do that when you choose to refuse to rely on your own resources and commit to only trusting in Him.

After all, this seems to be the Lord’s preferred way of increasing the faith of those who surrender to Him. He seems to put them in situations where they either trust God… or die.

Trust God… Or, It’s CurtainsThe Scriptures are packed with accounts of God increasing the faith of His faithful in this manner. Consider the following examples:

• Abraham and Isaac – Genesis 22

• Moses at the Red Sea – Exodus 14

• Joshua and the Battle of Jericho – Joshua 6

• Gideon and His Army – Judges 7

• Daniel and the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6

• Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17

In each of these examples, the people made a choice to trust God, maybe more than they had before, or die. The result was that they experienced greater faith in Him than they could possibly imagine.

So how about you? Are you ready to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Or are you content to remain in the supposed security of the boat and cheer others along in their faith journey?

For me, I want to get out of the boat. And I hope you will join me.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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Three Small Words from John 15In John 15, Jesus lays out our position in Christ and the key or path to the Higher Christian Life in the story of a vine and its branches. I mean, it really couldn’t be more clear. This key is found in the simple word abide. We are to abide in Him— which means “to rest, remain, dwell, to make our home.” Or, literally, “to be united as one with Him in heart, mind, and will.” It is the definition of a fully surrendered life.

Yet before we discover the concept of abiding in verse 5, we first must move through the first three verses of John 15, which often present a disturbing picture of God as our Father and is, more often than not, misinterpreted by well-meaning preachers and Bible scholars. And by misunderstanding the definition of three key words— takes away, prunes, and clean— we can fail to find the amazing encouragement Jesus offers those who are not quite up to meeting His standard of faithfulness or righteousness.

Takes Away, Prunes, and CleanSo, let’s look at these three verses as they are found in our Bibles, compare them to what they say in Greek, and see if something is “lost in translation.”

“I am the true (real, genuine, one who cannot lie) vine, and My Father is the vinedresser (farmer, one who tills the earth or ground)” – John 15:1

This simply sets the stage and introduces the cast of characters:

God = Vinedresser

Jesus = Vine

We = Branches of the Vine (John 15:5)

He continues,

“Every (pás) branch (where) in Me (Christ, vine) that does not bear (to bring, carry, have) fruit He (Father, vinedresser) takes away (aírō – G142); and every (pás) branch (implied, in Me) that bears (to bring, carry, have) fruit He (Father, vinedresser) prunes (kathaírō G2508), (why) that it may bear (to bring, carry, have) more fruit” – John 15:2

We are now introduced to the first two of our three important words: aírō and kathaírō. The third one, katharós, is found in verse 3.

“You are already clean (katharós – G2513) because of the word which I have spoken to you” – John 15:3

Three Key WordsWe now have three Greek words that we need to define to see if our English translation does them justice. And I think, after you see the definitions for yourself, you will see it does not.

From The New Testament Word Study Dictionary by Spiros Zodhaites:

“takes away” – (aírō – G142)

This word is translated as “takes away” in our English Bibles. But that is not what it means.

prunes – (kathaírō G2508)

And this word is translated as “prunes” in our English Bibles. And, yet again, that is not what it means in the Greek.

clean – (katharós – G2513)

Finally, this word is correctly translated as “clean.” So now, what does this verse look like?

Vine and the BranchesThe Vinedresser, our Father, no longer takes away unfruitful branches but lifts them up, supports them, and helps them once again become fruitful, just like a natural farmer would do to his crops.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch (where) in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away (takes up, lifts up, elevates, to rise);

In a phrase, he builds a trellis to support the fallen branches of His vine.

But it gets better.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch (where) in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away (takes up, lifts up, elevates, to rise); and every branch (

implied, in Me) that bears fruit He prunes (to clean, make pure and unsoiled), that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean (pure, clean, without stain or spot, to be cleansed from filth, to purify) because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

Now, verse three seems to make sense as the Vinedresser cleans the fruitful branches to make them more fruitful and then states His disciples do not need that form of cleaning since they are already clean by the words Christ has spoken to them.

Be EncouragedThere is so much more to these three words than we can reveal in this post. To understand more fully, please listen to the podcast and follow along with the PowerPoint slides above.

And be encouraged, you who do not, nor have not, lived a perfect life. God doesn’t take you away when you sin. He lifts you up, strengthens you, and puts you in a better position not to sin and become fruitful once again. I hope this has put a smile on your face, because I am still smiling… from ear to ear.

Isn’t this just like our Father?

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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583: 1 John 1:9 – One Condition and Two Promises

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The Problem: Dry Ritual Without RelationshipFor many believers, Christianity has become a religion of rules devoid of a relationship. We know we should have a quiet time, serve in church, avoid sin, and so on. But all this outward conformity easily lacks the inward reality of actually connecting with God. We act spiritual, without ever experiencing the presence of the Spirit. And that is a sad, yet common experience for many today.

How did this happen? Partly because we’ve made faith all about knowledge over an encounter with God. We prize book learning, doctrinal precision, and intellectual comprehension of Scripture— forgetting you can memorize the Bible and miss the Lord of the Bible. Information in our heads doesn’t necessarily lead to transformation in our hearts. Why? Because head knowledge alone breeds pride, heart encounters with Christ breed authentic life change.

The Pattern: Experiencing God Transforms UsYet Scripture shows us a better way. When Moses saw the burning bush, he experienced God’s awe-inspiring presence (Exodus 3). After Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord, he walked with a limp— an everyday reminder of his personal encounter with God (Gen. 32:22-32). And when Isaiah had a powerful vision of God on his throne, he was utterly transformed forever (Isaiah 6).

For early followers of Jesus, faith wasn’t a dead tradition, but a living, vibrant relationship. Acts 2:42 says the early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” These early disciplines led to a powerful encounter with the Lord: “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles” (v. 43). Even repentance is meant to be an encounter, as we turn from sin and into the forgiving arms of Christ.

The Invitation: Taste and See JesusThis is God’s invitation to us: not just to know about Him, but to experience Him— to taste His goodness and to know that He is good (Psalm 34:8). And as we behold the Lord’s glory, we are transformed into His image (2 Cor 3:18), which is the goal of the Christian life. The more we experience His presence and power, the more we reflect Christ to the world.

So, what areas of your faith have become dry rituals rather than genuine encounters with the Living God? Consider these aspects of the Christian life that are meant to connect us with God:

Experiencing God’s Presence in Worship

Worship isn’t just singing songs or listening to a praise band— it’s meeting with the Lord, captivated by His beauty. Through worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:24), we experience God’s presence in a life-changing way.

Experiencing God’s Power in Trials

Even our trials can lead us into deeper encounters with God’s peace (Phil. 4:6-7), comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-4), and strength that carries us through. As we turn to Him, we experience His sustaining grace.

Experiencing God’s Character Through the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) are not just moral qualities. No, as we walk in step with the Spirit, He produces His fruit in our lives, whereby we experience His patience, joy, and kindness from the inside out.

The Invitation: Draw Near to GodGod promises if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (Jam. 4:8). So the ball is in our court. Will you accept His invitation? Will you ask the Lord for fresh encounters with Him, pray daily to behold His beauty, and let your head knowledge fuel your pursuit of heart change through experiencing Jesus?

Remember, God invites us into an intimate walk with Him, where we encounter His presence daily through prayer, worship, Scripture, and simply seeking Him. As we taste and see His goodness, we are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory. So, let’s shed religious rule-keeping and wholeheartedly pursue a relationship with Him. Let’s draw near to Jesus today, and every day, expecting divine encounters that change our hearts, fuel our worship, compel us to share about Him, and ultimately fulfill our deepest purpose— which is to know and experience God through Christ our Lord.

So what are you waiting for?

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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How to Experience God Through RepentanceIn our quest for a deeper relationship with the Lord, we have been talking about what genuine repentance looks like in real-time. And we found ourselves in the middle of Psalm 51, examining six key words in David’s prayer of repentance that show us how to not only receive forgiveness from the Lord, but how to experience His presence in the process. And, as a reminder, the six key words found in Psalm 51:10-12 are as follows:

Please Do: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and

Please Do: renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Please Don’t: Do not cast me away from Your presence, and

Please Don’t: do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Please Do: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and

Please Do: uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

But what do these words mean? And how do they point us to a deeper Christian life of experiencing His presence when we come to Him in repentance?

(You, God) Create in Me a Clean HeartAfter being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David pleads,

“Create (bārāʾ – to bring into existence, to create out of nothing, ex nihilo) in me (personal) a clean (ṭāhôr – clean, pure, genuine, free from moral impurity) heart (lēḇ – the immaterial part of man, the seat of a person’s mind, will, knowledge, volition, and emotions), O God (ʾelōhiym – the One True God, the Creator and Sustainer, the Sovereign One).”

He understood that he couldn’t make himself righteous through willpower alone. No, David needed God to create something completely new in Him that he couldn’t do by himself. The word “create” means to make something out of nothing, just as God created the universe by His word.

Likewise, we need the Lord to give us a pure, undefiled heart when we come to Him in repentance. On our own, we can’t clean up the mess inside us. God must perform heart surgery, transforming us from the inside out as we yield ourselves to Him.

(You, God) Renew a Steadfast Spirit Within MeDavid also prays,

“and (You) renew (ḥāḏaš – to restore, reestablish on a new or improved basis, to revitalize and make new or like new) a steadfast (kûn – to be marked by firm determination or resolution, to be unshakeable, to stand upright) spirit (rûaḥ) within me (personal).”

Though God cleansed David’s heart previously, he lost that wonderful experience through sin. Now David asks God to restore what was lost, to “renew” and reestablish the steadfast spirit he once had. David now understands he needs help staying firmly rooted in his commitment to the Lord because, left on his own, he will once again fail.

When we walk in sin and disobedience, we become spiritually unstable, often losing our zeal for God’s kingdom. But through repentance, God renews our spirit, revitalizing our passion for Christ and His righteousness.

(You, God) Do Not Cast Me Away From Your PresenceHaunted by his grievous offenses, David worries about losing fellowship with God. So he implores the Lord to,

“Do not cast (šālaḵ – to throw, fling, to toss casually away, to dispose of) me (personal) away from Your (God) presence (pāniym – face, being before or in front of someone, proximity), and (You) do not take (lāqaḥ – grasp, seize, take away) Your Holy (qōḏeš – sacred, sanctified, set apart and consecrated to God) Spirit (rûaḥ) from me (personal).”

David fears being flung from God’s presence like worthless garbage because of his sin. And we too, like David, must zealously guard our relationship with the Holy Spirit, who now permanently indwells believers under the new covenant. Through Him, God makes His home in our hearts. Sin still grieves and quenches the Spirit today, distancing us from intimate fellowship with God. Thus, we must continually rely on Christ’s blood to cleanse our conscience and keep our access to the Father through the Spirit open and unhindered.

Restore to Me the JoyDavid also prays,

“Restore (šûḇ – to turn, return, to back, do again, to bring back into original existence, use, function or position) to me (personal) the joy (śāśôn – exultation, gladness, rejoicing, jubilation, an emotion of great happiness and pleasure) of Your (God’s) salvation (yēšaʿ – deliverance, rescue, help, preservation, the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil),”

David isn’t worried about losing his salvation. Rather, he wants the delight and gladness that should flow from his salvation by God to overflow again. He remembers the exuberance that once accompanied his walk with the Lord, but now, his tank feels empty. He longs for that joy to bubble up afresh to energize his pursuit of Christ.

Many of us need to plead David’s prayer in our own life. Do you “rejoice with exultation” over the salvation graciously extended to you in Christ (1 Peter 1:6, 8-9)? Does your heart swell when reflecting on the wonder of being delivered by God from sin and condemnation? If not, cry out to Him as David did. Ask God to “restore to me the joy of Your salvation!” Ask Him to unclog anything hindering the river of joy that should water your soul.

Uphold Me by Your SpiritFinally, after begging for inner cleansing and transformation, David requests the Spirit’s ongoing sustaining grace:

“and (You) uphold (sāmaḵ – sustain, support, bear up, establish, to supply with everything needed) me (personal) by (what) Your (God’s) generous (nāḏiyḇ – willing, noble, an attitude of heart that consents or agrees, magnanimous, is disposed or inclined towards, gladly willing) Spirit (rûaḥ).”

Even with a renewed heart, David knows he will stumble again without the Spirit’s help. He needs the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide him to live faithfully before God and walk uprightly according to God’s truth.

And like David, you and I desperately require the Spirit’s daily empowerment to put sin to death and mirror Christ in our lives. As Paul explains, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). So make it your continual prayer to depend completely on Him to uphold and steer you along righteous paths for God’s glory.

The Pathway to RestorationWe all need times of intensive spiritual repair and revival to realign our affections with Christ. And God uses genuine repentance to bring us back to Himself. But true repentance requires ruthless honesty, not superficial lip service. So follow David’s example. Pour out your heart before God. Confess ways your love has grown cold. Ask the Spirit to cleanse, renew, and uphold you afresh through His indwelling power. Then, walk forward in newness of life and joy.

And go tell someone what God has done in your life.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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Embracing Who We Really AreD.L. Moody, while on his European crusade in 1873, was so inspired by a conversation he had with British revivalist Henry Varley that he prayed:

“The world has yet to see what God can do with, and for, and through, and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. By God’s help, I am to be that man.”

This is the essence of the desire to be all God created you to be— to be “all in for Him,” as they say. The problem is, after we conjure up the desire, we come face-to-face with the “how to.” In other words, how do I surrender my life to the Lord? How do I yield everything to him? And how do I live a truly sanctified, higher Christian life?

In any other endeavor, we would find someone who is where we want to be and model our lives after them. But we live in the Laodicean church age, and sold-out Believers are few, especially in the West. So what are we to do? What’s the next step? And is there anything we can learn about surrender from even the obscure passages in Scripture that point us in the right direction?

What Does it Mean to be God’s Servant?After God gave David rest from all his enemies and after he consolidated the kingdom to himself, David made what he thought was a pretty good request from the Lord. After all, he reasoned, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (2 Sam. 7:2), and we can’t have that. So he decided, after receiving less than stellar advice from the prophet Nathan, to take it upon himself to build a dwelling place for God, or more specifically, for the Ark of the Covenant. And, on the surface, it seemed like a good idea, even somewhat noble.

But God was not amused, for neither David nor Nathan had sought the Lord in this matter.

In fact, God rebuked David twice for forgetting who he was as God’s servant, or “slave” (doúlos)— which, by definition, makes God the Lord and Master of all, including David. So, in response to God’s stinging censure, David humbled himself profoundly before God’s rebuke. He owned his true identity as a “servant” or “slave” (doúlos), and acknowledged it ten times in his brief exchange with God (vv. 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29). That’s ten times in just eleven verses.

So, what transformed David’s perspective? He simply recognized his true identity before God— not as a self-made king, but as a submitted servant or faithful slave (doúlos) to the Lord.

David’s example highlights that discipleship stems from knowing we belong wholly to God. As Paul wrote, “You are not your own… you were bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Have we grasped this liberating truth? We cannot experience God’s depths while still stubbornly clinging to personal rights and claims over our lives. True freedom, paradoxically, comes through bonding ourselves permanently to our Master as His faithful servant, longing for Him to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant (doúlos)” (Matt. 25:21). Remember, God did not save us to be independent contractors employed in His service. He has something much greater in mind.

Just like assuming a new family name changes the way we view ourselves, likewise, our core identity in Christ transforms how we approach life. Living “all-in” starts by accepting that we now belong to Another— to Someone far greater than we can imagine.

Time to Re-Calibrate Your IdentityPerhaps it’s time to let Him recalibrate your identity like He did David. His Word invites us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice… and be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:1-2). When we grasp God’s complete right to direct us, surrendering fully becomes the only reasonable response. It is a natural outflow from the identity we now embrace— a faithful slave to the Most High King.

Let God begin the transformation of your identity today.

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Ten Aspects of True Repentance that Gets God’s AttentionGiving God a flippant “my bad” when we mess up just won’t cut it, no matter how hard we try to make it work. Too often, we deal with our sin through superficial apologies, not grasping the gravity of how our choices offend our Creator and grieve His Spirit.

But in Psalm 51, David shows us a better way. His raw, honest prayer of remorse models how genuine repentance can thoroughly transform us and restore our fellowship with God. In his plea to God, David holds nothing back. He pours out his grief and hope with both humility and longing, providing a template for the kind of confession that gets God’s attention and purifies us deep down.

David’s prayer reveals that repentance goes far beyond crisis management or trying to mitigate the consequences of our sins. Instead, David walks through an intense spiritual restoration, launching him into greater intimacy with God and a commitment to remain faithful to his first love. David finds joy and wholeness on the other side through his uncompromising honesty and hunger for spiritual renewal.

As we walk through ten key truths David models regarding repentance, may his prayer challenge each of us to put into practice what we will learn. We, like David, cannot experience God’s full forgiveness and empowerment while still clinging to our besetting sins and flimsy excuses. So, let’s look at these ten truths in the hope they will compel us toward the kind of soul-changing repentance that revives our passion for Christ and allows us to experience His presence.

One, David Owned Up to His Sin and Made No ExcusesThe first step of repentance is openly admitting our wrong actions or attitudes without making excuses to justify ourselves. David begins his prayer with raw honesty, saying, “For I acknowledge (yāḏaʿ) my transgressions, and my sin (singular) is always before (present) me” (v. 3). He does not try rationalizing adultery and murder or to come up with some excuse for his actions. David faces his evil deeds head-on, keeping no sin hidden from his awareness or accountability before God. We display genuine repentance by owning where we have fallen short, without downplaying or explaining away our sin, or blaming someone else for our own actions. The devil didn’t make you do it, you did.

Two, David Understood Who He had Sinned AgainstThough David’s actions horribly wronged Bathsheba and Uriah, he confesses, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” (v. 4). Even when our sin affects others, we must recognize that all transgression violates God’s holy standard first, which is the greater sin— because all sin repels His glory. So, by focusing on the root issue of offending God’s righteousness through sin, we gain a proper perspective of the evil of our actions, leading to our repentance. Our sin grieves the very heart of God, and to Him first, we must repent before any others.

Three, True Repentance Comes from a Broken SpiritDavid says a broken spirit and a contrite (crushed) heart reveal genuine humility (v. 17). Religious sacrifices alone don’t move God’s forgiveness— contrition does. Repentance requires altogether abandoning stubborn pride or entitlement or clinging to our self-justification and supposed “rightness” by honestly coming to terms with the gravity of our sin. We must approach God, broken and shattered over the arrogance and self-centeredness corrupting our hearts, crying out for Him to create purity within us once again.

Four, Restoration From the One OffendedThough wracked with guilt, David focuses his hope on God’s power and willingness to “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and (You) renew a steadfast spirit within me” (v. 10). He seeks inner renewal from the very Person his sin grievously hurt. David’s hope of forgiveness and restoration rests securely in God’s compassion and drives out his guilt and shame by trusting that God wants to redeem this failure in his life— which, of course, He does. Note: This doesn’t mean you can skate on asking others you have hurt for their forgiveness. No, that will come, but only after you have first repented before God. Restoration from Him is your first priority. Restoration from others will follow in time.

Five, True Repentance Demands a Commitment to ChangePart of David’s appeal says, “Then (afterward) I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You” (v. 13). He knows receiving such lavish grace now compels him into a life radically different from what he was before. True repentance marries confession with an action plan to live differently by God’s standard. We will inevitably slide backward if we only feel sorry but never address root heart issues. Repentance demands embracing personal transformation and then allowing God to bring glory to Himself through His redeemed child.

Six, Repentance Means Trusting in God’s Overflowing Mercy and LoveThough David feels that the abundant mercy of God may seem inadequate for the wickedness of his actions (v. 1), he nevertheless rests entirely in God’s divine compassion, remembering God forgives even the chief of sinners. He calls out, hope against hope, trusting God’s unmatched lovingkindness to triumph over the evil in his life. So, no matter how far we have fallen, crying out in repentance means believing God can redeem anyone who comes with authentic humility— especially you and me.

Seven, We Must Walk in Freedom from Condemning ShameDavid now begs for joy and gladness to replace his sorrow, asking God to uphold him by the Holy Spirit (v. 12). He understands wallowing in self-hatred after forgiveness solves nothing and is an insult to the promises and nature of God. Experiencing true repentance frees us from the paralyzing grip of guilt and shame. Though sin’s consequences remain, and rightly so, we must embrace the healing God provides as no longer condemned sinners, but cleansed children of His. And we glorify His mercy by walking forward in renewed peace and purpose.

Eight, We Must Use Our Restored Life to Bless OthersForgiveness launches David into a new ministry, as it should each of us— as David now pledges his tongue will sing of God’s righteousness and teach others His truth (vv. 13-14). Genuine repentance multiplies the ministry of redemption. Like David, sharing our testimony offers fellow strugglers empathy, proving God patiently awaits every prodigal. Our renewed lives remind others of how His mercy triumphs over the judgment of our sins.

Nine, We Should Desire Growth in His Wisdom and CharacterBeyond removing sin’s burden, David urgently pursues deeper depth in his spiritual life by asking God to nurture truth and integrity and teach him wisdom within (v. 6). Repentance sparks a revived appetite for the Word, prayer, and worship with others. Remember, repentance is not about crisis management, but a launching pad for lifelong growth in understanding God and His character.

Ten, We Can Now Rejoice in His Complete RestorationEven though the consequences of his sin remain, David ultimately sees past them to embrace the joy of full redemption his repentance provides. He cries for God to “Make me hear joy and gladness, (why) that the bones You have broken may rejoice” (v. 8). Repentance stands on God’s commitment that confession leads to a renewed relationship as our Father waits, ready to turn our mess into a message of hope for others.

ConclusionDavid leaves no aspect of genuine repentance unaddressed through this raw, honest prayer for repentance. He shows us exactly how to tear down stubborn strongholds and find complete redemption in Him. Through brutal honesty, a desire for inner wisdom, commitment to change, and a firm trust in God’s mercy, David finds his supernatural restoration that is the byproduct of true repentance— and so can we.

David’s journey must now become our own. We cannot run from pockets of willful sin or spiritual blindness, thinking God will fully use compromised vessels. So, like David, we must do the hard part and plead for His Spirit to inspect every hidden corner in our lives— because shortcuts will not produce the deep spiritual health and wholeness we long for. But as we fully open our lives to His correction, true forgiveness and restoration wait on the other side.

David discovered firsthand that true repentance opens the floodgates to renewed joy and purpose. There is simply no better place to be than fully surrendered at the feet of Jesus. In Psalm 51, David guides us step-by-step through confession, cleansing, and revival, which is critical for walking in new life. I pray David’s bold prayer softens and strengthens us to experience the fullness of Christ’s promises to those who confess and forsake their sin.

If you need renewal and restoration because of your sins, no matter how small you may think them to be, follow David’s example.

And do it today.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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The Conditional Promises of GodOne familiar “if / then” passage, often called the “believer’s bar of soap,” is found in the first chapter of the first letter of John. In it, we find one “if” condition and two implied “then” promises God grants to those who meet His one “if” condition. And the two promises of God encompass the totality of salvation this side of heaven, both our justification and our sanctification.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9

What Does it Say?Let’s see exactly what it says.

If (the condition, something we must do in order to receive the promise) we (this includes you and me, make it personal, put your name here) confess (homologous – to admit, concede, to affirm or agree) our (it is inclusive, everyone has something to confess to a holy God) sins (hamartía – offense, wrongdoing, failure, fault, it is an act or feeling that transgresses something forbidden or ignores something required by God’s law, whether in thought, feeling, speech, or action. Literally, it means to miss the mark or the true end and purpose of our lives, which is God. And note, the word is plural, as in more than one sin),

This is the condition prescribed by God. It is something we must do, a non-negotiable, if we want to receive the promise that comes from meeting the condition. And, by His grace, it is something we can do.

Next, the Spirit, through John, lists only two of God’s infinite attributes as proof of the truth of His promise: faithful and just.

He (God, the Sovereign One, Eternal, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Always-Present, Creator of All, of which there is no One higher, no One more glorious, no One more beautiful or of greater worth, and there is no more lofty goal in which to devote one’s life than to have a deep, intimate, relationship with Him) is (His current attributes) faithful (pistós – worthy of belief, trust, or confidence, sure, steadfast, of true fidelity) and (of all God’s immeasurable attributes, the Spirit, through John, lists only these two, as if they are enough, already more than we can handle) just (díkaios – righteous, correct, perfect, upright in everything, without error, free from favoritism, self-interest, bias, or deception)

And now, after stating His conditions and His attributes, the Spirit reveals the two promises or results we can rest assured of after we meet the conditions. Note, because He is “faithful and just” and does not show favoritism or bias, these promises are for everyone, including you, who “confess” their sins, no matter how great those sins may be, how unworthy you may feel, or how many times you have tried and failed in the past. To Him, it doesn’t matter— every day is a new beginning.

First Promise: Forgiveness (Justification)

to forgive (aphíēmi – to send forth or away, to stop blaming or taking an offense into account, to leave, release, let go, dismiss. God, in effect, chooses, based on our confession, to send our sins and the consequences of them away from Himself and us, to no longer blame us for our offenses, to release, let go, and dismiss the consequences of our sins as if they never happened. We are now free from their condemnation, guilt, and shame – see Romans 8:33-34) us our (again, inclusive, which means you and me. Make it personal, put your name here) sins (plural, the sins we confess are the sins He forgives, and there is no sin you have committed that is too great for Him to forgive)

Second Promise: Holiness (Sanctification)

and (in addition to forgiveness) to cleanse (katharízō – to purify and cleanse from the pollution and guilt of sin, to make innocent, pure, and undefiled once again, literally to clean from leprosy) us (inclusive, make the promise personal) from all (pás – as in each, every, everything, the whole, in totality without exception. Note: there is nothing that does not fall under the word, pás) unrighteousness (adikía – injustice, what ought not to be, that which is wrong, wickedness, failing to adhere to moral principles, commands, or laws).

What Does it Mean?In this conditional promise, the Lord shows us the breadth of His salvation, by forgiving us of our sins— which is justification, and also by the promise of living a Christ-like, holy life— which is sanctification. When He “cleanses us from all unrighteousness” as a result of our confession, He does this not only positionally— how God sees us, but also in our practical lives— or how we allow Him to live through us daily. And this, for me, is the great blessing in this passage.

You see, not only does God forgive our sins, but He also empowers us to live a life pleasing to Him, in all holiness and righteousness, since we have “put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). So through surrender and faith, we can experience in our lives what Jesus commanded when He said, “Therefore you shall be perfect (without defect or blemish, complete, wanting nothing), just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). This is the essence of the surrendered life, or the life of consecration to Him.

Your TurnSo, we have looked at what this conditional promise says and, to a lesser degree, what it means. Plus, you have been encouraged to take it at face value and make it personal by putting your name as the one needing to confess their sins and as the recipient of all His promises.

Are you ready to do that? If so, then do it now. Don’t wait another minute.

And, after you have experienced His forgiveness and the blessing of allowing the Spirit to sanctify you and daily conform you into the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8:29)— then, on a personal level, deep where few are allowed to go, honestly answer this question: What does this passage mean to you? And, has this one conditional promise become real to you?

Quick Take-AwaysFour truths to take with you (for those who are strapped for time).

• The Importance of Confession. God will forgive the sins you confess— all the sins. So, confession is the key.

• God’s Faithfulness and Justice. His promise to one is His promise to all, including and especially, you. He does not play favorites or consider your sins too great to forgive. How do we know this? Because, “He is faithful and just.”

• The Possibility of Forgiveness. Ah, the question of the ages: Can God forgive sins? And now you know the answer. Yes, He can. And not only that, but He will. All you have to do is confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness. So do that today.

• Transformation and Renewal. Finally, we can be changed, transformed, and renewed into what we long to be and not what we have become. I don’t know about you, but nothing sounds better than that to me. Would you agree? Good. Then, let’s get started.

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Faith and Courage— Two Sides of the Same CoinThe Biblical story of Abraham is profoundly human— a narrative full of twists and turns, triumphs and failures, poor decisions and their unintended consequences, and, of course, drama— much like a Netflix mini-series. Yet, throughout the trials of his faith, we see Abraham continually return to a place of trust in God’s promises. And the trajectory of his life models for us the possibilities and pitfalls of our own spiritual journey.

The Call and the PromiseIn Genesis 12, Abraham, then called Abram, receives a divine call from God to leave behind the only land and people he’s ever known and travel to a place yet unknown, so that through him, God would bless all the families of the world. Pretty tall order. Yet, this inaugurates the covenant— God pledging to make Abraham a great nation, to bless him abundantly, and to give his descendants the land of Canaan. The promise must have seemed improbable to Abraham, a nondescript man from an obscure country, but he obeyed nonetheless.

Abraham’s faith wasn’t one-dimensional— the Genesis account shows it being refined through tests and trials, success and failures. In Egypt, fearing danger, Abraham lies to Pharaoh about Sarah being his wife. Not one of his better days. Later, anxious about lacking an heir, Abraham and Sarah take matters into their own hands, leading to the birth of Ishmael through Hagar. Probably one of his worst days. Yet even after these failures, Abraham returns again and again to faith in what God has spoken, as he is learning to trust in the timing and provision of the Promiser.

Courage and the ClimaxUltimately, Abraham’s faith journey crescendos in the test of the binding of Isaac, where God asks for the unthinkable— to offer up his son, through whom the covenant blessings were to flow, as a sacrifice to Him on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeys, demonstrating remarkable courage and trust that God could fulfill His promise even through death.

Lessons for the JourneyWhat lessons can we apply from Abraham’s life? And how can we learn to have the courage to follow God into the unknown and do the unthinkable, even after a history of faith that may be less than stellar?

• Face the Unknown with Faith – Like Abraham, God often calls His followers out of their comfort zones into uncharted territory that requires faith and courage. Abraham’s “leave your country” first step models the courage to obey God, even when the destination is uncertain.

• Grow through Failures – Our mistakes need not define us. Like Abraham, we can let them deepen our reliance on God. Need more proof? Remember David’s moral failure with Bathsheba and his restoration, and Peter’s denial and later reinstatement by Christ. They are pictures of Divine grace— and of the blessings of second chances.

• Wait on God’s Timing – The years between promise and fulfillment were Abraham’s training ground in patience. God frequently calls His people to endure patiently as His purposes simmer below the surface, or years of obscure preparation before emerging leadership, pleading in prayer before a longed-for miracle, or decades struggling with wounds before finding healing. May we likewise learn to wait on His timing, in all things.

• Cling to God’s Promises – When famine descended on Canaan, Abraham clung to God’s covenant promises despite being surrounded by doubt and discouragement. We, too, can hold fast to the many promises in Scripture, even when the road gets tough, and we can’t see our way forward.

• Act with Everyday Courage – While few undergo anything close to Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, God calls each of us to cultivate courage through small, daily acts of faith— like sharing Jesus with others despite fear of rejection, giving generously in the middle of financial shortfalls, and forgiving deeply rooted hurts and offenses. Abraham’s supreme test at Moriah models courage through absolute trust in God’s faithfulness. And we build similar courage through daily acts of faith despite our fears and challenges.

• Bless the World – Embedded in God’s covenant with Abraham was a global vision. God’s covenant goal was always to bless all nations through one man’s radical obedience to Him. We join in this mission by living out faith-filled lives that shine His light around us, becoming the salt and light of the world.

Putting All the Pieces TogetherWhat a journey Abraham walked— from rookie to seasoned veteran, from an unknown nomad to the father of nations. And his life reveals the intertwined twin virtues of faith and courage, all in one amazing life. His journey illustrates that courage rests upon the bedrock of faith properly placed. For with faith as a mustard seed, Jesus said, “Nothing will be impossible for you.”

But faith requires courage. And courage is undergirded by faith. Both work together to change a Saul into a Paul, and to make you into the person God created you to be.

In Abraham’s story, we see a life lived not perfectly, but faithfully. His journey gives us hope and courage to step out boldly as we learn to trust the God who guides the unfolding of our lives.

So what are you waiting for? Surrender and trust Him today.

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A Look at Our Current SituationThere is so much bloodshed and brutality taking place between Israel and Hamas, that many have been looking for comparisons between what’s happening today and the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel found in Ezekiel 38 and 39. And the similarities are striking.

Ezekiel foretells an end-times invasion of Israel led by Gog, ruler of Magog, along with Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and other nations. It also reveals that God providentially brings this vast alliance down to invade Israel, only to judge them harshly. And I mean, really harshly. Sodom and Gomorrah harshly.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops— many people are with you” (Ezekiel 38:1-6).

And when you identify the people groups involved with their related nations today, it’s like a primer on the beginning of World War 3.

• Gog – Leader (Demonic)

• Land of Magog (Scythians) – Central Asia, the countries that made up the former Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan)

• The Prince of Rosh – Russia

• Meshech and Tubal – Modern Turkey

• Persia – Iran

• Ethiopia (Cush) – Modern Sudan, nations south of Egypt

• Libya (Put or Phut) – Modern Libya, possibly as far as Algeria and Tunisia, those west of Egypt

• Gomer (Cimmerians) – Central Turkey

• House of Togarmah – Modern Turkey, North of Israel

Arab Nations Against God’s PeopleLet’s look at Ezekiel 38:1-6 again, only with the current nations included.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog (Central Asia, the countries that made up the former Soviet Union), the prince of Rosh (Russia), Meshech, and Tubal (modern Turkey) and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I (God’s actions) will turn you (Gog from Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal) around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out (again, God’s actions), with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (modern Sudan), and Libya (modern Libya, including Algeria and Tunisia) are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer (central Turkey) and all its troops; the house of Togarmah (modern Turkey, north of Israel) from the far north and all its troops— many people are with you” (Ezekiel 38:1-6).

Can you see the chess pieces being sovereignly moved into place for this prophecy to be fulfilled before our very eyes? I sure can. So join us as we look deeper into the Gog and Magog conflict, which is a key indicator the end is near.

And keep looking up, for our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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Different Strokes for Different FolksSalvation means different things to different people. For some, it’s a “get out of hell free” card, the cosmic fire insurance policy they checked off and filed away years ago. For others, it’s trying to be a good, moral, upstanding person and attend church— at least on Easter and Christmas. Most don’t give it much thought beyond hoping to end up in the Pleasant Place and not the Hot Place when they die.

But is that really the extent of what Jesus accomplished on the cross? Did He endure scourging and nails just to offer a slight upgrade in our afterlife accommodations, leaving our day-to-day lives largely untouched? I don’t think so.

I’m convinced salvation encompasses far more than this shallow version we’ve settled for. The eternal life Christ promised involves a radical transformation into new creations, holy and acceptable, right here and now. But so few seem to grasp this truth.

I understand why, though. I used to view salvation the same way. As a young believer, I prayed for forgiveness, believing Jesus’ death paid the penalty for my sin. I looked forward to heaven but figured holiness would have to wait. Meanwhile, I assumed grace gave me the green light to keep living as I pleased. And so I did.

What changed my perspective? The book of Romans.

Buried in Paul’s masterful exposition hides a powerful secret that sparked the Protestant Reformation, but remains obscured to many believers today. Let’s dust off this treasure and explore how the gospel offers, not just a ticket to paradise when we die, but victory over sin’s grip in our daily lives.

The Path to Real ChangeChances are you know the famous verse that ignited reform in Luther’s heart back in 1515: “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17). Luther had tried everything to obtain salvation: self-denial, penance, indulgences, pilgrimages, and even becoming a monk. At last, thankfully, he finally grasped that a man is justified not by works, but through faith alone (Rom. 3:28).

Yet mere intellectual assent cannot change hearts. I know, I’ve tried. Mere head knowledge never hindered Paul from persecuting Christians, but an encounter with the risen Christ transformed him in an instant.

In the same way, justification marks only the beginning of the work of salvation in our lives. The just are not only declared righteous, but enabled to live righteously through an ongoing process called sanctification. Surprisingly, this practical component of redemption receives little pulpit airtime today, though the epistles address it constantly. It’s the part of our salvation experience that primarily rests on our shoulders.

Sanctification means being set apart for holy use. It means growing into the likeness of Christ. And it is how we glorify the Lord today. Just as temple implements were consecrated for God’s service, we who trust in Christ are sanctified and empowered to serve the Lord rather than ourselves. Although complete sinlessness awaits eternity, believers can receive real deliverance from the mastery of evil in the here and now, today. This is what it means to live out what Jesus promised as the “abundant life” found only in Him (John 10:10). Consider these promises:

For sin shall not have dominion over you – Romans 6:14.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live – Romans 8:13.

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue – 2 Peter 1:3.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” – Acts 1:8.

Through Christ, God enables His children to overcome sinful passions and bear righteous fruit by cooperating or partnering with the sanctifying work of the indwelling Spirit. We see this in Romans 6, where Paul explains the implications of our spiritual baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection— a joining together as one that transfers the benefits of the cross into the believer’s life.

United with ChristConsider the amazing truths found in Romans 6.

Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? – Romans 6:3.

When we trust in Jesus as Savior, we spiritually unite with Him in His death and resurrection. Our old self— our identity in Adam that was corrupted by sin— dies with Christ. And we rise anew in Him, as joint participants in Jesus’ own victory through His resurrection. This profound union means His power replaces our weakness and, therefore, we are complete in Him (Col. 2:10).

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection – Romans 6:5.

Furthermore, through this union, we can now walk in Christ’s newness of life, no longer enslaved to our old carnal habits and sinful desires. Sin used to dominate us when we operated in the flesh, independent from God. But no more. Now, our dependence on the Spirit breaks the power of sin and our flesh and allows us to live lives worthy of the price of our redemption.

Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with – Romans 6:6.

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord – Romans 6:7, 11.

This “reckoning” involves continually choosing to see ourselves as God does— as those who have died and risen again with Christ. It means believing that His death fully paid the penalty of our sin in our place. Our old self and its sinful desires perished, and no longer define us. We now inhabit a new “house”— Christ’s own body (2 Cor. 5:1), which means we now have the power and ability to stop obeying the cravings of the flesh and live victoriously over sin. And all of this is possible because His Spirit empowers us to honor and obey Him instead of giving in to our selfish desires (Rom. 8:9, 13).

A Life-Changing RevelationDo you see how our union with Christ enables our sanctification? This truth radically transformed Paul’s own spiritual walk. After struggling to obey God in his own strength, Paul finally grasped that his human efforts could never please God while his heart remained carnal and unchanged. He understood that outward conformity, apart from an inward renewal, only breeds self-righteousness and hypocrisy. And his life before Christ was a testimony to that fact.

But once Paul understood the grand implications of his identification and union with Christ, he realized God accepted him solely on the basis of Jesus’ completed work and perfect merits, His righteousness and holiness— and not on the basis of Paul’s own feeble efforts to gain salvation by his own works. This revelation launched Paul into a life characterized by immense joy, gratefulness, freedom, boldness, contentment, surrender, obedience, sacrifice, and selfless service to his Lord and others. The spiritual transformation in Paul resulted directly from recognizing his new identity and position as one crucified and raised with Christ. And it gave birth to the incredible phrase found throughout his writings that defines the essence of the Christian life— “in Christ.”

Yet, even with this revelation, Paul confessed he continued battling his sinful nature, not having attained perfect holiness while still living in his sinful flesh (Rom. 7:14-25, Phil. 3:12). He agonized over failures and shortcomings but did not resign himself to spiritual defeat or throw up his hands in resignation and despair. Instead, again and again, he affirmed, as a redeemed believer in Christ, his freedom from condemnation and confidently expected God to complete the sanctification He had begun in him (Rom. 8:1, Phil. 1:6). And this is exactly what God promises to do for each of us.

Paul shows us that discouragement over our failings proves we still depend on ourselves rather than resting, or abiding, in our union with Christ. We will remain self-focused on our own performance, even after our conversion, until we grasp that pleasing God depends entirely on His work in us, and not our own efforts. As Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And Jesus meant exactly what He said.

Sanctification requires continually reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. It means acknowledging the absolute sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice to cleanse us from anything standing between us and a deeper relationship with God. It involves consciously seeking the things of the Spirit rather than the flesh. And it means believing God has accepted us as His beloved children, no matter how we may feel or the circumstances in which we may find ourselves. The key to sanctification is not self-discipline, but utter dependence on Christ, through faith, alone.

Abiding in the True VineIn John 15, Jesus likens Himself to a vine providing life and fruitfulness to its branches. By “abiding” through faith in Him, we receive His spiritual life flowing and transforming our thoughts, desires, words, and actions. Sometimes pruning is needed to destroy sinful growth and stimulate fresh fruit, but our focus remains on staying connected to the Vine. The branch does not bear fruit by striving, but simply by drawing strength from Christ and remaining connected to Him. This is the nature of what Jesus means when He says, “Abide in Me” (John 15:4).

This abiding faith in Him consists of the following:

• Praising God for making us perfectly righteous through Christ’s sacrifice. Our deepest identity is now “in Him” and not in anything else, especially us.

• Thanking Jesus for breaking sin’s dominion over us. If sin still rules us, it’s because we have not properly understood or relied on the power of the cross. We have His power at our fingertips; all we have to do is incorporate it into our lives by faith. So what are we waiting for?

• Asking (or begging) the Holy Spirit to cultivate the mindset of a dead/raised person who now lives for One greater than ourselves and produces Christ’s likeness in us. Our natural tendencies rebel against the idea of sanctification. But once we understand those old, natural tendencies are now dead, then our new life can begin.

• Asking God to reveal any lingering elements of self-trust and independence we may have and freely grant Him full Lordship over every area of our lives. We must see ourselves as crucified in Christ and reject any claim to personal rights we may think we deserve.

• We must learn to confess and turn from sin the moment it occurs by freely receiving His forgiveness, and then believing the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If not, then our guilt will inevitably lead to more self-effort, hindering our dependency and intimacy with Christ.

When we obey by faith out of hearts grateful for Christ’s love, mercy, and grace, we bear much fruit to His glory. But self-effort and legalistic conformity only breeds self-righteousness and pride. Only after we fully accept our death and resurrection in Christ’s death and resurrection, will we experience liberation to walk in the newness of life through the Spirit’s power, and watch Him bring radical transformation in our lives.

Remember the Lesson from Saul?Remember what happened to Saul? After encountering the risen Christ, he became Paul, an exemplar of the Spirit-filled life and cornerstone of the early church. In the same way, encountering Jesus also revolutionized the lives of fishermen, zealots, and nobodies into world-changing disciples. And the same can happen to us. But first we, like them, have to grasp our new position in the crucified and resurrected Savior.

Have you attained the holiness you desire? Do your besetting sins continue plaguing you? If so, consider Paul’s example. Transformation dawns when we truly apply the cross to our identity and draw life from our union with Christ. The victorious Christian life depends on you understanding “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). The hope is not you, but “Christ in you.” Don’t miss this.

Think of the addict set free when she realizes, “I have died to that old life; it no longer controls me.” Or the abrasive husband who stops abusing his wife and children once he accepts “My old self was crucified with Christ; His Spirit now lives in me.” Union with Jesus provides freedom from sin’s dominion if we walk by faith in His finished work. But if we still struggle against the flesh in our own power, we lack this revelation and have not incorporated this truth into our lives.

If you share Paul’s battle with sin, take heart. You are not alone in your struggle. But as Paul discovered, our victory is not self-obtained by our own efforts, but Christ-imparted by what He has already done. Just as His grace secured our justification, His life now enables our sanctification. And through this faith-union with Jesus, the Spirit transforms us into new creations bearing godly fruit only He can produce. And most importantly, fruit-bearing now requires abiding in Him and not striving to create something you were never designed to do.

We cannot work for sanctification, we only receive it by faith as a gift flowing from the sacrifice of Jesus and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. As we learn to rest in His perfect acceptance of us, just as we are (Rom. 12:1), the Spirit then prunes unfruitful habits and dead branches and conforms us to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29).

Remember, “Christ in you” is not only the hope, but the source, and guarantee of glory. So embrace the full benefits of your salvation, and walk in the newness of the life He provided.

And begin that process today.

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Deception: the Currency of Our CultureDeception runs rampant in our world today. Just look around. False teaching, twisted values, distorted truths, and outright sinister lies bombard us from every side. Even in the church, not all professing believers have embraced the genuine gospel— which means not all who claim to be saved are, in fact, saved. And this is the most frightening deception of all.

As Jesus warned in Matthew 24, spiritual deception will flourish in the last days. “Take heed that no one deceives you,” He told His followers, “for many will come in My name… and will deceive many.” Sobering words.

Why did Jesus put such emphasis on not being deceived, especially regarding the nature and name of Christ? Because our eternal destiny hangs in the balance. If we get this one thing wrong, what true salvation entails, then we lose everything. The cost is eternal damnation. Remember, on judgment day, many will claim to know Jesus as Lord, only to hear Him say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23). This is the essence of self-deception or counterfeit salvation, believing you have a relationship with Jesus and discovering, when it’s too late, that you don’t. Can you think of anything worse?

It’s dangerously easy in our deceptive culture to assume we are saved when we lack true spiritual life. We may profess faith in Christ while possessing little beyond a religious heritage, church attendance, a reasonably moral lifestyle, or a past prayer. And the church as an institution doesn’t help much either by accepting, without question, our claim of salvation even when our lives show little or no evidence of it.

Salvation is the one thing you don’t want to get wrong. Because if you do, you’ll have all eternity to pay for it. And nobody wants to do that. Remember, the Bible says today, right this minute, is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2)— not tomorrow, or next week, or as soon as you clear your calendar. Today means today. Right now. Before you run off to do the next thing.

Jesus warned us, saying the deception in the times we now live in would be so prevalent that, if it were possible, even His elect would be deceived (Matt. 24:24). Since that is true, how can we make sure we are not part of that statistic and are deceived regarding our salvation? How can we make sure the object of our faith is Christ, and Christ alone, and that we possess saving faith and not non-saving faith (Jas. 2:19). And how can we know the difference? We know by carefully examining our lives in light of Scripture to determine if our faith is authentic and will endure honest scrutiny.

God’s Word provides sobering tests to examine ourselves and avoid deception. Let’s take a look at a few of these and then do the hard part, honest self-reflection to make sure we are not disqualified spiritually. Remember what the Bible commands:

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?— unless indeed you are disqualified – 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Let’s begin that test together.

True Signs of a Counterfeit ConversionHere are some red flags that may indicate counterfeit conversion. See if any of these are true of you.

Lack of Spiritual Fruit

Jesus said you would know His disciples by their fruit (Matt. 7:16), not by their profession or church attendance or the Follow Me to Church bumper sticker on their car. Therefore, one key sign of false faith is a prolonged lack of consistent spiritual fruit. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit enters our lives and begins sanctifying us, to make us more like Christ. And over time, this process inevitably produces spiritual fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23), something only He can produce in us. Our new life in Christ now reflects His character and will result in a change of heart and a change of behavior. Even though we are imperfect, there is, nevertheless, a noticeable spiritual trajectory where we become less like what we were and more like what Christ is— which is a pretty good layman’s definition of sanctification.

But claiming to be Christian without spiritual fruit should raise some questions about genuine faith or the lack of it. Yes, seasons of struggle occur, but an unchanged life opposes Christ’s promise that a good tree, one who has experienced true salvation, bears good fruit (Matt. 7:17-18). So examine your life. Is lasting spiritual fruit evident, or does sin still dominate your character? And remember the principle: Spiritual fruit comes from the Spirit who lives in you. If there is no spiritual fruit, there is probably no Holy Spirit. And if there is no Holy Spirit, there is no salvation. You are simply deceived and lost in your sin. Don’t let that happen to you.

A Disregard for God’s Word

Another warning sign of counterfeit salvation is a disregard for God’s commands in Scripture. When God saves us, He implants His law within our hearts (Jer. 31:33), and transforms us into new creations that delight in obeying His Word (Ps. 119:47). But willful, ongoing disobedience or disregard for God’s commands is incompatible with saving faith, since true, saving faith is manifest through a life increasingly marked by obedience (1 John 2:3-4). You can’t have it both ways. You must choose. Do you eagerly obey Christ’s teachings in all circumstances or disregard His Word when it becomes inconvenient, embarrassing, or cramps your style?

If someone claims to follow Christ, yet minimizes the authority of Scripture in their life, or picks and chooses convenient parts to follow and rejects the teachings that demand sacrifice or commitment— their heart obviously remains unchanged. They are likely deceived, still dead in sin rather than alive in Christ. Because those transformed by the Spirit cherish all of God’s Word, not just preferred sections that fit their lifestyle. Does any of this resonate with you?

Continual bondage to Sin

When truly saved, believers gain the power to resist sin’s control in their lives through the Spirit who has now taken residence in them. Though still imperfect, true believers are no longer chained by sinful cravings as before, since sin cannot tyrannically rule in a redeemed heart. We may still wrestle with sin, but are no longer enslaved to it (Rom. 6:6-7). The Scriptures teach before our salvation, we were dead in sin, incapable of pleasing God. But after being born again, we can now resist sin’s dominance in our lives through the Spirit’s power— because sin no longer reigns over us (Rom. 6:14). Though confessing and repenting of sin should mark a Christian’s life, ongoing slavery to sin with no repentance is a clear, frightening indication of false salvation, where no true regeneration has taken place.

So we must ask: Does sin still reign in my mortal body, or has Christ’s Spirit freed me from its mastery? Examine your life for unconfessed patterns of sin. Do you walk in the newness of life or remain chained to the old nature? The Spirit sets believers free from sin’s bondage. Make sure your life on the outside lines up with your confession on the inside. Otherwise, you may be deceived.

No Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Work

This is an easy one. God’s Spirit actively indwells and changes true Christians. In fact, the Holy Spirit assures believers of salvation (Rom. 8:16), helps us pray (Rom. 8:26), illuminates Scripture (1 Cor. 2:10-14), comforts us (Acts 9:31), convicts us of sin (John 16:8), and produces spiritual fruit in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23). These are just a few things the Holy Spirit does in us that are evidence of His presence in us. But what does it mean when these fruits are not evident in our life? Again, this is an easy one. Lacking such fruit of a Spirit-empowered and sanctified life for a prolonged period of time implies the Spirit is absent. And if the Spirit is absent or inactive, Scripture warns we do not belong to Christ. Read it for yourself. “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Rom. 8:9)

Does the Spirit noticeably sanctify your life? Can others see the results of His presence in your life? And if not, why? Could it be you are deceived and still lost in your sins? If that is the case, you need to confess and repent and receive Christ on His terms, today.

Indifference Toward Spiritual Growth

Another red flag that points to counterfeit salvation is an indifference toward spiritual growth or the things pertaining to God. When a person is born-again, God implants in believers a heart passionately pursuing a deep intimacy with Him (Ps. 42:1-2). The Spirit within us propels an irresistible hunger to know Christ through prayer, the study and internalization of Scripture, worship, fellowship with a Christian community, and other spiritual practices.

If someone exhibits little interest in such spiritual pursuits, living each day engrossed in worldly routines that have no eternal significance, it suggests the Spirit is not actively sanctifying their heart and, therefore, is not present. Do you remember what it means when a professing believer doesn’t have the Holy Spirit? A past conversion experience or being raised in the church since childhood does not guarantee genuine faith today. But the ongoing pursuit of Christ, the “living water” that satisfies all our needs, is a clear indication of true salvation.

Love of the World or Worldly Things

Our priorities are a window to our soul, exposing our spiritual state. Scripture warns that friendship with the world is actually hostility toward God (James 4:4), and Jesus said the greatest commandment was to “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37), or, more than anything else, including you. So if earthly ambitions like wealth, fame, success, immorality, and pleasure rule someone’s heart, it reveals their faith is likely counterfeit, and they are lost, deceived, and on their way to eternal punishment (1 John 2:15-17). But it doesn’t have to be that way.

When true salvation takes place in a believer’s life, they cherish Christ above all else. He becomes their supreme delight and satisfaction. But if worldly affections hold preeminence in someone’s life, the love of the Father clearly does not reside in them. Because what we treasure most reveals who has captured our hearts. Does Christ hold first place in your life, or does the world and all its trappings? Our true spiritual state is revealed by our deepest affections. What do your affections say about you?

The Eternal Danger of Self-Deception

Finally and tragically, the Bible warns that some willingly deceive themselves about their salvation (James 1:22-25), which is the greatest deception of all. They hear the Word of God, maybe every Sunday, but don’t apply it to their lives. And after inspecting themselves in a mirror, they forget what they look like. Many cling to a false assurance of salvation because they once prayed a prayer, walked an aisle, had an emotional experience, or made a mental decision. Yet with no life change, they remain unsaved. A faith that does not result in obedience to the Lord is a dead, non-saving faith— a counterfeit faith. Because when we come to Christ in earnest, we must respond in obedient faith, not an empty profession.

So What Can We Do?Scripture exhorts us to examine ourselves to confirm we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). You need to do that today. Yes, it is true that while genuine, authentic believers stumble, the Spirit produces increasing Christlikeness in them over time. That’s simply what happens when the Spirit comes to live within you. Do you see that sanctification process in your life? A prolonged lack of spiritual fruit, indifference toward obeying God’s Word, ongoing slavery to sin, no evidence of the Spirit’s work, a time-consuming love for the world, and willing self-deception about true salvation warn that our faith may be counterfeit. So ask yourself the following questions.

• Do I display long-term spiritual fruit or a protracted barrenness of the life and power of the Spirit?

• How do I respond when convicted of sin by the Spirit and Word? Do I respond with repentance or rationalization? Am I humbled and remorseful, or callous and apathetic to His promptings into areas of my life that I would rather Him leave alone?

• Who or what is ultimately first in my life, desires, and pursuits— Christ or what I want to do?

• Is occasional or willful disobedience my pattern? What do my thoughts, words, and actions reveal about me and my relationship with my Lord? If others were to examine my life choices, would they conclude I serve a God greater than myself?

• Do I perceive the Spirit’s convicting and comforting work in my life? Or am I just making it on my own, only reaching out to Him for help when I get in a jam I can’t handle?

• Do I demonstrate Christlike care and commitment to fellow believers? Or is church just something I do, trying not to feel guilty or look bad in the eyes of other believers?

Scripture encourages genuine saints to validate their calling and election (2 Peter 1:10). So let’s do that by reflecting on these sobering tests and repenting where needed, drawing near to Christ and His transforming grace.

And remember, if you come up short and realize you may be deceived in thinking you have truly experienced the regenerating power of salvation, the next step is easy. Pray, believe, confess, repent, and receive— but for real this time, and the life with Him you thought you had will now truly become yours.

The choice is yours— so choose wisely.

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Looking at Israel TodayThe Gog and Magog invasion of Israel is a future event that has sparked some debate today about its timing due to what happened in Israel on October 7th. If you remember, on that day, Hamas terrorists and depraved citizens from Gaza attacked Israel and killed over a thousand people in a most horrific way and dragged several hundred back to Gaza as political prisoners. And the response of the IDF has been swift and intense, rendering Northern Gaza into a barren wasteland before the watching eyes of the world.

But the fallout from this bloodthirsty attack and the continuing aftermath of Israel has polarized nations and political leaders in choosing which side of this war they will take. Do they support Gaza, with their demand for the total eradication of Israel, protesting and chanting “from the river to the sea?” Or do they support Israel, the victims of this attack, and their God-given right to protect themselves from this kind of barbaric butchery?

Amazingly (or maybe not so amazing), the nations that have aligned themselves with Hamas and against Israel line up perfectly with those involved in the Gog from Magog invasion of Israel prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39. In fact, the precise fulfillment of this prophecy could happen right before our eyes, in breathtaking color.

We are going to seek to answer three questions about this prophecy and what is happening today in Israel. First, who are the nations involved in the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion? Next, what actually happens during the Gog invasion? And, most important, when does it take place?

Get Your Bible and a MapThe prophecy in Ezekiel begins by listing a group of people (or nations) that no longer exist today but inhabit geographic areas we can clearly identify. And this invasion is designed by God, who seems to be directing the players and the outcome for His own personal reasons (Ezek. 38:23, see also Romans 9:17-18).

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal'” – Ezekiel 38:1-3.

Note the participants: Gog from the land of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. But there are more.

“I will (God’s actions) turn you (Gog) around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops— many people are with you” – Ezekiel 38:4-6.

Now we see even more participants: Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and the house of Togarmah. These are the ones who will come against Israel during this invasion. Yet, other nations are mentioned who are critical of Gog’s actions yet do not directly involve themselves.

“Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ” – Ezekiel 38:13.

So who are these people, and what countries do they represent today?

Read ‘Em and WeepWhen we look at the table of nations in Genesis 10 and elsewhere, we can determine the nations involved in the invasion, or those critical of it:

• Gog – Leader (Demonic)

• Land of Magog (Scythians) – Central Asia, the countries that made up the former Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan)

• The Prince of Rosh – Russia

• Meshech and Tubal – Modern Turkey

• Persia – Iran

• Ethiopia (Cush) – Modern Sudan, those nations south of Egypt

• Libya (Put or Phut) – Modern Libya, possibly as far as Algeria and Tunisia, those nations west of Egypt

• Gomer (Cimmerians) – Central Turkey

• House of Togarmah – Modern Turkey, North of Israel

• Sheba (Sabean Kingdom) – Modern Yemen

• Dedan – Modern Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar

• The merchants of Tarshish – Great Britain, Spain

• all their young lions – the colonies or trading partners of Tarshish, possibly the United States

Can you see things beginning to shape up for something like this? I sure can. But let’s look at the current situation Israel finds itself among its Muslim neighbors. After all, one picture is worth a thousand words, and this is no exception.

There is so much more to discover about the amazing prophetic times we are living in right now. I hope you will have one eye on your Bible and the other on Israel as we eagerly await the return of our Lord.

It should be a wild ride!

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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No More Roller-Coaster LivingWhen it comes to spiritual disciplines like surrender or yielding our life to the Lord, the hardest part is not the act of initial surrender, but the journey of remaining surrendered to Him in the days and months ahead. For most believers, this journey can be discouraging, filled with success and failure, ups and downs, and sometimes, you may even feel like giving up. But that should never be the case. After all, it is the Holy Spirit living in you that seals you in Him and is the deposit, the guarantee of the promise of your future inheritance to come (Eph. 1:14). And this is more than going to heaven when you die— far more. The indwelling Holy Spirit also guarantees your sanctification, which is you becoming more like Christ each and every day (1 Cor. 1:30).

But the one question still remains, how? How do we experience the process of becoming more like our Lord in the chaos of everyday living? And how do we make sure, at least on our end, that we remain surrendered and submitted to Him?

To AbideIn Christian circles, we hear much about the word abide or abiding regarding our relationship with Christ. Jesus actually made that term the centerpiece of His teaching on the nature of our relationship with Him in John 15. You would do well to study this teaching. In it, Jesus said:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” – John 15:4-5.

Abiding in Christ is the key to remaining surrendered and walking in obedience under His authority. But what does it mean to abide in Him? And how is it done?

The word “abide” in Greek is menó, and means to “remain or stay, live, and dwell with someone in an intimate, close relationship by being united with them, or being made one with them, in heart, mind, and will.”¹ It is more than a casual acquaintance but rather a deep, enduring connection. And it is only when we remain connected to Him, that we allow His life to flow through us, producing spiritual fruit that brings glory to the Father (John 15:8).

The principle is simple: When we abide, we flourish and live. When we detach from the vine and try to go it alone, we flounder and die. And the choice is always ours to make.

Remaining Connected (Surrendered) to the True VineWhy is abiding so important? Because it leads to spiritual fruitfulness in our lives. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As we stay attached or surrendered to the Vine (Christ), His life flows through us, and this supernaturally enables us to bear His good fruit— the fruit of righteousness, godly character, and the expansion of God’s kingdom, all for the glory of the Father. It is an amazing dependent relationship. Remember, as a branch, we don’t produce any fruit. That’s the job of the Vine, Christ. But as long as we remain attached and surrendered to Him, we get the joy of bearing His fruit since all He is, as the Vine, flows through us and, as His branches, gives our life purpose. And all we have to do is remain surrendered, attached, and submitted to the source of everything that gives our life value. He produces all the fruit, and we get to bear His handiwork for the world to see. Let that sink in for a moment.

The Scriptures reveal we were created for good works (Eph. 2:10), but we can only fulfill these works if we rely wholly on Jesus’ power working in us. If we detach from the Vine, our best efforts become futile, and we quickly discover we can “do nothing” (John 15:5). But when we remain connected or surrendered to Him by abiding in Him, we partner with Him as He allows us to bear His lasting spiritual fruit. Abiding places us in the channel of God’s wonderous grace and enables us to experience the joy of vibrant Christian living. It is truly the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

The Fruit of ObedienceAbiding also produces obedience. Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). It seems that obedience and love are intrinsically intertwined. So when we love Christ, obedience to His Word flows naturally. And as we follow His commands, our love for Him grows deeper still.

Our culture exalts self-will and independence, but Jesus calls us to a life of voluntary surrender and submission— recognizing His wisdom exceeds our own, on every level. Therefore, as branches abiding in the Vine, obeying Christ’s commands allows His life and power to flow unhindered through us, which is the entire point of being conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29).

Some may view obedience as restrictive, but in reality, it leads to great peace and freedom. Sin and pride trap us in bitterness, resentment, anxiety, and emptiness. But obeying Christ frees us from sin’s grip, no matter how strong the grip is. His commands are given as a blessing, not to stifle, but to protect, guide, and bless. And as we surrender to the Vine, we find true purpose in bearing His righteous fruit that will last, and not mindlessly spending our life chasing the trinkets and toys of this world that will inevitably perish.

But how can we grow in abiding obedience?

It starts by cultivating a heart that longs to honor Christ. Before rushing into any activity, we must take a moment to stop and listen to Jesus, focusing on His voice among the fray. Remember what He said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). This is a promise and a condition. If we rest in Him and allow His words to permeate our hearts, He will give us the power and, most importantly, the desire to obey. Abiding flows out of a satisfied heart resting in Christ’s love.

Finally, understand that abiding obedience is a journey. We will make missteps, count on it, but the Father graciously prunes us to grow sweeter fruit within each season of our lives (John 15:2). So do not let past failures, no matter how many or how often, sever you from the Vine. Repent and rely on Christ’s forgiveness and power to help you take the next step in faith and obedience to Him.

The Fruit of Dependent SurrenderAbiding in Christ requires full dependence on Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We must recognize that apart from Him, we are helpless and fruitless.

When we try to live the Christian life in our own effort and strength, we end up exhausted, frustrated, and often burned out. You’ve probably experienced that at some point in your life. But when we fully surrender control to Jesus, trusting in His inner working more than our striving, then His divine life, power, and joy flow through us. Surrender means ceasing from our labors and completely relying on Him (which is a great definition of abiding).

This surrender is not passive or apathetic, but rather one of active dependence. As we abide in Christ, we gain wisdom to know what He desires us to do each step of the way. We then act in alignment with His will but rely, not on our own meager and finite resources, but on His inner strength to accomplish it. As Paul said, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (Col. 1:29). The life of Christ within empowers us beyond human capability. The joy of experiencing being complete in Him (Col. 2:10), comes from abiding as His branch and letting the Vine do all the stuff only the Vine can do. And then we do what we can do, which is simply to remain connected to Him.

The Fruit of a Life That MattersJesus promised that abiding in Him would produce spiritual fruit that remains. He said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). When we minister in human strength and wisdom, the impact is often limited and temporary. But drawing life from the Vine produces eternal fruit that matters and remains.

This fruit comes from our conscious effort to remain surrendered to Him in everything. As we listen to the Spirit’s promptings through an abiding relationship, He leads us to act in ways that bless others. It may involve speaking a word of encouragement, showing compassion, serving a practical need, or doing something that moves us out of what feels comfortable and stretches our faith. When we follow His lead rather than our own agenda, the fruit always brings glory to the Father. And since the fruit is from the Spirit and not our own human efforts, it will always remain.

Scripture describes the fruit that naturally grows from abiding in Him as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). These fruits of the Spirit emerge in our character as we stay connected to the Vine and become more like Jesus.

The Overflow of JoyOne primary fruit Jesus mentions is fullness of joy. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). As we abide in God’s love, His joy naturally overflows in our hearts. And the joy of Christ, the joy He experiences Himself, will remain in us. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

This joy is much deeper than temporary human happiness based on circumstances. This kind of joy flows from a surrendered relationship in Christ, trusting Him amidst any situation, good or bad. Even in great trials and heartwrenching tribulations, we can experience His supernatural joy as we rely on His presence by remaining surrendered to Him. And, as Paul and Silas discovered when chained in a dungeon in Philippi, we can now view all troubles as opportunities to experience more of Him (Acts 16:25).

This abiding joy comes from recognizing and embracing that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:38-39). So now, life’s pressures only drive us closer to the God who sustains us. And when we abide in the Vine, joy remains even in the midst of suffering, because we now know that pain, with purpose, produces great joy.

Launching into Jesus’ HarvestFinally, abiding readies us for Kingdom impact. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit. I have said these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:16, 11). Abiding fills us with contagious joy and propels us into Jesus’ harvest fields.

When our roots grow deep into the Vine, we gain a passion to share Christ’s love with the world. We yearn for others to know this soul-satisfying relationship we have in Him, and therefore, we long to see others grafted into the True Vine with us as fellow branches.

So we follow the Spirit’s leading to invest in the work of His kingdom. We freely leverage our gifts and resources to make disciples, meet needs, and proclaim the Gospel in any way possible. We spend and are spent for the cause of Christ, fueled by our joy in Him. This is what an overflowing life looks like abiding in the True Vine. And it fills us with overabounding gratitude for His choice of us in Him (Eph. 1:4).

His Final Plea: Remain in MeOn the night of His betrayal, Jesus pleaded with His disciples to remain in close fellowship with Him when He said, “Stay here and watch with Me” (Matt. 26:38). He knew great trials would soon come that would shake their faith to the core. But He also knew that if they clung to the Vine, drawing life and strength from Him that day and daily thereafter, they would bear eternal fruit, and their lives would have a lasting impact on others.

Centuries later, His same plea echoes in our own hearts. Jesus says, “Abide in Me. Stay vitally connected to Me. For apart from Me, you can do nothing. A branch detached withers quickly. But if you stay united to Me in abiding surrender, My life will flow through you with supernatural power. Abide in My love and joy. Seek My heart above all else. Remain in Me, and your life will overflow with righteous fruit that endures forever.”

This is the way to live fully surrendered to the Lord, no matter what— come what may. Are you ready to live a life abiding in Him? Good. Then let’s get started today.

Notes:

1. Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers.

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We’ve Only Just BegunWe are now at the last step to surrendering our lives unreservedly to the Lord. And this seventh and final step deals with how to keep close to Him, and how to remain surrendered and submitted, even after the initial awe of the experience begins to wear off and we let our guard down. Don’t be deceived— yes, it will happen to you, just like it has happened to all those who have gone before you in seeking the Higher Christian Life or the life of full surrender.

Even though we are at the last step, our journey of surrender has just begun. Like Peter, taking his eyes off Jesus and sinking into the waves when doing the impossible, walking on water, it’s easy to lose focus on Christ amid the trying circumstances we face every day (Matt. 14:30). Remember, sin is sin, and all sin, no matter how trivial we make it, hinders our relationship with the Lord and grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Therefore your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to keep Christ at the center of your life, always, regardless of the situation you may be facing. And we do that by keeping our eyes on Him.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (see Hebrews 11), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (how) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:1-2.

So how do we maintain a posture of continual submission to the Lord and make seeking Him our consuming priority in life? Or, how do we keep our eyes on Him like He kept His eyes on His Father? Let me share with you a few disciplines that should give you some direction in your life-long pursuit of Him.

Start the Day Anchored in ChristBegin each morning grounded in Scripture and prayer. Make this a priority and set the tone of your day, communing with Jesus before anything else. Take His word in John 15:5 to heart, “Without Me, you can do nothing,” and realize He meant what He said. Read a devotional or passage about Christ’s character.¹ Write down what He has been showing you or how He has answered your prayers. This anchors you in Him before the chaos of the day competes for your attention.

“My voice You shall hear (when) in the morning, O Lord; (when) in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up” (Psalm 5:3). Just as we nourish our bodies with breakfast, we must nourish our spirit with Christ first thing in the morning.

Don’t Exclude Christ from Your Daily TasksAs you go about your day, talk to Jesus continually through quick, conversational prayers, thanking Him for the little blessings you notice. Ask the Spirit for patience when frustrations arise, and they will. And seek His wisdom in any decisions you have to make, no matter how small. Remember, He is the Lord over everything— even the small stuff. Offer up a prayer of blessing to those you encounter. And ask Him to guide your interactions throughout the day.

When you pray without ceasing, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs, it keeps your focus on the Lord no matter how busy your schedule gets. Whether you’re checking off your to-do list, heading to appointments, running errands, or socializing with others, you can invite Jesus into every moment of your day. And if you invite Him, you will no longer be surprised when He comes to walk beside you in what you consider the mundane things of life. Try it. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much He wants to be part of your life.

Look at Everything Through His EyesConsider how your daily choices reflect on Christ’s priorities. Does your use of time and money align with pursuing God’s Kingdom and righteousness? Do your entertainment choices and digital consumption feed your spirit or merely your flesh? Did you know that who you befriend and interact with also impacts your walk with God?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (why) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Evaluate whether your lifestyle choices, even the ones you consider trivial and non-important, line up with the His Word. And if they don’t, dump them.

Prioritize Spiritual DisciplinesBe willing to say “no” to lesser commitments and rearrange your schedule to embrace spiritual disciplines that feed your soul. This is the one practice our Christian heroes of old did that we seem to ignore today for the sake of what seems important now. So set aside consistent time for Bible reading, extended prayer, corporate worship, serving within your local church, and fellowshipping with other believers before your schedule gets so jammed you have no room for God.

As Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man (including you) shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). Don’t let busyness crowd out what matters most.

Turn First to Christ During Difficult TimesWhen challenges inevitably come, resist falling into despair and anger by trying to manage them on your own. Instead, immediately turn to Jesus in prayer, surrendering the situation to His control. “Cast all your care upon Him, (why) for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). And all means just that— all, everything. Trust in His sovereignty and ask Him to use this trial for your spiritual growth.² Learn to lean into His peace and perspective, no matter how things may look to you at the time. Remember, “Our God is in His heavens; He does what He pleases” (Psalm 115:3).

As Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” So keep your eyes fixed on Christ through the storm.

Limit Earthly Pleasures (No Matter How Good They Make You Feel)While God richly provides for our enjoyment, beware of overindulging in His temporary gifts. We belong to Him, and what He blesses us with is also designed to be a blessing to others. So generously share your finances to further the Gospel rather than storing up treasures on earth that rust, rot, and fade away (Matt. 6:19-21). Learn to develop healthy boundaries around media, food, shopping, and how you spend your leisure time. Commit to investing more of your life in the eternal rather than the fleeting.

“Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). Our indulgences can easily become idols if we aren’t careful.

Immerse Yourself in Christ-Centered InfluencesCarefully consider those who speak into your life or who you rent space to in your brain. Limit your time with media (especially social media), relationships, and interactions that can hinder your focus on Jesus and quench the power of the Spirit in your life (1 Thes. 5:19). Instead, immerse yourself in influences that point you to God and grow your faith.

As Proverbs 13:20 states, “He who walks with wise men will be wise (promise), but the companion of fools will be destroyed (also a promise).” Don’t be a companion of fools, no matter how socially acceptable it may be in our culture. Do the hard stuff. Seek out mentors, pastors, books, podcasts, sermons, and friendships that strengthen your spiritual walk. And make that a daily priority.

Make Christ the Center of All Your RelationshipsSurround yourself with people who reflect and encourage your devotion to God, not hinder it, malign it, or encourage you to downplay it. Graciously, but firmly, end any relationship, even on social media, pulling you from full devotion to Christ. Bring Jesus into your conversations. Pray for your friends’ needs. Set an example of wholehearted obedience to the Gospel. And let your closest relationships be with those sharing your commitment to Him. Don’t ever settle for anything less.

As Christ said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Seek out fellow travelers on the narrow road. There aren’t many of them, but they are out there. You just might have to go out of your way to find them.

Honor the Lord’s Day for Spiritual RechargeSet aside Sunday as a sacred day to reconnect with God. It was given as a command to God’s children for a reason. Disengage from work, news, political commentary, and social media. Prepare yourself to enter into His presence in worship. Read His Scripture reflectively. Have spiritual conversations with Him and others. Spend the day being renewed in Him.

Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God gave His day to us as a gift, not a burden. So set apart this time to refocus completely on Christ.

Find Your Ultimate Fulfillment in the Pursuit of GodEarthly pleasures quickly fade, but true joy is found in communion with Christ. After all, it is Christ who brings joy and peace in this chaotic world (Rom. 15:13). So make abiding or resting in Him your source of satisfaction (John 15:5). Take delight in prayer, meditating on Scripture, serving in the church, praying for others, and sharing your faith. Discover your true purpose as you daily walk closely with Jesus.

As Psalm 16:11 promises, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” And it is in His presence where we find our enduring treasure.

So What’s Next?Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus in the midst of life’s trials, hurts, and constant distractions takes determination, spiritual strength, and a mental commitment. But as we choose daily to seek Christ first, above all else, and build our lives around Him, He promises to align our hearts with His perfect will, producing abundant life and joy (John 10:10), and a peace that defies description (Phil. 4:7). Just as a compass needle continually realigns to its true north, we must realign to the source of our true life each day— and that source is Jesus Himself.

May our lives fulfill Paul’s words in Philippians 3:14 — “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Let’s keep our eyes only on Him.

And let’s do it today.

Notes:

1. A great devotional is My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

2. See Step Five – Surrendering to God’s Sovereignty.

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Church: The Hatfields and McCoysWe live in a world that is totally at war with itself. Our nation is being torn apart by division – racial, socioeconomic, political – you name it, and we’ve experienced it. But that’s not how Christ designed His church to be. In fact, Jesus said in John 17 that when we love each other more than we love ourselves, the lost world will come to believe God sent Jesus and He is truly the Son of God. In other words, our unity and oneness with each other will be the strongest evangelical draw we have to bring others to Christ.

But if you look around, all we see within the church is division. Some churches believe in the sovereignty of God, while others deify man and his free will choices. Some churches see homosexuality as a sin, while others have drag queens teaching the children on Sunday mornings. The church has a history of dividing on trivial matters such as the mode of baptism or our posture in prayer rather than uniting around the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

But what did the Lord have in mind when He created His church? And does it look anything like what we’ve turned it into today? Let’s take a few moments and do a brief survey on what the Lord said about His church.

It’s Unity Above Almost Everything ElseAs we’ve shared already, the early church was built on devoting themselves to the four disciplines found in Acts 2:42. And as you can see, two of the four deal with building our family relationships with each other in unity (fellowship and the Love Feast, or the breaking of bread).

And they continued steadfastly in (were devoted to) (1) the apostles’ doctrine and (2) fellowship, in the (3) breaking of bread, and (4) in prayers – Acts 2:42.

Then we have the prayer of Jesus before His death on the cross. And what was the content of His prayer? Our unity in Him and each other.

“That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us (why) that the world may believe that You sent Me” – John 17:21.

Notice how many times Paul encouraged the church (and the individual believers) to humble themselves in unity with others like our Lord did. It seems that being one together in Him was continually on Paul’s mind.

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be (what) like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (why) that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 15:5-6.

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (what) you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment – 1 Corinthians 1:10.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to (what) walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (how) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all – Ephesians 4:1-6.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others – Philippians 2:1-4.

Ugh, Enough AlreadyI know, too many passages all saying the same thing lose their power over time. Maybe. Or maybe several passages all saying the same thing might convict us of our sins and move us to make the changes internally we need to in order to become one with other believers. Maybe we will realize Jesus was serious about unity in His church, and Paul just piled it on even more after Him.

And maybe, just maybe, this will move us to change how we view church and each other in order to make His name known to those who live in sin, skepticism, and denial. And maybe when we are one in Him, our loved ones will see the incredible power of Christ and come to faith in Him.

And if so, all He is waiting for is us to obey His commands. Are you ready? I sure hope so.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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Fellowship is More Than a Pot-Luck DinnerIf you look at the book of Acts, you’ll find the amazing story of how the church was born and grew to 3,000 people after one 297-word sermon preached by an impetuous, former fisherman named Peter. It’s one of the most transforming passages in all the New Testament. But what we fail to look at is the fact that now the church had a serious logistic issue. Like, “What are we going to do with all these people? How are we going to feed them? Many of them don’t even speak the same language we speak. We don’t have training materials, a church structure, or places for them to sleep. And we don’t even know if we like them? All we know is they have now received the same Spirit we received, and they consider us family, and we should start acting like family.”

This was a difficult problem for the infant church, which was only hours old. I can imagine Peter and the rest of the disciples fretting over the fact this problem was way above their pay grade. This was something Jesus needed to figure out before He ascended into heaven just ten days ago. But He didn’t. He just left them His Spirit and trusted them to follow His will.

I can imagine their prayers went something like, “Lord, show us what to do. These are Your people, called by Your name, and filled with Your Spirit, just like we are. So please, show us what to do.”

And that is exactly what the Lord did.

They Continued Steadfastly in Four ThingsAs you can see from Scripture, they “continued steadfastly” or “endured to the point of devotion” to four vital disciplines that allowed them to grow from a gang of strangers into His church (Acts 4:42). Not three. And not five. Just four. But these four were essential to their growth and devotion to the Lord and to each other.

And they continued steadfastly in (1) the apostles’ doctrine and (2) fellowship, in (3) the breaking of bread, and (4) in prayers – Acts 2:42.

Note what they were devoted to and the order they are listed.

And they continued steadfastly in

(1) the apostles’ doctrine— or preaching and the study of the Word of God.

(2) and fellowship— which is koinōnía and means a partnership, communion, or joint participation. This is something more than sharing a chicken dinner on Sunday.

(3) in the breaking of bread— this is more than communion or the Lord’s Supper. It is a shared communal meal, much like a family reunion, that was part of their worship service.

(4) and in prayers— both corporate and individual.

As you can see, there is much we are missing today that the early church deemed essential when they came together as the family of God to worship the Father. I believe there is much we can learn from them. But the key discipline that changes them, and can change us, from an institution to a family is in the “breaking of bread” or the Love Feast. And it is this forgotten love feast we will explore in this message.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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569: The Third Step – Dying to Self to Gain Him

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First Sign of the End-Times: DeceptionJesus said one of the telling signs of the end times is the expositional growth of deception worldwide, especially within the ranks of those who call themselves Christians. When asked about the signs of His coming and the end of the age, Jesus said, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5). He then reiterates the same truth about deception regarding false prophets in verse 11, and then expands on the depth of the coming deception in Matthew 24:23-24. Notice how powerful the final great deception will be.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Did you catch that? Jesus said the deception at the end would be so powerful that if it were possible to deceive the elect, God’s chosen, then they would also be deceived into believing a false Christ or the antichrist. It is that serious. And it is accompanied by false signs and miracles. It’s like Moses in the court of Pharoah 2.0.

Second Sign of the End-Times: ApostasyIn Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica, he tells them what signs to look for before the coming of the Lord and the appearance of the antichrist, the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” (2 Thes. 2:3). And he said there would be a great “falling away” or apostasy – where true believers abandon the faith for some deceiving spirit or false god.

So let’s put this all into focus: First, great deception and false christs will proliferate worldwide throughout the culture and the church. And then, second, those who claim to be believers will abandon the faith, fall away, and reject the true Christ for one made in the image of man and empowered by Satan, namely, the antichrist. But what will this falling away look like? Will elders in a church one day stand and proclaim they no longer believe in Jesus? Or will pastors start preaching a fourth person in the Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and their cousin Billy Bob? Will there be an open renunciation of the Christian faith by those who claim to love Jesus? Well, yes and no. All of this will happen, but not as you would think.

Deconstruction: Just Another Name for ApostasyNotice again what Jesus said about the false christs in the end times:

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5).

When they come in the name of Christ, as a false christ, they are not saying, “Hey, follow me, I am Jesus.” Instead, they are saying, “I come in the name of Christ. I know what He is like. And I know what it means to follow Christ. So follow me, and I will show you the real Jesus and not the false Jesus you have been following.” And this is where the deception gets sinister. Because the false Jesus they are promoting is not the Biblical Jesus, but a Jesus of their making, a Jesus acceptable to our culture, and a Jesus that thinks just like we do, as sad as that sounds.

And the method of converting from the Jesus of the Bible to the false Jesus we have been warned about is called deconstruction. The great, prophesied, end-time apostasy has been rebranded into a positive light where we are deconstructing the Christian faith by removing from it anything we find unacceptable, such as sin, judgment, righteousness, and sanctification. And we replace it with whatever we want, whatever our culture deems acceptable, and whatever makes us feel good.

It is truly creating and worshipping the golden calf and not the Lord on Mt. Sinai. And we see it happening all around us today.

But We Have Been WarnedYes, we have been warned and should not be surprised by this great falling away. Remember Paul’s warning to Timothy:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in (when) latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron – 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

But there is more.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables (the word we get myths from) – 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

The Holy Spirit has warned us in advance. Are you prepared to face the onslaught of false doctrines, false christs, false signs and miracles, and a false understanding of the Christian faith? If so, the name of that great apostasy is called deconstruction. And the best way to confront the counterfeit is to know perfectly what the authentic looks like.

I hope you are ready. For ready or not, deconstruction is coming our way. In fact, it’s already here.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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568: The Second Step – Confession and Repentance

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God is Three and Three in OneWhen we decide to fully yield our lives to the Lord, one essential step is surrendering control of everything to the Holy Spirit, who is probably the most overlooked member of the Trinity. And this is because the doctrine of the Trinity, or trying to explain the triune nature of God, is one of the most confusing teachings in Scripture. After all, we are finite beings who think in finite, logical, cause-and-effect, terms. Yet God is infinite, off the scales, and His nature is beyond what we can explain or logically process in our finite minds.

But let’s try. The doctrine of the Trinity is defined as God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.¹

Or, to make it easier to digest:

1. God is three persons (Father, Son, and Spirit).

2. Each person is fully God.

3. There is one God.

But, even though they are all equally God, they have different and unique functions, especially regarding salvation and sanctification. For example, Scripture reveals God the Father is right now seated on His throne in heaven. Jesus is currently at His right hand interceding for us (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25). And where is the Holy Spirit? He is the one who now lives in us and empowers us with His gifts, guidance, and transforming power. The Spirit is not a force that emanates from the Father to do His will, like in Star Wars, but is God Himself— co-equal, co-eternal, of the same essence as the Father and the Son. Yet, even though the Spirit is as much God as Jesus and the Father, sadly, we must admit He is the one Person we spend the least amount of time with and the one we know the least about.

If you look at just a few things the Holy Spirit has been tasked with, you will quickly notice these have to do with securing our salvation and enhancing our sanctification. It seems, of the three Persons in the Godhead, it is the Spirit who works the closest with us, and yet He is the one we tend to keep at arm’s length, distant and aloof.

The Vital Roles of the SpiritHere are some key roles the Holy Spirit plays in our lives while residing in us:

• The Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s word and apply it to our lives – John 14:26.

• The Spirit guides us into truth and helps us discern right from wrong – John 16:13.

• The Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit in our lives like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23.

• The Spirit empowers and equips us with spiritual gifts for ministry – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us in prayer – Romans 8:26-27.

• The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, giving us an assurance of our salvation – Romans 8:16.

• The Holy Spirit seals believers for the day of redemption – Ephesians 1:13-14.

• The Holy Spirit comforts believers in times of need – Acts 9:31.

• The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment – John 16:8.

• The Holy Spirit fills believers for service by empowering them to speak the word of God with boldness – Acts 4:31.

• The Holy Spirit reveals the deep things of God to believers – 1 Corinthians 2:10.

And the list goes on. Notice, these are not things the Father or the Son does in us, but the Spirit. And it is a shame that we know so little of the Spirit compared to what we know about the Father and the Son.

But all that can change today.

15 Ways to Deepen Your Relationship With the Holy SpiritDeep intimacy with the Holy Spirit comes through continually yielding control of our lives to Him and responding to His work within us. The more we surrender to Him, the more we learn to recognize His leadings, promptings, and His voice. And the more we obey Him, the more we acknowledge our dependence on Him, and the closer He becomes to us. Like with any relationship, it grows with time. The more time you spend with the Holy Spirit, the more you will get to know Him as much, if not better, than you do the Father and the Son. It is really that simple, but it takes a commitment on your part to make it happen.

So let me share 15 ways to help build a closer relationship with the Spirit.

1. Begin with a simple conversation. Start by speaking to the Spirit as you would a friend. Tell Him what is on your heart, and confess to Him if this process of praying to Him seems strange. Remember, He is God, and He already knows. Nothing you say will surprise Him.

2. Develop a habit of thanking Him for His works and gifts in your life. Recognize the Spirit’s activity in your life, such as bringing you comfort, wisdom, power, discernment, etc. And when you pray, don’t make it generic by saying God or Lord. Thank the Spirit specifically, by name, for what He has done for you, and remember that He alone brings transformation in your life.

3. Ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you. Pray for greater knowledge, awareness, openness, and intimacy with the Spirit. Ask Him to become as close to you as Jesus and the Father. And if you ask, He will respond.

4. Rely on His guidance every moment and show Him how dependent you are on Him. Seek the Spirit’s direction in all things, big and small, and thank Him specifically for the guidance He brings (see #2).

5. Share some personal testimonies of His activity in your life and your awareness of Him. Tell others how the Spirit has guided, helped, or empowered you. And be specific, if it was the Spirit who empowered you, then give thanks to the Spirit.

6. Meditate on His name and attributes in Scripture, such as Counselor, Comforter, or Spirit of Truth. When you reflect on verses describing the Spirit’s nature, you will soon begin to see His personality emerge from the Scriptures. And when you do, it changes everything about your relationship with Him.

7. Thank Him for letting you bear His fruit and for producing His Godly traits in you. Express your gratitude to Him for your growth in love, joy, peace, etc., and acknowledge your dependence on Him for your continued growth. Remember, they are His fruits, the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22), that He graciously allows us to manifest in our lives.

8. Ask Him to reveal any sins that need confessing or relationships that need restoring. Pray for His conviction and your courage to make things right. Be quick to repent and forgive. And eliminate anything hindering, grieving, or quenching your fellowship with the Spirit.

9. Respond immediately when you sense His presence and guidance. Act quickly when the Spirit prompts your spirit. Don’t dismiss His gentle whispers. And be sure to act before the urgency fades, because it ultimately will.

10. Worship the Spirit. Yes, you heard that right. Profess your praises directly to Him for who He is and what He does. After all, as God, the Holy Spirit is also worthy of your praise and devotion.

11. Take time and be still to hear His voice. Create space in your life to listen to the Spirit’s promptings and for His voice when you read Scripture. If you don’t make the time for Him, you will miss the joy of His presence.

12. Write down your conversations or encounters with Him and record what He tells you. Note how He is stretching and maturing your faith and conforming you into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Over time, you will see how the Spirit has been moving in your life all along, even before you were aware of it, and it will grow your faith more than you can imagine.

13. Before you make any decisions, ask Him to guide you and make His wisdom clear. Seek the Spirit’s direction in all things and wait for His green light. As Oswald Chambers said, “Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.”²

14. Imagine experiencing His presence when you read Scripture accounts of Him empowering believers, like in the book of Acts. Visualize the Spirit’s activity as you read His Word, imagining how you would have been impacted if you were there in the pages of Scripture. Then expect Him to move likewise in your life.

15. If you don’t have a strong sense of His presence, tell Him about it, and ask Him to increase your revelation of Himself. Share honestly your desire for greater closeness with Him. And rest assured, He will give you what you ask. For it is His will to reveal more of Himself, and the Father and the Son, to you.

But this leaves us with one pressing question: How does my life change when I grow in my relationship with the Holy Spirit?

The Spirit’s Transforming PowerAs we grow closer to the Holy Spirit, He progressively conforms us to the image of Christ, which is the goal of our sanctification (Rom. 8:29). We partner with Him in the process of sanctification as we, on our part, yield more control of our lives to Him and He, on His part, bears His fruit in us, renews our minds, produces Christlike virtues, and releases His gifts through us for others. He gives us a new hunger for His Word, convicts us of sinful patterns, comforts us in sorrow, intercedes on our behalf beyond our understanding, seals our salvation, and guarantees our inheritance in Christ by His continual presence in us (Eph. 1:13-14).

What an amazing gift to have the very presence of God dwelling in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit! (1 Cor. 6:19). As we yield more of ourselves to His control, He changes us from within and partners with us in the lifelong process of being reshaped into the image of Jesus Christ.

Remember, the Christian life was never meant to be lived in our own power. With the Holy Spirit within us, we have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 8:11). He wants to operate through us, transforming us into vessels that overflow with divine fruit, gifts, power, and godly character traits.

So why do we hold back from giving control of everything to Him? Why not surrender your life to the Holy Spirit today, totally, wholeheartedly, without reservation, and watch what He can do in a life fully devoted to Him?

As D.L. Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.”³

Let’s make that same commitment today by surrendering our lives totally to the Holy Spirit. Are you ready to experience the abundant life Jesus promised?

Then what are you waiting for? Do it today!

Notes:1. Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 226). Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

1. Chambers, O. (1992). My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today’s Language (J. Reimann, Ed.; p. 4). WORDsearch.

2. This quote is widely attributed to Dwight L. Moody, a 19th-century American evangelist, although its original source is unclear.

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He is God, and We Are NotBy nature, we are control freaks. We pray for divine healing, but only after our physician shakes his head and says, “Well, there’s nothing left to do but pray,” and our medical insurance runs out. We claim Matthew 6:33, where Jesus promises to meet all our needs, but again, only after we max out our credit cards and can’t make the minimum payments. In other words, we try to fix everything our way, in our own strength, and ask no one for advice or help. It’s only when we come up short that we pray and ask the Lord to bless our efforts (emphasis on our) or get us out of the jam we seem to have stumbled into again. This is not a life of surrender. Nor does it acknowledge the sovereignty of God. The fifth step in surrendering your life to the Lord demands trusting completely in His goodness, grace, mercy, and especially— His sovereignty. Remember, He is God (and all that entails), and we are not. And the sooner we learn this truth, the closer we are to fully surrendering, and trusting Him.

Surrendering our lives fully to God requires trusting in His sovereignty— meaning He is in complete control and His plans are always best. But what does it really mean to trust God’s sovereignty? And why is absolute submission to His supreme plan vital for fully yielding our lives to Him? Let’s explore the meaning of God’s sovereignty, some biblical examples of surrender, and the reasons why relinquishing control to His authority brings peace and purpose to our lives.

Defining God’s SovereigntyTrusting in God’s sovereignty means believing He reigns supreme over everything, including you and your circumstances. He has divine plans and purposes far beyond our human comprehension (Isa. 55:8-9). It’s acknowledging that nothing happens without His permission, and He can, and will, use any circumstance, good or bad, to grow us in maturity and glorify Himself.

Surrendering to His sovereignty requires faith that God’s way is perfect, even when life feels random or senseless or anything but perfect. We must believe He cherishes us unconditionally and understands precisely what we need in every situation, even if what He knows we need is not what we have been praying for. We must be fully convinced that God is not only “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20), but that He is also willing, as a loving Father who adores His children. And when He moves in His sovereign manner, we must know and rest in the truth that His perspective surpasses our limited human insight, and He knows best— even when we can’t see it or doubt His goodness.

Some Biblical Examples of SurrenderThe Scriptures are full of examples of those who faced trials greater than ours, and trusted in God’s sovereignty. Job suffered excruciating losses— his family, fortune, reputation, and health, yet declared in worship, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Even during unimaginable grief and agony, Job trusted God’s good purposes rather than questioning His supreme authority, even when he didn’t understand what God was doing.

Abraham is another well-known example. God instructed him to do the unthinkable, to sacrifice his promised son Isaac— Abraham’s only hope and future (Gen. 22). Though undoubtedly grieved and confused, Abraham obeyed God’s command by trusting the Lord had a purpose he could not yet grasp. And God, in His sovereignty, honored Abraham’s faith by providing another sacrifice instead of Isaac and blessing him beyond measure.

Even Jesus surrendered to His Father’s sovereign will. When facing the horrific pain of crucifixion, He prayed His will would be aligned with His Father’s sovereign purpose, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Though understandably dreading the torture of a Roman scourge and crucifixion, Jesus submitted to His Father’s higher plan for His sacrifice that led to our redemption. And I am sure glad He did.

Why Trusting God’s Sovereignty MattersThere are several key reasons why yielding full control of our lives to God requires trusting in His perfect sovereignty:

One, it allows God to direct our paths (which is a really good thing). Tightly clutching onto control of our lives restricts how God is able to work in us and guide our steps. If He guides, but we refuse to follow, then we suffer. But surrendering to His sovereignty gives Him the freedom to lead and direct us daily according to His will, knowing we trust His plan and will do according to His desires. As Proverbs 3:5-6 promises, “(if we) Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and (if we) lean not on our own understanding; (if we) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and (then) He shall direct your paths.” And isn’t that what we truly desire, for God to direct our paths?

For example, frantically clinging tightly to our career plans or relationship goals that aren’t aligned with God’s wise direction severely limits how He can lead us down better paths. But surrendering our agendas creates space for Him to open unexpected doors we never could have imagined, like being called into ministry or marrying a supportive spouse of His choosing who complements us perfectly, far better than what we could imagine.

Two, it brings perfect peace amid chaotic uncertainty. When turmoil, trials, or suffering strike our lives, and they will, clinging to God’s supreme authority over all things provides comfort, stability, and hope. As Psalm 9:10 promises, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

When life turns dark, and we lose jobs or loved ones and experience grief and pain, fixing our eyes on the certainty of God’s sovereignty reminds us that He will carry us through even the raging storms of life. We can find security, refuge, and hope in His promise never to abandon us (Heb. 13:5), as He sustains us through life’s darkest valleys. And the peace He gives during these times of turmoil is beyond human description or understanding (Phil. 4:7).

Three, it puts us in a position to receive from God. Surrendering to God’s sovereignty humbles us and reminds us of our utter dependence on Him rather than ourselves. Submitting to His supreme plan positions us to come before Him with open hands, ready to accept His purpose and direction for our lives with joy and thankfulness. As 1 Peter 5:6 encourages, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

For example, admitting our human limitations and praying sincerely, “Not my will, but Yours,” prepares our hearts to receive His amazing guidance, provision, and blessings that exceed our wildest expectations. And maintaining a teachable, humble spirit makes room for God to shape us into the image of His Son, which is one of the reasons for our redemption (Rom. 8:29).

Finally, It deepens our intimacy with Christ (which is the goal of the Higher Christian Life). As we loosen our tight grip on trying to control our lives, we create space for Jesus to fill us with His presence and power. Our connection and intimacy with Him soar to new heights as we learn to surrender every area of our lives fully to His Lordship. Our purpose in life becomes to fulfill the mandate of John the Baptist, who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

The more we turn away from stubborn self-reliance and give God complete authority over our lives, the more we experience His supernatural peace and joy. Our love and devotion for Christ grow exponentially as we witness Him faithfully provide for our needs, day in and day out, when we submit our motives, purposes, and desires to His greater plans. This is a picture of the life surrendered into the hands of our sovereign God.

What’s Next?Fully trusting in God’s complete sovereignty over every aspect of our lives liberates us from trying to play God by making all the decisions and calling all the shots ourselves, which we are not very good at. Surrendering to the wonder and mystery of His higher ways permits His loving purposes to unfold and bloom in, and through, us in ways unimaginable. And living a life fully surrendered to God brings incredible freedom, peace, and purpose.

Although it’s difficult for human nature to relinquish control over anything, doing so allows the Lord to fully use us for His glory. As you reflect on this fifth of seven steps to surrender your life to Him, may your heart be compelled to abandon yourself completely to Christ. He loves you abundantly, beyond measure, and desires an intimate relationship with you. So take courage and boldly release every area of your life into His hands— your dreams, fears, relationships, doubts, failures, and future. After all, He is God, and we are but dust and ashes. And He knows what is best for His creation. So rest confidently in His infinite wisdom, love, and power at work on your behalf. Be bold and have faith to declare, “Your will be done,” as you walk in a life surrendered to Him.

And don’t wait another minute. Surrender today to the One who knows all and is all-powerful. You’ll be amazed at what happens when you do.

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First Step Three, Then Step FourOf the seven steps to living a fully surrendered life to God, perhaps none is more vital than the fourth— offering ourselves, specifically our bodies, as a living sacrifice to Him. But this can only be accomplished after we have done the hard work of denying ourselves and dying to self, which was the point of the third step (Matt. 16:24). Death and denial must take place before we present our bodies (flesh) to Him as an act of worship and sacrifice. You will ultimately fail, horrendously, if you try to reverse the order. We must have died to ourselves first in order to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice. Otherwise, we’re dealing with a two-headed monster. And it ain’t pretty. Presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice means taking our body, our flesh, with all its desires and ambitions, and laying it down before God as an act of worship and submission to His Lordship. And this, as they say, is where the men are separated from the boys. It is not for the faint of heart.

To be more exact on what step four entails, Romans 12:1-2 reveals what we are to do to submit to Him and what He does for us in response to our submission. What we give is all we are— and what we receive is all He is. Pretty good exchange if you ask me. We give Him rocks, and He gives us diamonds. Not too shabby. So read the passage slowly and take note of each word and promise.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God – Romans 12:1-2.

Let’s look at this passage a little closer.

I beseech (urge, beg) you therefore, brethren, (on what basis) by the mercies of God, that you (our responsibility) present your bodies a (what) living sacrifice, (seen by God as) holy, acceptable to God, (and why should we do this) which is your reasonable service (based on the mercies of God). And (implied, you) do not be conformed to this world, but (implied, you) be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (for what benefit) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The essence of the surrendered life is knowing, for certain, the perfect will of God. And this is the promise given to those who offer their bodies (flesh) to Him, unreservedly.

Why is this So Important… and Seem So Extreme?Why is this so important? Because our flesh is the source of so much pride, sin, and selfishness. And therefore, our flesh has to die (see step three). Our natural instincts are to gratify our own wants and needs first, before anything else, including God. We are born self-centered creatures, seeking our own advancement and comfort above all else. But God calls us to live differently, to put others before ourselves and seek His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). And this requires denying the flesh and crucifying it along with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24). In a word, we must die to self so that we can live fully to God.

And what do we do once we have denied and died to ourselves? We offer ourselves, our bodies (flesh), the seat of our lust and sins, to the Lord as a living sacrifice and act of surrender. But this surrender is more than just a mental acknowledgment or verbal profession. It requires action. So we demonstrate surrender by taking our body and making it a “living sacrifice”— by placing it on the altar before God to say, “I am no longer my own, but Yours to command and do with what You wish.” Or, in the words of Jesus, “Not my will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Submit Each Member of Your Body to HimThis means consciously taking the members of your body— your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet— and presenting them to God for His purposes instead of your own:

Eyes – Our eyes reveal much about what captures our attention and focus. Are we looking at things that could lead us into lust, impurity, and sinful desire? Or are we keeping our eyes fixed on the glory of God’s creation and His Word? For instance, we can actively look away from provocative images online that could awaken wrong passions. Instead, we can choose to focus our eyes on Scripture to meditate on God’s truth and see the hurting people around us who need Christ’s love. Keeping our eyes on the Lord, and His purposes, helps us live surrendered lives.

Ears – What we tune our ears to also impacts our walk with God. Are we quick to listen to edifying truth that builds us up spiritually? Or do we give our ears freely to gossip, slander, and other vain talk that tears us and others down? For example, we can get in the habit of listening to uplifting sermons or podcasts that teach Biblical truths rather than media hosts who angrily attack and slander others. What we listen to is a choice each of us makes daily. And as we submit our ears to wholesome speech and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, we grow in living out the surrendered life in Him.

Mouth – Our mouth reveals the state of our heart, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). Do our words bless others and build them up in Christ? Or is our speech filled with words that drag people down? We demonstrate surrender when we let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouth, but only what is helpful and aimed at God’s purposes (Eph. 4:29). For instance, by God’s grace, we can speak words of love and encouragement to our spouse even when we feel irritable inside. We can refuse to pass along juicy rumors that tickle our ears yet tear others down. Our mouth becomes an instrument of worship when we praise God through song and prayer. So, keeping a careful watch over what comes out of our mouths is a key aspect of living out a surrendered life.

Hands – Our hands can either be used for righteous purposes or defiled by sin. It’s our choice to make. Are we using our hands primarily to serve others and care for those in need? Or are we defiling them through violence, immorality, greed, selfishness, and other wicked uses? For example, we can use our hands to rock a crying baby at church to help relieve a tired mom. Or God may call us to lay hands on the sick and pray for their healing and comfort. The selfless use of our hands reveals a surrendered life, as we lift up the weary rather than promoting ourselves.

Feet – Where we go with our feet also speaks much about our walk with God. Are we careful to avoid places and environments that could compromise our testimony or pull us into sin? Do we allow the Lord to direct our steps to unexpected places and people who need His touch? For instance, we demonstrate surrender by walking away when friends pressure us to do or say or participate in something we know is not of God. Or God may lead our feet to go visit someone lonely and forgotten rather than just sticking to our normal routine. We can choose to avoid settings like bars and casinos where temptation thrives. As we kneel humbly before God and follow where He leads, our feet walk out true Christlike surrender.

In addition to our body, we must also sacrifice our mind. This means bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). We must submit our intellect, opinions, reasoning, and logic to God’s truth found only in Scripture. And when we align our thinking to His ways and wisdom by having the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), we will cease rationalizing and justifying our sin and move on from spiritual lukewarmness (Rev. 3:16).

Living as a surrendered sacrifice also means sacrificing our rights— what we feel entitled to or think we deserve. We must release our rights to God. This may mean sacrificing sleep to pray for someone, or sacrificing our plans to serve a need, or sacrificing our ambitions that may conflict with God’s will. The key to surrender is selfless sacrifice— the sacrifice of ourselves to Him and those He places in our path.

Most importantly, living a surrendered life means sacrificing our will and fully submitting to God’s will in all things. Just as Jesus said, “Not my will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42), we likewise must surrender our will to the Father’s purposes. It means to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him as an act of worship, yielding everything to Him.

The Key is ConsistencyThe key is consistency— doing this daily as part of your time with God. It is not a one-time event that lasts forever. Start each morning by presenting yourself as a living sacrifice, saying: “Lord, my body and mind belong to You and not myself today. Have Your way in me and lead me to walk and work for Your Kingdom this day.” This keeps us surrendered to Him, moment by moment.

When done daily and consistently, this act of surrender will have a profound impact on your life. It will lead you to freedom from sin, the power to resist temptation, the grace to endure trials, and a renewed purpose to live all out for Christ. In essence, it allows you to experience the Higher Christian Life or the abundant life Jesus promised.

So what does this look like in real life? Here are some examples:

• A husband sacrifices his pride and humbly asks for forgiveness from his wife even when he thinks she may be overreacting.

• A wife defers a purchase she wants to give the money to someone in need.

• A teenager skips a party to visit an elderly neighbor who is lonely.

• An executive passes up a promotion that would require unethical choices or extended travel away from his family.

• A middle manager speaks up for an oppressed coworker rather than remaining silent, even if it reflects negatively on him with his superiors.

• A parent lovingly disciplines a child rather than ignoring misbehavior.

• A church member serves in the nursery to free up young parents, preferring others over themselves.

• A retiree uses their time to volunteer and tutor underprivileged kids in the community.

In all things, we can pause and ask: “How can I present myself as a living sacrifice in this situation? What does God want from me right now?” Then respond in obedience and watch how lives, including your own, are transformed by your surrender.

ConclusionSurrendering our entire self— body, mind, and will— runs countercultural in our world today. We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us life is all about gratifying our desires, fulfilling our dreams, and asserting our rights. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to a radical, revolutionary lifestyle of surrender and sacrifice.

It’s not easy to lay down our agendas and give up control to God. But when we take this step of faith and make ourselves a living sacrifice, incredible things begin to happen. We find freedom from sin’s grip. Anxiety loosens its hold as we trust the One who holds our future. The purpose in our life is renewed as we align it with eternal Kingdom priorities rather than running after temporary earthly goals.

And most of all, immense joy comes from following a God who is good, loving, and infinitely wise. Surrender unlocks meaning, blessing, and spiritual power beyond what we could imagine. The Christian life ceases to be dreary and dutiful when we experience the abundant new life Christ provides to those fully devoted to Him. In other words, our spiritual life becomes something we always hoped it would become, but just didn’t know how to make it happen.

As we continue on this journey of surrender through these seven life-changing steps, may the promise of God’s faithfulness give us the courage to lay ourselves upon His altar each day. The sacrifice costs us much, but what awaits on the other side is so much greater. By His mercies, let us offer ourselves fully to God and have our lives transformed by Him.

So what are you waiting for? Offer yourselves to Him today.

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“Lord” Jesus Christ also means “Owner” Jesus ChristSurrendering your life fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is no small or simple matter. But I’m sure you are painfully aware of that by now. It requires making the conscious choice each day to deny our natural desires and humbly submit to His leadership and control. And that’s where it begins to chafe. We love the Lord Jesus— but we probably love the “Jesus” part more than we love the “Lord” part. But as Jesus commanded, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (ouch), and take up his cross daily (double ouch), and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). He sets the requirements for discipleship, not us. And as with just about everything in the Christian life, it’s all or nothing— life or death, hot or cold, light or darkness, narrow gate or wide road, walk by the Spirit or the flesh, good fruit or bad fruit, you get the idea. He says to follow Him, we must first deny ourselves and then die to ourselves. This is what baptism symbolizes. Dying to self, being buried with Christ, and then being raised into the new life in Him. Ok, we got that. But what does it really look like in practical terms to “die to self” daily?

Dying to self goes much deeper than just giving up a few activities we enjoy or taking on extra chores around the house. It requires renouncing the deep-seated notion that our lives still belong to us and embracing the Biblical reality that we now belong entirely to Christ (Gal. 2:20). When He died on the cross for our sins, He purchased us with His blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20). And purchase speaks of ownership— which means our lives are no longer our own. Dying to self means joyfully relinquishing all rights we think we have to our lives to the One who sacrificed everything to save us. It means enthroning Him as the rightful Lord and Owner over every area of our lives.

What Does Denying and Dying to Self Look LikeConcretely, this dying to self plays out through both the small and large choices we make each and every day. It may mean choosing to leave your lucrative career that provides comfort and prestige to pursue full-time ministry at a fraction of your former salary. Or regularly apologizing to your spouse in humility when conflict arises, even when you don’t think you were in the wrong, in order to restore peace and unity in the relationship by putting your spouse first.

Dying to self often requires passing on purchasing something nice we can afford and believe we deserve in order to generously meet an urgent need in someone else’s life. It could mean taking time away from a beloved hobby or habit that is absorbing too much of our time and attention at the expense of God’s priorities or sacrificing the time we spend with our children. Each new situation presents an opportunity to once again surrender our will and way to Christ’s desires and plans for us. We simply must be open and willing to put Him first, and everything about us less than first.

To walk in a life of continual self-denial and dying to self, we must abandon the notion that we know what’s best for our lives, almost on a daily basis, and embrace the fact that God’s purposes and priorities are better and higher than ours (Isa. 55:8-9). It requires admitting we don’t have all the answers and desperately need the guidance of the Holy Spirit each step of the way. As Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). The old rebellious, stubborn, selfish nature must die so that the resurrected life of Christ can reign fully in us, transforming us into His image (Rom.8:29).

Of course, practically living out this surrendered, crucified life will look different for each of us. It may mean humbly serving others in lowly ways when we’d rather kick back and relax or be the one being served. It may mean we have to bite our tongue instead of firing off a heated text message or email we can never take back. We may have to learn how to receive life-giving correction from others without reacting in a defensive manner or making excuses. Or, saying “yes” to something that stretches our faith when we would rather stay home where it is safe, warm, and secure. Each new situation requires a fresh dying to our fleshly reactions so that we can respond as Jesus would. This is the substance of self-denial and dying to self. And these are the two prerequisites for following Jesus (Matt. 16:24). Read them yourselves.

While often difficult and uncomfortable, dying to self daily is the only pathway to experiencing the full and abundant life Jesus promises (John 10:10). It is the key to the Higher Christian life we have talked about. As we surrender control of our lives to Christ’s capable hands, we are set free from the grip of sin, filled with supernatural joy, and experience deep intimacy with Jesus as maybe never before. Remember, Jesus said it was to those who willingly lose their lives for His sake that will find true life (Matt. 16:25). And isn’t true life what we are all longing for?

Dying to Self is the Only Way to Live the Abundant Life He PromisedDying to our natural selves is admittedly not easy or painless. In fact, it may be the hardest thing you have ever tried to do. But the rewards are eternal and far outweigh any temporary suffering it involves. As we yield ourselves fully to Christ each day, we gain an imperishable inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4) that cannot be diminished. The trials that come from daily surrender to Jesus produce everlasting glory that is beyond comparison (2 Cor. 4:17).

So let’s take up our cross today and every day, whatever that looks like for us in our specific circumstances, and push forward towards the life of total surrender. Say “no” to self-will and “yes” to the new resurrection life Christ purchased for us. Because walking the crucified life with Jesus is the only path to experiencing lasting joy, freedom, and purpose. And it is a vital step in surrendering your life totally to the Lord.

So begin that process today. Say “no” to you and “yes” to Him.

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Surrender Your Life? The Choice is YoursSurrendering your life to God is a profound journey that transforms your relationship with Him into something many only dreamed about but few ever expected to happen. In fact, full surrender to Him is what He requires (that is why He is called Lord and Master), but is often conveniently glossed over in our churches today. We feel more comfortable with terms like servant or disciple or follower— rather than anything that resembles submission or smacks of surrender to anyone, including the Lord. We want Jesus as a friend with a Get-Out-of-Hell-Free-Card who politely laughs and turns His head at our sin. But the last thing we want is the King of kings and Lord of lords who will stand in judgment of our lives. Well, guess what? That’s not our choice. We get Jesus as who He is and not who we want to make Him into.

Understanding this, let’s be honest about the steps to surrendering to Him (assuming that’s something you want to do). Your journey into Christ-likeness cannot progress unless you continually deal with anything and everything in your life that separates you from Him. And you know what that is. It’s no secret, never has been. It’s always been the same thing since Adam and Eve fell prey to it in the garden and made the same mistake we make on a daily basis. And it’s what works against your complete submission to Him and the joy of the abundant life He promises (John 10:10). The Achilles heel in our spiritual life is pride and the sin it inevitably brings.

The Second Step: Confession and RepentanceConfession and repentance of sin are essential for maintaining fellowship with God and walking in obedience to His will. Remember, they were the essential ingredient in your salvation. And as such, they are vital for maintaining a close relationship with the Lord. As 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God always stands ready to forgive. But our sin must be acknowledged and confessed, and repentance means more than simply feeling sorry you got busted for doing something you knew was wrong.

What does confession and repentance look like day to day? First, it requires taking as much time as needed to ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of disobedience, unconfessed sin, wrong attitudes, or anything that might hinder your relationship with God (Ps. 139:23-24). Don’t rush through this thinking there is something in your day more important. There isn’t. Be willing to listen openly and honestly, as His conviction is a sign of His love and desire for you to become like His Son. So don’t rush this process, and allow ample time for the Spirit to speak to you.

Next, prayerfully examine your thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, lifestyle choices, relationships, and pretty much everything else in your life. Consider whether you harbor bitterness toward someone, look at pornography when no one is watching, engage in dishonest business practices, lie, gossip, steal, elevate yourself by tearing down others, or neglect time in God’s Word. Call sin exactly what it is without rationalizing or downplaying it. God doesn’t care that others are doing what you are doing. Two wrongs don’t make a right. As 1 John 1:8 warns, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Don’t let that happen to you. Make a habit of self-examination to keep your heart right before God and then respond immediately when His conviction comes.

And when the Holy Spirit reveals sin, make a thorough and specific confession directly to God. Pour out your heart like the tax collector who cried out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Remember, Jesus said he went home justified because of his humble confession and repentance (Luke 18:13-14). Be brutally honest about your struggles with bitterness, immorality, greed, pride, neglect of God’s Word, apathy, laziness, or anything that is displeasing to Him and separates you from His intimacy. Hold nothing back but confess every detail openly. And go through this process as soon as you sense your relationship with God waning.

Repentance means not merely being sorry for what you have done (sin of commission) or haven’t done (sin of omission), but deliberately changing directions and turning away from your sin. You must renounce sin, reject sin, abandon sin, and hate sin as much as God does. These are the first signs of true repentance. Your repentance will then demonstrate itself through specific life changes, such as eliminating influences or relationships that tempt you toward wrong behavior, no matter how painful that process may be. The Spirit may urge you to make restitution when your sinful actions have harmed others. You will find yourself compelled to wholeheartedly turn away from old sinful patterns and habits and walk in obedience to God’s ways. In essence, you will fulfill the admonition of John the Baptist to those who came to him for baptism, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8). This is what true repentance looks like.

After Confession and Repentance, Then What?Going forward, keep short accounts with God. Real short. Don’t allow unconfessed sins to accumulate for even a moment. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin and a rift in your relationship with the Lord and your surrender to Him, deal with them immediately, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel they are. Sin is sin. So don’t try to downplay or rationalize it. God treasures honesty and values even small acts of repentance that keep your heart soft and surrendered. Remember, the best way to keep short accounts with God is through daily prayer, the study of His Word, and fellowship with other believers who can keep you accountable. And even though you may have heard about prayer and Bible study for years, don’t let your familiarity with these disciplines breed contempt for them in your heart. They are still true and have proven to be the best way to grow closer to Him and experience His goodness, whether you are tired of hearing about them or not.

The Christian life is a lifelong journey of confronting sin, confessing it openly, repenting completely, and experiencing God’s cleansing forgiveness. And walking in the light requires being brutally honest about the darkness still within us coupled with a willingness to expose it to God’s convicting light (1 John 1:7). As the Puritan pastor John Owen observed, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”¹ So maintaining a clean heart and right spirit is crucial for surrendering fully to Christ and experiencing the blessings of an intimate walk with Him. And it is only by complete surrender that we can hope to experience the abundant life He promised (John 10:10).

The Road AheadIn conclusion, confession and repentance are not a one-time event but rather a lifestyle of honesty, transparency, and dependency on God’s grace. And it takes courage and humility to acknowledge our sins and shortcomings continually. But as we are quick to confess and turn from sin, we clear the way for a deeper intimacy with Him and greater spiritual power to fulfill His purpose for our lives— which is the whole point, wouldn’t you say?

A surrendered life requires laying down pride, sin, and self at the foot of the cross. And to remain surrendered requires the same, only more often. But the joy of walking in unhindered fellowship with Christ is worth the cost, no doubt about it.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started today.

Notes:

1. John Owen, The Mortification of Sin (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2004), p. 9.

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Surrender is a Lifestyle, Not a One-Time EventWhen you surrender your life to the Lord, you will notice it is not a one-time event. You don’t just say a prayer or make a vow and it’s done. It is a process, usually full of ups and downs, that may take some time to master. But even as a process, it must have a starting point. And that point recognizes who God is and your responsibility to yield to His lordship. Everything follows this first step.

The seven steps of surrender are as follows (in Cliff Notes form):

1. Recognize and embrace a truth greater than yourself (which is God and His lordship)

2. Confess and repent of any known sin in your life

3. Learn to die to yourself daily (or more often)

4. Present yourself daily as a sacrifice to God

5. Trust completely in God’s sovereignty

6. Rely on the Holy Spirit for daily guidance

7. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus

Today, we will look at the first step— the step where every springs from. And we will cover the subsequent steps in future broadcasts.

The First Step in Surrendering Your Life to the LordThe journey of surrendering your life to God begins with one essential first step: recognizing God’s complete lordship over everything— especially you.

What does it mean to recognize God’s lordship? It means understanding that He rightfully deserves your full allegiance, devotion, and obedience. As Revelation 4:11 declares, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Since God created you and gave you life and breath itself, He deserves first place in every area of your existence. Recognizing Him as Lord means enthroning Him as the supreme ruler and focus of your life. It requires willingly choosing to dethrone anything else that has occupied that rightful place— relationships, career, wealth, success, self-interests, you name it. And the operative word is willingly. You must be willing. God will not force His lordship on you.

Recognizing His lordship calls for an honest evaluation of who or what is currently on the throne of your heart and decisions. What do your priorities, schedule, entertainment choices, and bank statement reveal you worship? What consumes your thoughts and passions? Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction about any idolatry that may be hidden in your life. As J.C. Ryle wrote, “Where Christ rules in the heart, the whole course of a man’s life will bear witness to the fact.”¹ If God rules your heart, your lifestyle will clearly reflect it. So, how is your lifestyle measuring up to your confession of Christ right now?

Remember, this first step of surrender will lead you to reorder every area of your life— your plans, job, time, possessions, habits— and center them around God’s priorities rather than self-centered pursuits. It will mean letting go of anything He calls you to release or change. And it will mean embracing a purpose defined by His eternal impact rather than your temporary comfort. But I think you already know that, don’t you?

Ultimately, recognizing God’s lordship requires pursuing intimacy with Him like you may have never done before through heart-felt prayer, consistent reading of His Word, and obedience to Him as your highest aim, and not just an add-on for a temporary, spiritual high. He must become your supreme treasure and consuming passion.

Surrendering requires submitting your life completely to His authority, which is something you give up to Him. But you receive so much more. As J.I. Packer reminds us, “He does not exploit our submission, but gives us glory, joy, peace, and fullness of life” only found in Him.² Our sacrifice brings the blessing of His intimate presence, which nothing on earth compares. Nothing.

Surrendering our lives to God begins with the crucial first step of recognizing His complete lordship and willingly choosing to make Him preeminent in every area. Though sacrifice is involved, the blessing far outweighs the cost. For when we enthrone Christ as Supreme Ruler in our hearts, we gain incomparable treasure, namely, the intimate presence of the King of kings. And as A.W. Tozer said, “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free…to give them victory o’er the grave and grant them life eternally.”³ This is the glorious exchange of surrender.

And it is something we can experience this side of heaven, right now, when we surrender our lives to Him. So take the first step today.

Next, we will look at step two, the confession and repentance of sins that bring true freedom.

Notes:

1. J.C. Ryle, Holiness (London: James Clarke & Co., 1902), 79.

2. J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 207.

3. A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1993), 15.

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The Living Hope We Have in ChristDark times can profoundly shake our faith and assurance in God. Ongoing trials, deep hurts, and spiritual warfare can make us lose sight of the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ. But despite the darkness, Christ’s resurrection guarantees our justification, sanctification, and future glorification. This living hope is ours both now and for all eternity.

Justification – God’s Complete ForgivenessWhat does justification mean? Simply put, it is God’s complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Christ, trusting in His sacrifice for us, God sees us as righteous in His eyes – as if we had never sinned at all. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Christ’s redeeming blood, all our sins are forgiven – past, present, and future.

This justification before God happens instantly when we are born again into God’s family. We go from being condemned sinners to forgiven saints in an instant, even before we have time to change our outward behavior. Our right standing before our holy God depends entirely on Jesus’ atoning death for us, not on our own effort. Our only role is to have genuine repentant faith, trusting that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross secured our redemption once and for all.

Sanctification – God’s Power to Live RightBut God does not just justify us and then leave us alone to struggle against sin. No, when He forgives us, He also sends the Holy Spirit to begin the process of sanctifying us – or transforming us into Christ’s image and freeing us from sin’s power in our lives. Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Justification (forgive us our sins) and sanctification (cleanse us from all unrighteousness) work hand-in-hand.

Though temptations still come, we as believers are no longer helpless slaves to sin. After all, “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Christ’s death and resurrection have broken sin’s power and its penalty. We now have the Holy Spirit living within us, empowering us to say no to sin and walk in ever greater freedom from its grip.

God’s Power to Keep UsWe all know this sanctification process has its ups and downs. We make progress but also stumble. Yet even when we do, God still keeps us securely in His hands. Jude says, “He is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24).

What comfort we have in knowing that our eternal salvation does not depend on our strength to hold on to God, but His ability to hold on to us. And just as Christ’s tomb could not contain Him, nothing can snatch us out of the Father’s mighty hand (John 10:28-29). The same almighty power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in us to transform our lives to look like His (Eph. 1:19-20). It doesn’t get much better than this.

Future Glorification – Perfected with ChristBut this living hope in Christ also includes an amazing future promise – that one day we will be completely free from sin’s presence and will be perfected with Him in glory. We are promised to “see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2). Although we often stumble in this life, the day is coming when we will be fully glorified with Christ, being made completely righteous in Him.

Stand Firm in the Hope of ChristDark times will come that shake our faith. That is a guarantee. But Christ stands unmovable and unchanging as our “living hope” through all the storms in life. His resurrection powerfully guarantees the full salvation He purchased for us. So when discouragement sets in, let us remember that He who promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23), and He will never stop His sanctifying work within us until we see Him face to face.

By His atoning blood, we stand fully pardoned and justified before God. In the strength of His Spirit, we can walk in ever greater sanctification, rejecting sin’s power. And through His flawless redeeming work, we will one day be presented glorified and spotless before God with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24).

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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The Higher Christian LifeLet’s talk about something that has captivated believers for generations— the Higher Christian Life. This term refers to a life of intimate fellowship with God that goes beyond the ordinary Christian experience. Popularized by 19th-century revival and devotional preachers such as Andrew Murray, Oswald Chambers, and R.A. Torrey, and brought into the Christian mainstream by the Keswick movement, this life is characterized by holiness, surrender, and a depth of relationship with God that taps into His supernatural power in ways seen in Scripture, but seldom experienced in contemporary church.¹

In this article, I want to provide a biblical overview of the Higher Christian Life— what it looks like, how we enter into it, and then answer some common questions that often keep seeking believers from experiencing the “abundant life” Jesus promised (John 10:10), or what has been called the Higher Christian Life. My prayer is this will inspire and equip you to experience the abundant life in Christ that He intends for each of us as believers.

Defining the Higher Christian LifeSimply put, the Higher Christian Life is:

A life of holiness, consecration, and victory over sin that is available to every Christian who fully surrenders themselves to Christ’s lordship in faith. It is considered ‘higher” because it transcends the defeat and constant struggle that plagues much of Christian living and reveals a new dimension of faith-filled living in the power of the Spirit.

Some key aspects of the Higher Christian Life include:

• Complete surrender and consecration to Christ: Relinquishing our self-will and ambitions by surrendering every area of your life— your time, relationships, work, and resources — to Christ’s complete control and lordship.

• Death to self and sin through co-crucifixion with Christ: By reckoning or understanding that our old sinful nature was crucified with Christ, we are able to break sin’s mastery in our lives (Rom. 6:6). By faith, we count ourselves dead to sin’s power and alive to God since our old self is crucified and dead and we have new, resurrected life in Christ (Romans 6:11).

• Filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit: By praying for the Holy Spirit to fill us and take full control, and by depending on the Spirit’s power to overcome sin, we then produce Christlike character and are supernaturally equipped for ministry. The results: We are guided, moment-by-moment, and empowered by the Spirit as we yield to Him.

• Victory over sin’s power: Sin’s mastery is broken because by faith, our old self is crucified with Christ, and sin has no dominion in our lives (Rom. 6:14). Though temptations remain, we have Spirit-given power to overcome anything our flesh or the enemy can throw our way.

• Deeper intimacy and fellowship with God: We find our time in God’s Word and prayer becomes sweeter as we relate to God more deeply. We desire to know Christ more as the Spirit reveals His presence and character in ways not known to us before. And, as a result, our walk with Him is characterized by joyful obedience and not legalism.

• Fruitfulness and power for ministry and service: Our energies go toward serving Christ wholeheartedly and caring for others, rather than living selfish, self-consumed lives. We learn to depend on Christ working through us as we trust and abide in Him.

This abundant life liberates us from defeat and brings new joy, passion, and power through our relationship with, and dependency on, Christ. It is the normal Christian life as God designed it.²

Benefits of this Surrendered LifeThis intimate walk with God impacts every area of life. As 19th-century missionary Hudson Taylor said, “I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” What seems impossible in our strength becomes real to us by surrendering our life to Christ and embracing His power within. It is often called full salvation, or complete surrender. Theologians call it practical sanctification.

Living the Higher Christian Life brings freedom from sinful habits and attitudes that previously felt unbreakable. Things that once caused irritation and resentment quickly lose their power. We become more loving, patient, kind, and self-controlled as a result. As Charles Finney said, it is “dying to self and coming alive to Christ.” Our marriages, families, and relationships are strengthened as we experience victory in ways previously unimaginable.

Pioneer missionary C.T. Studd said it well: “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him.” Serving God in our daily lives becomes natural and joyful, rather than burdensome. We overflow with worship and praise as we fall deeply in love with Jesus. And walking faithfully with Christ fills our hearts with “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Pet. 1:8).

When you compare this to our own experience with Christ, it is not hard to see why it is called the Higher Christian Life.

Steps for Entering InSo how can we enter practically into this life of intimate surrender to Christ? Here are some key steps:

1. Admit your inability in your own strength through prayer – “Lord, I confess I cannot conquer sin or live the Christian life by self-effort. I surrender my weaknesses and failures to You.” Express dependency in your prayer.

2. Make a definite, complete surrender/consecration to Christ – Give Him express lordship over every area in your life— your time, relationships, work, resources, and future. Plead with Christ, “I surrender my entire life to You to do with as You please. I no longer want to live for myself but only for You.”

3. Claim the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit – Pray to be filled and empowered fully for God’s service and yield to His control. Pray, “Holy Spirit, I ask You to fill and empower me fully for Your service. Take control of my life.” Then depend fully on the Spirit’s power.

4. Reckon ourselves dead to sin, alive to God in Christ based on our co-crucifixion and resurrection with Him (Rom. 6:11). Thank God your old self has died, and your new life is hidden with Christ. Then, by faith, affirm sin’s mastery over you is now broken.

5. Maintain daily surrender through ongoing prayer. Begin each day yielding and surrendering yourself completely to God for that day. Pray, “Lord Jesus, I surrender myself and this day to You. Have Your way in my life today.” Choose to walk in continual dependence on the Spirit.

Walking in Newness of LifeWhen we enter the Higher Christian Life by faith, what changes practically in our daily experience? Here are some key implications:

Sin’s mastery is broken as you count yourself dead to it daily (Rom. 6:14). Though temptations still come, sin no longer has dominion over you. By continually identifying with Christ’s death, sin’s grip is broken, and you gain new power through the Spirit to walk in obedience.

You experience inward transformation as Christ’s resurrection power works in you. Old habits and thought patterns begin to lose their hold as you are inwardly renewed. Relationships start to align more with God’s kingdom values of love and holiness rather than selfishness. Your ethics and integrity reflect more of Christ’s righteousness. Priorities shift from self-centeredness to glorifying God.

Obedience becomes joyful as you relate to God in a deeper way. Serving Christ is no longer drudgery, but delight. Legalistic striving fades, being replaced by freely flowing intimacy with Christ. Prayer becomes a lifeline rather than a duty. Digging into God’s Word fuels your spirit like never before.

You bear Spirit-empowered fruit for God as you abide in Christ (John 15:5). Instead of anxiety and fruitless striving, you experience new effectiveness and fruitfulness in life and ministry. Gifts flourish. You depend on Christ’s life in you to reach people, disciple others, and advance God’s Kingdom. Fear gives way to boldness.

This does not mean perfection. Temptations, failures, frustrations, and trials will come. But you now have resurrection power and victory available to weather the storms of life differently than before. The Spirit empowers you moment-by-moment.

In essence, the Higher Christian Life transforms daily experience by breaking sin’s power, renewing the mind, producing intimacy with Christ, and bearing new fruit through depending on the indwelling Spirit. This brings radical new freedom.

Questions and AnswersWhat does it mean that we are “co-crucified with Christ”?

More than just agreeing doctrinally that Christ died for us, it means our old sinful self was crucified with Him. As we identify with Christ’s death by faith, we experience inwardly a death to our old sinful habits and desires. Sin’s mastery is broken in our lives, and we are now, probably for the first time, able to live a consistent life of holiness to Him (Rom. 6:6-7).

What are the implications of being united to Christ?

The implications are profound! For starters, sin no longer defines us. We are freed from sin’s tyranny as resurrection power operates within us. We count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God daily by faith in what Christ has accomplished on our behalf (Rom. 6:11). And now, sin loses its grip on us as we live out of our new identity in Christ.

What does “walking in newness of life” mean practically?

Practically, it means Christ’s resurrection power, which resides in us, transforms everything in our lives— our relationships, ethics, habits, and character. As we now are free to live to honor God, our ungodly patterns lose sway, the fruit of the Spirit develops, and our energies advance God’s Kingdom rather than our own self-interest. It is truly a supernatural life!

Can this life ever be lost?

In a word, absolutely. The abundant life (John 10:10), or the Higher Christian Life, is maintained by ongoing surrender, faith, and obedience. We can lose it by taking our focus off Christ and failing to walk in step with the Spirit. Therefore, continually yielding to the Spirit is essential.

Is this way of living only for “super saints”?

No, it is for every believer (including you) who totally surrenders to Christ’s lordship. It is not a higher class of Christianity, but this abundant life Jesus promised is intended as normal Christian living for any who yield fully to the Spirit. Therefore, it all depends on you. So yield to Him today.

Doesn’t this lead to pride and perfectionism?

It shouldn’t, if properly understood. This life depends completely on Christ and the Spirit, leaving no room for pride. The focus is consecration, not perfection. Therefore, just like everything else in the Christian life, humility and faith are key.

In summary, the Higher Christian Life is a life of intimacy, fruitfulness, and victory available to every believer through full dependence on Christ and surrender to the Holy Spirit. It liberates us from sin’s power and unlocks the supernatural promises of Scripture. May God give us grace as we surrender to the abundant life He intends for us in Christ.

The Next StepsIf you are ready to leave spiritual defeat behind, take time to prayerfully process the truths shared here. Ask the Lord to show you any areas you are not fully surrendered to Him. And as you take steps of faith to yield to Christ’s complete control, trust the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence to make this new life real. Remember, you were created for so much more than constant struggle. God longs for you to experience the Higher Christian Life of intimacy with Him and victory over sin.

So begin that journey of surrender today.

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There is So Much More to This Life in ChristAs followers of Jesus, you and I long to live the spiritually charged, victorious life He promises in Scripture— an abundant, overcoming life marked by joy, peace, purpose, and the wonder of having the mind of Christ. But let’s face it, our everyday experience often falls painfully short of the dynamic faith and unimaginable blessings described in God’s Word (Eph. 3:20). But it doesn’t have to be that way.

So what’s the key to unlocking this life to the fullest in the power of the Spirit? Complete and total surrender to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

But What Does Total Surrender Look Like?Surrender means letting go of our wants, rights, and expectations and fully embracing God’s perfect plan for our lives, even if the future seems unclear and we don’t know what that plan is. Surrender requires trust, obedience, and complete reliance on His supernatural power at work within us, even when we struggle to feel His presence at times. And surrender is trusting Him even when the future is uncertain, and we can’t see what tomorrow holds. But that’s to be expected. After all, we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). But when we surrender completely, release control of our lives, and submit to His will, we open ourselves up to the blessing of becoming all God created us to be in Him. And the results are breathtaking.

True surrender brings freedom— true freedom to thrive in our identity as children of the Most High God and not be constrained by the world’s definition of who we are. Surrender leads us deeper in our relationship with Him, far beyond surface-level faith, into an intimate walk with the Almighty, the Creator of All. This surrendered life overflows with heavenly abundance, just as Jesus promised. But it only comes through daily submission and complete dependence on Jesus.

If you want to live out the fullness of God’s calling, then it’s time to surrender your all to Him— your plans, dreams, possessions, relationships, everything— even your life itself (Matt. 16:24-25). Lay it all down at the feet of the One who gave it all for you.

If you’re ready to experience the spiritual abundance Christ offers, here are some practical steps to help you surrender yourself completely to the Lord:

Recognize Your Need for GodThe first step towards the surrendered life is admitting, “I can’t do this on my own!” As humans, we’re all flawed sinners falling short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). Pride and self-sufficiency erect thick barriers separating us from the Lord and each other. So get honest with yourself about the areas where you fall short and confess those sins to Him. Ask God to show you where you need to grow spiritually and recognize that no amount of effort will ever make you holy or righteous in His sight, outside of Christ. Approach God with humility, knowing you desperately need Him.

For example, when you catch yourself complaining about long lines or bad traffic, pause and acknowledge the pride behind your disgruntled heart. Or when you experience a major failure at work, use it as a reminder that you need God’s strength and grace every moment of every day. For without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:15)

Repent and Ask for ForgivenessOnce you’re aware of your shortcomings, take those sins to God in repentance— don’t justify or downplay them. It’s your sin that separates you from God (Isa. 59:2). True repentance restores your fellowship with God when you acknowledge your sins and ask for forgiveness. Plus, God promises that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). And once we repent and confess our sin, the crushing weight of shame and guilt gets lifted when we experience the healing power of God’s forgiveness. It doesn’t get any better than that.

So examine your conscience before bed and confess specific sins like losing your temper with your kids or lying to a colleague or cheating on your taxes. Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal to you any unconfessed sin you need to confess. And if you ask Him to reveal the sin that is separating Him from you, He will tell you, in no uncertain terms. The rest is up to you.

Submit Your Will Fully to God’s WillThis requires surrendering your desires, plans, and expectations to the Lord. You must release the tight grip of trying to maintain control of your circumstances to Him. Remember, God sees the full picture, while we only see a small part of it. Therefore, submitting your will means trusting that God’s way is higher than your way (Isa. 55:9) and that His plans for your life are much better than anything you could come up with yourself. And it’s only by surrendering to God’s plan that you will experience freedom, joy, and a supernatural peace that is beyond all human understanding (Phil. 4:7). It is something you will have to experience yourself to fully understand.

Try it for yourself. For example, when you pray about a career change or move to a new city, instead of telling God what you want, try asking God to show you His will in this decision. So when you have a major decision to make, pray as Jesus did in the garden, “Father, not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42) to align your heart with His, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel. And once you do, your faith will soar. Try it, you’ll see.

Trust Completely in God’s Wisdom and TimingSince God is all-knowing, He knows exactly what you need and when you need it, even better than you do. Timing is everything; surrendering means waiting patiently for God’s perfect plan to unfold in His timing, not yours. So don’t try to rush and manipulate outcomes or make things happen in your timing. Let go of preconceived timelines, trusting that God has a purpose in any difficulty or delay you may experience. Fully believe that God is working all things out for your good according to His wisdom, and not your wants and wishes (Rom. 8:28). After all, He alone sees the full picture, the end from the beginning, while we only catch fleeting glimpses of what is going on (Isa. 46:10).

So, when you are impatiently waiting for months to finally land your dream job, choose to believe God’s timing is purposeful and perfect even when it feels painfully slow. Release all your anxiety over the situation into His sovereign hands and have faith, not only in His plan, but also in His timing.

Rely Completely on God’s Strength to ObeyOnce God gives you clear direction in His Word or through the Spirit’s still small voice, rely fully on His supernatural strength to help you follow through in obedience. This is the essence of sanctification. Stay grounded in Scripture, praying continuously for empowerment from the Holy Spirit. Obedience demonstrates the sincerity and completeness of your surrender. But trying to obey God in your own inadequate strength, leads straight to compromise or failure. The key to victorious Christian living is understanding you can do nothing of eternal value apart from Christ’s power living and active in you (John 15:5). So yield to that power daily.

For example, ask God to help you respond with grace and forgiveness when a friend hurts you instead of lashing out in anger. Freely admit to yourself and God that you cannot begin to exhibit Christlike character without the Spirit empowering you from within. And then rest in His Spirit and let God work His forgiveness through you. Just be a channel of His Spirit in you to others. This is one of the greatest blessings of surrender.

Learn to Practice Daily DependenceMake prayer, God’s Word, and practicing Biblical meditation non-negotiable priorities in your day. Set aside quiet time to hear God’s voice as you slowly read Scripture. His living Word will gradually transform you as His truth renews your mind and sanctifies your heart to become more like His (Rom. 12:2), just as He promised it would. Stay intimately connected to Christ through continual, two-way conversations with God about everything going on in your life. Learn to depend on His strength, wisdom, and guidance to get you victoriously through each day in Him. And remember, the blessings of living in constant, complete reliance on the Lord Jesus is the core lifestyle of the surrendered life. And it is yours for the asking.

The Rewards of a Surrendered LifeWhile surrendering fully to God is challenging, the rewards are life-changing. Here are just a few of the blessings your total surrender to Him can bring:

• Feel a deeper sense of belonging through an intimate relationship with God.

• Experience increased spiritual strength by relying on God’s power at work within you.

• Gain a greater sense of purpose and meaning when you know your life matters to God.

• Feel more peace and less stress when you trust God with all your worries.

• Receive clarity about decisions when your will aligns with God’s will.

• Discover joy and contentment when you focus less on yourself and more on serving God.

The choice is yours. Will you take that first step of humility today and admit your desperate need for Jesus? Will you choose to let go of control and surrender everything— your will, plans, dreams, possessions, relationships, and even your very life— to God? This total surrender will forever change your life and launch you into the greatest adventure imaginable.

The words of Jesus remind us of this precious promise:

“If anyone (including you) desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” – Luke 9:23.

The choice is yours. What will it be?

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Steps to Change a Culture for the WorseSaul Alinsky (1909–1972) was an American community activist and political theorist whose teachings have had a profound effect on the radical Democratic agenda and the philosophy of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In 1971, right before his death, he published Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, which is a book about successfully running a movement for cultural change.

Rather than list his 13 rules for radicals, let me sum them up for you in how they are practically applied to a society. And this is exactly the same blueprint the Nazis used in post-WWI Germany.

• Words and Terms are Redefined

• History is Revised and Rewritten

• Questions are Not Encouraged Nor Allowed

• Rules are Established

• Compliance and Obedience is Expected / Demanded

• Gatekeepers are Empowered

• Power Now Rests with the Few and Not the Many

• Decision and Authority Flow from the Top Down

• All Organizations Naturally Seek Control

• Double and Triple-Down Until No Dissent Exists

By the way, this is also how control is exercised over the church by the clergy, denominational leaders, and family gatekeepers. It is not a pretty sight.

It Only Takes One Person to Make a DifferenceBut God had something completely different in mind when He instituted His church. And today, we are going to see how He empowered, not just the clergy, but all His people with His Spirit and gave them bold access to His throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). The implications are life-changing.

Remember, it only takes one person to make a difference.

Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; but by (who) a man (singular) of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged – Proverbs 28:2.

Maybe that person is you.

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What the Next Eighteen Months Will Look LikePeople see the chaos all around and want to know where we are as a culture today and what the next eighteen months will look like. As a preview, we can expect economic turmoil, especially inflation and hyperinflation. There will be deception, falsehoods, and lies coming from our sacred institutions. Jesus said to expect wars and rumors of wars which will lead to the downgrading of America as a superpower. Narcissism will become the mental illness of the land, and the church will experience the great apostasy the Scriptures warned about.

In a word, our future looks dark and bleak.

For each of us, there are three questions we need to be asking ourselves: One, what is the end goal or what is going on? Two, what is the Lord’s will for me and my family during this time? And three, why do we seem to feel or sense that time is running out and the time for playing church is over?

What Can We Do? Live Like You’re Soon to DieIn June 2020, Tim Keller was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. This diagnosis had a profound impact on his life. For one, he realized his life had an expiration date, and only the important things were now important to him. And two, he realized how much time he had wasted on unimportant things. Time, he could never get back and never redeem.

The same could be said for each of us. Here is Tim’s assessment of what he has learned about prayer since his diagnosis (he died on May 19, 2023).

“Despite the pain and fear associated with cancer, Kathy (his wife) and I would never want to go back to the kind of prayer life and spiritual life we had before the cancer. Never.

I realized, I never really did believe I was going to die. At some deep level, I just didn’t. Looking back on it, I just don’t think there’s any way to go through the change that happens in you when you know that you really are going to die: the way you look at your time, the way you look at God, the way you look at your spouse— the way you look at everything just changes when you actually realize time is limited and I’m mortal.

Frankly, I would have lived a better life if I had come to this realization sooner. I’m closer to where I should have been most of my life.”

Remember, there is a blessing in knowing that nothing lasts forever, except the grace of God. And for living in the realization and expectation of the imminent return of Christ.

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Has Church Outlived its Usefulness?Some say that “familiarity breeds contempt,” and this is true even in the church. We come to church each Sunday to perform our duty to God. We sing, sometimes. We listen to the message, hopefully. And we worship, maybe— and then head back home to do the more important things in our day. I know this sounds harsh, but it is true, nonetheless.

But church was never meant to be like this. God created His church, the ekklēsía, to be “a called-out people, an assembly of those called by Christ into the fellowship of His salvation.” And nowhere does the word church refer to a building, denomination, or tax-exempt entity.

In this message, we will look at the church from a Biblical perspective and see if we can determine what church is and why it’s not working for us today.

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558: The Most Important Prophetic Scriptures

557: Hermeneutics – The Rules for Biblical Interpretation

556: How to Surrender Your Thought Life to Christ

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Our Blueprint for Church Growth: ActsIn the movie “Field of Dreams,” Kevin Costner’s character hears a voice that says, “If you build it, they will come.” While this quote has become iconic, part of Hollywood folklore, the truth is, if we let God build His church the way He intended, He will come. And when He comes, He will bring with Him the power to transform lives, just like we see in the Book of Acts.

Can you imagine what it would be like for today’s church to look like the early church? We would experience prayer meetings with power that would shake the very room we were in (Acts 4:31). We would have boldness in the face of governmental persecution, no matter how harsh it was (Acts 4:19-20). There would be miracles and great signs from God authenticating our faith and His message (Acts 3:6-7). And if we suffered for Him, we would rejoice that He considered us worthy to suffer shame like His Son (Acts 5:41). Just imagine what Christian life would look like if we lived as they did in the early church.

But sadly, that seems like just a dream. And many have lost hope of ever experiencing the power and wonder of God we see displayed in the pages of the Book of Acts. Did you ever wonder why?

Remember what Jesus said:

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (Peter’s affirmation of faith in Christ) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).

And note, Jesus emphasized the “I” part of this promise. He said He would build His church, and when He did, nothing, not even the gates of hell, could keep His light from shining in the enemy’s darkness. So this is a promise, an if/then promise. If we do our part, then He will do His. And our part is to let Jesus build His church and get out of the way of what He is doing.

Do you think we could do that? I hope so, but I’m not so sure. Let me tell you why.

Three Things They Did We Don’tWhen we look at the Gospel accounts and the Book of Acts, we see people respond to Jesus in ways we don’t encourage today. For them, it was a life-altering, “all or nothing” choice. It was a decision to embrace either life or death, to follow light or darkness, or to travel the wide road of destruction or the narrow path that leads to salvation (Matt. 7:13-14). There was no third option.

But for us in the church today, we live for the third option. We want to follow Jesus, but just not as close or as committed as those we see in Scripture. Their life was full of blessings and hard times. And for those in the West, the dread of hard times overshadows the joy of His blessings. So we err on the side of caution.

But that is not how life played out in the early church. Let me close by sharing three things the early church did that we balk at today. For us, their lives seem extreme, and we feel more comfortable, and safer, watching from the stands than playing on the field.

They Forsook All and Followed Him

And yes, they really used that word, forsook, to describe what they gave up for Him. You can read about this in Matthew 4:18-22, 19:21, 27-29, Luke 5:27-28, 9:23, and 14:33, among other places in Scripture.

They Met in Their Own Homes

There were no church buildings on every street corner at that time. So the early church opened up their own homes, something we shy away from today, and allowed others, including strangers, to come in and sit on their sofas and worship the Lord. This was the original way God built His church, yet we think we have come up with a better program. I’m not so sure. Are you? You can read more about this in Acts 2:46, 5:42, Rom. 16:3-5, Col. 4:15, Phil. 1:2.

They Met Daily and Not Just on Sunday

This one hits hard, doesn’t it? The early church met daily in the temple ministering to others and evangelizing, and then again at night, where they shared meals together. Their lives were intertwined in ways that cannot be done meeting once a week in a neutral building. Read it for yourself, in Acts 2:46-47.

So continuing (how often) daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread (where) from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.

And what did God do?

And the Lord added to the church (how often) daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-47).

I wonder, could there be a connection? Is there something more we could be doing to encourage God’s blessing in our churches today? And if so, could the answer be found in the Book of Acts?

I think so. Do you?

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Three Questions and One Long AnswerWe find the Olivet Discourse recorded in three places in the New Testament: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. The entire teaching is Jesus’ response to some questions asked by His disciples after they were admiring the beauty of the Temple. But Jesus did not specify which answer corresponded to which question. He just answered them all at once, in one long narrative. Let’s look at a combined account of these questions.

(MT) Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple —(LK) how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations. (MK) One of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” (MK) And Jesus answered and (MT) said to them, “Do you not see all (MK) these great buildings? (MT) Assuredly, I say to you, (LK) the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

At this point, the disciples’ understanding of the future of Israel and their own lives was shattered. Everything in their religious life was temple based. And the thought of the temple being destroyed was beyond their comprehension.

So they came to Jesus privately for more information or a clearer explanation of what He just said.

(MT) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives (MK) opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew (MT) came to Him privately, saying, (LK) “Teacher, (MT) tell us, when will these things be? (MK) What will be the sign when all these things (LK) are about to take place? (MT) And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

But even in this narrative, you can see Jesus laying the groundwork for the end times and revealing to us the Seven-Year Tribulation Period and the Second Coming of Christ. But for us today, we are going to focus on two major characteristics of the end times, and these are deception and apostasy. Jesus tells us to beware of deception and Paul speaks of the coming (and now here) great apostasy. And both are telltale signs of the end times.

Jesus’ Blueprint for the EndFirst, look at what Jesus said about deception during His Olivet discourse.

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” – Matthew 24:3-4.

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” – Matthew 24:11-12.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” – Matthew 24:23-25.

And then the Scriptures speak of a great apostasy, a falling away from the faith, that will happen at the beginning of the end, right before the revealing of the antichrist. I believe we are witnessing that apostasy today.

Let no one deceive you by any means; (why) for that Day (the coming of the Lord) will not come unless the falling away (apostasía) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

Now the Spirit expressly says that (when) in latter times (what) some will depart from the faith (apostasy), giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who (1) believe and (2) know the truth – 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

And one more…

But know this, that (when) in the last days (what) perilous times will come: (described as) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having (what) a form of godliness but denying its power (dúnamis). And from such people turn away! – 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

There is so much more we cover in this message. So join us as we look for His soon return.

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557: Hermeneutics – The Rules for Biblical Interpretation

556: How to Surrender Your Thought Life to Christ

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Scripture Divides Everything into Two CategoriesWhen we look at Scripture, God has a tendency to make things simple for us and categorize everything into only two groups. There is almost never a third option. For example, you have light or darkness, evil or good, heaven or hell, the wide road or the narrow path, sin or righteousness, good fruit (tree) or bad fruit (tree), alive or dead, Spirit or flesh, blessings or curses, saved or lost, I think you get the point. And Scripture treats prophecy the same way: the Future of Israel (God’s people) or the Future of the Gentile Nations (everyone else).

So when we look at prophetic Scriptures, we must understand which of the two groups the passages speak about. For example, in Daniel 2, we see the vision of the great statue Nebuchadnezzar had that Daniel interpreted. This is a picture of the future of the Gentile nations. And later, in Daniel 7, we see four beasts and a little horn. Again, this is about the Gentile nations.

But two chapters later, in Daniel 9:24-27, the focus shifts from the Gentile nations to the people of Israel. And this prophecy is divided into several periods of time that are separated by thousands of years. Daniel was not aware of the separation nor the time between the various periods. This is known as a prophetic skip.

“Seventy weeks are determined for (who) your people (Israel) and for (what) your holy city (Jerusalem), to (1) finish the transgression, to (2) make an end of sins, to (3) make reconciliation for iniquity, to (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, to (5) seal up vision and prophecy, and to (6) anoint the Most Holy” – Daniel 9:24.

Plus, you have the Olivet discourse in Matthew 24 and 25, as well as the book of Revelation. And don’t forget Ezekiel 36-39, which gives us a glimpse of the future of the United States.

These are some of the most important prophetic Scriptures in the Bible.

Twenty Key Predictive PropheciesTo show the importance of Daniel in prophetic history, let me share 20 Predictive Prophecies that are found in that one book. These alone should give you another reason to dive into the book of Daniel.

• The successive rule of four great world empires: Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, and Rome (chapters 2 and 7)

• The reuniting of the Roman Empire in the last days under the rule of ten kings or leaders (2:41 44; 7:24)

• The appearance of the Messiah to rule 483 years after the decree is given to rebuild Jerusalem (9:25). This prophecy was fulfilled to the day at the Triumphal Entry.

• The violent death of the Messiah (9:26)

• The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (9:26)

• The rise of the Antichrist to power (7:8, 20; 8:23)

• The beginning of the seventieth week: the Antichrist’s seven-year covenant with Israel (9:27)

• The Antichrist’s breaking of the covenant at its midpoint (9:27)

• The Antichrist’s claim that he is God (11:36)

• The Antichrist’s persecution of God’s people (7:21)

• The setting up of the abomination of desolation in the last days’ Temple by the Antichrist (9:27; 12:11)

• The Northern / Southern invasion of Israel and the Antichrist (11:40-45; Ezekiel 38-39)

• The Antichrist’s military conquest and consolidation of his empire (11:38-44)

• The final doom of the Antichrist (7:11, 26; 9:27)

• The second coming of Christ (2:44-45; 7:13)

• The resurrection of the dead (12:2)

• The rewarding of the righteous (12:3, 13)

• The judgment of the wicked (7:9; 12:2)

• The establishment of Christ’s Kingdom (2:44-45; 7:14, 22, 27)

• A great increase in the knowledge of Bible prophecy in the last days (12:4)

And there is so much more to discover about the future. So stay tuned.

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How to Understand ProphecyWhen we are faced with either believing God’s Word or the prevailing, confusing, and ever-changing voices of our culture, many Christians find themselves in a conundrum. They want to believe everything God’s Word says, yet they don’t want to be called a bonehead by their high school biology teacher or to be deemed anti-science by the pro-vac crowd. So we frantically look for some rules to help us understand what the Scriptures say about everything, and then we adopt those rules as the parameter of His sovereignty and try to funnel our understanding of His truth through this grid we have created to help us save face among our friends in this declining culture.

Over the centuries, there have developed several methods of Biblical interpretation, or grids, that are used to set the parameters of our understanding of Scripture. These methods are collectively called the study of hermeneutics (Greek – to interpret, to translate). But not all hermeneutics are created equal. And the method of interpretation you embrace will determine the conclusion you have about both current and future events.

For example, do you believe the Bible is the Word of God, or does it contain the Word of God? And if you say the Bible is the Word of God, we are talking about all the Bible, the miracles, the creation events, the teachings about male and female roles, and the specific two genders God created. This is an example of a personal hermeneutic. For your answer to the question about God’s Word will determine how much weight you give it in your own life and what authority God has, at least in your eyes, in human events.

So it is vitally important to settle for yourself the hermeneutic you will embrace to understand these prophetic Scriptures. Do they mean what they say, or can we allegorize the text to make it say whatever helps us sleep better at night? It is either one or the other. You cannot have it both ways.

Tips for Understanding ProphecySetting hermeneutics aside for a moment, let me close by giving you a few tips to help you understand the prophetic Scriptures we will look at in the weeks to come.

First, God wants you to understand what He said. His Word, after all, was written to be read and understood. So expect Him to speak and reveal His truth to you as you study these sometimes confusing prophetic passages.

Next, God’s word has allegory, parables, signs, symbols, eyewitness descriptions, etc., yet the text has only one meaning. And that meaning for us was the intended meaning when it was given. Therefore, when you encounter symbols or signs, look for the “built-in” interpretations given by the Holy Spirit within the text itself. You can see examples of these built in interpretations all throughout the Revelation.

Next, compare parallel passages. After all, since the Bible originates by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, much of what is revealed in one section is also discussed in another section. Rarely (almost never) does one Scripture contain all that the Bible says about a given topic. So watch God’s Word interpret itself elsewhere in Scripture. It’s a wonderful thing to behold.

Then, be aware of time intervals. For example, the church age was a mystery that was not yet revealed when Daniel wrote about the future (Eph. 3). And for this reason, some Old Testament prophets sometimes blend the two comings of Christ. These intervals are called “prophetic skips.”

Finally, be sure to distinguish between filled and unfulfilled prophecies in Scripture.

Now, armed with these tips, let’s look at what the Lord reveals to us about our current situation and the times ahead.

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How to Take Every Thought Captive to Obey ChristIn God’s word, some of the hardest things to obey are the sanctification passages that are specifically our responsibility to fulfill. These are passages like the command to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17), or “to walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). We all agree these are the commands of God we are to obey. After all, we can read them for ourselves in Scripture. But what is often missing are the “hows” to obey His commands. We know what to do, but struggle in how to actually make it happen. So today we’re going to look at just one of these often difficult to follow commands: How to surrender our thought life to the obedience of Christ.

The verse that commands us to surrender our thought life to Him is found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Here, the apostle Paul shares four things we can achieve when we fight our battles with spiritual power instead of just relying on our own strength. In this lesson, let’s just focus on the third point and see what we can learn from it.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for (1) pulling down strongholds, (2) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, (3) bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and (4) being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

Let’s look at the third command, 1 Corinthians 10:5, a bit closer.

(you, implied) bringing every (pás) thought (nóēma – a concept of the mind, what a person is thinking about, their purpose, disposition, intention) into captivity (aichmalōtízō – to lead captive as a prisoner of war, to subdue, to bring into subjection, to assume power over someone and to take someone captive) to the obedience (hupakoḗ – the state of submission, compliance, and conformity to an authority) of Christ.

But how is that done? What are some practical steps we can follow?

Replace and EmbraceLet me give you four general steps to taking control of your thought life and bringing it into submission to the Lord. But note, this process is a process of replacement. Using Philippians 4:8 as a foundation, we are to replace our carnal and sinful thoughts with God’s truth. And we do this by rejecting one and embracing the other. Here are the four general steps to find freedom for your thought life.

One, you must begin by recognizing sinful, harmful, or negative thoughts about God, others, or yourself.

Two, you must learn how to replace these thoughts with God’s truth – Philippians 4:8.

Three, then you must learn how to guard your mind – Proverbs 4:23.

Finally, like everything else, you must choose to surrender your thought life to the Lord by learning how to reject wrong thinking and embrace truth.

One last thing, to help you in this reject and embrace process, let me give you ten practical areas of your life where you can put these into practice, along with some scriptural support. If you begin to put these into practice, I believe you will see immediate results in your journey of surrender to the Lord.

• Reject anger and embrace forgiveness – Ephesians 4:26-27.

• Reject worry and embrace trust – Matthew 6:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7.

• Reject pride and embrace humility – Philippians 2:2-4.

• Reject fear and embrace faith – 2 Timothy 1:7.

• Reject lust and embrace purity – Matthew 5:28.

• Reject bitterness and embrace forgiveness – Ephesians 4:31-32.

• Reject selfishness and embrace generosity – 1 Timothy 6:17-18.

• Reject gossip and embrace edification – Ephesians 4:29.

• Reject unbelief and embrace faith – Hebrews 11:6.

• Reject hatred and embrace love – 1 John 2:9-10.

By developing this discipline, you will begin the process of having your mind renewed (Rom. 12:2), and be able to control your thought life and give Him the glory He deserves.

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What is Church?This is a question we should ask ourselves each time we trek off to a worship service on Sunday mornings. What is church or what is church supposed to look like? Is church a building? Or is it something more? Is it something we do or something we become? And if church is something we do, how do we do it? How do we “do” church? But if church is something we become, then how do we become the church and what takes place in us to become His church? Whew. See the problem with simple words and changing definitions?

From a doctrinal standpoint, the church is defined as “the community of all true believers for all time.” So, the term “church” is used to apply to all those (people) whom Christ died to redeem, all those (people) saved by the death of Christ, past, present, and future. It encompasses both the local church and the universal church (which is a topic we will address at a later time).

But note, there is no mention of a building, denomination, or tax-exempt entity.

In Scripture, the Greek word for “church” is ekklēsía and means “a called-out people, an assembly of those called by Christ into the fellowship of His salvation, a gathering or assembly of the redeemed.”

And once again, it has nothing to do with a building or a plot of real estate, a denomination or group of religious congregations, or a 501c3 organization. It is a specific, called, and redeemed group of, get this, people. Church is people.

In the New Testament, the word ekklēsía is used 118 times, and translates as “church” 115 of those times and “assembly” 3 other times. The Scriptures are very clear about how the “church” (assembly of redeemed people) are to worship the Lord when they come together collectively on the Lord’s Day. And it looks nothing like what we do today.

Ouch. So why the disconnect between the church we see in the book of Acts and what we observe every Sunday? Who dropped the ball or who changed the rules in the middle of the game? I think you’ll be shocked when you find the answers to these questions.

And Why Do We Do the Things We Do on Sunday?Let me present just a few truths about church, both Biblically and how we understand them today. First, Christ is the one who grants membership into His church through salvation and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). We don’t grant anything.

Holy Spirit = Salvation

No Holy Spirit = No Salvation

It is really just that simple.

And two, Christ is the One, the only One, who is charged with building His church (Matt. 16:18). Our job is to make disciples of those He redeems (Matt. 28:18-20). But sometimes we get the two mixed up. We think it’s our duty to build His church with our slick marketing schemes, flashing lights and smoke machines, mini-rock concerts passed off as worship, and sanitized TED Talks taking the place of sermons. But it’s not. Our job is to mature those He brings to Himself by helping them become more like Christ.

Finally, since Christ builds His church and not us, then He is the one who makes all the rules about how His church is to function, including worship, prayer, ministry, songs, and just about everything else you can think of. Remember, He is God and we are not.

Which raises an intriguing question:

Question: So, if Christ redeems His church and then commands us to meet together in community as the called-out ones to worship Him, does He give us any guidelines as to what that is supposed to look like?

Answer: Absolutely. But it looks very little like what we have been doing as believers since… forever. And much of that has to do with our reluctance to be His church rather than attend His church. One is active, the other passive.

But what happens when a group of believers understands their place in His grand plan and becomes the church as an active participant and not as a casual observer? And what happens when these believers fully accept the truth of the priesthood of all believers? What would church look like then?

If you are intrigued or are not familiar with the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, then join us as we unpack this glorious truth together.

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Don’t Fall in the Same Hole TwiceIn the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, once the wisest man who ever lived, tells us how he really feels about life. He says, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Eccl. 1:2). Or, all of life is meaningless, useless, pointless, of no real value, and a colossal waste of time. And so is everything a man does or builds while he lives his life on earth. Solomon continues, “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” (Eccl. 2:3). Really? Sounds a bit selfish and narcissistic to me. How about you?

But it gets worse for Solomon by the time we get to chapter two.

In chapter two, Solomon tries to find his purpose, not in serving the Lord as he did when he was a young man, but in gratifying his flesh in every way imaginable, making all of life about him. And he knew his plan of trying to find the meaning of life in fleshly pleasure would lead to nothing, yet he continued anyway. Why? Maybe, “Stupid is as stupid does.”

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity (meaningless, pointless, futile, of no lasting value). I said of laughter—”Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” – Ecclesiastes 2:1-2.

But Solomon continued on this road to destruction anyway. Why? Especially when he was once the wisest man who ever lived. My, how the mighty have fallen.

Whatever (kōl) my eyes desired (strong desire, lust) I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any (kōl) pleasure (sensory, fleshly, the experience of pleasure), for my heart rejoiced in all my labor (trouble, toil, sorrow, painful work, the hardships of life); and this (the experience of sensory, fleshly pleasure) was my reward from all my labor (trouble, toil, sorrow, painful work, the hardships of life) – Ecclesiastes 2:10.

Solomon practiced zero self restraint. He had no discernment of good or evil desires. Solomon did not refuse himself anything. He embraced unhindered lusts. And what resulted from Solomon’s plunge into self-absorbed sin?

Then I looked (contemplated, considered) on all the works that my hands had done (what I had created, built, composed, produced, accomplished through effort) and on the labor (trouble, toil, sorrow, painful work, the hardships of life) in which I had toiled (to exert oneself, to work hard); and indeed all (work, toil, labor, pleasure, fulfilling lusts, etc.) was vanity (emptiness, meaningless, pointless, weariness, having no value or significance, futile, transitory, breath or vapor) and grasping for the wind. There was no profit (benefit, advantage, gain) under the sun (living life on the earth) – Ecclesiastes 2:11.

Uh, “Stupid is as stupid does.”

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It’s Not Too Late to Turn Around, SolomonWhen you read the rest of this chapter, you will begin to experience the depth of Solomon’s despair. He is running, as fast and far as his legs will carry him, away from the God of his youth, towards something that crumbles over time. He is exchanging the glory of the Lord for a mirage, an image of happiness that is only a vapor. And Solomon knows this, yet he continues to run anyway.

Let’s see what we can learn from watching Solomon implode.

Note, it has been a long time since Solomon has had an intimate relationship with His Lord. He, like many of us, has tried to fill the void in his life with sensual pleasure, wealth, entertainment, and becoming a workaholic, hoping to once again feel what he did when God was close. So, it is not surprising he comes to a carnal, fleshly conclusion about the meaning of life and then tries to justify it by saying God ordained it for him.

Sin has an amazing ability to make armchair prophets and theologians of those who are trying to justify their carnality, just like Solomon. This is not the wisdom of God, but the wisdom of man. It is nothing more than justifying the lusts of the flesh.

And the lessons from Solomon’s life? Simply this: Don’t be like Solomon. Be like Christ. And leave, as fast as you can, the lukewarm spiritual life of Laodicea far behind.

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Everyone Has to Choose Between Right and WrongIn the Christian life, God makes it pretty simple for His children to follow Him by offering them only two choices, and two outcomes. These two choices, however, are portrayed in several different ways in Scripture. For example, there is the choice between light and darkness, life and death, good fruit or bad fruit, the wide road or the narrow path, walking by the Spirit or by the flesh, having faith or doubt, the blessings or curses, boldness or fear, embracing truth or deception, and many other mutually exclusive examples of God’s way or the ways of man.

But essentially, they all boil down to the choice of obedience or disobedience. And there is never a third option, no middle ground. You are either all in or all out. Right or wrong, with nothing in between. Yet we all must make a similar choice in our lives.

Solomon is a chilling example of someone who chose wisely in his youth and then made disastrous choices as he got older. He did not grow wiser with age. When he was young, Solomon chose the wisdom of God and His intimacy over wealth, popularity, and the fleeting pleasures of sin. But when he got older, he forgot God and followed his own heart and the wisdom of this fallen age and lost the most important things in his life… faith, purpose, and meaning.

So by the time we get to the second chapter of Ecclesiastes, we see Solomon frantically striving to find what he had forsaken, namely happiness, purpose, and meaning in his life outside of his broken relationship with the Lord, which he knew couldn’t be done. You cannot satisfy a spiritual longing by indulging the flesh. But, as a stubborn man like many of us, Solomon tried anyway, repeatedly. He gave it his best shot, and each time came up empty.

Don’t Be Like Solomon, Choose WiselyWe can see the fallacy in his logic from the start. He knows what he is about to do will lead to nothing (vanity), yet he does it just the same.

And I (his action) set my heart (lēḇ) to know (yāḏaʿ) wisdom and to know (yāḏaʿ) madness (delusion, to try anything and everything just to know the outcome, being rash and foolish to an extreme degree) and folly (foolishness, a life devoid of wisdom, understanding, prudence, self restraint). I perceived (yāḏaʿ) that this also (among other things) is grasping for the wind – Ecclesiastes 1:17.

After determining the pursuit of wisdom was also meaningless and provided no lasting satisfaction, Solomon now goes in the opposite direction and embarks on a course of sensual pleasure to find happiness and contentment. It was as if Solomon put his hands over his ears and filled his life with such fleshly pleasure, hoping it could drown the inner cry of his soul. Guess how that journey turned out?

I said in my heart (lēḇ), “Come now, I will (my action) test (try, prove, to determine the true nature of something) you with mirth (the experience and manifestation of joy and gladness); therefore (conclusion) enjoy pleasure”; but surely (behold), this also was vanity (meaningless, having no value, futile, pointless, empty, like a vapor) – Ecclesiastes 2:1.

Uh, just a few questions, if I may. If it was vanity, why did you continue in it? Why not cut your losses and move on to something else? Why did you continue in something you knew wouldn’t work? Why did you not run back to your relationship with God and forget the meaningless lust of your flesh? Why did you have to learn the same lesson over and over again? That doesn’t seem to make much sense to me. Does it to you?

But this is only the beginning of Solomon’s woes. And I believe you will find, unfortunately, that you will relate to many of the ways Solomon tried to find satisfaction in life by gratifying the flesh, only to come up dry, empty, and depressed. I know I sure have. But his life can be a prime example of what not to do, or how to choose wisely (and not like Solomon).

So let me invite you to join us as we learn what to do, by not doing what the once wisest man who ever lived did. Let’s learn from his mistakes so we won’t have to make them ourselves, shall we?

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Making the Most of the Time You Have LeftSolomon, it would seem, was in the middle of a spiritual mid-life crisis. When he was young, he ran after God with reckless abandon and God blessed him with wealth and wisdom beyond compare. And what did Solomon do with all God had given him? He took it for granted, made unbelievably bad decisions about the things God clearly talked about in Scripture, and followed his own heart and forsook the wisdom of God. He began to believe his own press releases and followed the ways of the world and not of God. He did not finish his race (life) well.

And we know how that turned out. Disaster, with a capital D.

So now he is older, set in his ways, and longing for the intimacy he once had with God, but refusing to repent and return to Him. He wanted the blessings on his terms, but not the obedience, which is always God’s terms. He longed for God’s hand of blessing, but not His face. Solomon was in an awful place spiritually, one of his own making. And because he refused the cure for his spiritual illness, he sank into depression.

You can see the tragic fall of this great man in the opening chapters of Ecclesiastes. Solomon views all of life as meaningless, or “vanity” (Eccles. 1:2). He doesn’t see any value in anything he has done, or is doing (Eccles. 1:3). And what he longed for the most in life, permanence, purpose, and meaning, seemed just out of reach. How sad.

What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? – Ecclesiastes 1:3.

It was like he was saying, “What is the purpose of life? Why am I doing what I am doing? Is this all there is? Does life have any meaning other than survival? Is there more to life than food, clothing, shelter, money and the stuff money can buy? And if so, what is it? Is the world better because I was born? Or am I just taking up space, meaning nothing? Is it true that everything is vanity, pure meaningless? Is all that I know and love and have experienced in this life really worth nothing? And if so (and I hope not), what does it profit me, or anyone for that matter, from all the weariness of life that we toil with while we are still alive?”

Can you feel his pain? I sure can. But he brought it all upon himself and he refuses to make it better.

Talk about stubbornness.

Move Forward, Not BackwardsSolomon, at any time, could have confessed his sins to the Lord and experienced, once again, the wisdom of God that defined his life as a young man. He could have, like the Lord said to the church at Ephesus, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Rev. 2:5). Or, “Go back and do the things you did when life was good, when We spoke, and when others praised you for how you imitated Me.”

But of course, like many believers today, Solomon didn’t. His pride wouldn’t let him. The cost was too high. After all, he was now living independently of God and was proud of what he had accomplished, or so he kept telling himself. But truthfully, his life left him dry and unfulfilled, and he felt like he was just biding time and taking up space.

You can see all of this in the questions and reflections Solomon asks in the first chapter of this book. Some of what he says is quite telling of what kind of man he had become.

That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun – Ecclesiastes 1:9.

Geez, if I felt like that, I would have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. So Solomon decides to fill his life with everything his heart could ever want. He is trying to find happiness and contentment without God. Notice how that turns out. And notice how many times he talks about what he (“I”) have done.

I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom (human, not God’s) remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor – Ecclesiastes 2:4-10.

So what did you discover, Solomon? How did that work out for you?

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun – Ecclesiastes 2:11.

Do you want to end up like Solomon? I didn’t think so. So keep listening and let’s learn how to not be like Him.

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Trying to Follow God in the FleshLiving the Chistian life is hard, even for the most committed. Why? Because it is a life of surrender, of giving all to Him and allowing Him to live His life through us. And when we attempt that, our flesh, our independence, screams in rebellion. There is no way to live the life of faith in the flesh. No way to manifest the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), without the Spirit. Or, when attacked unjustly, to turn the other cheek out of sheer determination and the force of your will (Matt. 5:39). It cannot be done, long term, no matter how hard you try.

After all, the Spirit and the flesh are at war with each other and only one can win (Gal. 5:16-17).

Josiah became king of Israel at the ridiculously young age of eight. He must have been taught properly, because by the time he was a young man, he took great, and unpopular strides to right the wrongs committed by previous kings and approved by the people.

For in the eighth year of his reign (when he was 16), while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year (when he was 20) he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images. They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars which were above them he cut down; and the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images he broke in pieces, and made dust of them and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He also burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.(2 Chr. 34:3-4).

Not bad for a man in his early twenties who had never read a single word of Scripture and did not know God personally. He was serving God the best he knew how, with no personal knowledge of the God whom he was serving. Much like many in the church today.

But then everything changed for Josiah. He read the Bible for the first time.

Knowing the God You ServeYou know the rest of the story. Hilkiah the priest found the Word of God in the house of the Lord when they were doing repairs, probably the first five books of Moses. The Law. Boring stuff for much of the church today. But for Josiah, it was like discovering a great treasure.

Notice what this young king did when he discovered the part of Scripture we seldom even read.

Then the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. The king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the priests and the Levites, and all the people, great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD – 2 Chronicles 34:29-30.

Did you get that? He read “all” the words of the Book of the Covenant. And all means just that, all. Plus, Josiah saw Scripture as a covenant, a contract, between God and man. How many of us think that way today?

Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book – 2 Chronicles 34:3.

So Josiah made his own covenant to the Lord. And it was a covenant of faith, action, and obedience. But he wasn’t finished. He also made all those with him do the same. To “take a stand” to follow the Lord.

And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers – 2 Chronicles 34:32.

You can read the rest of the story in the verses that follow. But know this, once Josiah read the word of God, everything in his life changed. Is it that way with you? Do you view the print in your Bible as the words of God, a covenant He made with you that was ratified by the death of His Son? And if so, how are you doing keeping up your part of the covenant, the faith and obedience part that unlocks the promises of God?

And if you don’t view Scripture as the words of God, how do you hear from Him? What is the standard of truth in your life? It is you? Maybe what your friends think or what they say on TikTok?

Something to think about, would you agree?

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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The Depression of SolomonThe old adage goes something like this: “Everything the Bible speaks about is true. And the Bible speaks about everything.” This is also true, especially concerning some of the timeless questions we ask ourselves, such as “What is the purpose of life?” or “How can my life have meaning?” Both questions, and many more just like them, are specifically addressed in the Scriptures, especially in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes is a timeless book written by Solomon, the wisest (at least at one time) and richest man who ever lived. And Solomon wrote it towards the end of his life when he should have known better than to make the profound mistakes he did (remember 700 wives and 300 concubines, just for starters). It seems as if the wisdom and fervency for the Lord Solomon had as a young man slowly dissipated as he got older, which unfortunately happens to many people, and Solomon failed to finish his life well. Actually, it is kind of depressing. But there is so much for us to learn from watching Solomon’s sad decline.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon used the word “vanity” thirty-eight times and wrote about life “under the sun,” which means life on earth. It seems that was all he was concerned about in his later life. The desire for money and pleasure dominates the first few chapters of Ecclesiastes. Yet life on earth, void of a deep relationship with God, is not a wonderful thing. It is filled with pain and suffering, disease and death, and can bring out the worst in people. In fact, a Jewish writer once described life on earth as “a blister on top of a tumor, and a boil on top of that.”

Ouch.

Yet Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). I think Solomon may have missed that message.

And the Faulty Conclusion of SolomonSo what was Solomon’s conclusion right out of the gate? It’s pretty depressing and self-centered.

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher (Solomon); “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).

Wow. Sounds like it’s all about Solomon and no one else. And selfishness always leads to unhappiness. But note what the Hebrew word translated “vanity” actually means: “emptiness, meaningless, pointless, in vain, breath because of its transitory, fleeting character, the quality of having no value or significance, the result of being futile, nothingness.” Solomon calls it “grasping for the wind.”

This is how Solomon was viewing his life as he moved closer to his day of final reckoning. Do you feel the same way?

G. Campbell Morgan puts Solomon’s life this way:

“This man (Solomon) had been living through all these experiences under the sun, concerned with nothing above the sun … until there came a moment in which he had seen the whole of life. And there was something over the sun. It is only as a man takes account of that which is over the sun as well as that which is under the sun that things under the sun are seen in their true light.”

Or, to put it another way, “Everything in life ‘under the sun,’ outside of Christ, means nothing. But what we do for Christ, ‘under the sun,’ means everything.” Keep listening to find out more.

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The Problem is Not the Growing Darkness…As we shared last time, the problem today in our culture is not the increasing darkness, but the ever-diminishing light that is found in believers. And this seems to be a problem that has stalked believers since the beginning of time, both in the Old and New Testament.

It’s not that our enemy is too big, but that our God is too small. And we make Him that way through our doubt, fear, insecurity, and lack of faith. So how can that change? Simple, we just have to see God for who He is and not who we think He is after we’ve stuffed Him in a box of our own understanding and left Him there. And we allow our lack of faith to do that all the time.

Today we are going to look at David in Psalm 18, just the first 3 verses, and see how David encouraged himself in the reality of who God is and not who our culture wants us to believe He is, which is impotent, distant, not caring, and apathetic to the cries of His children. And nothing could be further from the truth.

If you will note, Psalm 18 is also repeated in 2 Samuel 22, written at the close of David’s life, with just a few differences. So let’s look at the first three verses combined from Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 in order to see exactly what David said. But first, notice how the Psalm begins.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD (not king of Israel), who spoke to the LORD the words of this song (when) on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

Now we’ll look at Psalm 18:1-3 and 2 Samuel 22:2-4 combined.

(PS) I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, (2 Sam) the God of my strength, (PS) in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (2 Sam) and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. (PS) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

But this is only reading these words on the surface. There is more to discover when we dig a little deeper.

…But the Diminishing Light in BelieversLet’s see if we can understand what David is saying by looking into the specific words he used. Maybe there is some hidden revelation of God found in these Hebrew phrases.

O Lord (yehōwāh – the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses. The “I AM THAT I AM,” the Ever Present One)

my strength (ḥēzeq – used only once in the Old Testament, means to fortify, be strong and courageous, to make firm and steadfast)

my rock (selaʿ – stronghold, cliff, stone)

my fortress (meṣûḏāh – a fortified defensive structure, a place of hiding in the wilderness)

and my deliverer (pālaṯ – one who delivers others from pain, suffering, hardship, death, to bring to safety, to help escape, to rescue, to save)

the God of my strength (ṣûrʿ – refers to a large rock, a boulder, cliff, or rock wall, a mountain),

in whom I will trust (ḥāsāh – to take / seek refuge, seeking the shade of a tree, to find a safe location);

my shield (māg̱ēn – a defensive piece of armor used to block blows or other forms of attack, means protection, or the scales of a crocodile)

and the horn (qarnayim – represents strength and power, like that of an animal)

of my salvation (yeša – the act of deliverance, to rescue from harm and deliver to safety, liberty),

my stronghold (miśgāḇ – a strongly fortified military structure, a place naturally fortified and secure, a high hill or cliff, rock, a high tower)

and my refuge (mānôs – place of escape, flight, a shelter from danger or hardship, a retreat);

my Savior (mô·šîaʿ – one who delivers and rescues from danger to a point of safety),

You save (yāšaʿ – to save or deliver from ruin, destruction, or harm) me from violence (ḥāmās – implies cruelty, damage, a wrong, and injustice).

I will call (q̣ārāʾ – summon, invite, declare, invoke) upon the Lord (yehōwāh – the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses. The “I AM THAT I AM,” the Ever-Present One),

[who is worthy] to be praised (hālal – to be extolled of the greatness of His works, to commend, shine, shout, exclaim Hallelujah);

so shall I be saved (yāšaʿʾ – to save or deliver from ruin, destruction, or harm)

from my enemies (ʾōyēḇ – all kinds of enemies, personal, national, or an enemy of God, foe, adversary, to be hostile to).

Did you get that? And do you feel better? I sure do. But there is so much more to discover from these three small passages is Psalm. So keep listening as we learn to see God for who He is and not who we think He is.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE

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We are the Light of the World… MaybeThe problem today in our culture is not the increasing darkness, but the ever-diminishing light in believers. For darkness is defined as the absence of light. And when light appears, it immediately vanquishes darkness without a struggle. But there is more. Scripture tells us that Christ is light, and therefore, so are we. We are children of light and are commanded to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). And Scripture describes the enemy as darkness.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (the Baptist). This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light (Christ), that all through him might believe. He was not that Light (Christ), but was sent to bear witness of that Light (Christ).

Summary: That was the true Light (Christ) which gives light to every man (was) coming into the world – John 1:6-9.

But it gets even better. Consider what John later says about light.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light (to what degree) and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him (light), and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if (condition) we walk in the light (to what degree) as He is in the light, (result) we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin – 1 John 1:6-7.

So it appears the problem today with encroaching darkness is us, those who are light, yet hide our light from the world (Matt. 5:14-16). Why do we do that? Maybe it’s because we fear the darkness. Or maybe we fear the persecution of the world, of being canceled, mocked, de-platformed, or whatever the darkness tries to do to conceal our light. But no matter. We have the mandate from our Lord to “let our light shine before men” (Matt. 5:16).

So maybe we should be about just that. Remember:

Fact: For you were once darkness, but now you are light (where) in the Lord.

Command: Walk as children of light – Ephesians 5:8.

Note: We are now (present tense) light in the Lord. We possess the Holy Spirit and take on the nature of Christ (Rom. 8:29), who is Light (1 John 1:5). And that makes us divinely powerful in Him.

So let’s get to it, shall we?

How Do We Live as Light in the World?So how are we to be light in this dark world? And how do we fight against the darkness? Let me tell you how not to fight against the darkness. Not with anger, revenge, politics, or personal strength. None of the Rambo stuff. Nor by plotting, or scheming, or manipulating circumstances to meet our end. No, that’s what the darkness does. We let Him do the fighting for us and rest in His promises and commands.

In Him (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (katalambánō – to take, apprehend, overcome, to seize the position of and defeat, to gain control) it – John 1:4-5.

Did you get that?

When we surrender ourselves to the Lord, we allow Him to fight our battles for us (which was His whole plan in the first place). We find this command to surrender ourselves all throughout Scripture. Remember, He gets the glory when we allow Him to fight our battles for us, just like a loving Father. And He has promises for those who choose to trust Him, even in the thick of battle.

Remember the questions in Romans 8?

“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” – Romans 8:33.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” – Romans 8:35.

And the one where our faith either grows or fails… “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors (how) through Him who loved us” – Romans 8:37.

And we pray and put...

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The Mark of the End Times? Deception  In Matthew 24, Jesus revealed to His disciples the signs to look for when the end of the age appears. And the number one sign is deception. He actually began this teaching this way: “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matt. 24:4). And how will they, and you and me, be deceived? Jesus said Satan would unleash all he has in his bag of tricks. First, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:5). Next, we have false prophets who claim to speak for God. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matt. 24:11). This is followed by more false prophets pointing now to false christs who will perform counterfeit signs and wonders that only the real Christ should be able to do. In fact, the deception is so great, that all but the elect will be deceived. “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:24). Scripture warns us it is going to get bad. Real bad. And real fast. But there is a deception going on right now in the church that is just as bad as what is to come, maybe worse. And this deception strikes at the core of our eternal salvation. It is literally a matter of heaven and hell. Have You Experienced Regeneration?It is the deception regarding your salvation. Are you really saved? And if so, how do you know? Is it based on a prayer you prayed or an emotion you experienced, or is it something else? How do you know you are really saved? When we are asked that question, we often rely on external evidence. But for many in the church today, the external evidence of true salvation is sadly missing. Why? Because of a lack of regeneration. Let me explain. When salvation truly takes place, everything changes. God doesn’t make us better or allow us to keep parts of ourselves He now sanctifies. No, the Scriptures teach everything is now new (born again) and the old has passed away, been buried, done away with. Hence, the external evidence should be a radically changed life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; (defined as) old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17. But the key to understanding the difference between regeneration (being born again) and faith and conversion (saying the sinner’s prayer), is best explained by trying to understand what this verse really means. Therefore, if (since, because) anyone (personal) is (what) in Christ (salvation), he is (present tense) a new (kainós – qualitatively new, original and of a kind not seen before) creation (ktísis – an object brought into creation or existence by God); (defined as) old things have passed away (to pass out of use or go out of existence); behold, all things (pas – each, every, the whole, in entirety without exception) have become (gínomai – to begin to be, to come into existence after not existing) new (kainós) – 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is a picture of true salvation. It is a description of regeneration. Regeneration is a secret act of God in which He imparts new spiritual life to us. How regeneration happens is a mystery to us. But the fact that it does is the bedrock of the assurance of our salvation. There are many Scriptures that speak of a spiritual interaction between our spirit and the Holy Spirit. So the question would be: Have you had this kind of interaction with the Spirit? Which brings us to the internal evidence of salvation. Consider this truth: The Spirit (emphatic) Himself (what) bears witness (summarturéō – to testify, to witness, to confirm, to provide supporting evidence) with our spirit (human spirit) that we are children of God – Romans 8:16. Ouch. How does that...

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The Two Ordinances of the Church  There are two ordinances the church celebrates: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is a once in a lifetime event for the believer that publically displays their passage from death to life through the salvation offered by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a picture of being “born again” (John 3:3, 7). The Lord’s Supper is something different. It is an event of self-examination and repentance that is celebrated on an ongoing basis, as often as the church desires, whether it be weekly, monthly, quarterly, or whenever they choose. The Lord’s Supper is a reenactment of the Last Passover celebrated by Jesus and His disciples, but with one significant change. During the Last Passover, Jesus gave deeper meaning to the wine and bread. He said the bread represents His body that was to be “broken” for them (1 Cor. 11:24). And the wine represents a new covenant He made with us through the shedding of His blood on the cross (1 Cor. 11:25). Only Jesus didn’t use the word represents. I did. He said the bread is His body, and the wine is His blood. And this is where the plot thickens somewhat. “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me” – 1 Corinthians 11:24. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” – Mathew 26:27-28. And the debate about the literal or symbolic use of bread and wine has continued until this day, so we won’t spend our time running down that rabbit hole. But what we are going to look at is the meaning of what this all conveys, especially when Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25), and how celebrating this feast proclaims “the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). Which leads us to ask a few questions. Question: What happens at the Lord’s Supper? Answer: That really depends on you. How much have you prepared to commune with the Lord today? Do you have an expectation of meeting with Him? And if so, how have you prepared yourself to meet with Him? Do you realize the Lord of the Universe has invited you to come to His table? And are you coming to His table in a “worthy manner” befitting Him (1 Cor. 11:27)? Question: Ok, then what is supposed to happen at the Lord’s Supper? Answer: Again, that really depends on you. Jesus specifically set this time apart for us to experience an intimate communion with Him. So it is much more than a religious sacrament. It is actually a time for us to repent of our sins, cleanse our hearts before Him, and then partake in the sufferings (death) and blessings (resurrection) with Him. We are to experience this union (key phrase) with Him in our soul, not just in our minds. And the way to do that (the “how” questions) begins with your spiritual preparation and prayer. After all, He has invited you to dine with Him at His table at His request. The 1860 Revival of Cape Town For over 38 years, Andrew Murray senior, the father of the well-known pastor and devotional writer, Andrew Murray, prayed for revival to take place in the Cape Colony in South Africa. And for 38 years, nothing. Then, in 1860, when his son Andrew Murray was a young 32-year-old pastor of a small church, revival broke out, and everything changed. In fact, eyewitness accounts (this one from Servaas Hofmeyr) of the revival and its aftermath describe it like this: “Before the days of Revival, the situation of our congregation was lamentable. Love of the world and sin; no earnestness or heartfelt desire for salvation; sinning and idleness, that was the order of the day for most. When the Lord started to move among us, how intense were the prayers for revival and the

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The Two Ordinances of the Church  There are two ordinances the church celebrates: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is a once in a lifetime event for the believer that publically displays their passage from death to life through the salvation offered by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a picture of being “born again” (John 3:3, 7). The Lord’s Supper is something different. It is an event of self-examination and repentance that is celebrated on an ongoing basis, as often as the church desires, whether it be weekly, monthly, quarterly, or whenever they choose. The Lord’s Supper is a reenactment of the Last Passover celebrated by Jesus and His disciples, but with one significant change. During the Last Passover, Jesus gave deeper meaning to the wine and bread. He said the bread represents His body that was to be “broken” for them (1 Cor. 11:24). And the wine represents a new covenant He made with us through the shedding of His blood on the cross (1 Cor. 11:25). Only Jesus didn’t use the word represents. I did. He said the bread is His body, and the wine is His blood. And this is where the plot thickens somewhat. “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me” – 1 Corinthians 11:24. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” – Mathew 26:27-28. And the debate about the literal or symbolic use of bread and wine has continued until this day, so we won’t spend our time running down that rabbit hole. But what we are going to look at is the meaning of what this all conveys, especially when Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25), and how celebrating this feast proclaims “the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). Which leads us to ask a few questions. Question: What happens at the Lord’s Supper? Answer: That really depends on you. How much have you prepared to commune with the Lord today? Do you have an expectation of meeting with Him? And if so, how have you prepared yourself to meet with Him? Do you realize the Lord of the Universe has invited you to come to His table? And are you coming to His table in a “worthy manner” befitting Him (1 Cor. 11:27)? Question: Ok, then what is supposed to happen at the Lord’s Supper? Answer: Again, that really depends on you. Jesus specifically set this time apart for us to experience an intimate communion with Him. So it is much more than a religious sacrament. It is actually a time for us to repent of our sins, cleanse our hearts before Him, and then partake in the sufferings (death) and blessings (resurrection) with Him. We are to experience this union (key phrase) with Him in our soul, not just in our minds. And the way to do that (the “how” questions) begins with your spiritual preparation and prayer. After all, He has invited you to dine with Him at His table at His request. The 1860 Revival of Cape Town For over 38 years, Andrew Murray senior, the father of the well-known pastor and devotional writer, Andrew Murray, prayed for revival to take place in the Cape Colony in South Africa. And for 38 years, nothing. Then, in 1860, when his son Andrew Murray was a young 32-year-old pastor of a small church, revival broke out, and everything changed. In fact, eyewitness accounts (this one from Servaas Hofmeyr) of the revival and its aftermath describe it like this: “Before the days of Revival, the situation of our congregation was lamentable. Love of the world and sin; no earnestness or heartfelt desire for salvation; sinning and idleness, that was the order of the day for most. When the Lord started to move among us, how intense were the prayers for revival and the

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Trust Grows One Promise at a TimeUndeniably, one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life is the idea of surrender and sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2), or of fully understanding the implications of Jesus being not only our Savior, but also our Lord. Yep, it’s that sinister, four letter word that spells disaster for most… Lord. Recognizing the Lordship of Jesus means He is predominant over everything, including you and me, what we want to do, and when we want to do it. And pride always seems like the last holdout of our sinful flesh to recognize His Lordship and fall under its authority. That’s why the Lord never promises to make us better. He promises to make us new, to be born again (John 3:16). For there is nothing in our old life that has any place or serves any value in our new life. Our old nature is continually at odds with our new nature and only one can reign supreme (Rom. 7:15-25). And the process of feeding one and starving the other is what we call practical sanctification. But we’ll dive into that topic on another day. In order for us to allow Christ to live His life through us, we have to have a changed nature and, especially, a changed mind. Therefore, Scripture states when we surrender our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), God miraculously “transforms us by the renewing of our mind” (Rom. 12:2). And our mind is renewed when we choose (our action) to live by faith and not by what we see, think, or feel. It is faith, and only faith, that activates all the promises of God. For without faith, His promises are simply words to us because we refuse to empower them into our lives by believing them as true, and then living like they are. And what is faith? Basically, it is believing without seeing (Heb. 11:1). It is confidently trusting without question or apprehension or doubt. But our faith cannot be in God’s promises alone. It must also be in His character, love, integrity, faithfulness, and truthfulness. In essence, our faith must rest in God and we must believe God is who He says He is, without wavering (Jas. 1:6). We Must Believe What God Says is TrueSince our faith in God grows incrementally or in steps (just like our faith in anything grows), we are going to look at one familiar if/then promise and see if we can trust what He says. And we find this promise in Proverbs 3:5-6, the if/then promise of God giving us direction for our lives. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths – Proverbs 3:5-6. First, note the conditions and the promise. And also the qualifier for the key component, trust. (if) Trust in the LORD (qualifier) with all your heart, and (if) lean not on your own understanding; (if) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and (then) He shall direct your paths. Do: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, Don’t: and lean not on your own understanding; Do: in all your ways acknowledge Him, Promise: and He shall direct your paths. Then, let’s see what the first segment of this truth actually says. Trust (bāṭaḥ – to be confident, to have faith, to believe. It expresses the feeling of safety and security that is felt when one can completely rely on someone or something else) in the Lord (yehōwāh YHWH – the proper name for the God of Israel, the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses, He is the “I AM THAT I AM”) I am to trust the God who is the ever-present one (Heb. 11:6), the self-existent and self-sufficient God who needs nothing and is dependent on no one. All of creation is dependent on Him for life, purpose, and existence. It is the name of God who sent Moses to Pharaoh with a divine mission of deliverance (Ex. 3:14). He is the God who directed Moses’ paths back then, just as He promises to direct mine,...

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Trust Grows One Promise at a TimeUndeniably, one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life is the idea of surrender and sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2), or of fully understanding the implications of Jesus being not only our Savior, but also our Lord. Yep, it’s that sinister, four letter word that spells disaster for most… Lord. Recognizing the Lordship of Jesus means He is predominant over everything, including you and me, what we want to do, and when we want to do it. And pride always seems like the last holdout of our sinful flesh to recognize His Lordship and fall under its authority. That’s why the Lord never promises to make us better. He promises to make us new, to be born again (John 3:16). For there is nothing in our old life that has any place or serves any value in our new life. Our old nature is continually at odds with our new nature and only one can reign supreme (Rom. 7:15-25). And the process of feeding one and starving the other is what we call practical sanctification. But we’ll dive into that topic on another day. In order for us to allow Christ to live His life through us, we have to have a changed nature and, especially, a changed mind. Therefore, Scripture states when we surrender our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), God miraculously “transforms us by the renewing of our mind” (Rom. 12:2). And our mind is renewed when we choose (our action) to live by faith and not by what we see, think, or feel. It is faith, and only faith, that activates all the promises of God. For without faith, His promises are simply words to us because we refuse to empower them into our lives by believing them as true, and then living like they are. And what is faith? Basically, it is believing without seeing (Heb. 11:1). It is confidently trusting without question or apprehension or doubt. But our faith cannot be in God’s promises alone. It must also be in His character, love, integrity, faithfulness, and truthfulness. In essence, our faith must rest in God and we must believe God is who He says He is, without wavering (Jas. 1:6). We Must Believe What God Says is TrueSince our faith in God grows incrementally or in steps (just like our faith in anything grows), we are going to look at one familiar if/then promise and see if we can trust what He says. And we find this promise in Proverbs 3:5-6, the if/then promise of God giving us direction for our lives. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths – Proverbs 3:5-6. First, note the conditions and the promise. And also the qualifier for the key component, trust. (if) Trust in the LORD (qualifier) with all your heart, and (if) lean not on your own understanding; (if) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and (then) He shall direct your paths. Do: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, Don’t: and lean not on your own understanding; Do: in all your ways acknowledge Him, Promise: and He shall direct your paths. Then, let’s see what the first segment of this truth actually says. Trust (bāṭaḥ – to be confident, to have faith, to believe. It expresses the feeling of safety and security that is felt when one can completely rely on someone or something else) in the Lord (yehōwāh YHWH – the proper name for the God of Israel, the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses, He is the “I AM THAT I AM”) I am to trust the God who is the ever-present one (Heb. 11:6), the self-existent and self-sufficient God who needs nothing and is dependent on no one. All of creation is dependent on Him for life, purpose, and existence. It is the name of God who sent Moses to Pharaoh with a divine mission of deliverance (Ex. 3:14). He is the God who directed Moses’ paths back then, just as He promises to direct mine,...

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Nothing From Nothing Leaves NothingIn 1974, Billy Preston, affectionally known as the fifth Beatle, had one of his major hits with the song “Nothing from Nothing,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in October of that year. There was not much substance to the lyrics of his song, just a catchy phrase and an upbeat melody, but the overriding message of the title still rings true today. If you put nothing in, you’ll get nothing out. There is no free ride, no free lunch. Success doesn’t just happen, it’s the result of hard work. Nothing is ever truly free, it always costs someone, something. Same is true in our spiritual lives. Even the free gift of salvation cost Christ His life. Jesus said we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily, in order to follow Him (Luke 9:23). Likewise, in the wilderness where God provided manna to feed His children for forty years, He still required them to get off their backsides and go out each morning and pick it up. God didn’t employ Door Dash to foster their laziness. We see God’s admonitions against the lazy and slothful throughout the Proverbs. Let’s take this passage, for example. The soul of a lazy man desires and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich – Proverbs 13:4. And, as usual, we need to understand what the verse says before we can determine what it means. The soul (nep̱eš – the inner being with its thoughts and emotions, breath, the entire person, the seat of one’s personality, their mind, will, passions, and volition, everything that makes them who they are) of a lazy man (ʿāṣēl – sluggish, slothful, useless, someone who will always fail because of laziness that becomes moral failure, a person who is undisciplined to work or exert himself) desires (ʾāwāh – to want strongly, to long for, to crave) and has nothing (ʾayin – none, no, not, nothing, nonexistence, without. Note: “he hates the process by which results are to be obtained”); but (conjunction, contrast) the soul (nep̱eš – the inner being with its thoughts and emotions, breath, the entire person, the seat of one’s personality, their mind, will, passions, and volition, everything that makes them who they are) of the diligent (ḥārûṣ – sharp, industrious, a person who is characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks. Note: diligence is not satisfied with desire, but with possession) shall be made rich (dāšēn – to be satisfied, to grow fat, having an abundance, thrive, to be made prosperous, to be richly supplied). So what is this passage saying? And what lessons can we take home from the life of a lazy, slothful, sluggard? What Can We Learn from a Lazy Man?Looking elsewhere in Proverbs, we find the lazy man will begin nothing. He is content to live in whatever squalor his apathy and laziness provide. He has no internal motivation to better himself other than the growl in his belly and will work only long enough to silence it for one day. What a sad state of a human being, especially a Christian. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? (No answer) When will you rise from your sleep? (Again, he doesn’t know) A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man – Proverbs 6:9-11. We also discover that, if on a wild whim, the lazy man actually begins something, he will never finish it. Just beginning zaps all his energy and drive and whatever impulse prompted him to start, it is never enough to see the task to completion. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession – Proverbs 12:27. He works to accomplish something and then lets it spoil because he is too tired or too lazy to finish what he began. A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and...

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God Didn’t Save Us to Make Us Better…One of the key elements of salvation is something called sanctification. This strange word means to be separated unto God. It is the act of becoming personally more dedicated to God. Literally, it means living a life of holiness, which is the very reflection of the character of God. And sanctification is a part of the process of salvation, whereby we become more like Christ and less like the world. Hence, after salvation, we are commanded not to “walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1), which is the perfect description of sanctification. And sanctification is a product of our will and a practical result of our obedience to Him. In fact, most of the commands God gave us after salvation are those we choose to do because of our love for Him. Consider the implied you in these classic passages. (You implied) Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5. Finally, my brethren, (you implied) be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (You implied) Put on the whole armor of God, that (who) you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil – Ephesians 6:10-11. This is something you have to choose to do. It is not something done for you. (You implied) Rejoice always, (You implied) pray without ceasing, In everything (you implied) give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for (who) you. (You implied) Do not quench the Spirit. (You implied) Do not despise prophecies. (You implied) Test all things; (you implied) hold fast what is good. (You implied) Abstain from every form of evil – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. Get the point? And then there is the granddaddy of all sanctification truths, Romans 12:1-2. I beseech (who) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that (who) you present (who) your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is (who) your reasonable service. And (you implied) do not be conformed to this world, but (you implied) be transformed by the renewing of (who) your mind, that (who) you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God – Romans 12:1-2. So we know what the Scriptures say regarding our responsibility regarding sanctification. But how do we incorporate these truths into our lives? He Saved Us to Make Us NewEverything in our relationship with Christ is activated by faith. That’s right, faith. We are saved by faith. We are sanctified by faith? We live a victorious, overcoming life in Christ by faith? And we have the assurance of eternal life with Him by faith. In fact, the faith chapter in Hebrews tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Get that? Impossible. And one key command of the Lord, especially regarding sanctification and faith, is for us to not be conformed to the world, but to think, act, live, and feel differently because of Him. Remember Romans 12:2? And do not be conformed (to fashion alike, to be behaviorally or socially similar to something or someone, to become shaped, formed, or molded into a certain pattern) to this world (not kósmos but aiṓn) but be transformed (metamorphóō – to change one’s form, to transfigure, to change completely into something else) by the renewing (to renew qualitatively, a renovation to an improved or like-new state) of your mind (noús), And what happens if we do? that you (personal promise) may prove (test, discern, judge to be right or commendable, to accept as trustworthy) what is that good (of moral excellence, best, upright, virtuous) and acceptable (well-pleasing, that which gives pleasure and satisfaction) and perfect (complete, finished, having reached its intended goal or purpose, full, wanting nothing) will of God. But how do we receive this promise personally? How does what Romans 12:2 says...

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God Didn’t Save Us to Make Us Better…One of the key elements of salvation is something called sanctification. This strange word means to be separated unto God. It is the act of becoming personally more dedicated to God. Literally, it means living a life of holiness, which is the very reflection of the character of God. And sanctification is a part of the process of salvation, whereby we become more like Christ and less like the world. Hence, after salvation, we are commanded not to “walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1), which is the perfect description of sanctification. And sanctification is a product of our will and a practical result of our obedience to Him. In fact, most of the commands God gave us after salvation are those we choose to do because of our love for Him. Consider the implied you in these classic passages. (You implied) Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5. Finally, my brethren, (you implied) be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (You implied) Put on the whole armor of God, that (who) you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil – Ephesians 6:10-11. This is something you have to choose to do. It is not something done for you. (You implied) Rejoice always, (You implied) pray without ceasing, In everything (you implied) give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for (who) you. (You implied) Do not quench the Spirit. (You implied) Do not despise prophecies. (You implied) Test all things; (you implied) hold fast what is good. (You implied) Abstain from every form of evil – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. Get the point? And then there is the granddaddy of all sanctification truths, Romans 12:1-2. I beseech (who) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that (who) you present (who) your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is (who) your reasonable service. And (you implied) do not be conformed to this world, but (you implied) be transformed by the renewing of (who) your mind, that (who) you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God – Romans 12:1-2. So we know what the Scriptures say regarding our responsibility regarding sanctification. But how do we incorporate these truths into our lives? He Saved Us to Make Us NewEverything in our relationship with Christ is activated by faith. That’s right, faith. We are saved by faith. We are sanctified by faith? We live a victorious, overcoming life in Christ by faith? And we have the assurance of eternal life with Him by faith. In fact, the faith chapter in Hebrews tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Get that? Impossible. And one key command of the Lord, especially regarding sanctification and faith, is for us to not be conformed to the world, but to think, act, live, and feel differently because of Him. Remember Romans 12:2? And do not be conformed (to fashion alike, to be behaviorally or socially similar to something or someone, to become shaped, formed, or molded into a certain pattern) to this world (not kósmos but aiṓn) but be transformed (metamorphóō – to change one’s form, to transfigure, to change completely into something else) by the renewing (to renew qualitatively, a renovation to an improved or like-new state) of your mind (noús), And what happens if we do? that you (personal promise) may prove (test, discern, judge to be right or commendable, to accept as trustworthy) what is that good (of moral excellence, best, upright, virtuous) and acceptable (well-pleasing, that which gives pleasure and satisfaction) and perfect (complete, finished, having reached its intended goal or purpose, full, wanting nothing) will of God. But how do we receive this promise personally? How does what Romans 12:2 says...

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We Need Practical Application, Not Just TheoryIn our educational system, the old adage goes, “Those who do, do. And those who don’t do, teach.” And the truth sometimes stings, but it is still truth. In college, for example, most of the professors who teach business classes, even on a graduate level, have never run a business themselves. They can teach you what others say to do to be successful in the business world, yet they have never lived under the pressure of having to make payroll or survive a tax audit. And for some strange reason, we are content with learning from those who can only point the way to the Emerald City, but not lead us to where it is because they have never been there themselves. This is the definition of Convoluted Logic 101. But, I digress. Often, we find the same mindset when looking at Scriptures. We see theory and commands given, sometimes with a reason, yet it is seldom followed up with practical application. We are told what to do and why, but the “how” part of the equation is missing. And what we desperately need in our darkening culture is an answer to our many “how” questions. Let me give you a simple example from a well-known passage. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that (what) you (something I need to do and not something God does for me) present your bodies a living sacrifice (ok, but how?), holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service – Romans 12:1. We know what the truth means and the reason why it is given, but often struggle with the “how” to do it. This verse talks about theory and the reason why, but is conspicuously short when it comes to the how part. I mean, how do I present my body as a living sacrifice? And what does living sacrifice even mean? And why only my body?  What about my mind, soul, spirit, or anything else I can offer? What is this passage saying and how is it done in real time? But Sometimes We are Given the ApplicationSometimes, the Lord provides for us some concrete examples to the commands He gives us. And sometimes these examples show us the depth of the command and the cost of obedience. Let me share a few from the Sermon on the Mount. Theory: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person.” Application: (How?) “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also” – Matthew 5:38-40. And the application continues. Application: (How?) “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” – Matthew 5:41-42. And then Jesus gives us more theory, more commands that He chooses not to reveal the application. Why? Because the reason should be enough. Theory: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” – Matthew 43-44. Application: (How?) None Reason: “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” – Matthew 5:45. And to understand the command based on the reason alone, assumes an inner desire to be more like our Lord. Or an experience with the Higher Christian Life. Is being like your heavenly Father enough for you, or do you need a bullet-point list to follow? Are you content with theory, or do you require the Law to follow? Join us as we begin our journey of discovery to uncover the answers to the “how” questions in Scripture as we learn to leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/080222-Slides.pdf...

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The Three Phases of a Dying CultureIn Romans 1, the Holy Spirit reveals the three phases a dying culture goes through when God removes His hand of grace and allows a people to experience the consequences of their own sin. We have seen this unfold in our own country over the last 60 years. And unfortunately, once a culture reaches the third phase, the debased mind, there is no return. The dye is cast, and the day of grace has passed. These three phases are introduced by the phrase, “God gave them over” or “God gave them up” (Rom: 1:24, 26, 28). Literally, it describes a people who have rejected His Word, demanded their independence, and received just that. God removes His hand of protection and allows those in active rebellion to experience, first-hand, the consequences of their sin as they strive, by their actions, to look less and less like Jesus and become more and more like Satan. And we can see the downward trajectory our own culture is following. The first phase, or the first curse of God on a culture under judgment, is sexual sin. We experienced the beginning of this in the 60s. And now, on every level, we are living in a sex saturated society. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature (flesh, their bodies) rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen – Romans 1:24-25. No longer satisfied with sexual sin, the next curse, phase two, is homosexuality. Our collective “coming out” as a culture began in the late 80s and homosexuality is now an accepted part of the fabric of who we are as a people, regardless of what the Word of God says. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due – Romans 1:26-27. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the third and final phase is what the Scripture calls a “debased mind.” No longer do we even think logically as a people. Now, men can choose to become women and have children, or so we affirm, regardless of what history, science, and logic tell us. We teach our children they can choose their gender while in kindergarten before they are old enough to read without help or have mastered their multiplication tables. And then we encourage them to undergo medical mutilations in order for them to feel better about being who God did not create them to be. This is a debased mind. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting – Romans 1:28. But there is more. If you look around, you will see the plague of what we call narcissism infecting the psyche of our society. Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about the pain and suffering they have experienced by a loved one who is a narcissist. Is there a connection between the “debased mind” in Romans 1:28 and the growing epidemic of narcissism we see today? In a word, absolutely. A Debased Mind is Another Term for NarcissismNarcissism is not a mental disorder. It is a spiritual curse that has infected the members of our society and has caused untold misery to those who have fallen prey to the deceit and manipulation of a narcissist. And narcissism is the perfect description of what God calls a “debased mind.” In fact, narcissism is the literal personification of the personality and characteristics of Satan himself, clearly manifested in a human being. Let me give you a brief description of a narcissist. •  Obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or...

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The Three Phases of a Dying CultureIn Romans 1, the Holy Spirit reveals the three phases a dying culture goes through when God removes His hand of grace and allows a people to experience the consequences of their own sin. We have seen this unfold in our own country over the last 60 years. And unfortunately, once a culture reaches the third phase, the debased mind, there is no return. The dye is cast, and the day of grace has passed. These three phases are introduced by the phrase, “God gave them over” or “God gave them up” (Rom: 1:24, 26, 28). Literally, it describes a people who have rejected His Word, demanded their independence, and received just that. God removes His hand of protection and allows those in active rebellion to experience, first-hand, the consequences of their sin as they strive, by their actions, to look less and less like Jesus and become more and more like Satan. And we can see the downward trajectory our own culture is following. The first phase, or the first curse of God on a culture under judgment, is sexual sin. We experienced the beginning of this in the 60s. And now, on every level, we are living in a sex saturated society. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature (flesh, their bodies) rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen – Romans 1:24-25. No longer satisfied with sexual sin, the next curse, phase two, is homosexuality. Our collective “coming out” as a culture began in the late 80s and homosexuality is now an accepted part of the fabric of who we are as a people, regardless of what the Word of God says. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due – Romans 1:26-27. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the third and final phase is what the Scripture calls a “debased mind.” No longer do we even think logically as a people. Now, men can choose to become women and have children, or so we affirm, regardless of what history, science, and logic tell us. We teach our children they can choose their gender while in kindergarten before they are old enough to read without help or have mastered their multiplication tables. And then we encourage them to undergo medical mutilations in order for them to feel better about being who God did not create them to be. This is a debased mind. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting – Romans 1:28. But there is more. If you look around, you will see the plague of what we call narcissism infecting the psyche of our society. Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about the pain and suffering they have experienced by a loved one who is a narcissist. Is there a connection between the “debased mind” in Romans 1:28 and the growing epidemic of narcissism we see today? In a word, absolutely. A Debased Mind is Another Term for NarcissismNarcissism is not a mental disorder. It is a spiritual curse that has infected the members of our society and has caused untold misery to those who have fallen prey to the deceit and manipulation of a narcissist. And narcissism is the perfect description of what God calls a “debased mind.” In fact, narcissism is the literal personification of the personality and characteristics of Satan himself, clearly manifested in a human being. Let me give you a brief description of a narcissist. •  Obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or...

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And Unfortunately, He Has Granted Our RequestIt appears we, as a culture and a nation, may have tested the patience of God one time too many. We have, for example, murdered over 60 million innocent, unborn children in their mother’s womb while the church has basically remained silent. As Ruth Graham once said, “If God doesn’t judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” And just this week, after the Supreme Court ruling regarding Roe v. Wade, President Biden signed an Executive Order basically promoting abortion in our nation. So the killing will continue, and God’s judgment is sure to come. As a nation, we have asked, and are still asking with even a louder voice, for the Lord’s judgment. How? By killing more babies and shaking our fist in His face in open, blatant defiance. And when the judgment falls (and I believe we are now under His judgment), the church is not immune. Again, why? Because we have remained silent while His little ones die in agony. And God is not blind to our sin. Remember this truth: For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? – 1 Peter 4:17. So the question is this: When God judges a nation, what happens to the people in that nation that love Him and live righteously? Are they swept away with the unrighteous? Or does God preserve them, like He did His children during the plagues of Egypt, by sequestering them in the land of Goshen? Does judgment, like rain, fall on the just and the unjust at the same time? What Happens to Us When Judgment Comes?That is a great question, and only God knows the answer. But we can get some insight and encouragement by looking at the first chapter of the small book of Nahum. In Nahum, God is proclaiming His judgment on the city of Nineveh. As you will recall, Nineveh was the city to which Jonah went to preach judgment, leading to repentance, although reluctantly. And one of the greatest miracles in all the Old Testament happened after the hapless preaching of Jonah. That evil fortress of a city repented and a great revival broke out at the preaching of God’s Word. Child sacrifices ceased, the king called the city to repentance, and God forestalled His hand of judgment and offered Nineveh His grace. But by the time of Nahum, over a hundred years had passed and Nineveh had gone back to their sinful ways. The city was awash in idolatry and God, once again, was bringing judgment on those who had rejected His ways. The first chapter of Nahum comprises 15 verses of railing judgment against the citizens of that great city. Nahum uses phrases like “the Lord avenges” and the “Lord will take vengeance” (1:2). He talks about the Lord’s “indignation” and the “fierceness of His anger” (1:6). Nahum describes the coming judgment as “they shall be devoured like stubble fully dried” (1:10), and he records God saying, “I will dig your grave, for you are vile” (1:14). Needless to say, God is not pleased with the people of Nineveh who have spurned His grace and spit in the face of His mercy. So judgment is on its way, and it will come swiftly. But the encouraging word for us, who also face the judgment of God, is found in verse 7. It is the only positive verse in this chapter. In this statement, God lets us know what He does with those who still love Him yet live among those He judges. Nahum 1:7 reads: The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows (yāḏaʿ) those who trust in Him – Nahum 1:7. Or, to define some terms: The LORD is good (of moral excellence), a stronghold (refuge, fortress, shelter, a place where one turns for assistance or protection) in the day of trouble (distress, anguish, an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity); and He knows (yāḏaʿ) those who trust...

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The Gift of Spiritual MentorshipOne unappreciated gift given the church is the fact we have those who are older and wiser than we are to help guide our way in this life with Christ. After all, it is no merit for a son to make the same mistakes his father did.  Each generation must learn how to make their own way in this fallen world, but only a fool fails to learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before. So today, we are going to glean some insight into the full, abundant life with Christ, the https://higherchristianlife.com/ (Higher Christian Life, )as it is called, from a man who is speaking to us from a position of victory. And that man is Oswald Chambers. You may recognize his name from the classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, that was compiled from his teachings in 1929 by his wife, Biddy. Oswald Chambers, who died in 1917 at the age of 43, lived what he speaks about and can show us, by experience, how to achieve the spiritual victory that only comes from complete, absolute surrender. Confusing? I know. But let’s look at a few of Oswald’s statements and pray to learn from him what we need to know regarding faith and surrender. Oswald Chambers on Faith and SurrenderFrom Oswald Chambers: •  “It takes me a long while to realize that God has no respect for anything I bring Him. All He wants from me is unconditional surrender.” •  “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you cannot understand at the time. •  “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” •  “Get into the habit of saying, ‘Speak, Lord,’ and life will become a romance.” •  “Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way. •  “Seeing is never believing: we interpret what we see in the light of what we believe. Faith is confidence in God before you see God emerging, therefore the nature of faith is that it must be tried.” •  “When I see Jesus Christ, I simply want to be what He wants me to be.” •  “The life of faith is not a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting.” •  “Sin is not wrong doing, it is wrong BEING, deliberate and emphatic independence from God.” •  “Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.” •  “Keep your life in constant contact with God so that His surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.” •  “If my ruling disposition is self-interest, I perceive that everything that happens to me is always for or against my self-interest; if, on the other hand, my ruling disposition is obedience to God, I perceive Him to be at work for my perfecting in everything that happens to me.” •  “Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? Am I full of the little things that cheer His heart over me, or am I whimpering because things are going hardly with me (or not going my way)? There is no joy in the soul that has forgotten what God prizes.” And finally, two of my favorites. •  “The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” •  “How many people have you made homesick for God?” And with this, we are only getting our feet wet. There is so much more we will discover in this message. So join us as we...

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Every Good Thing Has a Potential Dark SideWith every good thing, there is always a potential dark side, or the possibility of collateral damages or unforeseen consequences that often come with it. The blessings of rain sometimes come with a flood. And pain accompanies the joy of childbirth. Or, as Newton’s law of motion states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” So let me give you a few examples from last week. These are some of the recent rulings from the Supreme Court. •  June 23rd – New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruden, Superintendent of New York State Police. This, on the surface, was a victory for the Second Amendment, effectively banning Draconian laws in New York that limited the ability to receive a concealed carry permit in that state. •  June 24th – Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. This ruling was a victory for religious freedoms and the ability to pray in a school setting. It drove a small stake in the heart of those who claim the separation of church and state is enshrined in the Constitution, which it is not. •  June 24th – Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In this controversial ruling, the Supreme Court ended the federal protection and sanction of abortion rights granted in Roe v. Wade back in 1973, and now placed the legality and regulation of abortion back on the shoulder of each state, where it should be. For the Pro-Life movement, this was their greatest victory in sixty years. •  June 30th – West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency. In this ruling, the Supreme Court cut away at some of the power and authority assumed by the three letter agencies within our government, EPA, CIA, FBI, IRS, CDC, NSA, DHS, etc., and returned their usurped power back to the legislative branch and our elected officials. This was a victory for economic freedom and small businesses across America. So that’s the good news. Now for the rest of the story, the “equal and opposite reaction.” What Do I Believe About the Future of America and the Church?Our enemy is now enraged. That’s right, Christians are being called the new Taliban by members of congress, and the media is portraying us as bigoted insurrectionists who are the biggest threat to our democracy and the future of America. Yep, the enemy is you and me. And this is only the beginning. On https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-believe-486/ (January 13, 2021), we asked the following question: What do I believe? And what am I willing to do about what I believe? We put it this way: •  What am I willing to die for? •  What is the mission and calling of my life? •  What means the most to me? •  And what truth will I not compromise on? The purpose of that https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-believe-486/ (message) was to encourage you to define what matters most to you and what you see the next few years looking like and plan accordingly, especially spiritually. It was a call to become a faith prepper. I shared then what I believed the future looked like and have tried to funnel every decision over the last eighteen months through that grid. This is what I shared on Sunday, January 13, 2021. •  I believe we are entering the end times. •  I believe things will get very bad in the US over the next two years. •  I believe inflation is a certainty. •  I believe there will be shortages of food, gas, etc. •  I believe we will face persecution as Christians. •  I believe there is a great possibility of civil war. •  And I believe we must prepare spiritually right now! And since I believe these things, I will once again implore you, as the church, the Bride of Christ, to consider a deeper commitment to Him than ever before. In...

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Have You Ever Experienced God Through His Word?One reason most Christians fail in their Bible study is the fact they have seldom, if ever, experienced God through His Word. Oh, they believe the Bible is the Word of God. And they believe what it says about itself, that it is “given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). In fact, they also understand the purpose of God’s Word and believe it wholeheartedly, “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17). Yet their spiritual life, and the time they spend in God’s Word, speak otherwise. Do you know why? It’s probably because the promise above has a qualifier. And that qualifier means the promise is not for everyone, but only for “the man of God” (2 Tim. 3:17) But most believers today are far from what Scripture would consider a man of God. So how does that change? What can we do to help thousands, if not millions, of believers who have never heard the voice of God, do just that? What is the process? What needs to be done? First, we need to understand why it is so important to take personal responsibility for your spiritual life (see Romans 1:18-32). The church cannot ride on the faith coattails of their pastor, the hired holy man, no matter how hard they try. They must learn to mine the truths of God themselves. And this takes time and energy, and a commitment, just like everything else of value in life. Are you ready? Honest Questions You Must Ask YourselfNext, we must ask ourselves some hard questions. And we must be honest about who we are regarding God and not who we think we are. Let me share a few of these questions with you. •  Do you understand what the book you hold in your hand really is? Are you aware of the constant attack against the sufficiency of His Word, and the integrity of His Word, that has been going on all around you for the last century and a half? And are you aware of how subtle this attack is? •  Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God? Or do you believe it contains the Word of God? And if it truly is the Word of God, of what importance would that be to you in the way you live your life? What would be more important to you than being able to know and hear from God through His Word? •  What is the final authority in your life? Is it you? How you feel, think, or what you choose? Or is it God? And if so, how do you determine what God’s will is in a particular situation you are facing? How does God, on a personal level, communicate His will or encouragement or instructions to you? And if He does communicate with you, do you take His Word as the final authority, or do you run it through the grid of your own feelings and then choose to obey Him or go your own way? Again, who or what is the final authority in your life? And how is that working for you right now? •  Has God ever revealed Himself to you in a life-changing way like He did to others in the Bible? Maybe like Moses (Exodus 3), Joshua (Joshua 5), Elijah (1 Kings 19), or Paul in Acts 9? Has God ever revealed Himself to you in a way that wasn’t life-changing? Didn’t think so. •  Have you ever truly experienced God in His Word? And if so, what was that experience like? How often and how long ago did it happen? Is it a common experience for you? Or is it something that seldom happens, if ever? •  If you haven’t experienced God in quite some time, or ever, is that something you would like to change? And if so, at what cost? What would it take for you to have the desire for the “mind of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:16) or to become a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22)? And this is just the...

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The Importance of Being a Faith PrepperIf you look around at our culture, you can see things are getting darker for our nation and the church. We have experienced betrayal at the highest level of our government. Our elected officials lie as if it was a spiritual gift and are never held accountable. In fact, we almost expect it from those who hold those positions. And God’s judgment is being slowly unleashed upon our land. We have record inflation, rising crime, war breaking out all over the globe, violence and hatred worn as a badge of honor, and a growing apostasy that has not only overtaken the pulpits of America, but also the pews. And every day it only seems to get worse. What are we to do?  How can we protect our children and grandchildren from being groomed in school to hate their gender and crave to be something God did not create them to be? Men are no longer men and women are no longer women. We must now, like living in an asylum, call someone by their chosen pronoun, regardless of how little that pronoun resembles their reality. And to do otherwise could get you canceled, fired, arrested, or imprisoned for a hate crime, whatever that is. What a strange, evil, and insane world we have created for ourselves. No wonder God’s judgment is unfolding on His rebellious creation. And no wonder we, as believers, will also suffer the collateral damage that comes from living in silence in a world that needs our voice. We all, as the church, have blood on our hands. After all, Jesus said it rains on “the just and the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). So you better get ready for rain. Keeping the First Thing FirstToday we are going to learn how to become a Faith Prepper. A Faith Prepper is one who sees the darkness coming and realizes the importance of having faith that can move mountains (Matt. 17:20) and will do whatever is necessary to become more like his Lord. A Faith Prepper is the “prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,” and not the “simple who pass on and are punished” (Prov. 22:3). He sees the big picture and understands the core truths of this life. In essence, a Faith Prepper is one who has the priorities of their life arranged correctly, putting God first and everything else, including self, second. Here are few things a Faith Prepper understands. •  God is sovereign. Let that sink in for a moment. When you get a grasp of what this entails, everything in your life changes. •  He is a King, and we are citizens of His Kingdom. •  The highest satisfaction in life is to surrender our lives to Him, the One who created us and gives us breath and to trust Him for all things, now and forever. From His perspective, nothing else really matters. •  We surrender our lives to Him by faith. Faith in His Word, faith in His promises, faith in His character and attributes, and faith in His faithfulness. •  And if we trust Him for all things, He promises us immense blessings, both now and forever. Becoming a Faith Prepper is to take God at His Word and believe whatever He says, no matter what. And when we believe His Word and act upon it like we truly trusted what God said, we can experience the promises that accompany faith and obedience. And those promises are beyond comprehension (1 Cor. 2:9). Literally. But often we miss the promises and blessings of God because we place ourselves first and leave Him and His glory a distant second. And when we do, God will chastise us, as a loving Father, to bring us back into the fold of His blessing. And there is no better example of this than in the small, two chapter book of Haggai. Join us as we look at the book of Haggai and discover the importance of putting God first in all things before He allows us to suffer the consequences of our selfishness and lack of faith. And no one, trust me, wants to be...

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The Importance of Looking BackAs we have been preparing ourselves spiritually for the dark, troubling times ahead, it is quite helpful to pause and take a moment and remember what we know to be true about Christ. This is the discipline of looking back. God commanded the children of Israel to make a pillar of twelve stones at their crossing of the Jordan River. Why? So when their children’s children would ask them what the stones meant, it was a reminder to look back and remember how faithful God was to them then, and is still faithful today. It was a way God provided to grow the faith of His children as they entered the promise land. And it also works for us today. So let’s look at some truths about the Lord and our relationship with Him that don’t change with time. And in doing so, let’s pray our faith will be strengthened for the days ahead. Here are a few things we know about God and His relationship with us. •  God is Sovereign. •  There is nothing greater or higher than God. •  God created everything, including us, for a purpose. •  Knowing God’s purpose for creating us and serving our Creator is the most important thing we can do. •  It is a great and indescribable blessing for a lowly creation like us to be able to have a relationship with their Creator. Yet that is what our Creator has allowed. •  God is also a King and has a Kingdom. •  As King in His Kingdom, He rules supremely. •  We have been granted citizenship into His Kingdom. •  And we have been granted this great gift on the basis of God’s grace and mercy, and not on our own merit. •  As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we have certain responsibilities and duties to our King. •  And our King gives us the power to carry these out. •  This amazing power comes from the King Himself, who has chosen to live in us, His citizens, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. •  Therefore, the King is always with us. •  He will not, nor ever has, left us alone or as orphans. •  So we are empowered and protected by our King. •  But our King also loves us. •  So much so, our King has adopted us as His children, and has given us an inheritance as such. Ah, and it gets even better. God Wants Us to Know Him PersonallyMore than being simply a citizen of His Kingdom, God has better plans for those He loves. He wants us to know and experience Him as Father. •  In fact God, our King, loves us so much that He wants us to know Him, not just as King, but as Father. •  So, our God and King, is also our Father. •  Which means we can know Him as Father. •  And He invites us to come to Him as His children. •  Jesus, God’s Son, is the One who revealed God, our King, to us as our Father. •  And in doing so, we became joint-heirs with Christ of all that belongs to our Father, the King. •  Now, there is no fear in approaching God, for He is our Father and loves us as His children. •  And as His children, we have access to Him. We can boldly come before His throne. •  Since God is Sovereign and there is nothing greater than Him, it would stand to reason the greatest joy in life comes from finding our pleasure in Him. •  And, like Jesus His Son, our greatest joy is to devote our life to doing the will of the Father (John 6:38) and the things that please Him (John 8:29). •  Only then can we experience the blessings that come from being a child of God and a son of the King. •  But there is a problem we each face. •  We have an enemy. •  There is a sinister creation of God that wants to destroy the work of God and deflect the glory of God to himself, and not where it rightfully belongs. •  This enemy is...

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The Lord is Near to All Who Call Upon Him…Often, when tough times come, much like we are experiencing as a culture and as the church today, God seems distant. We pray, and receive no answer. We worship, only to feel alone. And when we attend church, well, it sometimes seems like something we do out of duty and not out of passion or love. Have you ever felt this way when surrounded by the uncertainties of life? And if so, have you ever wondered why and what you can do about it? David did. And so have millions of believers down through the ages. In David’s last Psalm, he reveals so much of what we need to embrace today. He tells us how to worship the Lord in dark times and when life couldn’t get any better. And he uses a powerful word that has fallen out of vogue today— extol. Look at how David begins this Psalm. I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever – Psalm 145:1-2. In just these two sentences, David claims he will do four things because of his love for the Lord and because of God’s unsearchable greatness (Psalm 145:3). He will, •  Extol You… •  Bless Your name… •  Bless You… •  Praise Your name… But what do these words mean? And what can we learn about our Lord through these actions of David? •  extol (rûm) means “to raise, to lift up, to be exalted” •  bless (bāraḵ) means “to kneel, to bend one’s knee in honor, submission, and blessing, to speak words of excellence about” •  praise (hālal) means “to commend, boast, shout out affirmations of greatness, to worship, to exclaim Hallelujah” And as you can see, these words mean more than simply, “Have a blessed day.”  They convey the idea of submission to a power greater than we are, to kneel before our mighty King. Which is exactly what David calls God when he says, “My God, O King.” To All Who Call Upon Him in Truth – Psalm 145:18But there is so much more. It seems God always anticipates our questions in advance and gives us the answer when we simply keep reading. And this is never more true than it is in this Psalm. •  What is it about God and His Kingdom that elicits such praise? Keep reading verse 3. •  What are we to do with the greatness of God?  How are we to respond? Do we proclaim it from the rooftops? Or keep it hidden under a basket on a table? Keep reading verses 4 to 6. •  But what does it look like when the church praises God for His greatness? How is that to be done? See verse 7. •  And what specifically about God’s goodness are we to be remembering and sharing? Again, keep reading the next few verses. Get the point? Read it for yourself and see if every question and fear you have about praising the Lord with a full and sincere heart is not answered in this Psalm by simply reading more. It is like we are having a conversation with the Lord Himself and He is telling us what we need to know. One final thought. The most powerful truth in this Psalm is found in verse 18. Here we see God’s promise to be near all (key word) who call upon Him. And that all includes you and me and people we like and people we don’t. God promises to be near to all who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18). The LORD is near to all (kōl – each, every, everything, the whole, entire, in totality and without exception) who call upon Him, to all (kōl – each, every, everything, the whole, entire, in totality and without exception) who call upon Him in truth. Know the Lord is near, whatever your circumstances. And He is near no matter what happens in the future. So what are we to fear? Nothing. Why? Because...

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Give a Man a Fish, Feed Him for a DayWhen it comes to our understanding of the Kingdom of God, what makes the early church different from us is they lived in the realm of knowing God as their King and they served Him on earth while maintaining the rights and privileges of being a citizen of His Kingdom. We talk about it; they lived it. We have a theological understanding of the Kingdom; they functioned like card-carrying citizens of His Kingdom. And the difference between their lives and ours is, well, profound. The early Christians, and many since then, have relished in the confidence and boldness that comes from knowing they are a child of the King and living in His grand and protected Kingdom. Remember, nothing can happen to a citizen of the Kingdom that surprises the King. And nothing can happen to a child of the King unless the King thought it best. This is where faith trumps our fallen senses. This is where we can experience the joy and boldness that comes from knowing and living like we have God Himself, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, living and abiding in us. And this is the realm of life when we take God at His Word and trust what He says, no matter what. It is literally walking by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). For example, consider the following familiar verse. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand – Philippians 4:4-5. How is this humanly possible? We are commanded, no matter what happens to us by evil people or institutions, to let our mercy and tolerance and unassertiveness be known, by experience in real life and in real time, to all, even to those who hate us and want to destroy us. How can we have the depth of love and grace and confidence to live like that? What did the early church believe that we don’t? Teach a Man to Fish, Feed Him for a LifetimeBut there is more. We continue reading in Philippians. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:6-7. This passage promises we will receive peace if we trust God with everything. Got that. But also notice what it doesn’t promise. •  This promise doesn’t guarantee God will remove you from whatever situation you are worried about. •  This promise doesn’t guarantee you won’t feel pain or loss or suffer death? •  And this promise doesn’t guarantee a humanly positive outcome, no matter how hard we pray. But what it does promise is the peace of God which the world, including each of us, cannot fully fathom or understand. And God’s peace will guard our emotions and thoughts through the Lord Jesus, no matter how bad our situation might seem in the flesh. After all, we serve a great King who knows best. And if He wanted to answer our prayers like we desire, He both could and would, if He wanted to. But if He doesn’t, there is a reason we often cannot see, or don’t want to see, because we think we know best. So is there something more important than having God answer our prayers? Absolutely. What does this saying mean? Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. And this same principle works in our prayer life. Spiritually, we could say it this way. Answer a specific prayer, and you teach a man to expect God to give him what he prays for. Teach a man the goodness of God, and He will grow into the likeness of His Lord and trust Him no matter the outcome. One is temporal, the other eternal. More important than getting our prayers answered is experiencing the peace that only our Sovereign God can give. God knew this. And the early church knew...

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The Two Dimensions of the Kingdom of God We have spent some time discovering incredible truths about the Kingdom of God and its dual dimensions. For the Kingdom manifests itself today, in our daily lives, and also tomorrow, when Christ the King comes and ushers in the fulfillment of His Kingdom. In other words, the Kingdom is manifest in several realms and the Gospels speak of entering the Kingdom of God both today, and tomorrow. Let me explain. First, and most important, the Kingdom of God is His rule and reign over creation. Where He rules and reigns, there is His Kingdom. Today, presently, it is not a physical Kingdom. But it will be someday. And that is the tomorrow realm of His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the acknowledgement and submission to God’s will, which is His rule and reign in your life, and receiving the promised blessings that naturally follow obedience. However, the New Testament clearly shows that the will of God will not be perfectly realized in this age. At best, we experience a taste of what God is like. We still see in a “mirror, dimly” (1 Cor. 13:12). For now (at this present time, today) we see in a mirror, dimly (dark, that which is difficult or impossible to understand, in riddles), but then (when He appears, future) face to face (countenance, personal presence, what is before one’s eyes). Now (at the present time, today) I know (ginṓskō) in part (allotment, share, portion), but then (when He appears, future) I shall know (epiginṓskō) just as I also (likewise, in addition to) am known (epiginṓskō) – 1 Corinthians 13:12. Now we can know and experience the Kingdom of God, His rule and reign over all creation, in part, dimly, incompletely, but we can experience it, nonetheless. But when He comes and ushers in the full manifestation of the Kingdom, then we will know in full, completely, in the same way we will also be known in full, completely, with nothing to hide. Or, as it says, “face to face.” Tasting of the Kingdom of God in this LifeLet’s dig a bit deeper with just a question or two. Question: When does all this happen? When is the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God? Answer: At the Second Coming of Christ There are two comings of Christ, one past and one future. First, Jesus came in a manger, as a baby to live as a man on earth. And next, He will come in glory, when He comes to set up His Kingdom, defeat the usurper, and rule and reign on this earth for 1,000 years. Since there are two comings of Christ, there are also two manifestations of His Kingdom we can experience. One we can experience in part while on earth. And the other we experience in power and glory when Christ returns. But the good news is that now, while we are living on earth, we can experience a taste, a foreshadowing, a hint of what life in His Kingdom will be like. And we can know what blessings He has in store for those who obey Him and submit to His rule and reign voluntarily and out of love. Much like the disciples did on the Mount of Transfiguration. What? Really? Yes, really. Join us as we discover how to experience the Kingdom of God today by looking at what happened with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (and the words He spoke right before that event). There are some hidden gems in this amazing story. Are you interested? Intrigued? Then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/053122-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/053122-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/053122-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-jesus-said-about-his-coming-kingdom-531/ (531: What Jesus Said About His Coming Kingdom) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-chikd-of-royalty-530/ (530: What Does it Mean to be a Child of Royalty?)...

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Jesus Always Seemed to Talk About the KingdomWe have been looking at the truths the early church held dear that allowed them to thrive during dark, troubling times. And one primary truth was their understanding of the Kingdom of God and all its implications. They understood God as their King, and as King, their Sovereign. Therefore, they didn’t fear what the enemy may do to them or how their physical needs were to be met or, frankly, anything. After all, they served the King of kings and Lord or lords who had repeatedly proven His faithfulness to them. So what could man do to them (Psalm 118:6)? And because of this confidence they held in His Kingdom, they lived in a constant state of expectation of what their King could, and would, do. Every day with Him was like a grand adventure. Plus, they knew the Kingdom of God was the central theme in the preaching of Jesus. And many of them must have heard hundreds of messages, parables, statements, examples, or stories by Jesus in order to show them the vastness of God’s Kingdom. Jesus began His ministry, like John the Baptist, preaching, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). He constantly taught about the Kingdom during His time on earth with parables, miracles, signs and wonders, all designed to proclaim that the Kingdom had now come to them (Matthew 13). When He sent out the twelve disciples, He instructed them to preach, like He had, the “Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 10:7). And later, when He sent out the seventy, He gave them the same message to proclaim accompanied with miracles to authenticate their claim, “And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.'” (Luke 10:9). And after the resurrection and until His ascension, He spoke about “things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). As you can see, Jesus continually spoke about the Kingdom. But what exactly did He say? But What Did He Say About the Coming Kingdom? Before we even broach that subject, there are some questions we need to ask about what Jesus said about the Kingdom. For much of what He says, at least on the surface, seems confusing. •  What is the Kingdom of God? •  How do we explain the Kingdom is both here, and the Kingdom is also imminent? How can it be both? •  Is it a physical Kingdom? Or is it something in the hearts of men? •  Where is the King right now? And when will He come to set up His Kingdom? •  What is our place in the Kingdom of God? •  How does our life change when we realize we belong to a King, and live in His Kingdom? •  Are the rules of life different in His Kingdom than what we are experiencing now? And if so, how? In what way? •  Does Satan have a kingdom? And if so, what is the extent of his power? •  Since we live in the Kingdom of God, what are our responsibilities as subjects of the Great King? •  And are we subjects only? Or do we have a deeper intimacy with the King? •  Is the Kingdom spoken about in the Old Testament? •  And how will we be able to understand some of the confusing truths about the Kingdom? And this is only the beginning. We will answer, in time, every one of these questions about the Kingdom and more. But let’s start with a simple definition of the Kingdom. What is the Kingdom of God? We know a kingdom is a territory over which a king reigns. Since God is Creator of all, then His Kingdom must include every created thing. So that would mean the Kingdom of God is wherever God reigns. And since He reigns everywhere, in one respect, the Kingdom of God is everywhere. But it’s not that simple. Not even close. There is more to the Kingdom of God than you think. Join us as we discover the wondrous reality of the Kingdom of God that Jesus

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What Does it Mean to be a Child of Royalty…Early on, we discovered that the central message of Jesus was about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. He began His ministry preaching the same message as John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). Then, He continued revealing the value of the Kingdom and what life was like in the Kingdom. Look at just a few of these summary verses of His ministry: And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people – Matthew 4:23. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people – Matthew 9:35. When Jesus sent out His own disciples to preach and heal, notice what He told them. “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 10:7. Almost all the parables focused on the Kingdom (including the Kingdom parables in Matthew 13). “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants” – Matthew 18:23. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard” – Matthew 20:1. “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son” – Matthew 22:2. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” – Matthew 25:1. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them” – Matthew 25:14. Jesus even tied the message of salvation given to Nicodemus in John 3 to seeing and entering the Kingdom. Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus answered, “”Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” – John 3:3, 5. And Jesus also spoke about the Kingdom during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension. Look how the book of Acts begins. The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of (what) the things pertaining to the kingdom of God – Acts 1:1-3. But there is so much more. …When the Royalty is God Himself?  What allowed the early church to thrive under great persecution was the fact they fully understood the Kingdom of God and the blessed ramifications of God being their King. But they were also fully aware they were not only subjects of the great King, but children of His. In fact, as beloved children, they became heirs, and joint-heirs with Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these (the ones led by the Spirit of God) are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” – Romans 8:14-15. But it gets better. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs— heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together – Romans 8:16-17. And we haven’t even looked at how much the Father loves His children, which is beyond comprehension. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the...

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And Through the Hands of the Apostles…In the book of Acts, the Lord reveals to us the plan for world-evangelism according to the Holy Spirit. And it is not mass media, nor the distribution of tracts, nor great evangelistic meetings and revivals, nor any other humanly contrived system. No, it appears His method of evangelism for the early church is the presentation of the gospel accompanied by “signs and wonders” that only come from the Spirit. Or, as Peter Wagner coined the phrase, Power Evangelism. But many in the church reject this because of our fear of the Holy Spirit or the fact we don’t want to be one of those people who do and believe loopy, non-sophisticated stuff. And we go to great lengths to conceive the reason God no longer works in our lives today the way He did in the book of Acts. We call it cessationism, and it decrees we don’t need Him to move that way anymore, because we have the completed Bible. Really? Think that through for a moment. Scripture tells us about the five-fold ministry the Lord gave His church. We find that in Ephesians 4. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ – Ephesians 4:11-13. According to this truth, the Lord gave five groups of people to the church, five ministries (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers), each empowered by the Holy Spirit with different gifts for “edifying of the body of Christ,” or the building of the church to a point of maturity. And He gave the church these five ministries for a certain time period. It says, “until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the fullness of Christ.” Look around. Are we there yet? Have we “all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God?” As Chuck Missler would say, “Not that you’d notice.” But according to the cessationist view, we only need three of the five today (evangelists, pastors, teachers). They reject apostles and prophets. Which means the church is functioning on 60% of what God originally intended. No wonder the book of Acts seems so hard to duplicate, yet alone believe. But God gave it to us as a prototype of what church and evangelism should look like. What are we to do? Back to ActsWhat do we know about the church in Acts that is so foreign to us today? Let me list just a few traits they excelled in that we seem to struggle with, or reject altogether, to our own demise. One, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. We see this continually stated throughout the book of Acts. Two, they were in complete unity, even to the point of selling their possessions to meet the needs of others. Three, God performed many signs and wonders among the people. So much so that they came from outlying areas just to have Peter’s shadow fall on them (Acts 5:14-16). Four, the Lord first added, then multiplied, the number of those being saved. Almost unheard of in our church today. So, we have a choice to make. We can continue to think like Westerners, or we can think like children of the Most High God who has given us the Spirit to be filled with and to empower us. We can think like churchgoers, or we can think like those who have the written Word of God in our hands and who believe His amazing promises to each of us, all of them. And we can have faith in our experiences or in the One who redeemed us from sin and is now preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him. The choice is ours. But there is a paradigm shift coming. And to learn more about it, keep listening.

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How to Thrive During Persecution and SufferingIn the book of Acts, we see the early church repeatedly being attacked, both internally and externally. And in each of these attacks, the enemies of God up their game. Their threats turn into beatings. And the beatings into death and, ultimately, banishment. Yet in all of this, the church grew and became stronger and never lost the vision of their divine calling. External Attack: Peter and John threatened by the Jewish authorities (Acts 4:18). Response: The church remained unified and spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:24-31). And God moved in miraculous ways that only He can (Acts 5:12-16). Attacks from the outside only made the church stronger. So the next attack was from within. Internal Attack: Ananias and Sapphira who lied about their gift (Acts 5:1-11). Response: God quickly judged those who were threatening the unity and trust of the church (Acts 5:5, 10). Great fear came upon (1) all the church and upon (2) all those who heard these things (lost and saved) – Acts 5:11. Now, threats and beatings. External Attack: Apostles threatened with death and beaten for speaking in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:17-18, 33, 40). Response: God miraculously delivered them, and they spoke with even more boldness (Acts 5:41-42). So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ – Acts 5:41-42. Next, another attack on unity and trust of the believers. Internal Attack: Church unity and trust threatened by factions, prejudice, and selfishness (Acts 6:1). Response: Greater church responsibility and structure to ensure unity, transparency, and trust (Acts 6:3-6). And the church continued to grow. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith – Acts 6:7. Then, threats and beatings graduated into the mob murder of Stephen and mass persecution by Saul. External Attack: An angry mob killed Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60). And Saul persecuted the church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). Response: The church continued to grow as they were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, preaching the Word wherever they went (Acts 8:1, 4). Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word – Acts 8:4. So who were these guys? How did they thrive under constant persecution? And what can we learn from them as we prepare for our own sanctioned persecution? What it Means to be a Child of GodThe key to boldness the early church possessed was a clear understanding of the God they served and their relationship to Him. They knew He was a King, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). They recognized the King chose them, not by any merit of their own, but by His grace, and the “good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:5). The early church was encouraged by the sovereignty of their King. They knew nothing was beyond His grasp and whatever they were experiencing, both times of blessing or great turmoil, their King was still sovereign and could do anything He wanted at anytime. And no one could stay His hand (Ps. 115:3). The church functioned in the confidence of knowing how much their King loved them.  And they lived in the light of the blessed knowledge that nothing, not even their sin and failure, could separate them from the love of their King (Rom. 8:31-35). And finally, their King was not some distant monarch. He was their Father, and they were His children, members of His family. In effect, they were royalty, children of the great sovereign King. •  So what does all this mean for you, a child of royalty, right now in your present situation? •  What confidence do you have knowing you are a...

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From Raw, Reckless Abandonment to Christ…In the classic movie Rocky III, we saw our hero going from underdog to the Heavyweight Champion of the World. And in achieving his goal, Rocky went through some internal and external changes. No longer was he full of passion for the fight game. No longer was there a lofty goal to achieve, a supreme purpose in his life. Now, as champion, his days were no longer filled with dreams of sacrifice and winning, but of the fear of losing what he had already accomplished. And this change is best described in the words of Mickey, his wise trainer. “For years, you were supernatural. You had this cast iron jaw. But then the worst thing happened to you that could happen to any fighter. You got civilized.” Ah, civilized. No longer the brute, the savage. But now a gentleman savoring the rewards of past victories and fame. Being more concerned about maintaining the status quo than serving with total commitment and reckless abandonment to a cause greater than himself. And unfortunately, we could say the same about many, maybe most, in the church today. At one time, we were fearless, totally committed, passionate, and full of faith. We were ready and willing to charge the fires of hell with nothing more than a squirt gun in our hands. But not now. Not anymore. Now we seem more content with being served than serving, to being taught than teaching, and to watching ministry rather than actively taking part in it. What happened? Where did the passion and drive for Him go? The same thing that happened to Rocky has happened to us. We became civilized. And what is the remedy for this dire situation? One word, revival. To Comfortable Apathy and CompromiseSo what is a revival? And how does a spiritual revival take place? First, let’s look at the definition of revival. A revival refers to a spiritual awakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. Or, to put it another way, a revival moves a believer from being content, lukewarm, or “civilized”— to a person they once were, full of faith and passion and a great, fearless desire to serve the Lord. This is what His church so desperately needs. Which brings us to the most important question: Does God show us in His Word how to move from stagnation to fervency? Does He reveal to us the steps to experience revival? And the answer is a resounding, yes! In Revelation 2 and 3, the Lord, in His seven letters to seven churches, lays out for us the history of the church in advance (we have looked at this amazing truth in the past). And if God listed these letters in any other order, this would not be so. But they also, amazingly, reveal to us the life-cycle of most believers and show us the key to experiencing revival and the Higher Christian Life. In some of these letters, the Lord has only good things to say. In others, only bad. But for most, He gives both a commendation and a rebuke, and demands repentance to do what they should have been doing from the beginning. Even the names of the seven churches are prophetic in nature. But you will have to listen to discover more. Join us as we learn how to experience revival and the Higher Christian Life through the seven letters in Revelation 2 and 3 as we Leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040522-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040522-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040522-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/unclog-the-drain-and-let-his-living-water-flow-526/ (526: Unclog the Drain and Let His Living Water Flow) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-do-we-remain-on-fire-when-the-church-is-under-fire-525/ (525: How Do We Remain “On Fire” When the Church is “Under Fire”?)...

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First, Unclog the Drain…In Acts 4, we see the first organized governmental persecution of the early church. They were told, in no uncertain terms, not to “speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). As we have previously discussed, the issue was one of authority and whose authority the church would bow to. Respectively, the disciples refused to follow the governmental mandate, and Christian civil disobedience was born (Acts 4:20). When they returned and reported to their brethren what the government demanded and their response, the entire church broke into a spontaneous time of praise and prayer that is unequaled in the book of Acts. First, they understood the Biblical basis for their persecution. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ’ – Acts 4:24-26. Next, they acknowledged God’s sovereignty in all they were suffering. “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done” – Acts 4:27-28. And finally, they offered to God their two prayer requests. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and (1) grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by (2) stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus” – Acts 4:29-30. So what happened next? They experienced the dramatic power of the Holy Spirit, and God immediately answered their first prayer request. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and (1) they spoke the word of God with boldness – Acts 4:31. But when was their second prayer request answered? Not until Acts 5, beginning with verse 12 and following. And through the hands of the apostles (2) many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch – Acts 5:12. This raises just a few questions. Chiefly, why the delay? Why was one request answered immediately and the other took some time? Was there something that needed to be done by the church before they could receive answer two? Or was there some lesson the Lord was trying to teach them, and us, regarding receiving answers to prayer? If so, what can we learn from this? And why is it even important? Then, His Living Water Will FlowIt appears something needed to happen to unclog the drain that was hindering the church from experiencing the free-flowing Spirit they had before. And it seemed to involve the hypocrisy, and possibly the church’s acceptance of this hypocrisy, that was centered on a man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira. I am sure you are familiar with the story. You can read about them in Acts 5:1-12. Needless to say, God’s actions against these two seem, from our vantage point, somewhat heavy-handed, even bordering on overkill.  But we forget about Nadab and Abihu, who offered “profane fire before the Lord” (Ex. 28:1), and Uzza, whose only crime was trying to keep the Ark of God from falling in the mud (2 Sam. 6:6-7). In both instances, God’s actions seem extreme when seen through the eyes of fallen, unholy men, like us. But God sees things differently, especially when His honor and glory are at stake (Mal. 1:6-14). So what can we learn from the life of Ananias and Sapphira? Let me give you just a few points. •  There will always be tares among the wheat, just like Jesus...

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“History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, But it Often Rhymes”This statement, attributed to the popular humorist Mark Twain, summarizes the dark forces gathering together to come against the Lord’s church in these last days. In other words, what we see on our horizon is like what the church has suffered in the past. And the ways and methods of church persecution revealed in the book of Acts are the same that are being used against the church and faithful Christians today. But there is one difference. In times past, the church was on fire as it lived under fire. But today, not so much. Today we will look at Acts 3 and 4 and clearly see the methods of intimidation, deplatforming, cancel culture, and raw threats of asset forfeiture and imprisonment that were hurled against the first century church are the same being thrown at the church today. The situations and circumstances of the persecution may differ, but everything else is the same. So what are we to do? Great question. And Hal Lindsey has a great answer. I have posted below an email I received from Hal that will help us, in the face of prophetic adversity, keep looking up so we as His church can learn how to remain “on fire” as we live “under fire.” Blessed AssuranceBy Hal Lindsey Wars are always packed with tragedy and pain. But these days we see these things in a unique way. According to the CIA Factbook, Ukraine has almost as many cell phones per capita as the United States. Cell phones double as motion picture cameras and audio recorders. Those mechanical eyes and ears connect to the internet. All wars are tragic, but this time we can see war’s tragedies in a more personal way than at any other time in history. And what we see— the sights and sounds from those Ukrainian cell phones— breaks our hearts. We see the cruelty, the anguish, the fear, and the pain. There may have been times when you were so overwhelmed that you had to stop watching. I understand. It doesn’t mean you’re hardhearted. Just the opposite. It means you are able to empathize, and sometimes that becomes too much to bear. Sadly, Ukraine is not the only place of cruelty and pain on planet earth just now. Many Christians in Africa, for instance, face unspeakable brutality. The Uyghurs in China are experiencing a level of persecution that some say approaches genocide. And don’t forget the “little” atrocities committed against vulnerable people even in affluent circumstances. All over the world, people suffer the aftereffects of their own and other people’s sin. As the days pass, more Christians find themselves praying with John in Revelation 22:20, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!.” We long for the millennium, for a world made right by the rule of God the Son, the Prince of Peace. Those of us who know Him, know that we can trust His will. And where He reigns, His will prevails. But the Bible doesn’t just speak of a future kingdom of God. It also speaks of God’s kingdom in the present tense. Mark 1:15 reveals the message with which Jesus began His preaching ministry. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Colossians 1:12-14 says, “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” When we come to Christ, God transfers us into His kingdom. If you are in Christ, you are part of His kingdom right now! That means He’s your King. He reigns in you. Where He reigns, His will prevails. And where His will prevails, His power flows! We need that power now. We need to speak His words with His authority. We need the confidence that comes from knowing we stand safely in the center of His will. May we be circumspect in our...

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Does God’s Mercy Really Endure Forever?Several times in Scripture, we get a glimpse into the personal agony of sin. We see the pain and inner turmoil of sin’s conviction when it is revealed by a holy God, and then the joy of repentance and forgiveness freely given by the same holy and merciful God. It is a wondrous cycle from death to life, guilt to freedom, and from utter despair to joyous jubilation. For example, in 2 Samuel 11, we have a front-row seat to David’s sin with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah the Hittite. And for a time, it seemed like David might have actually gotten away with it. But in walked Nathan the prophet, with his bony finger pointed at the guilt-ridden David, speaking those chilling words, “You are the man!” (2 Sam. 12:7). And David’s response? You can read all about it in Psalm 51. It is a gut-wrenching admission of guilt and cry for mercy and forgiveness. Let me give you a taste by looking at the first few verses. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight— that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:1-4). Can you feel David’s torment and the questioning in his heart? It was like he was saying, “Can God forgive me for this great sin? Or have I exhausted the great reservoir of His mercy? Is there enough mercy with God for me to be forgiven just one more time? Or have I come to the end of His grace?” Have you ever felt what David was feeling when you sinned, in that old, familiar way, after vowing to God you would never sin that way again if He would just forgive you this one last time? If so, then you somewhat know what David was feeling and may have had the same questions He did about the limits of God’s mercy. Or, is There a Limit to the Mercy of God?We find the answer to this question in Psalm 136. In this Psalm, which was sung at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chron. 7:3,6), we see the perfect picture of the magnitude of God’s mercy. It recounts the ways God redeemed and provided for His people from creation until they entered the Promise Land. And despite their many failures, each of the 26 stanzas end with this encouraging phrase, “His mercy endures forever.” “His mercy endures forever.” But there is more. As you will note, in your Bibles, the word endures is italicized. This means it was added by our translators for clarity and not included in the original text. So now, the statement looks more like a question and an answer. Instead of a statement, “His mercy endures forever.” We have an implied question, “His mercy?” And then and answer, “Forever!” Question: What about the mercy of God? How long will it last? Until I sin again? Answer: No, forever! “His mercy?” “Forever!” Join us as we experience God’s great mercy by looking at the implied question and answer found in Psalm 136, as we learn how to Leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/032322-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/032322-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/032322-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/looking-for-truth-in-all-the-wrong-places-523/ (523: Looking for Truth in All the Wrong Places) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-difference-between-living-or-just-being-alive-522/ (522: The Difference Between Living or Just Being Alive) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-know-the-will-of-god-when-we-pray-521/ (521: How to Know the Will of God When We Pray)...

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With all the Collusion and Corruption Everywhere…When we look at the chaotic situation in our world today, we have a tendency to see these crises as isolated events. But they are not. They are all interconnected with each other and point to an end-game clearly revealed in Scripture. Whether it’s inflation, cancel culture, a compromised media, quantitative easing, the Covid mandates and passports, ANTIFA, BLM, January 6th, Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan, transgenderism, the de-platforming of conservatives, the Freedom Convoy, DOD funded bio-weapons labs, stolen elections, or any of a million different variants, each of these point to an agenda or an end goal that we can only see when we group them all together. It’s much like a giant chess game, with each event part of a grand strategy designed to gain position for the coming world leader and global governance. Surprised? Don’t be. Jesus told us all these things in advance so we would not be deceived. “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” – Matthew 24:24-25. And according to Jesus, all these events are just the beginning of labor pains (Matt. 24:8). Who Can You Trust for the Truth?In Matthew 24, in what is known as the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned us about what to expect in the time leading up to His return. And His key warning had to do with deception. Consider the following. •  “Take heed that no one deceives you” – Matthew 24:4. •  “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” – Matthew 24:4. •  “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” – Matthew. 24:11. •  “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” – Matthew 24:24. And then it gets even worse. “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” – Matthew 24:21-22. So what are we to do? How can we make sure our families and those we love are not deceived and swept up in the apostasy that defines the last days (2 Thes. 2:3)? And how can we remain unmovable and steadfast in our faith (1 Cor. 15:58), especially as we see the day approaching? Who can we believe? Who can we trust? Certainly not the media, nor the government, nor Hollywood. So, where do we turn for truth? Great question. Timely question. And one that begs to be answered. Join us as we attempt to uncover the thread that runs through all this uncertain chaos that fills the airwaves, 24/7, as we discover from the Scriptures what we can expect next on the prophetic timetable, as we learn how to Leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/031622-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/031622-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/031622-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-difference-between-living-or-just-being-alive-522/ (522: The Difference Between Living or Just Being Alive) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-know-the-will-of-god-when-we-pray-521/ (521: How to Know the Will of God When We Pray) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-revival-and-the-example-of-george-muller-520/ (520: Faith, Revival, and the Example of George Muller) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/immanuel-and-the-higher-christian-life-519/ (519: Immanuel and the Higher Christian Life) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/living-in-the-kingdom-while-living-on-earth-518/ (518: Living in the Kingdom, While Living on Earth)

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“I am the Resurrection and the Life”We have been talking about the Higher Christian Life for quite some time. And today, we will discover Jesus pointing to this manner of life, the “abundant life” as He called it in John 10:10, while He was trying to encourage Martha at the tomb of her brother, Lazarus. Do you remember the story? If so, we will see Jesus offering us a life truly worth living and not one of mere existence, of just being alive. It’s the difference between experiencing an exhilarating life of wonder and joy or an artificially sustained life, like a comatose patient on life support. One is truly living, the other is just being alive— barely. Let me elaborate. When Jesus received word of Lazarus’ illness, He waited two more days before heading to Bethany (John 11:6). But by that time, it was too late, four days too late (John 11:17). Lazarus had died and was already buried. For Lazarus’ sisters, all hope of a healing was gone, buried just like their brother. For them, Jesus arrived late, the curtain had closed, and their hope was as lifeless as their brother. Both Mary and Martha were in mourning. When Martha heard Jesus had finally arrived, she ran to meet Him and uttered the pain she held in her heart. She said, almost like an accusation, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Jesus, trying to encourage her, said, “Your brother will rise again.” But unable to see the big picture, Martha responded, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last days” (John 11:23-24). It was almost like she was saying, “But what help is that to me now? I know I will see him in heaven, but I need to see him now. And if You would have been here, this would not have happened.” It was at this point Jesus spoke these life-changing words. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believe in Me, thought he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26. Great question for each of us as well. Do we believe His words? And if so, what does He mean by live? Does it mean a longevity of years, like “eternal life” (John 3:15) or “everlasting life” (John 3:16)? Or could it also mean something else? Let’s look at the three times in His statement that Jesus uses the words life, live, and lives, and see if we can discover something wonderful about the resurrected life He offers. But What Kind of Life Does Jesus Offer?In Jesus’ words to Martha, He purposely used two different Greek words for life and live. They are zōḗ and záō and they each reveal a different dimension of the life He offers each of us. Let’s look at the definition of these two words: First, zōḗ.  The word zōḗ refers to “physical life and existence as opposed to death and nonexistence.” It is the most common word for life and conveys what we assume today when we think of eternal life— life that does not end. Yet, it says little about the quality of that life, only that life exists. Next, the word záō means “to live, to pass one’s life, to live in a certain way or manner.” This word reveals more about the type of life one leads than the fact they will live forever or have life. But it also means “to live unto God and be devoted to Him, to live a life characteristic of a resurrected life.” And, by implication, to “live and prosper, to be blessed, and to live satisfied in Him.” Or, as we would call it, to live the Higher Christian Life or the “abundant life” Jesus promised (John 10:10). With this background, let’s look at the words of Jesus one more time. “I am the resurrection and the life (zōē). He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live (záō). And whoever lives (záō) and believes in Me shall never die. Do you...

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How Can I Know the Will of God…For many believers, prayer is often confusing and frustrating. We pray earnestly, with as much faith as we can muster up, and many times the answer to our heartfelt prayer is no, or worse, silence. And if we have this experience with prayer and faith repeatedly, eventually, for most believers, we rely less on prayer and more on our own efforts to make things happen our way. Now, instead of praying, “Your will be done,” we pray, “Lord, please bless the works of my hands,” whether or not it is God’s will. See the dilemma? Then, when seeking confidence in our prayers, we stumble across 1 John 5:14-15 which seems, at least on the surface, to be the silver bullet we were looking for. Uh, until we look at the passage closer. Then we see the condition that unlocks the promise of confidence. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him – 1 John 5:14-15. And quickly, we see the linear promise and corresponding conditions in this passage. Confidence in Him (our goal) – We Ask – His Will (condition) – He Hears – We Receive We can have the confidence to know that if we ask, and here is the stickler, anything “according to His will,” that He hears us and will grant what we ask. But what we pray for must be “according to His will.” If we ask what He wants, He will naturally grant our request. But if we ask something selfish, something “amiss” (James 4:3), God is under no obligation to answer our prayer the way we want. So the emphasis in our prayer life should not be on changing God’s mind to match our wants. It is to first find out the will of God and then pray accordingly. We are to have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), and not the other way around. So how is that done? How can we discover the will of God in our prayer life? And once I discover it, how can I know for certain I am praying “according to His will”? How can I make sure I am not self-deluded into thinking what I want is what God wants? And finally, when I pray, how can I tell the difference between His will and mine? Especially in My Prayer Life?As we shared last time, there are two ways to be successful in almost every area of life, both physical and spiritual. One, find someone who is successful and do exactly what they did to become successful. Or two, find a dismal failure, someone you would never want to be like, and do the exact opposite of what they did to get where they are. This principle works in both the natural life and the spiritual life. We looked at the life of George Muller last time to discover some of his secrets of faith in his relationship with the Lord. If you have yet to https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-revival-and-the-example-of-george-muller-520/ (listen) to that https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-revival-and-the-example-of-george-muller-520/ (episode), I would suggest you do that before reading any further. George Muller is our example of both faith and prayer, but especially of praying “according to His will.” And he has not left us in the dark regarding this matter. George Muller published a small paper which outlined the six steps he went through with each prayer request to make sure he was praying God’s will, and not his own. And these six principles can help us today learn how to discover the will of God in our prayer life, before we come to Him in prayer. So in the words of George Muller, let me share them with you. One, I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine tenths of the difficulties are overcome when...

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Will You Not Revive Us Again?When we look at the condition of our world and of the spiritual temperature of the church, the clear assessment is that we need revival. Not a revival meeting or a revival as a once-a-year event, but a revival akin to an awakening, like our nation has experienced in the past. It is a re-capturing of lost spiritual ground, exemplified by what Jesus said to the church at Ephesus, “I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:4). Understanding our present condition, revival would be to rekindle that love by remembering “from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Rev. 2:5). Which naturally leads to a few questions. What is a Christian revival? Why is revival so important in the life of a Believer? What are some examples of past revivals? What happens during a revival? How does spiritual revival take place? What are the effects of a revival? And how can we begin the process of revival today? We should also note, the process of revival is the quickest way to experience the Higher Christian Life we have been talking about. Why? Because the definition of revival is a “spiritual awakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer.” And this spiritual awakening comes from a resurgence of faith in the believer. Not faith for salvation, but faith in the Word and character of God. It is taking God at His Word and living one’s life in accordance with His truth, and not what we think or feel or want. And the key to revival and the Higher Christian Life, as with most things in our walk with Christ, is faith. Two Ways to be SuccessfulThere are two ways to be successful in almost every area of life, both physical and spiritual. One, find someone who is successful and do exactly what they did to become successful. Or two, find a dismal failure, someone you would never want to be like, and do the exact opposite of what they did to get where they are. This principle works in both the natural life and the spiritual life. The problem for us, especially regarding living by faith, is that we don’t know many believers who have achieved what we desire. Most of our faith heroes are long since gone and many today struggle like we do with faith. There are very few, if any, Christian leaders who, like Paul, would confidently say, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). If there were, we could follow and imitate them and learn from their life. But faith heroes like these are few, especially in the West. So what are we to do? Simple. We will learn and be discipled by the faith heroes of the past. And in my estimation, the greatest example of pure faith in the last 300 years is a man named George Muller. Let me tell you just a little about his life. •  He was born in 1805 in Prussia (Germany) and died in 1898, at the age of 92. •  He was an evangelist and the founder and director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England, and cared for over 10,024 orphans during his lifetime. •  He established 117 schools which offered Christian education to over 120,000 children. •  He established the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad and distributed over 285,407 Bibles, 1,459,506 New Testaments, and 244,351 other religious tracks that were translated into twenty languages. And he did all of this by prayer alone. Muller never solicited gifts nor went into dept nor told anyone their financial needs. When asked, he would say, “the Lord provides for all our needs.” It is estimated he prayed into the ministry over $113,000,000. I believe this is someone we can learn from regarding faith, don’t you? But to show you the magnitude of the five orphan houses he was able to build through prayer and faith alone, consider the following: Join us as we learn about faith and revival and the...

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And You Shall Call His Name Immanuel…One of the unmistakable truths that leads to a fuller understanding of the Higher Christian Life is our embracing the fact of the Holy Spirit living in us. Now, I know you know that… at least cognitively, as a fact, and probably have this truth hidden for safekeeping somewhere deep in the recesses of your brain. But that’s not where the reality of this wonder takes place. And it is not the knowledge of this truth that leads to the Higher Christian Life, but the experiencing of this truth. We experience “God with us” when we wholeheartedly release our fear and doubt and shame to the One who literally lives in us. One who abides in you (John 15:4-5). The Spirit, fully God in every sense, who has chosen to “rest, dwell, live, to make His home” in you as well as to “remain united with one heart, one mind, and one will” with you. After all, this is the definition of the Greek word which translates, abides. This was all promised to us eons ago. We see it in the Old Testament, in the words of Isaiah. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” – Isaiah 7:14. And an angel later confirmed it to a troubled, betrothed man named Joseph. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” – Matthew 1:20-23. We often focus on the miracle of Christ’s birth, and rightly so. But we find one vital key to the Higher Christian Life revealed in the name given Jesus. They shall call His name Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” Not just with us physically, but with us eternally in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Which Means, “God With Us”Oh, the wondrous joy of knowing we are never alone. For God is with us and in us and has promised to never leave us as orphans (John 14:18). His name, given before time for our understanding of the miracle of redemption, is Immanuel. And Immanuel means “God with us.” He is always with us. And we will be forever with Him. But that raises a few questions on a practical level. •  What does it mean to have God with us? •  And how is He with us? •  What is that experience like? Now, let’s make it personal. •  Is God with you? •  Is He with you theologically or experientially? •  And if He is, what is that experience like? •  How does your life reflect God with you? It is in the Person of the Holy Spirit that God lives in us and is with us. And it is by surrendering our lives to Him who lives in us and is with us that we begin to experience the Higher Christian Life. So let me encourage you, as you join us today, to consider deeply the meaning of the name of our Lord and realize His very name speaks of the wonder of our redemption. We have our sins forgiven so that we can have fellowship with God Himself. But not by trekking to Mount Sinai to go where God is. No, He is now where we are and He is the One who made the journey for our benefit. Rest easy in this confusing world. After all, God is with us, with you, forever. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012822-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012822-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click...

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Living in the Kingdom of God…We, as believers, are dual citizens and live in two kingdoms. We have temporal citizenship in this world, or so it seems, maybe as a citizen of the United States or whatever country you may be from. But more importantly, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, citizens in His eternal Kingdom that has no equal. And both kingdoms have rules, make demands, and pull us in opposite directions. Promises empower one Kingdom. And the other kingdom is full of disappointments. Note: For a faith exercise and to experience how God’s Kingdom operates, try beginning in Matthew and write down every promise given to you as a child of your loving Father. Start with the Sermon on the Mount. And then align your life in such a way as to live by those promises, to see if they are true or not. What you will soon discover is this earthly kingdom, the fallen kingdom of this world, never keeps its promises. Yet every promise in God’s Word is as true and steadfast as the King Himself. This revelation alone should help you see the waste and futility of one kingdom and the infinite value of the other. But for most of us, we try to find our success and happiness in this world by doing what this world rewards. We work to make money, and then more money so that we can buy worthless stuff. We want people to like us, so we become like them and like what they like, just to be accepted. And if we are not happy, we will move heaven and earth to change things and rearrange our reality in our vain attempt to make us happy. Not realizing the source of all happiness lives in us, and we are already accepted, loved, and liked by the King of king and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). Unfortunately, this is how many believers live their allotted days in life, chasing after trinkets and toys and things that pass away in time. But that’s not how those live who desire the Higher Christian Life. For them, all the transitory and temporary things of this world mean nothing compared to what is eternal and infinite. They reason, “If I will live for only 70 or 80 years and then die and leave everything behind, yet spend eternity in heaven, why would I not focus more on heaven while living on earth? Why would I devote my life to something I cannot take with me and slight what I can never lose?” Or, as Jim Elliot wrote in his journal on October 28, 1949, seven years before he was martyred as a missionary to the Auca tribes in Ecuador: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” So how can we live in His Kingdom without listening to the deceptive and demanding voices of this world? And how can we live in such a way as to daily experience the Higher Christian Life? While Living in the Kingdom of this WorldLogic states there are two ways to be successful.  First, find someone who is successful and where you want to be and do exactly what they did to get to where they are. And second, find someone who is a dismal failure, someone you never want to be, and do the exact opposite of what they did to make them what they are. Logically, either path should work and point you in the right direction. So let’s take the first path and follow the example of Paul, who obviously lived in the experience of the Higher Christian Life. Consider what he did and how he lived: But what things were gain to me (in this kingdom), these I have counted loss (why) for Christ (and His Kingdom). Yet indeed I also count all (pas) things loss (why) for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, (for what purpose) (1) that I may gain Christ (2) and be found in Him, (how) not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, (namely) the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may (3)...

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What Is More Powerful Than Our Faith?The trait that defined the members of the early church that seems absent in the church today is found in the simple word, power. And it is the very same power (dúnamis) that was promised through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and received by those in the early church (Acts 2:4). Uh, the same power we supposedly received when we were “sealed” by the Holy Spirit who came into our lives as the “guarantee” of our eternal salvation (1 Cor. 1:22). So if we have the same Spirit they had, and the same power through the same Spirit they had… that leads to a few questions. •  Why were they able to live in the power they received from the Holy Spirit to the extent they were and we don’t seem to be able to do the same? •  Did they have a different power than we do today? Or was it the same power? By the same Spirit? •  And if it was the same power and the same Spirit, why were their lives marked by this unleashed power and ours don’t seem to be so much today? •  Does God love them more than He loves us? Or did He choose to use them more than He seems to be using us? Were they better people than we are? Maybe more holy, more faithful, more committed? •  How were they different from us and what can we learn from them? Remember, their promise was the same promise we received from the Lord. “But you shall receive power (dúnamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” – Acts 1:8. Again, if we have received the Holy Spirit and the power (dúnamis) that comes with Him, like those in the early church, why are our lives often marked by frustration and spiritual impotence, and not the life-changing Spirit encounters we see in the Acts? What could be the problem? Your Doubt and UnbeliefOne of the most troubling events in the life of our Lord happened in His own hometown when He “could do no mighty (dúnamis) works there” (Mark 6:5-6, Matt. 13:58) because of their unbelief. Did you catch that? Jesus was limited in what He could do, or how the power (dúnamis) of the Spirit could be manifest, because of their unbelief. Read it for yourself. Now He (what) could do no mighty work (dúnamis) there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching – Mark 6:5. Matthew adds, “He did not do many mighty works (dúnamis) there because of their unbelief – Matthew 13:58. Which brings even more questions. Why was Jesus not able (could do no) mighty works (dúnamis) in their midst? What was limiting the power of God in their lives? To make it personal, what is keeping Acts 1:8 from being true in your life? What is keeping you from experiencing the Higher Christian Life? Is it God? Or could it be something else? Note, the most powerful force in you is not your faith, as strange as that may sound… but your doubt and unbelief. Your doubt and unbelief can make void all the Holy Spirit came to make magnanimous in you. It can nullify, completely, the power (dúnamis) you received from God in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Does that statement make you feel uncomfortable? It does to me also. But it is true, nevertheless, no matter how it makes us feel. If you would like to look further into what it means to limit the Holy Spirit in your life and how it can keep you from experiencing the Higher Christian Life, join with us today as we discover what our doubt and unbelief costs us in our relationship with Jesus and the Spirit. I think you’ll be shocked… and convicted. And hopefully inspired to never let anything stand between you and a deeper intimacy with our Lord. Nothing. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121321-Slides.pdf...

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You Shall Receive Power – Acts 1:8We have two key objectives in mind. One, to grow closer to our Lord and experience the Higher Christian Life, or at least try to understand what the Higher Christian Life looks like in real-time. And two, to have our faith grow to the point we will be spiritually prepared for the chaotic times coming our way and the trials, tribulations, and persecutions, that will most certainly follow. These, in my opinion, are noble endeavors. And both of them can be fulfilled by studying the book of Acts and focusing on the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit in common men who lived under times far more chaotic than ours. But if it is true the Acts is a training manual for His church and His revelation of what church should look like, then we need to ask some questions about what we read. For if we don’t ask questions, then how will we know when the Lord answers them? Here are some pressing questions we need to ask. We’ll start with chapter one. •  Who were the 120 in the upper room? What were they like? Where did they come from? •  Where were they when Jesus ascended into heaven? •  What, if anything, made them different from us? •  And what made the church in Acts different than the church in America today? •  In what aspect were they followers of Jesus? Was there a part of their life they kept for themselves or had they surrendered all to Him? •  Are we followers of Him in the same way they were followers of Him? Or do we follow Him differently today? And if we do, is it better? •  What was the overriding command they were given? How were they to fulfill that command? And did they even want to? •  What kind of power did they have that we seem to have lost? And how can we rediscover the power that lies dormant in the church, and in you and me, today? •  Do we really want to fully receive the “Promise of the Father” Jesus spoke about? Or is that a bit too radical for us? And if we do receive the promise, how would that change our lives? •  Do you think it is still possible for a small group of committed believers to “turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) as they did back then? Or do you think that ship has already sailed? •  And if you do believe it is still possible, are you aware of the cost of being that kind of believer? Is it a cost you are willing to bear? Or a sacrifice you are willing to make? Is it something you want to do, something you are willing for Him to create in you? Or would you rather just pass? •  And finally, would you want to be a member of the early church? Or would you find it too intimidating, too convicting? Whew. And these are just a few questions we want to know about the lives of those who made up the early church. For if we can see their commitment and sacrifice, maybe we can begin to be more like them. All That Jesus Began to Do and Teach – Acts 1:1But there is one other thing we will look at today. And it is found in the insightful phrase that describes the ministry of Jesus, “do and teach.” The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach – Acts 1:1. Note the order. Ministry first, theology later. Jesus was always doing first, and then teaching later. For our Lord, ministry preceded and produces theology, not the reverse. And His ministry was to do the will of the Father and out of this ministry emerges theological activity… later. It was never the other way around. Not for Jesus, and especially not for us. Or at least it should not be. But that’s not how we do church in the West. It seems we have become teaching connoisseurs, and ministry wannabes.  We learn, and learn more, and go from Sunday...

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Forgiveness: Past, Present, and FutureIf we were honest with ourselves, most of us would admit it is sin that keeps us from experiencing the Higher Christian Life. And it’s not our horrible, gross, never-talk-about, sin that grieves His Spirit the most. It’s the sin we commit over and over again, the sin we have long since given up hope for ever gaining victory over. It is the sin, no matter how small it may seem to others, that has now become part of our lives and defines our inability to claim what is rightfully ours, the Higher Christian Life. “I know things would be different spiritually if I could just quit (you fill in the blank). But since I can’t… and oh, how I’ve tried… I guess this lukewarm spiritual existence is my destined lot in life. Ahem.” But nothing could be further from the truth. In Hebrews 11, we have a list of Old and New Testament saints that overcame incredible hardships and suffering by simple faith in God and His Word. As such, this chapter has been affectionately called the roll-call of faith. And it ends with the epithet of these men and women, “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:38). It is a truly amazing tribute to what faith can accomplish in the life of a believer. But then we ask ourselves, “Why can’t we seem to live the same types of lives as they did? What is holding us back from experiencing overcoming faith? How can we be more like them?” And as usual, the Lord was anticipating our questions and provided His answer in the very next sentence, found in Hebrews 12:1:2. Consider these words from our Lord. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (we are not alone, drifting in uncharted waters), let us (our action) lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares (euperístatos) us, and let us (our action) run with endurance the race that is set before us, (how) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:1-2. But the most important phrase in this statement is “easily ensnares” or euperístatos in Greek. This word means “to surround or encompass, easily besetting.” Ah, it’s a besetting sin. And a besetting sin is defined as one we “continually struggle with and have a weakness towards, one we commit over and over again seemingly without relief or victory.” Sound familiar? I thought so. You may have a few besetting sins in your own life. Most believers do. Sanctification: Past, Present, and FutureAfter a time of trying only to fail, and fail again… only harder, most believers grow frustrated and prone to give up ever thinking victory is possible over their besetting sins. And at some point, usually after utter despondency, they come to the conclusion either Christ is not sufficient, or their flesh is too powerful, or they are just too much of a loser to amount to anything more than a nominal Christian plagued by besetting sins no one else seems to be struggling with. And this, after a time, leads to believing the Higher Christian Life is for others, but not for losers… like us. But God has provided victory over besetting sins, and His victory is found in our commitment to trust Him at His Word. He has provided for us a great promise of forgiveness and sanctification if we trust His Word to be true. It is an if/then promise from the Lord. We do our part (if) and He will do His part (then). It is really that simple. All we have to do is believe He will do what He promises to do and the victory is ours. Consider this if/then promise: If (our part) we confess our sins, (then – His part) He is faithful and just to (1) forgive us our sins (salvation) and to (2) cleanse us from all (pás)...

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Acts: God’s Training Manual for His ChurchAs we begin to study the book of Acts, we will be doing so with new eyes. No longer will we be satisfied with the status quo, the academic understanding of simple facts about the early church and not about the power they exhibited in their lives. No, we want to know what the early church was like on the inside. What was their motivation for giving up all to follow Jesus? How and why did the Lord use them in such a powerful way that seems to be missing in how He uses us today? What did they have that we don’t? Or, what do we hold on to so tightly that they so willingly gave up for Him? What are we missing? What are we not seeing in the Acts? For openers, we fail to see the Acts as God’s Training Manual for His Church— which is exactly what it is. And if we view it as a training manual, then God must want our lives and His church to resemble the lives of those He reveals to us in the Acts. If you look closely, you will see Jesus commands His followers in the Acts to declare war on the kingdom of darkness, on Satan himself, and to be active in combat with the enemy just like He was while He was with us on earth (1 John 3:8). War is not pretty. It is not something we look forward to. It involves training, difficulties, fighting, weariness, injury, and often casualties. Yet, unfortunately, many of us today view the Christian life as a trip to Disneyworld, and not as a battle between light and darkness. And I’m not sure where our thinking about our life with Christ ran off the rails. Secondly, we also miss the part about His Kingdom. Acts: Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be DoneThe Acts both begin and end with teaching about His Kingdom. First, the introduction: The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God – Acts 1:1-3. And the last two verses in Acts: Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him – Acts 28:30-31. In fact, most of the preaching of Jesus was about His kingdom. But it was a kingdom endued with power from the Holy Spirit, the “promise of the Father” Jesus spoke about (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4). It was not a kingdom of mere words alone, but words backed by only what God can do and only through the power of God. And when God’s eternal kingdom collides with Satan’s temporal kingdom, we have war. Not a big war, more like a skirmish. Because God has already won. And finally, to supposedly worship and serve God without the power He promised us through the Holy Spirit makes us not much more than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. We know the Scriptures, as they did. But knowledge void of power makes our faith mere religion. And Jesus didn’t die to start a new religion. He died to defeat the kingdom of Satan and make all things new. This takes power. It takes the same power Jesus has and the same power He gave to the early church in the person of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). And it is the same power that rests dormant in many of us today. So join us as we begin to look at the book of Acts and pray for an awakening of the power of the Holy Spirit to turn our “world upside down” as they did in the early church (Acts 17:6).  Rest assured, it should be a wild ride. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120321-Slides.pdf...

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We’re Running Out of TimeThere comes a time in everyone’s life, at least everyone who accomplishes something of value, when they quit making excuses and commit to an ideal greater than themselves. We see this in sports, in the financial arena, and in the life of faith. Almost all of our spiritual heroes sacrificed their comfort and security for something they could not see, for some ideal beyond themselves that only their faith could grasp. And their life was defined by the very moment they stepped out in faith, regardless of the outcome. We see this in the summary of the life of Able, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham in Hebrews 11. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth – Hebrews 11:13. These men, charter members of the Hebrews 11 Roll Call of Faith, all died holding fast to the promise, to the ideal they committed their lives to by faith. Dire circumstances didn’t sway them. Neither did pain, suffering, disappointment, or betrayal. And their unwavering trust and commitment to the Lord and His Word is why they are so highly revered as champions of our faith. Yet in each one of their lives, there came a point where they went “all in” and everything in their life changed from that moment forward. Their priorities were re-aligned. Their definition of success re-defined. Their motivation for life was no longer in themselves and their happiness, but in Him who called them. They found themselves, like Paul, “forgetting those things which are behind and racing forward to those things which are ahead” they “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). I know what many of you may be thinking right now. “Ok, but that was them. What about me? Do I have what it takes to make the same commitment they did? And if so, when do I go about doing that? When should I make that commitment? Does something have to happen to me first? Do I have to reach some sort of spiritual zenith before I give my all to Christ? Or is this something I can do today, right now? Or should I wait until tomorrow? Or maybe next year? Or whenever I think I’m ready?” But the time is now.  Not tomorrow or next week. But now. Or Maybe, We’ve Already Run Out of TimeIt is time for each of us to no longer be a hearer of God’s Word but to do what it says. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was – James 1:22-24. It is time to move beyond hearing and knowing, to becoming and obeying His Word. After all, Jesus did not die to give us spiritual knowledge, but to transform us and make us new. There comes a time in each person’s life when they say, “Enough is enough!” With everyone we admire, they came to a point of no return, no compromise, no backing down. For them, it was all or nothing, no matter the cost, “come what may.” And it is time for you and me to do the same. It is time for each of us to come to a point when we take our faith seriously enough to face what all of us will soon face, whether we’re ready or not. And it is time for us to get ready to meet our King and live like we truly believe He is coming. Are you ready? To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112021-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112021-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112021-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/covid-mandates-and-the-cost-of-doing-nothing-512/ (512: COVID Mandates and the Cost of Doing Nothing)

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Be Subject to the Governing Authorities?There are two major teachings in the New Testament, one from Peter and the other from Paul, that reveal God’s instructions for the church regarding submitting to governing authorities. And both of these seem to give blanket commands to submit to them for the sake of the Lord and the gospel. The first one is found in 1 Peter 2:13-15. Therefore submit yourselves (to place under in an orderly fashion) to every (pás) ordinance (to create, form, or found) of man (why) for the Lord’s sake, (examples) whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for (1) the punishment of evildoers and for (2) the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good (what) you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. And, even more direct, the second is found in Romans 13:2-4. Therefore (since God is sovereign regarding governing authorities) whoever resists (antitássō – to set an army against, to arrange in battle order, to go to war against) the authority resists (anthístēmi – to stand against in both deed or word) the ordinance of God, and those who resist (anthístēmi) will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good (agathós – excellent, best, upright, virtuous) works, but to evil (kakós – wicked, vicious, bad in heart and character). Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good (agathós), and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister (diákonos – servant, one who runs in the dust) to you for good (agathós). But if you do evil (kakós), be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister (diákonos), an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil (kakós). But what happens when the governing authorities no longer serve as the protector of good and the punisher of evil? What happens when the authorities reward evil and persecute good? How are we to obey these passages? Or should we? How does this command relate to the COVID mandates and the coming vaccine passports? What is the difference between a just or unjust law? Are we required to obey an unjust law? And if we do, doesn’t that make our actions unjust? Or, based on the truths cited above, does it even matter to a believer if a law is just or unjust? Are we to obey outright, with no concern for the morality of what we are obeying? Unless or Until… What?Are there ever any exceptions to submission to governmental authority? Or does this blanket submission apply in all cultures and at all times, such as during the holocaust in Nazi Germany or in our country today? And it so, why did Peter and John refuse to submit to the governmental order to stop preaching or teaching in the name of Jesus in Acts 4:18-20? Were they wrong? Or is there another principle at play here? And if there is another principle involved, what is it? How are we to determine if obeying God means disobeying our authorities? And how is that being played out in our nation, and the church, today? The answer is found in our duty and calling to stand for others who are too weak to stand for themselves. We are to give voice to those who have no voice. Consider the following: Deliver (to rescue, to free from harm or evil, to snatch away to safety) those who are drawn (to grasp, take, or seize by an outside force) toward death, and hold back (to restrain, to refrain, to keep one from doing something), those stumbling (to move without being stable, to waver, to cause to be shaken in one’s resolve) to the slaughter (an event that causes someone to die) – Proverbs 24:11. Finally, remember the chilling words of Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) in his prophetic poem, First They Came. First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade...

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The Early Church: Our Example in PersecutionIf you look around, you will see we are in the early stages of state-sanctioned Christian persecution in our nation. I know it seems inconceivable that our government, which mints “In God We Trust” on our coins, would now come after the church, much like the Nazis did in the 1930s. But believe it or not, it is happening right before our eyes. Just look around. And since we have all grown up in a world devoid of religious persecution, at least in the West, we are seriously unprepared for what will soon come our way. Just how unprepared are we?  Consider the fact that many Christians today blindly believe God would never let a righteous nation like ours, or a faithful church like ours (as strange as it sounds to even say the words “righteous” and “nation” or “faithful” and “church” in the same sentence), suffer anything remotely resembling persecution.  Remember, the best-selling book in the Christian market over the last decade promises God wants you to experience Your Best Life Now! And if you are discerning, you will understand that only those who are lost and going to hell are experiencing Your Best Life Now! Sobering, isn’t it? So if this assessment is true, what are we to do?  In fact, the church is so unprepared we don’t even know which way to turn. But there is an example for us in Scripture. There is a detailed account of ordinary believers, just like us, who lived under persecution and suffered under occupation and yet turned the world upside down for Christ (Acts 17:6). And that account is found in the book of Acts. What We Can Learn From the Early ChurchWhat were these early believers like? How did they think? What was their mindset? What motivated them each morning to rise and suffer another day? What was the source of their power that enabled them to flourish and thrive even under trying times? Why did God use them to turn the world upside down, and yet we find it hard even to make a difference in our own families and with our close friends? How committed were they to their Lord? And how did their commitment impact their lives and the lives of those around them? What did they have that we don’t? Answer: Nothing. We have far more than they ever did. But what did they believe that we don’t? Answer: Much. More than you can imagine. In this message, we will look at some of what made them who they were and allowed the Lord to move through them as He did. And we will, by comparison, see if maybe we lack some of what they had. Together we will examine some of their key beliefs and convictions to try to find a way back from where we have fallen (Rev. 2:5). So join us as we discover the passion and reckless abandonment to the Lord that defined the early church as revealed in the book of Acts. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/111621-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/111621-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/111621-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-is-the-will-of-god-for-all-believers-510/ (510: What is the Will of God for All Believers?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-we-actually-believe-what-the-word-of-god-says-509/ (509: Do We Actually Believe What the Word of God Says?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-wonder-of-being-a-child-of-god-508/ (508: The Wonder of Being a Child of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-do-when-fill-in-the-blanks-507/ (507: What Do I Do When _________ ? (fill in the blanks)) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-grow-your-faith-during-dark-times-506/ (506: How to Grow Your Faith During Dark Times)

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The Power of the Early ChurchAs we begin to see the signs of religious persecution raise its ugly head in our culture, one thing we need to do as the church is take a crash course on how to live under persecution and in a society hostile to our message. And the best way to do this is by following the example of other believers who have faced what we are soon to face yet remained steadfast, confident, and faithful to the end, no matter what. So we began to look at the early church, as revealed in Acts, to see what they knew then that maybe we don’t know today or what they believed back then that maybe we have conveniently forgotten. And we found they knew far less than we know, but believed so much more. For them, God’s Word was just that— God’s Word. It was not to be analyzed, scrutinized, or debated. It was to be obeyed. And to prove this point, we took one familiar passage and asked ourselves if our belief in its truth differs from how the early church believed. It was from 1 John 2. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life— is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever – 1 John 2:15-17. It seems this truth comes with a command, followed by a warning, and ending with a great promise. The command is to “not love the world or the things in the world.” The warning then states those who do not follow this command will find the “love of the Father is not in him (them),” which is quite frightening. But it ends on a high note. The promise says those who do “the will of God abides forever.” As you recall, the word for “abide’ is ménō and means to “remain, dwell, live, to make their home, to be united in one heart, mind, and will” with God. And to “abide with God forever,” both now and for all eternity, is the perfect description of the Higher Christian Life. But one question remains: What is the will of God? In other words, if we abide forever with God by doing His will, then exactly what is His will for us as individuals, and for all believers in general? I can’t think of a more important question to get answered than this, can you? What is the Will of God for All Believers?Remember, we always move from the general to the specific when it comes to knowing God’s will for our lives. In other words, we must start with knowing God’s will for all His children (general) before we need to know His will for us as individuals (specific). For it is only when we are faithful to obey His will for all believers that He will reveal to us His specific will for how He wants us as individual believers to obey His general will. We must be faithful with the macro will of God before He will reveal His micro will for us. So as a starting point for knowing God’s specific will for our lives, we need to first know His will for all believers. Theologically, these are called the Five Wills of God. One, it is God’s will for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 5:17-18. Two, it is God’s will for us to be sexually pure – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8. Three, it is God’s will for us to suffer (ouch!) – 1 Peter 4:19. Four, it is God’s will for us to give thanks in all situations – 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Five, it is God’s will for us to submit to governmental authorities – 1 Peter 2:13-15. In this message, we will explore the first four of these five wills of God. Remember, once we are faithful with these, God will gladly reveal to each of us His specific will for how He wants to us follow Him. And isn’t that the goal of our life with Him, to know exactly how He wants us to spend this life He has...

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Are We Willing to Trust His Word, Come What May?As we grow closer to Christ and begin to experience the Higher Christian Life, we find our ability to experience His Word is also enhanced. Greatly. After all, experiencing His Word and experiencing Him go hand in hand, one literally feeds the other. And our faith grows when we take His Word seriously and ask Him to place us in situations or circumstances that will test our faith in His promises and commands and warnings and then, by letting our faith be tested by trials and tribulations, it grows to maturity. This is how we know, personally, and by first-hand experience (the best kind), that His Word is true and can be trusted. And this is also how we begin to experience the Higher Christian Life found only in Him. So we are going to look at just one if / then promise and its subsequent blessing and see if we truly believe what it says and, more importantly, if we will align our life to the truth it reveals. And this is where it often gets difficult. Let’s look at a familiar passage found in 1 John 2:15-17. Do not love the world or the things in the world. (why) If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (again why) For all that is in the world— (defined as) the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (think Eve in Gen. 3:6)— is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away (worthless, of no value), and the lust of it (also of no value); but (contrast, the blessing) he who does (not just knows – James 1:22) the will of God (what) abides forever – 1 John 2:15-17. Let’s dig deeper and define some confusing terms so we can make sure we know exactly what we claim to believe and act upon. This is where it gets interesting. Do not love (agapaō – to love with a strong affection, indicating a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in something or someone) the world (kósmos – the world’s system, its order, standards, and nature) or the things in the world (kósmos). If anyone loves (agapaō) the world (kósmos), the love (agapaō) of the Father is not in Him – 1 John 2:15. And What Happens When We Do?But there is more. For all (pás – each, every, any, the whole, in totality without exception) that is in the world (kósmos) the lust (epithumía – an intense or great desire for some particular thing, a longing or lust to satisfy the carnal cravings) of the flesh, the lust (epithumía) of the eyes, and the pride (alazoneía – an arrogant boasting of what one does or does not possess, the pompous showing off of the manner of life, the ambitious pursuit of the glory and pleasure in this life) of life (bíos – this does not mean the quality or worth of one’s life regarding soul or spirit (zōḗ), but the duration, means, and manner of life or mode of living (financial, possessions, etc.) is not of the Father but is of the world (kósmos) – 1 John 2:16. It means to pass one’s life without reference to its eternal or spiritual quality. But its focus is on the livelihood or possessions accumulated in this physical life on earth, and nothing more. Kind of sad, isn’t it? But wait for the finish. And the world (kósmos) is passing away (parágō – to disappear, perish, no longer exist), and the lust (epithumía) of it (the world); but he who does (poiéō – to carry out or perform an action or course of action, to make, form, produce, bring about, cause) the will (thélēma – not a demand, but desire, good pleasure, what pleases or creates joy) of God abides (ménō – to remain, dwell, live, make their home, to be united in one heart, mind, and will) forever – 1 John 2:17. It appears God obviously wants us to be concerned with the things that last and have great eternal value, and not waste our lives on things that do not have any lasting value and fade with time. And it also appears God no longer will...

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Learning to Embrace the Love of GodAs we strive to grow our faith, there are two non-negotiable truths we must come to grips with. One, like everything else in life, faith must be tested in order to be trusted and relied upon. And, since the object of our faith is God and His nature, character, and promises, then our faith in Him and His Word must be tested in order to be believed. Unfortunately, this usually comes by trials and tribulation, the stuff nightmares are made of. And two, when tested our faith must win over our fears, doubts, and insecurities, no matter what. We cannot let our damaged emotions or faulty self-image eclipse what God says about us, no matter how much we want to believe otherwise. After all, God is God… and we are… well, not. So let’s take a simple truth about God and ourselves and see if we can truly believe what His Word says (and this one is hard to believe because God claims to feel something about us that sometimes we don’t feel ourselves.) God says He loves you. And He loves you unconditionally, no matter what you have done and no matter if you love Him back. God has an incomprehensible, mind-blowing, love for you that is beyond description. Does this seem like an unrealistic, over-the-top statement? Or, maybe I’m guilty of a bit of exaggerating? Well, let’s see. In this message, we are going to look at five statements about God’s love for you (make it personal) and then try to learn how to live each day as if we really believed them. And by the way, this is how your faith grows. You accept, by faith, a specific truth as true, and then put it to the test in real life. Which is exactly what we are going to do this week. These five truths are: One, there is nothing you can do, or have done, or will do, that will separate you from the love of God. God wants you to know you are secure in His love – Romans 8:35-39. Two, God’s love for you, regardless of your failures, is so great and perfect and wonderful that it is impossible to describe or fully understand – Ephesians 3:18-19. Three, God’s love for you is so personal that He calls you His child— which is exactly what you are! – 1 John 3:1. Four, God loves you so much that He gave you the Holy Spirit as the full manifestation of His love, to live in you and be with you forever. God gave you the Holy Spirit because He wants you to be filled with His love – Romans 5:5. And Five, at your very worst, when you were at the height of your rebellion against Him, and when you were most unlovable, at that time God chose to love you by sacrificing His Son to secure your salvation in Him – Romans 5:8. So join us and we strive to grow our faith by whatever means possible as we learn how to Leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101321-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101321-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101321-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-do-when-fill-in-the-blanks-507/ (507: What Do I Do When _________ ? (fill in the blanks)) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-grow-your-faith-during-dark-times-506/ (506: How to Grow Your Faith During Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/take-my-yoke-upon-you-and-learn-from-me-505/ (505: “Take My Yoke Upon You and Learn From Me”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/god-uses-ordinary-men-in-extraordinary-ways-504/ (504: God Uses Ordinary Men in Extraordinary Ways) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-respond-during-dark-times-503/ (503: How to Respond During Dark Times)

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How Do We Navigate These Uncharted Waters? Or, to ask the question another way, what are we to do when we see (you fill in the blanks) just over the horizon? What are we to do next? And the answer is quite simple: We are to do the same things we should be doing even if things are smooth sailing without a cloud in the sky. We all have a mandate from the Lord, and we need to concentrate on being faithful to Him, no matter the circumstances. But, as an encouragement, let me share four unchanging truths that should help us navigate these uncharted waters? One, recognize the times in which we live and don’t be surprised by them.  After all, Christ warned us about these times and told us in advance they would happen. The Situation: But know (ginṓskō) this, that (when) in the last days perilous (chalepós – troublesome, grievous, difficult to deal with, violent, fierce, hard to bear) times will come: (described as) For men will be lovers of themselves (narcissistic), lovers of money, boasters (self-exalting), proud (arrogant), blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers (false accuser), without self-control (unrestrained by convention or morality), brutal (savage, wild and menacing, fierce), despisers of good (characterized by hatred or an absence of love for all things good), traitors (one who violates or betrays an allegiance or trust), headstrong (defiant, rash, thoughtless, reckless), haughty (to swell or inflate with pride), lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form (impression, shape, appearance) of godliness but denying (to refuse to recognize or acknowledge) its power (dúnamis). Our Response: And from such people turn away (to deliberately avoid, shun)! – 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Two, make sure you are truly saved. … having a form (impression, shape, appearance) of godliness but denying (to refuse to recognize or acknowledge) its power (dúnamis). Three, focus on the reality of your true citizenship, which is in heaven with God, and not on earth. This world is not our home (Colossians 3:1-4). Four, be ready for the Shout! For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words – 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15. In this message, we are going to review some encouraging truths that should help us prepare for whatever the Lord allows to come our way. So join us as we learn how to leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100721-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100721-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100721-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-grow-your-faith-during-dark-times-506/ (506: How to Grow Your Faith During Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/take-my-yoke-upon-you-and-learn-from-me-505/ (505: “Take My Yoke Upon You and Learn From Me”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/god-uses-ordinary-men-in-extraordinary-ways-504/ (504: God Uses Ordinary Men in Extraordinary Ways) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-respond-during-dark-times-503/ (503: How to Respond During Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-lords-supper-and-the-higher-christian-life-502/ (502: The Lord’s Supper and the Higher Christian Life)

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Faith Must be Tested to GrowFirst, like everything else in life, faith must be tested. And unfortunately, testing usually comes during trials and tribulations. At least that’s what the Scriptures teach. Consider the following: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (why) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let (or don’t quit or give up early in the process) patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing – James 1:2-4. Now, let’s look at this truth just a little bit closer. My brethren, count (reckon, consider, live like it was true) it all joy when you fall (to fall into the midst of something as to be totally surrounded by it) into various trials (temptations, putting to the test), (why) knowing (ginṓskō) that the testing of your faith produces (to finish, accomplish, to bring to the desired end) patience (to persevere, to remain under, to endure). But let (or don’t quit or give up early in the process) patience have its perfect (complete, full, wanting in nothing) work, that you may be perfect (complete, full, wanting in nothing) and complete (whole, having all its parts), lacking nothing – James 1:2-4. One of the best ways to grow your faith in the faithfulness of God and His Word is to put His Word to the test in your life. Exactly how is that done? By finding a promise of God and putting it to the test by living as if the promise is true. This means having God place us in situations where our faith in His Word, and in a single promise, is tested. In this message, we are going to look at five promises from Scripture and live as if we believe them. This week we will grow our faith in Him and His Word by focusing on these five promises: Monday – James 1:5-8 Tuesday – 1 Corinthians 10:31 Wednesday – Matthew 6:33 Thursday – Matthew 6:14-15 Friday – Romans 12:18-19 So join us as we strive to grow our faith, even in these dark, troubling, chaotic times, as we learn to leave Laodicea behind. Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/take-my-yoke-upon-you-and-learn-from-me-505/ (505: “Take My Yoke Upon You and Learn From Me”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/god-uses-ordinary-men-in-extraordinary-ways-504/ (504: God Uses Ordinary Men in Extraordinary Ways) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-respond-during-dark-times-503/ (503: How to Respond During Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-lords-supper-and-the-higher-christian-life-502/ (502: The Lord’s Supper and the Higher Christian Life) https://leavinglaodicea.com/to-reckon-or-not-reckon-that-is-the-question-501/ (501: To Reckon or Not Reckon, that is the Question)

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A Call to Both Salvation and SanctificationWhen we look at the classic invitation by Jesus recorded in Matthew 11, we find both a call to salvation and to a deeper intimacy with the Lord. Or, as we would say, the Higher Christian Life. Let’s take a look at these verses a bit closer. First, the call to salvation. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28. Then, after answering His call to salvation, He offers an invitation to sanctification, to become more like Christ (Rom. 8:29), or to experience the Higher Christian Life. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” – Matthew 11:29-30. In this message, we will look at both calls and how they relate to the Higher Christian Life. And we will dig into the phrase, “learn from Me” as we discover how to leave Laodicea behind. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100321-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100321-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100321-Slides.pdf (HERE). Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/god-uses-ordinary-men-in-extraordinary-ways-504/ (504: God Uses Ordinary Men in Extraordinary Ways) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-respond-during-dark-times-503/ (503: How to Respond During Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-lords-supper-and-the-higher-christian-life-502/ (502: The Lord’s Supper and the Higher Christian Life) https://leavinglaodicea.com/to-reckon-or-not-reckon-that-is-the-question-501/ (501: To Reckon or Not Reckon, that is the Question) https://leavinglaodicea.com/god-is-able-but-is-he-willing-500/ (500: I know God is Able, But is He Willing?)

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Are You an Ordinary Man?We are truly living in troubling times. Not times unknown to believers in the past, but times the church of today is ill-equipped to manage. But there is hope. And this hope is found in our faith in the One who “declares the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10)— the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, extraordinary times call for extraordinary people. Or, more accurately, it requires ordinary people doing extraordinary things by the power of the Holy Spirit living in them. This leads to a few questions we will try to answer. One, what holds us back from being all God created us to be? Two, what does God need for us to be in the waning hours of the American experiment? And finally, what are our children going to remember about us when they look back on these troubling days? Sobering questions. But do we have any answers? In 2nd Timothy, Paul is giving final instructions to the one who will carry on without him. Timothy was a man that struggled with timidity and fear (2 Tim. 1:7) and avoided confrontation to the point of appearing ashamed of his calling and the testimony of Christ (2 Tim. 1:8). In fact, Paul’s first words to Timothy were to urge him not to leave for greener pastures, not to throw in the towel, but stay and see the task to the end (1 Tim. 1:3). And his final words to Timothy were to remain steadfast to his calling and don’t quit. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry – 2 Timothy 4:5. These are the same words we need to hear as the church today. Following Christ, standing for truth, speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves (Prov. 24:11), always comes at a cost. So what are we to do? We should start by remembering where we have fallen and do the things we did at the beginning (Rev. 2:5). But there is more. Stir Up the Gift of God in YouThere comes the point in every Christian’s life when they simply must choose. We must choose to either stand for Christ and all that means or cower under the world’s pressure to be forced into its mold. We must be willing to suffer misunderstanding, cancellation, loss of jobs or family relationships, even overt suffering and persecution in our commitment and faithfulness to Him. After all, all our heroes have done the same when they had to choose. Why should we think we are exempt? And we know that all we lack, He supplies. All we don’t have or can’t do, He can. No matter how broken or ordinary we may be, He is strong, mighty, invincible, and He lives in us. So there is no excuse. The only thing lacking is our commitment. So, like Paul’s words to Timothy, we need to rekindle the spark of His life in us and surrender anew all we are not, to the One who is everything. Therefore I remind you to stir up (or rekindle) the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands – 2 Timothy 1:6. And then watch what the Lord will do through you. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092721-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092721-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092721-Slides.pdf (HERE). Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-respond-during-dark-times-503/ (503: How to Respond During Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-lords-supper-and-the-higher-christian-life-502/ (502: The Lord’s Supper and the Higher Christian Life) https://leavinglaodicea.com/to-reckon-or-not-reckon-that-is-the-question-501/ (501: To Reckon or Not Reckon, that is the Question) https://leavinglaodicea.com/god-is-able-but-is-he-willing-500/ (500: I Believe God is Able, But is He Willing?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/there-is-no-tomorrow-apollo-creed-499/ (499: “There is No Tomorrow!” – Apollo Creed)

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Who Do You Trust?Great question. But the answer is usually less than encouraging. Who do we trust? The government? Not so much. The organized church? Probably not as much as we did in the past. The media? Please. The educational system? Hollywood? Our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram friends? Nope. So who do we trust to tell us the truth? Or where do we go for truth? What source can we truly depend on today? You know the answer to that question. Our source for truth is God and what we need in these dark times is His wisdom. But this raises even more questions, such as how do we find the wisdom of God? I mean, where would I begin to look for His wisdom? And is His wisdom something like the force in Star Wars? Is it an attribute or characteristic or power of God that He lends to us for a season or for a particular purpose? Or is it something else? The best way to answer that question is found in an amazing verse in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth. In this statement, we are told God placed all His wisdom in His Son. So the more we have of Jesus, the more we have of God’s wisdom, which is, again, the point of the Higher Christian Life. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us (1) wisdom from God and (2) righteousness and (3) sanctification and (4) redemption that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31. Did you get that? We are “in Christ Jesus” by the sovereign act of God. And, Jesus “became” or “began to be” for us the wisdom from God or the wisdom of God. So, Jesus is what we need, all we have ever needed.  But I think we always knew that. Yet, we still struggle with these nagging questions. Do I get the jab or not? What if I can’t see my family unless I get vaccinated? What if my employer requires it? What if I lose friends over this? There are so many opinions out there. Who do I trust? What am I to do? Or better yet, what does God want me to do? Do you see the need for God’s wisdom and the ability to hear His voice as He speaks His will to us? Taking Responsibility for Your Spiritual LifeThe greatest need for us as believers facing dark and uncertain times is the ability to hear from God and understand His wisdom in our lives. And this can only take place when we spend the necessary time pouring over His Word and applying it to our lives. But we won’t know what His Word means unless we first understand what it says. Remember, it is called Bible study… and not Bible reading or skimming. I will make a bold statement. I firmly believe God can and will speak to you about anything He wants using whatever verse you may now be studying, Old or New Testament; it doesn’t matter. Why? Because He is God. To prove this point, we will look at one verse chosen at random, Proverbs 21:1, and look at it in such as way as to determine precisely what it says, and then glean from it the wisdom we need for today. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes – Proverbs 21:1. Now, let’s begin by simply defining some terms. The king’s (meleḵ – a male, sovereign ruler, one with power and authority over a kingdom) heart (lēḇ – the seat of one’s inner nature, the focus of a person’s thoughts [mind], volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong [conscience]) is (present tense) in the hand (yāḏ – physical hand, strength, power, possession, control, and care) of the LORD (yehōwāh – the proper name of the God of Israel, understood as “I AM THAT I AM”). Like (just as, in the same way, similar to) the rivers (peleg̱ – stream, a channel, canal, a natural body of running water flowing on or under the Earth) of water (same

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Jesus First Became a Bondservant…There are many questions Christians have about the Lord’s Supper, and not all of them revolve around the nature of the substance of the bread and wine. There is the question about timing, how often are we to celebrate it? And then questions about meaning, is it symbolic, or does it truly transfer some tangible grace to those who partake? But the biggest question, for me, is in regards to its significance. After all, there is a judgment attached to the Lord’s Supper. The Scriptures teach those who partake of it in an “unworthy manner” will bring judgment upon themselves, even to the point of sickness and death. That’s right. Read it yourself in 1 Corinthians 11:27-30. That seems a bit heavy-handed to me. Does it to you? That is until I began to see a deeper meaning in the Lord’s Supper, something right below the surface. For years, when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to His disciples, we focused on “this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19), referring almost exclusively to the physical suffering and death of Jesus on the cross for our sins. And that is true. But there may be more we have been missing. And when Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20), again, we usually interpret that to only mean the physical shedding of His blood as His sacrifice for our sins. And that is also true. But there could be more to this than meets the eye. Since we tend to think linearly, we often jump from the Upper Room, with the bread and wine, to the cross, with His broken body and shed blood, and assume we have the point of the Lord’s Supper all wrapped up in a neat package. But what we miss is what happened between these two, the turmoil in the garden, where Jesus had to determine for Himself if He would fulfill His commitment to His Father that He made long before He came as a Babe in Bethlehem. Never forget, between the upper room and the cross, was the garden. And it may be that what happened in the garden is what the Lord wants us to remember every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Let’s look at the commitment Jesus made to His Father. And Then He Came in the Likeness of MenIn Philippians 2, we have a scene before us that reveals the Lord Jesus making Himself (His action) a “bondservant” (doúlos) of His Father and then, as a bondservant, a voluntary slave, becoming obedient to His Father “to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). And in this passage, we see the depth of the relationship between the Father and His Son and the reason for the suffering of Jesus in the garden. Consider the following: Let this mind (phronéō – to think, to have the mindset) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being (to be or exist in a state or condition) in the form (morphḗ – shape, essence, replica, the expression of something that reflects or manifests fully and truly the essence of what something is) of God, did not consider (hēgéomai – view, regard, esteem, count, reckon) it robbery (taking something by force) to be equal (ísos – alike in quantity, quality, dignity) with God, but (His action) made Himself of no reputation (kenóō – to make empty or void, of no value), (to what degree) taking the form (morphḗ – shape, essence, replica, the expression of something that reflects or manifests fully and truly the essence of what something is) of a bondservant (doúlos – a slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other), and coming in the likeness (homoíōma – similitude, resemblance) of men. And being found (or recognized) in appearance (schḗma – form, external appearance, mode) as a man, He (Christ’s actions) humbled Himself (tapeinóō – to bring low, to abase, to render oneself to a...

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The Cross Not Only Paid For Your Sins…We have been looking at the three key truths that will allow you to experience the surrender that leads to the Higher Christian Life. Let’s take a moment for a quick review. Truth One – You are incapable of pleasing God or producing anything good with your flesh (your sinful nature) no matter how hard you try. It cannot be done, has never been done, will never be done, by anybody, ever. And you can find the foundation of Truth One in Romans 7:15-25, especially verse 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find – Romans 7:18. So Truth One states you can’t, no matter how hard you try. But Truth Two reveals He can, beyond all you can imagine.  Truth Two reminds us that God has given you the Holy Spirit to live in you. And one of His purposes for His Spirit dwelling in you is to work in you “both to will and to do (why) for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). In other words, the Holy Spirit now living in you is able to do in you “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). And, by the way, the power that works “in us” is none other than the Holy Spirit. (Note: Did you notice how many times the phrase “in you” was used in this paragraph? It is not something to gloss over lightly). This brings us to Truth Three.  But first, a bit of warning.  Truth three is not something to be believed only, but to be experienced, just like the Higher Christian Life. For without experiencing this truth, firsthand, you will not gain the wonderful benefit of it nor the changed life that comes with it. Finally, all the benefits of Truth Three are contingent on faith. And it is in your faith the enemy will attack. Maybe even today. So be forewarned. Let’s look at Truth Three. You Are Also to “Reckon” Yourself Dead to SinTruth Three states that when Christ was crucified, He took with Him to the cross not only your sins, but also your sinful nature (the “old man”). Let that truth sink in for a moment. Remember, your “old man” refers to your unregenerate human spirit consisting of the Adamic life prior to salvation. And the “new man” refers to the regenerate human spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Basically, the “old man” is all that you were before salvation, and the “new man” is all that you have become after salvation. You can find these terms used in Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22 and 24, and Colossians 3:9-10, among other places. It should be a familiar concept to you. But one not usually carried to its logical conclusion. Watch how this plays out so clearly in Romans 6. First, the foundation: For if (since, because) we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be (united together) in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that (what) our old man was crucified with Him, (why) that the body of sin might be done away with, (why) that we should no longer be slaves of sin – Romans 6:5-6. Next, the logical progression based on the foundation: For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if (since, because) we died (how) with Christ, we believe (our choice, see below) that we shall also live (how) with Him, (how) knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. (why) Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died (past tense), He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives (present tense), He lives to God – Romans 6:7-10. And finally, the conclusion about our old man and his death on the cross. But remember, this truth only becomes real to you by experience. Or, as Romans says, when you “reckon yourself” to this truth. Likewise (in

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I Believe God is AbleThere is an account in Matthew 9 where two blind beggars followed Jesus and continued to cry out to Him hoping to get His attention and receive their sight. After all, He had healed others, maybe He would heal them also. Jesus, ignoring their cries, entered into a house when the two men barged in refusing to be deterred from their search for Jesus. When Jesus saw them He asked a simple question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matt. 9:28). In essence, He asked them if they believed He had the power, the authority, sufficient to give them back their sight. And they answered, in faith, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus then touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be to you.” (Matt. 9:29). And the Scripture says “their eyes were opened.” But what was the object of their faith? Was it in Jesus’ ability to heal them? Probably. After all, that’s what Jesus was questioning them about. He was saying, “Do you believe I am able to do this for you?” And, by faith, they said, yes. But they also had to believe Jesus was willing to heal them. Otherwise, they would have never followed Him as they did and cry out to get His attention. And if you look at the sequence of faith in this healing account, you will find belief in His willingness came before faith in His ability. There is much to learn in this regarding the Higher Christian Life. Just think, what keeps us from having the faith of Abraham or Noah or Moses or the Apostles or those listed in Hebrews 11? Or what hinders us from having the faith we once had when we were young in the Lord and followed Him with reckless abandon? It is usually summed up in this one statement: “I know God can, and I know that He is able. I just don’t think He will.” And this sentiment about God plays out in our lives like this: “I would surrender my life to God if I could trust Him to truly take care of me. And since I can’t trust Him to do that, I’ll just have to keep looking out for myself.” “I want to surrender my life to the Lord because I know He is God and He is sovereign and He can do anything He wants anytime He wants. But I just don’t think He will take care of me. Maybe others, but just not me. So, I’ll have to keep looking out for myself.” And then we wonder why we languish in the land of Laodicea, neither hot nor cold, longing for more in our life with Christ yet afraid to trust Him completely. But I’m Not So Sure He is WillingAs you read the following five statements about God’s ability, ask yourself this one question: Do you believe, knowing God is able, that He is willing to fulfill His promise to you? If so, you are on your way to the Higher Christian Life. But if not, you must pray and ask our Lord to forgive you for your faulty, hurtful, view of Him and His love for you. For to think God selfish or miserly with you and not others, does not show your piety or humility. It impugns His character and grieves His Spirit who lives in you. Consider the following: Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy – Jude 1:24. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work – 2 Corinthians 9:8. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen – Ephesians 3:20-21 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day – 2 Timothy 1:12. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He

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You Do, or You Don’t Do. There is No Try.Often, when it comes to the things that scare us or assault our faith, we tend to go into a brain freeze, to zone out, to habitually rationalize and procrastinate away the issue like Rocky Balboa in Rocky III when he faced fighting Clubber Lang. He was afraid and ashamed of his fear. He’d lost all confidence in himself. He no longer believed he still had what he once possessed that made him Heavyweight Champion of the World. And he was ready to give up. When Appolo Creed kept pressuring him to work harder, Rocky’s only response was, “Tomorrow. We’ll train tomorrow.” To which Appolo said over and over again, “There is no tomorrow!” We face a time in our nation when it appears God’s judgment has finally fallen. After allowing the murder of over 65,000,000 unborn children on our watch as the church, God seems to have allowed us to experience the consequences of our sin. Since we, as the church and as a nation, “did not like to retain God in their (our) knowledge, God gave them (us) over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Rom. 1:28). And what are those things which are not fitting? Abortion, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, idolatry, greed, violence, rebellion, arrogance, transgenderism— you name it, we as a culture are embracing it with open arms. There is No Tomorrow!So what are we to do? How bad is it really going to get? And what can we do to have the faith necessary to persevere during the coming dark times? These are vital questions for the church today. Questions that must be answered. Remember the warning from the Proverbs. One so important, it is recorded twice: A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished – (Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12). We can also take a lesson from history. Note, in 1933 there were 45 million Protestants in Germany, out of a total population of 65 million. There were also 525,000 Jews. In 1935 there were 18,000 Protestant pastors. Of those, 3,000 supported the German Christian Church, and 3,000 were members of the Confessing Church, of which over 700 had been arrested (this was Bonhoeffer’s church). And the other 12,000 pastors? They sat on the fence, apathetic, worried about their own personal circumstances. And we know what happened in Germany over the next few years. Could history repeat itself? Consider what is happening in our own nation. No vaccine, no service. No vaccine, no travel. No vaccine, no public gathering. No vaccine, no job. No vaccine, you cannot buy or sell. And if you have a personal opinion different than the FPC (for public consumption) opinion of the nation/state, you will not be allowed to speak. No vaccine, you are de-platformed. No vaccine, no first amendment rights. So keep listening and we’ll discover how to become a Faith Prepper together. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072621-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072621-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072621-Slides.pdf (HERE) For the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072621-German-Timeline-for-1933-and-1934.pdf (referenced list) of events in Germany in https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072621-German-Timeline-for-1933-and-1934.pdf (1933 and 1934), click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072621-German-Timeline-for-1933-and-1934.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-you-believe-the-promises-of-god-498/ (498: Do You Believe the Promises of God?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/did-you-receive-the-holy-spirit-when-you-believed-497/ (497: Did You Receive the Holy Spirit When You Believed?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-you-know-the-holy-spirit-496/ (496: Do You Know the Holy Spirit… for Real?)...

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Do You Have Faith to Believe?Quite honestly, this question is separates those who live their Christian life on the bottom rung from those who experience the Higher Christian Life. And it is all based on faith. Your faith. Do you believe in the promises of God? Not just specific doctrines about God. Not what God has done for others. But do you, emphasis on you, believe the promises of God? Do you believe what He says He will do? Do you believe what He says about you? Do you believe the consequences of disobeying Him? And do you believe in the blessings promised by being “in Christ”?  In short, do you believe? Now your answer will be yes or no. Or maybe, “Sometimes. It all depends on the promise.” But that view of God impugns His character. After all, He is trustworthy or not. He either tells the truth or He spins it to fit His own narrative. He is either perfect and pure or shady like the rest of our friends. There is no middle ground. We either believe, or we don’t. And the consequences of our choice are profound. Consider Abraham. He was given a promise from God that defied understanding, not to mention biology. When it was physically impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have children due to their advanced age, God promised Abraham he would have a son and his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky (Gen. 15:5). Pretty steep order. Yet this was a promise from God. Initially, Sarah laughed in unbelief when she heard God’s words (Gen. 18:10-13). And Abraham tried to find a loophole to work around his unbelief using Eliezar his servant (Gen. 15:4), and later Hagar, Sarah’s handmaiden (Gen. 16:1-3). Nevertheless, the promise was clear and precise. It was a promise to be believed, or not believed. And the choice was Abraham’s. So what did he do? Consider the following: He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, (1) giving glory to God, and (2) being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it (Abraham’s faith) was accounted (imputed, reckoned) to him (Abraham) for righteousness.” Now it (Genesis 15) was not written for his sake alone that it (righteousness) was imputed to him (Abraham), but also for us. It (righteousness) shall be (future) imputed (reckoned, accounted) to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, (crucifixion) who was delivered up (why) because of our offenses, and was (resurrection) raised (why) because of our justification – Romans 4:20-25. Note, Jesus died because of our offenses or sins. And He was raised up or resurrected because of our justification (when we are declared righteous). We are not declared righteous based on our own merit, but the righteousness of Christ is now imputed (reckoned, accounted) to us by faith in the Lord Jesus. Just like it was with Abraham. But there is so much more. And If So, Do You Believe the Promises of God?Jesus also became for us our sanctification (or holiness). But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – 1 Corinthians 1:30. He became for us the ability to live the Higher Christian Life. He literally became for us, since we are “in Christ Jesus”, the ability to live the kind of life that pleases Him right here, right now, today. And this thought should make you giddy in wonder. This is who Jesus is and what he has “become for us.” It is more than justification, eternal life, and a place in heaven with Him, as wonderous as all that sounds. He also became for us our sanctification. He is our freedom, the victory, and the power given us to live an “overcomer” life in this world, in satan’s domain, today. But there is one last thing we...

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You Either Did, or You Didn’tIn Acts 19, we have a controversial encounter between Paul, the Holy Spirit, and some believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7). One side claims it proves the Holy Spirit can, and will, come upon believers after salvation, thus justifying much of the fringe charismatic movement. The other side, just as dogmatic, claims this encounter proves nothing more than the fact these “disciples” (Acts 19:1) were lost until Paul preached Christ to them even though the Scriptures state they “believed” (Acts 19:2). The question at the heart of this controversy is this: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). And your answer, or on what side of this great theological chasm you choose to land, will have a critical effect on whether you experience the Higher Christian Life. Let me explain. The account in Acts shows Paul coming to a group of “disciples” (a key word) in Ephesus and obviously noticing something different, something missing in their Christian life. We are not told what he saw or what prompted his question, but nevertheless, the first words recorded out of Paul’s mouth were “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Strange. Why would he begin this conversation with them this way? Note, the book of Acts calls them “disciples” and Paul asked about something they did, or didn’t, receive after they “believed.” Paul never shared the Gospel with them or made any indication they were less than fellow believers. So the inference is they were believers, Christians, but were obviously missing something, some power or intimacy, something expected and assumed for believers back then. Not so much expected today, but then we sadly live in different, more apathetic, lukewarm times. So let’s answer the question, Do believers receive the Holy Spirit when they believe? And do they receive the Spirit Immediately? Instantaneously? Did You Receive the Holy Spirit When You Believed?In a word, absolutely. On this, there is no debate. Consider the following statements from Scripture. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, (when) having believed, (what) you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory – Ephesians 1:13-14. The Holy Spirit is our security, proof, pledge, the guarantee of our redemption. And we are sealed in Him “having believed.” But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His (or is lost) – Romans 8:9. This is more direct. No Holy Spirit, no salvation. Therefore, a believer must receive the Holy Spirit as soon as they are saved, or they are not truly saved. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free— and have all been made to drink into one Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:13. The Holy Spirit is the common bond that brings all people groups together in Christ and makes us one. And this obviously only happens after salvation. This brings us back to the reason Paul asked the question of these believers in Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). As we will discover in this message, it is not how much of the Holy Spirit we received when we believed. But how much of ourselves are we giving to the Holy Spirit? How much of us is He receiving on a daily basis? This is what makes the Higher Christian Life so appealing. It is more of Him possessing more of us, to be used to bear the Father’s fruit and bring glory to Jesus. Join us as we unpack this amazing truth. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040121-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040121-Slides.pdf...

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Do You Know Him Like We Know Each Other?Acts 19 begins with Paul stumbling upon a group of disciples in Ephesus that seemed different from those he had encountered elsewhere. So different, he asked them point-blank, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). This, on the surface, seems like a strange question. After all, how could they be “disciples” and not have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9)? Didn’t Paul write to the church at Ephesus that all believers are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Eph. 1:13-14)? And if so, is there a difference between “knowing” the Holy Spirit and “receiving” the Holy Spirit? Plus, when Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit to His disciples in John 14, He made this statement: “And I will pray (ask) the Father, and He will give you another (állos – of the same kind, an exact replica) Helper (paráklētos – to comfort, encourage or exhort), that He may abide (live, rest, dwell, make His home) with you forever— (described as) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows (ginōskō) Him; but you know (ginōskō) Him, (how) for He dwells with you (present) and will be in you (future). I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (future)” – John 14:16-18. In this statement about the Holy Spirit, Jesus distinguishes between the lost world and those whom He will redeem, the chosen (Eph. 1:4), the children of God (Rom. 8:16-17). And this distinction is the ability to “see” and “know” (ginōskō) the Holy Spirit. The word translated know (ginōskō), does not mean to know in a cognitive sense, such as, “I know that George Washington was the first President of the United States.” It is not mental, factual, academic knowledge only. To know (ginōskō), as Jesus said we would “know” the Holy Spirit, is an intimate knowledge (as Adam “knew” his wife Eve and as Joseph did not “know” his wife Mary “until she had brought forth her firstborn Son”). The word ginōskō also means “to know by experience, to know completely, to know and place one’s favor and acceptance upon.” It is a powerful word that reveals more about parents knowing their child than a student knowing the answers to Friday’s pop quiz. And this is how Jesus said we are to know (ginōskō) and do know (ginōskō), the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Do you know the Holy Spirit that way? But How Can I Know the Holy Spirit?This is the question that is asked by many today as we see the possibility of the Higher Christian Life and compare it to the lukewarm relationship we have with the Lord— and even a less than lukewarm relationship with the Holy Spirit. Plus, when you consider the familiar verses found at the beginning of Romans 12, and realize the Person of the Godhead we are to “present your bodies (to as) a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1) is none other than the Holy Spirit. It makes our lack of intimacy with the One who lives in us almost unbearable. Think, God the Father is in heaven, seated on His throne. Jesus is right now at the right hand of the Father (Rom. 8:34, Eph. 1:20, Col. 3:1) continually interceding for us (Heb. 7:25). And where is the Holy Spirit? Exactly. He is here on earth, living in you and me. God the Father has never been revealed to us in a body, nor does He have a need for one since He is sitting on His throne in heaven. Jesus already has a body and may reveal Himself to us throughout all eternity in His broken body, bearing the marks of His atonement for our sin. This may be the meaning of John’s description of Jesus in the Revelation as, “a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6). And the Holy Spirit? He inhabits your body. He empowers us with His gifts of ministry to bring the Lord glory while we live out our life on this earth. He makes our bodies a...

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Can God Do Today What He Did Back Then?One of the great longings of those the Lord used mightily in the last church age is the fullness, or baptism, of the Holy Spirit. No, we’re not talking about loopy believers today who claim something their life doesn’t exhibit. We are talking about the heroes of old, those like D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, Oswald Chambers, Charles Finney, Amy Carmichael, and so many others. Each of these great servants of God testifies to their deep longing and ultimate baptism of the Holy Spirit that they claim was the source and power for all that God did through them and led to what they called the Higher Christian Life. But what about us? And what about the church? How does our view and participation in church impact the Higher Christian Life? Does it help? Or does it hurt? Take a moment and think about how we “do” church today. See if any of these ring true to you. •  The “church” is primarily defined as a building, institution, or tax-exempt entity. •  The members of a church meet in a neutral building. •  Almost all ministry and fellowship takes place in the neutral building. •  Almost all relationships are forged by shared activities in the neutral building. •  There is usually a corporate model of top-down leadership within the church. •  The Sunday morning worship service is primarily designed as a time of musical performance (concert), corporate singing, and teaching and is designed to make the congregation feel comfortable. •  The structure of the facility seating models an educational institution and not a family. •  Primarily, the pace of the teaching is on a “C” level. •  Participation is the goal, not measurable growth. •  Much of the focus is not on the individual believer but on the entity of the “church” (lesser serves the greater). •  Paid professionals perform those required tasks often neglected by the fathers in their own families. •  Self-promotion and marketing are usually designed to point people to the church and not to Christ. •  Most preaching is about personal “felt” needs. •  Church usually meets once a week on Sunday for less than two hours. •  Sometimes, a mid-week Bible study or small group meets with an attendance of less than 5% of those who come on Sunday. •  Women are far more likely to attend and take part in church functions than men. And if you compare this picture of the church today to what we see in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Acts, you may come to the troubling conclusion that the modern, Western, contemporary idea of the church may be the greatest hindrance to experiencing the Higher Christian Life. But first, let’s address the elephant in the room by answering the most pressing question. What is the Higher Christian Life? What is the Higher Christian Life?To answer, I’ll borrow from an https://higherchristianlife.com/the-higher-christian-life-01/ (earlier post). If you are like me and most believers that I know, our spiritual life has been a series of ups and downs, peaks and valleys, two steps forward followed by two steps back, and is less than what we would call abundant. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about our salvation or the grace of God so lavished upon us by the sacrifice of His Son. I’m talking about living a life of holiness, a life of sanctification, living as someone “set apart” for God’s holy purpose, a life surrendered to Him only to be selfishly reclaimed whenever things get tough, or painful, or boring. And for me, this is less than what Jesus promised and less than I am willing to live with. And this life so described, a life of holiness, devotion, sanctification, and surrender is the Higher Christian Life. It is, in actuality, the life we were...

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When I Am Afraid, I Will Trust in YouThere is uncertainty all around. And we, as the church, are in the beginning of a life of persecution that was promised by our Lord. Often uncertainty leads to fear, and fear crushes faith. But we are instructed in Psalm 56 to not fear but turn our fear into faith. David says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3). And then twice, in the same Psalm, he affirms, “What can flesh do to me” (Psalm 56:4) and “What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11). Great questions. And the answer is, “Not much, other than kill us.” But if we have a proper view of eternity, even death becomes an anticipation and not something to fear. Think about it. Life is more than what we see and feel, much more than what we can experience with our senses. There is, on the one hand, the true reality that lasts forever with God, when this temporal, transitory, substitute reality ceases to be. And there is, on the other hand, the pre-game reality we exist in today. Jesus said we are living in this kingdom, this reality, but are actually citizens of His kingdom, of His reality, that has not yet physically manifested itself in this world. And the true, “abundant life” Jesus promised is reserved for those who physically exist in this temporal reality that is passing away, yet live and abide in the reality that lasts forever. This is called living by faith. And it takes concrete action on our part to do. When fear is brought into (or subject to) the presence of God, it dissolves right before our eyes, just like it did with David in Psalm 56 and elsewhere. And when for some reason it doesn’t vanish yet remains like a lingering cough after a bad cold, it is not because our fear is so large, or intimidating, or frightening. It is simply because our God is too small. But What Can Man Do To Me?Jesus said we are not to fear those who have only limited power, who can do nothing more than take our lives. He said the one to fear is God, the One with unlimited power, who can not only do what man can do and take our lives, but also have the power and authority to cast us into hell. “Yes,” Jesus said, “I say to you, fear Him!” “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and (limited power) after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, (unlimited power) has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5). So are we to have that kind of relationship with the Father, one of fear and dread, like a young child living in an abusive home? Of course not. Because right after this Jesus lets us know how much we are loved and known by the Father and how much He truly cares for us. Jesus said: “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered (not counted). Do not fear therefore; (why) you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). So no matter how much unrest, anger, and distrust there is all around us, do not fear. For the only One worthy of our praise and our fear, is God and God alone. And remember to confidently smile when things go from dusk to dark or from bad to worse. It is only another confirmation that Jesus is soon to return. So rejoice and look up, for “our redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/031021-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/031021-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/031021-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/prepare-for-persecution-493/ (493: How to Prepare for the Coming Persecution) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-bema-seat-judgment-of-christ-492/ (492: What Happens at the Bema Seat

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Ready or Not, Here it ComesLet me share some uncomfortable truths deliberately forgotten today in our land of apathy and opulence. And this truth may be hard to swallow for some, yet it is true nonetheless. In a simple statement: Persecution is an integral part of Christianity. So much so that it is to be expected, even desired.  Why? Because persecution, like spiritual fruit, is an outward sign of living and abiding in Christ in obedience. And if so, we must, as a church and as believers living in the West, prepare for persecution. The Scriptures teach that persecution is an inevitable result of one wanting to live in the image of Jesus. Consider the promise and the conditions of this verse: Yes, and all (each, every, entire, with the idea of oneness, without exception) who desire (to will, wish, intend, implying active volition and purpose) to live (to spend one’s existence, to pass one’s life) godly (righteously, attributing to God the things which rightfully pertain to God) in (who) Christ Jesus will (promise) suffer persecution (to press, distress, trouble, crush, to prosecute, to pursue with repeated acts of enmity) – 2 Timothy 3:12. I suggest you read this passage in context. You will clearly see the focus of this chapter is that persecution is to be expected and not feared. Ever. After all, when Jesus was speaking about the relationship between a master and His servants, He was speaking in the context of suffering and persecution. This is a classic if/then statement from our Lord “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, (then) they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, (then) they will keep yours” – John 15:20. In fact, when you look at the ministry of Jesus from the perspective of Him preparing His disciples, and the church, for the inevitability of persecution, you can see it on almost every page. How Do I Prepare for Persecution?Assuming that is true, how can we begin to prepare for the inevitable persecution. Below are twelve bullet-point items we will expand in the weeks to come. For now, just get familiar with them. •  Fear God and Not Man – Matthew 10:28, Proverbs 1:7, Psalm 56:11, Acts 9:31 •  Expect Persecution as a Christian, Embrace it – John 15:20, 1 Peter 4:12-14 •  Despite Persecution, Have Peace and Rejoice – Matthew 5:10-12 •  Be an Example of Christ Even During Persecution – Philippians 2:15-16 •  Love Your Enemies (no matter how hard that is) – Matthew 5:39-45 •  Endure Suffering and Persecution with Patience – 1 Peter 2:20-23, 1 Corinthians 10:13 •  Keep Eternity in View – Hebrews 12:1-3, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1 •  Remember to Worship Him, Come What May – Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 34:1 •  Hide God’s Word in Your Heart (Memorize it!) – Psalm 1:1-2; 119:11, 105 •  Fellowship with Other Christians – Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:17 •  Love One Another – John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 1:22-23, 1 John 4:20 •  Get Serious About God Today! Because we are running out of tomorrows! And finally, remember that Jesus said, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:12) only in the context of suffering persecution. And not in all the other activities we seem to fill our day with. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/030321-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/030321-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/030321-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-bema-seat-judgment-of-christ-492/ (492: What Happens at the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ?)...

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Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Court is Now in SessionThere are three major judgments in the prophetic timeline of God: the Sheep and Goats Judgment, the Bema Seat Judgment, and the Great White Throne Judgment. Some of these judgments take place on earth and some in heaven. But there is only one that you should be worried about. And that is the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ. So what is the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ and why is it such a big deal? The Bema Seat Judgment of Christ takes place after the Rapture of the church and before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven. This judgment does not determine salvation. At this time, believers are rewarded for how faithfully they served their Lord. Some will receive rewards (and be invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, etc.), and others will obviously not receive rewards (or suffer loss). It will be a time of great rejoicing for some. And for others, a time of immense sadness, regret, and shame. Therefore we make (labor) it our aim (to make our ambition, to aspire to), whether present or absent, to be well pleasing (acceptable, that which one wills, recognizes, and approves) to (who) Him. For (why) we must all appear (to show openly) before the judgment seat of Christ, (for what reason) that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad – 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. Some will receive a reward. But others will “suffer loss” or not receive a reward and the benefits that come with it. Consider the following. Now if anyone (what) builds on this foundation (Christ) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s (what) work will become clear (to shine, to make manifest, become evident); for (when) the Day will declare it (to make known), (how) because it (one’s work) will be revealed (to remove a veil or covering to expose to open view) by fire; and the fire will test (approve as worthy or not) each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s (what) work which he has built on it endures (abide, to remain, dwell, live), he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire – 2 Corinthians 3:12-15. But what are some things Christ will judge at the Bema Seat Judgment? Should I Be Concerned About the Bema Seat Judgment?In a word, absolutely. Consider carefully some of the things we will have to give an account to Jesus on that day. •  How well did I fulfill the Great Commission? – Matthew 28:18-20 •  How much did I overcome sin and my flesh? – Romans 6:1-4 •  How well did I control my tongue (speech, words)? – James 3:1-9 •  Were the fruits of the Spirit clearly manifested in me? – Galatians 5:22-23 •  Was I obedient to God and His Word in all things? – Luke 6:46 •  Did I long for the Lord’s soon return? – Revelation 22:20 Or, in summary, did I live like Jesus? Did I ask what would Jesus do and then, to the best of my ability, follow His command? And remember, the reward or loss of reward we will receive on that day is totally something we can control now, in this life. Our future in His Kingdom is determined by our faithfulness right now. So make it your life’s ambition to be well-pleasing to Him (2 Cor. 5:9). Because nothing else really matters, does it? To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/022421-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/022421-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/022421-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-king-and-his-kingdom-491/ (491: Embracing the King and His Kingdom) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/salvation-and-the-kingdom-of-god-490/ (490: Salvation and the Kingdom of God)...

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All Hail, King Jesus!Often it is difficult for us to visualize Jesus as King, because we are pretty much clueless as to what life is like under a king? All we know about kings and kingdoms come from Netflix mini-series or old British movies. But the Scriptures clearly state that Jesus is King. And it also makes it abundantly clear that Jesus, our King, has a kingdom. But what does that mean? How do we begin to understand the King of Kings and His coming Kingdom? So ask yourself, what do we know about earthly kings and their kingdoms? What is true about them? Because if what we know about human kings is true, it would be reasonable to assume the same is also true about Jesus and His Kingdom. Consider the following. A king must have a kingdom. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” – John 18:36-38. And within his kingdom, a king sovereignly rules. Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (to what extent) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also (where) in that which is to come – Ephesians 1:20-21. As sovereign king, he has absolute power over life and death, over justice and punishment, over blessings and rewards, over wealth and poverty, over sickness and health, over order or chaos, over everything in his kingdom. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, (which means) so that you do not do the things that you wish – Galatians 5:16-17. This means that any freedom the king grants to his subjects is granted to them by the merciful grace of the king. But there is so much more. It gets even better. What Can We Learn About Jesus and His Kingdom?If Jesus is king, then these are some of the most important lessons we can learn about living under a king as subjects to his kingdom. •  In life, the best thing to do is please the king. •  And that includes honor, respect, adulation, sacrifice, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, and obedience. •  Citizens of the kingdom support the king, and the kingdom first. •  And as a result, the king and his kingdom protect them from evil and harm both from within, and without, the kingdom. This brings us to the crux of this message. Consider carefully how you would answer this question. If you were called to give an account of your faithfulness to the King, how would your life line up with the following three verses? “No one can serve two masters; (why) for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth, the personification of riches, earnings, gains, materialism)” – Matthew 6:24. Do not love (agapáō) the world (kósmos) or the things in the world. If (since, because) anyone loves (agapáō) the world (kósmos), the love (agápē) of the Father is not in him – 1 John 2:15. And finally… Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know (eídō) that friendship (philía) with the world (kósmos) is enmity (hatred, hostility, war) with God. Whoever therefore wants to be a friend (phílos) of the world (kósmos) makes himself an enemy of God – James 4:4. And if you really want to dig a bit deeper into the meaning of these verses, spend a little time...

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Your Salvation is Not All About YouOne of the most sobering truths you can discover about your salvation is that it is not all about you. That’s right. Your salvation is actually about the Kingdom of God. We just happen to be the beneficiary of a great blessing from God in our salvation, but the overriding purpose of our salvation is not just about us, but about the Kingdom of God. It seems, when we think of salvation today, it always begins with our justification and ends with us spending eternity in heaven. And it always seems to center on us. Think about it. Salvation begins when we ask the Lord to forgive us of our sins and ask Jesus to come into our lives as Lord and Savior. We usually follow this with the believer’s baptism. Then we try, to the best of our ability, to live according to the profession we made in Christ, but often fall short on a daily basis. And when we die, we go to heaven to be with the Lord and all those in Him who have died before us. And what happens when we get to heaven? We get a new, glorified body that doesn’t age or have any of the problems our old bodies had. We can fly like angels. There is something about a supper we are invited to. We get a really big house, a mansion, and we get to travel down streets that are paved with gold. All our needs and wants are taken care of. We are pretty much rich and live like kings. Also, there is no sadness or sorrow or pain or suffering or tears or death or anything like that. So, I guess we’ll be happy all the time. And we’ll be surrounded by other believers who have also died and are happy all the time just like we are. Does this view of heaven seem a bit narcissistic? How Does Salvation Fit into the Kingdom of God?Great question. But there are a few more questions we need to also ask ourselves about the purpose of our salvation and how it fits into the grand scheme of God regarding His kingdom. Does anything happen between our death on earth and when Christ ushers in His kingdom? I mean, does everything rest on what happens to us? Does God’s plan of salvation and the establishment of His kingdom center around us? Are we the centerpiece of His eternal plan? Or does His eternal plan center around someone else? And if so, is that person, just maybe, His Son? The best way to understand where our salvation fits into His Kingdom is to look at the prophetic timeline God has established for Himself. And when we do, it is easy to see that everything is not all about us. God has a master plan, and we play an extremely small part. Consider the following. •  Church (Matthew 16, Acts 2) •  Great Apostasy •  Rapture (Restrainer Removed) The Events in Heaven •  The judgment of Believers (Bema Seat, Rewards) •  Marriage Supper of the Lamb The Events on Earth •  The Emergence of the Antichrist •  The Tribulation (First 31/2 Years) •  The Abomination of Desolation •  Believing Jews in Jerusalem flee to Edom •  The Great Tribulation (Last 31/2 Years) •  The Return of Christ •  Armageddon •  The 75 days in Daniel •  Sheep and Goat Judgment •  The Millennial Kingdom (1,000-year reign of Christ) The Events During the Millenial Kingdom •  Satan is Bound •  Jesus rules from Jerusalem •  Believers (not all) will have Positions of Authority in the Millennial Kingdom •  Satan is Released (later cast into the abyss) •  Great White Throne Judgment New Heaven and New Earth Do you see where you and I fit into this Divine plan? And can you see the plan is so much greater than us? It is about the Father and His Son and His Kingdom. But there is so much more for us to learn, so keep listening....

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Yes, It’s All About the KingdomWhen you survey the subject of popular, contemporary preaching and compare it to the content of the message of Jesus and His disciples found in the New Testament, you will clearly see there is something missing. Jesus and His disciples and the early church almost exclusively preached about the Kingdom of God or the Gospel of the Kingdom. And today, we preach about getting our felt needs met by the Lord. How He is going to hold us, calm us, bless us, heal our boo-boo’s, and make our life in this world better. Really? What happened to the forgotten gospel of the kingdom? If we look at the flow of the New Testament, some patterns quickly emerge. Consider the following: Gospel – presents the Message (Gospel) of the Kingdom Acts – from the Message (Gospel) of the Kingdom to the Church (the earthly manifestation of the Kingdom) Revelation – from the Church to the Establishment of the Kingdom And again, the message of both Jesus and John the Baptist were identical at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. There were both preaching about a coming kingdom as they revealed to the people the King standing before them. John the Baptist – “Repent, (why) for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 3:2 Jesus – “Repent, (why) for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17 But this is only the beginning of the forgotten gospel of the Kingdom of God. The Forgotten Gospel of the KingdomNote also the summary verses in Matthew that describe the message and ministry of Jesus in a simple paragraph. This happens twice, right before and after the Sermon on the Mount (which is a description of life in the Kingdom). Matthew 4:23 – And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching (what) the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 – Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching (what) the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. As you can see, the message of Jesus was the gospel, the “good news” about the Kingdom, and the manifestation of His ministry was showing the people what the Kingdom, and the King, are all about (healing sickness and disease, etc,). But it gets even better. In the next chapter, Jesus sends out His disciples to do what they have seen Him doing, both preaching and ministry. Note the instructions He gives them. Matthew 10:7-8 – “And as you go, preach, saying, (what) ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Do you understand the implications of these few verses? Are you beginning to comprehend the importance of the forgotten gospel of the Kingdom? I sure hope so. So keep listening as we discover more about our Lord’s message together. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012621-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012621-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012621-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-can-we-learn-about-church-from-the-early-church-488/ (488: What Can We Learn About Church From the Early Church) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/you-can-always-begin-again-tomorrow-487/ (487: You Can Always Begin Again Tomorrow) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-believe-486/ (486: Ask Yourself, “What Do I Truly Believe About…?”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-can-we-recover-what-we-have-lost-485/ (485: How Can We Recover What We Have Lost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/some-questions-i-want-to-ask-joseph-484/ (484: Some Questions I Really Want to Ask Joseph)

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Success Breeds SuccessThere is an old saying that goes, Success Breeds Success. And this is true. But the opposite is also true. Failure Follows Failure. In other words, if we do the same thing we have failed in the same way, yet expect it to be successful, we are fools. This also goes for how we do church today.  The book of Acts shows us what church should be like and yet we fail to heed its advice. Why is that? And what can we learn about church from the early church? How did the early church “do” church, as we call it today? What was their worship service like? The following are some things they incorporated into their time of corporate worship. When you read these, ask yourself this, What are we doing that they didn’t do? And what have we added to our worship service that they did not? Your answer may surprise you. •  There was a time of singing. •  There was a reading of His Word. •  There was an exposition of His Word. •  There was a time of ministry to each other. •  There was a time of sharing for others in need. •  There was a time to partake of the Lord’s Supper. •  There was a time of prayer. •  There was a time of praise and testimony. •  There was a time of humility and confession. •  There was a time of verbal commitment to Him. •  And there was a time of fellowship and the sharing of a common meal. Does this look like your Sunday morning time together? What Can We Learn About Church From Them?There are also two other aspects of their worship time that are glaringly missing today. The first is their reliance on the Holy Spirit. We see this from the first chapter of Acts and continuing through the entire book. And the second is the fact they recognized that the Holy Spirit gave each of them gifts, and He expected them to use them to minister to others. This was not a spectator sport. Everyone had something to contribute. A simple look into their time together will give us great insights into the early church. For example, consider Acts 13:1-3, and the calling of Paul and Barnabas to missionary work. Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered (leitourgéō) to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Note the key elements in this passage, ministry to the Lord (worship), prayer, fasting, the Holy Spirit speaking among them, being in agreement, missionary work, the laying on of hands, and their trust in God for sending their own out into the unknown. Ah, this sounds like real church, doesn’t it? If you want to find out more about What We Can Learn About Church From the Early Church, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012021-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012021-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012021-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/you-can-always-begin-again-tomorrow-487/ (487: You Can Always Begin Again Tomorrow) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-believe-486/ (486: Ask Yourself, “What Do I Truly Believe About…?”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-can-we-recover-what-we-have-lost-485/ (485: How Can We Recover What We Have Lost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/some-questions-i-want-to-ask-joseph-484/ (484: Some Questions I Really Want to Ask Joseph) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-did-all-our-leaders-go-483/ (483: Hey! Where Did All Our Leaders Go?)

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They are New Every MorningOne of the great things about the Lord is the fact He is slow to anger and abounds in mercy. In fact, Lamentations says “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They (His compassions) are new every morning; Great is Your (His) faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). Do you know what that means? It means no matter how bad yesterday was, we can always begin again tomorrow with our God. Always! Do you believe that? Do you truly believe that? If so, it means that no matter how great your sin, or failure, or disappointment, or bitterness, or unanswered prayer you suffered from yesterday, it is just that— yesterday’s news. And today it is all forgotten, all forgiven, all put to rest. God promises His compassion is new, fresh, and in abundant supply every time we open our eyes and behold the new morning. They are new every morning. Not some mornings, but every morning. God provides His mercy and compassion to us each new day, regardless of how we defiled the day before. Therefore, in wonder and appreciation, we cry out to our God, “Great is Your faithfulness!” Can I Really Begin Again Tomorrow?Absolutely. But the problem we often struggle with is not condemnation from God. But self-condemnation. We can’t imagine God’s mercy and compassion are so great it will revive us of our guilt for the things we have done wrong. But it does! All we have to do is accept it. How should we respond to God’s mercy and compassion as we enter into the turbulent waters of 2021? Consider the following. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things (tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword) we are (present tense) more than conquerors (how) through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded (to be fully assured, confident, convinced) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord – Romans 8:35-39. And if God’s Word is true then we must learn to rest in how God sees us, even in our sin, and not how we see ourselves. For nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing. And that includes our own self-condemnation. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/011621-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/011621-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/011621-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-do-i-believe-486/ (486: Ask Yourself, “What Do I Truly Believe About…?”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-can-we-recover-what-we-have-lost-485/ (485: How Can We Recover What We Have Lost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/some-questions-i-want-to-ask-joseph-484/ (484: Some Questions I Really Want to Ask Joseph) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-did-all-our-leaders-go-483/ (483: Hey! Where Did All Our Leaders Go?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-god-482/ (482: How to Experience God… Personally)

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And Do I Believe Enough to Do Something?After all the chaos and upheaval we’ve seen in our country these past few weeks that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of our republic and the church, we have come to a place in our lives where we must ask ourselves the question, What do I believe? That’s right. What do I believe? •  What am I willing to die for? •  What is the mission and calling of my life? •  What means the most to me? •  And what truth will I not compromise on? Or, as Martin Luther said when commanded to recant his beliefs to save his life, “Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God.” So let me ask you, what do you believe about the times in which we live? What Do I Believe About the Future of America and the Church?I can’t speak for you, but I can tell you with confidence what I believe about the future. And it is summed up in seven short points. •  I believe we are entering the end times. •  I believe things will get very bad in the US over the next two years. •  I believe inflation is a certainty. •  I believe there will be shortages of food, gas, etc. •  I believe we will face persecution as Christians. •  I believe there is a great possibility of civil war. •  And I believe we must prepare spiritually right now! And since I believe these things, I will once again implore you, as the church, the Bride of Christ, to consider a deeper commitment to Him than ever before. In 2021 (or until He comes), consider following Him this way: •  Consider opening your home for Bible study this year. •  Consider getting together with others for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. •  Consider creative ways to teach your children about the “exceeding riches of His grace” in Christ. •  And, if you don’t feel compelled to “Go” for the gospel, then consider bringing the lost to you (both home and church) to make disciples of them. Ask yourself the same question: What do I believe? And pray we have the faith to see this journey to the end. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/011321-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/011321-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/011321-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-can-we-recover-what-we-have-lost-485/ (485: How Can We Recover What We Have Lost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/some-questions-i-want-to-ask-joseph-484/ (484: Some Questions I Really Want to Ask Joseph) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-did-all-our-leaders-go-483/ (483: Hey! Where Did All Our Leaders Go?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-god-482/ (482: How to Experience God… Personally) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/praying-to-the-holy-spirit-481/ (481: Learning How to Pray to the Holy Spirit)

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It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s OverWhen we compare the church today with the example given in the book of Acts, we come up short and wanting. It looks like what life was like in the book of Acts and our church life now are not even related, like they were from different parents, from different planets. And if you are honest with yourself, you will see how much we have lost and how far we have fallen from the prototype God gave us in His Word. Which begs the question: How can we recover what we have lost? What do we know about the early church? Consider the following: •  They lived in communities, like one large, extended family. •  They met in homes or rented facilities. There was not a million-dollar building on every street corner that sat empty six days a week. •  Their key distinctive was worship and evangelism. Or, worship expressed as evangelism. •  They were led by lay leaders. You and me. The guy next door. There was nothing of the clergy, laity divide. There were no hired holy-men. Everyone was obedient to the command of Christ, individually. •  They were guided by Scriptures. Not tradition, nor public opinion, nor vote of the congregation. God and His Word was the final authority. •  Everyone was a priest. Each believer had direct access to the throne of God. Hence, they were all equal in His sight. •  They had all things in common. This is probably the hardest concept to get our heads around since we are happy living in a narcissistic world. •  They were known, both within and outside of the church, as holy men who lived sanctified lives. Looks a bit different from any church I have ever been a part of. Can you say the same? Is it Possible to Recover What We Have Lost?The early church took the commands of Jesus seriously. They did not pass them on to someone else or assume they were meant for only those who were “gifted” or “specifically called” to total commitment. They took responsibility knowing that Jesus’ commands still applied to them, and also to us, some 2,000 years later. Consider this command: Matthew 28:18-21 – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go (not stay) therefore and make disciples of all the nations, (how) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” As Keith Green once sang, “Jesus commands us to go. It’s the exception if we stay.” So as 2021 dawns on us, consider following Him this way: •  Consider opening your home for Bible study this year. •  Consider getting together with others for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. •  Consider creative ways to teach your children about the “exceeding riches of His grace” in Christ. •  And, if you don’t feel compelled to “Go” for the gospel, then consider bringing the lost to you (both home and church) to make disciples of them. Let 2021 be a year of spiritual renewal and revival for us as individuals and as His church. After all, it has to begin somewhere. Why not let it begin with you? To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/010421-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/010421-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/010421-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/some-questions-i-want-to-ask-joseph-484/ (484: Some Questions I Really Want to Ask Joseph) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-did-all-our-leaders-go-483/ (483: Hey! Where Did All Our Leaders Go?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-god-482/ (482: How to Experience God… Personally)...

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Ah, Excuse Me…One of the most important things we can do to combat the coming apostasy, as we have shared before, is to develop an intimate relationship with both God and His Word. In essence, to have an experience with Him through His Word.  And we do this by slowing down and asking questions of the text, just like we would if we experienced it, first-person. As if we were actually there. Today, being close to Christmas, we will briefly look at the birth account of Jesus through Luke’s eyes and see if some questions arise when we read Luke’s words. Maybe some questions we would want to ask Joseph about the trip to Bethlehem. And why is that so important? To begin with, the first step in learning how to experience God through His Word is to slow down and take your time. In essence, give God time to speak to you. Remember the points we discussed earlier? •  Take your time. After all, this ain’t no race, and the prize doesn’t go to the one who finished first. The winner is the one who hears from God. •  Therefore, you must wait for God to speak to you wherever you are reading. Slow down and take your time. Remove the yoke of bondage you have placed on yourself with your agenda or Bible reading plan that is more important than experiencing God in His Word. •  Again, slow down and take your time. •  Wherever you are at in His Word, read the passage over and over again, out loud. Emphasize each word or phrase. Let your ears hear what your lips are reading. Use dramatic effect in your voice if necessary. Become the characters. Feel what they feel. And think what they must have been thinking. •  Then ask the obvious questions or wait for questions to arise. They will if you don’t rush your time with Him. And when they do, watch what happens. As an example, today we will look at Luke 2:1-21 and see if we can experience God in this account of Jesus’ birth by waiting for our questions to arise. There Are Some Questions I Would Like to Ask JosephCan you think of any questions you would ask Joseph if he were sitting with you at a small cafe telling you the story you have heard every Christmas? What would you ask him? How far along was Mary? Was she in much pain during the trip? And how many days did it take? Where did you sleep at night? Why did you take her with you in the first place? Couldn’t you have made the trip faster alone and returned quicker if she stayed with her parents in Nazareth? Did her birth pains come on suddenly, like a surprise, totally unexpected? Or did you have some warning her time was coming close? Where did she give birth? Was it in a barn or stable? Or maybe in a cave where animals sheltered at night? Was it in an open field? Where did His birth take place? How did you feel when the shepherds came to visit you that night? Did you immediately believe their story? Or did it take some time for it to sink in? After the birth of Jesus, why did you not return to Nazareth? Why did you stay in Bethlehem? And what did you do to support your new family in Bethlehem? And the list of questions could go on. The point is, none of these are specifically answered in Matthew’s or Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. But they are questions we would ask of Joseph, nonetheless. And by asking these questions, the Scriptures become more alive to us as we begin to experience God, through His Word, like never before. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/123120-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/123120-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/123120-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-did-all-our-leaders-go-483/ (483: Hey! Where Did All Our Leaders Go?)...

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Uh, Somebody Ain’t Doin’ Their Job!As we see the church beginning to bend to the whims of our culture we struggle to ask how we, as the church, have let this happen on our watch? How did things in our society go so wrong, so fast? If the church is the light of the world and the salt of the earth, we have gone AWOL and abandoned our posts. And the reason is simple, we have a crisis of Godly leadership in the church, in our marriages, and in our families. Where did all our leaders go? Part of this crisis is found in our assumptions about the church and the expectations of the Christian life. Consider the assumptions we, as men, constantly make regarding church and our responsibilities to lead our wives and children in the things of the Lord. We assume: •  There will always be a church on every street corner so I can freely church-shop without having to make a commitment to any in particular. • There will always be paid staff to do ministry for me so I won’t have to. • Praise and worship will always be what I enjoy. And if not, “I’m outta here, bub!” • There will always be a preacher/pastor/teacher, my personal hired holy man who will do the heavy lifting for me and my family so I can spend my time doing other things that I enjoy more. •  There will always be good study materials available for free so I won’t have to spend my money on learning the Bible but can spend it on what I want. • Church will always be about me. •  I can come when I want, late or not, no matter. •  I can do what I want, no matter how it affects others. •  I can live the type of life I want, sin and all, and if someone has a problem with that I can always leave and go to another church of my choosing. But these are all just assumptions. And church life is quite different on the front lines. Again, where did all our leaders go? So, Where Did All Our Leaders Go?Great question. But before you ask where all our leaders went, you need to ask yourself the most important question as you look in the mirror. How would you answer these questions: Do you know enough about the Bible to spiritually lead your wife and children if you had to? Are you personally growing in your faith in the Lord? Can your wife and children see your growth? And if not, why? Do you judge your success as a man by your spiritual growth and knowledge of Christ? Or are there other criteria you judge yourself by? Does your wife feel confident with you to ask you a question she has about the Scripture? Has she ever done that? Could you give her the correct answer? Or were you too busy with other stuff to be “diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, (how) rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)? And now, the good news. Would you like to know how to be proficient in “rightly dividing the word of truth?” Would you like to acquire the skills necessary to understand the Word of God on your own, without having to have someone else explain it to you? Would you like to have confidence in teaching and explaining His Word accurately and intimately? If so, this message (and the ones to follow), will give you the tools you need to grow into the man of God you were meant to be. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/123020-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/123020-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/123020-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-god-482/ (482: How to Experience God… Personally) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/praying-to-the-holy-spirit-481/ (481: Learning How to Pray to the Holy Spirit) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-be-filled-by-the-holy-spirit-revisited-480/ (480: How to be Filled by the Holy Spirit, Revisited)...

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Have You Ever Experienced God?One of the best ways to soar above the apostasy that seems to be raising its ugly head in the church today is to have a true, passionate, life-changing experience with the Lord. No, we’re not talking about memorizing more Scripture or doubling your time in prayer, although those things will help you experience God personally. And we are not talking about growing in your knowledge of the Lord if that means knowing Him as we know George Washington, all history and facts, impersonal doctrine and theology. What changes your heart is to experience God in a personal way, where He speaks to you and you recognize His voice. But how is that done? How do we experience God? And why is that even important? Let’s answer the last question, first, by listing some troubling facts discovered about evangelicals in a recent Barna survey. This alone should show us that knowledge has replaced experience in the church today. According to a recent Barna study of professing evangelicals: • 48% believe a person who is good enough or does enough good works can earn eternal salvation • 44% claim the Bible is ambiguous in its teaching about abortion • 44% do not believe that history is the unfolding narrative of God’s reality • 43% maintain that when Jesus was on earth, He sinned • 43% do not believe that there is a common, God-given purpose to humanity (i.e., to know, love, and serve Him) • 42% seek moral guidance primarily from sources other than the Bible • 42% do not identify and confess their sins on a daily basis • 40% do not believe that human life is sacred • 40% accept lying as morally acceptable if it advances personal interests or protects one’s reputation • 39% identify the people they always respect as being only those who have the same beliefs as they possess • 36% prefer socialism to capitalism • 36% fail to seek and pursue God’s will for their life • 34% reject the idea of legitimate marriage as one man and one woman • 34% argue that abortion is morally acceptable if it spares the mother from financial or emotional discomfort or hardship • 32% do not thank or worship God each day How is this even possible in a nation that has “In God We Trust” on its currency? And if So, What Was that Experience Like?Most of the church boasts of head knowledge and little experience with the living God. After all, it is the experience with God that made ordinary men heroes in the Old and New Testaments. Think about it. Adam and Eve – Genesis 3 Moses – Exodus 3 Israel – Exodus 19, 20 Elijah – 1 Kings 19 Isaiah – Isaiah 6 Peter – Matthew 16 And so many more.  Remember, God, who at (what) various times and (what) in various ways (what) spoke (when) in time past to (whom) the fathers (how) by the prophets, (God) has (when) in these last days (what) spoken to us (how) by His Son, (described as) whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. – Hebrews 1:1-2 God can speak to anyone He wants, at any time, in any place, and for whatever reason. All we have to do is be ready to listen. And when He does speak and we experience Him like never before, ah, hang on, for the adventure has just begun. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121620-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121620-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121620-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/praying-to-the-holy-spirit-481/ (481: Learning How to Pray to the Holy Spirit) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-be-filled-by-the-holy-spirit-revisited-480/ (480: How to be Filled by the Holy Spirit, Revisited) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/stages-of-commitment-to-christ-479/ (479: The Stages of Our Commitment to Christ)...

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Can I Really Pray to the Holy Spirit?If you ask most Christians, they will tell you their prayer life is usually directed to the “Father” or “God” or “Lord” and in the “name of Jesus”. Yes, there are some who actually pray to Jesus but seldom, if ever, do you hear of someone praying to the Holy Spirit. And why is that? Often it is because we have been taught by well-meaning Sunday School teachers that “We are never to pray to the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit always gives glory to the Father and the Son, and never to Himself.”  Which is basically true but misses the point altogether. So the question remains, is praying to the Holy Spirit wrong? In order to understand this key question, we have to look once again at the definition of the trinity. These are the facts from Scripture, even though they are difficult to understand. One, God eternally exists as three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Two, each of them is fully God. Three, there is one God. This means Jesus and the Father are the same, yet separate. Therefore, if you have seen Jesus, then you have seen the Father (John 14:9).  In fact, Jesus said “the Father who (what) dwells in Me (ménō – to remain, abide, live, to be united with someone in heart, mind, and will) does the work (referring to the works that Jesus does that He offers as proof that He and His Father are one and that He exists “in” His Father and His Father exists “in” Him.) But what does that say about the Holy Spirit? And Will the Holy Spirit Answer My Prayer?As you will discover in this message, the relationship Jesus has with His Father is the same relationship the Holy Spirit has with us. Let that sink in. Jesus is “in” His Father and His Father is “in” Jesus (John 14:10). And we will find that the Holy Spirit resides “in” us as we are “in Christ.” The implications are staggering. Consider the following few truths: “And I will pray (ask, request) the Father, and He will give you another (állos – another of the same kind, not another as in different) Helper (paraklētos – just like Jesus), that He may abide (menō) with you (how long) forever— (described as) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot (no, not, never, under any circumstance) receive, (why) because it (the world) neither sees Him (John 3:8) nor knows (ginōskō) Him; but you know (ginōskō) Him, (how) for He (what) dwells (menō) with you and will be (what) in you” – John 14:16-17. Therefore, since Jesus was soon to be crucified, resurrected, and ascended into heaven, He was able to encourage His disciples by saying: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (in the Person of the Holy Spirit)” – John 14:18. And it gets even better. But what does this have to do with our praying to the Holy Spirit and not just to God the Father or Jesus His Son? Ah, much. To discover more, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-be-filled-by-the-holy-spirit-revisited-480/ (480: How to be Filled by the Holy Spirit, Revisited) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/stages-of-commitment-to-christ-479/ (479: The Stages of Our Commitment to Christ) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/more-than-stumbling-forward-478/ (478: It’s More Than Just Stumbling Forward) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-are-we-in-prophetic-history-477/ (477: Where Are We In Prophetic History?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-condition-of-the-church-476/ (476: What is the Condition of the Church Today?)

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Can I Really be Filled with the Holy Spirit?If you look around, you can see darkness coming upon our land. There is no denying it. Just watch the news. It’s depressing. And the church is not immune to what happens in the culture. In fact, the church often follows the culture to its own demise, which is what we are seeing today. We are in the early stages of the great apostasy Jesus warned us about in Matthew 24. But we also have a mighty weapon to confront the darkness. And that weapon is the Holy Spirit. So the most important question we can ask ourselves is this: How can I be filled with the Hoy Spirit? How can I have more of Him in me? But when it comes to the Holy Spirit, many of us are confused and conflicted as to what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Is it a Charismatic thing or is it for everyone? Is it something that comes naturally, or do we have to ask for this filling? And if we have to ask, are there any conditions we must meet first? Again, if there are conditions, what are they? Ah, so many questions and so much confusion. D.L. Moody once spoke about the need to be filled by the Spirit (and he was a pretty non-Charismatic guy). Look at what he said: “I believe firmly, that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and self-seeking, and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Ghost will come and fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit, and ambition and self-seeking, and pleasure and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God; and I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.” I couldn’t agree with him more. But how is someone filled by the Holy Spirit? How to be Filled with the Holy SpiritThe key to living a life of assurance and confidence in Him is learning how to remain filled with the Holy Spirit. And before you can remain filled, you have to be filled in the first place. This is what this message talks about. We talk about some steps you can take to prepare yourself for His filling. They are as follows: First, you must desire to live a life that will please the Lord. Second, be willing to surrender your life totally and irrevocably to our Lord Jesus Christ. Third, confess every known sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and experience the cleansing and forgiveness that God promises in 1 John 1:9. Fourth, ask Him, by faith, to fill you with the Holy Spirit. You can pray something like this: Dear Father, I need You. I hunger and thirst for a more vital relationship with You. I admit that I have been in control of my life. And, as a result, I have sinned against You. Thank You for forgiving my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now confess and turn from my sins and surrender the control of my life to the Lord Jesus. By faith, I invite You to fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled. You promised to fill me if I ask according to Your will. I pray this in the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. To demonstrate my faith, I now thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit and for taking control of my life. Amen. But that’s not the end of it. There is so much more about all this that we cannot do it justice in this simple summary. To find out more, you will need to keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120220-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120220-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120220-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/stages-of-commitment-to-christ-479/ (479: The Stages of Our Commitment to Christ)...

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What Are Our Stages of Commitment to Christ?Each of us, when presented with the call of Christ, goes through certain stages of our commitment to Him. This happened with all the disciples, even Peter. We start out optimistic and full of hope and then, if we’re not careful, we end up sad, apathetic, and discouraged because things didn’t turn out the way we envisioned in the beginning. Or, we begin our relationship with Christ at a full sprint, with reckless abandon, only to lose our fervency over time as we see others do the same. But this is not the way our life with Him was designed from the beginning. If you remember, we were bought with a price and no longer belong to ourselves. We are now His and His alone. Just think, in John 2:11 the disciples believed in Him but had yet to totally commit their lives to Him. Their belief and commitment to Jesus at this time was much like our commitment to Him today. We maintain our independence and call our own shots yet claim total devotion to the Lord. But that is not what He was looking for then. Nor is it what He is looking for now. In this study, we’ll look at how long it took Peter to move from part-time follower to forsaking all for the Lord. It is a gradual process of letting go of what you know and embracing the unknown by faith. And as it was with Peter then, so it is with many of us today. Peter: From Part-Time to Full-Time FollowerConsider the following in the life of Peter: •  Peter is introduced to Jesus in John 1:41-42. •  Peter was obviously following Jesus as he witnessed the miracle in Cana in John 2:1-11. •  And Peter “believed in Him” (John 2:11) but had not yet fully committed himself to the Lord. •  Peter, still following Jesus part-time, went with Jesus to Jerusalem and witnessed His first cleansing of the Temple in John 2:13-22. •  Jesus calls Peter (and the other three) to follow Him the first time (but they later returned to their old life) – Matthew 4:13 -22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 4:31a. •  Jesus then heals in the Synagogue in Capernaum – Mark 1:22-28, Luke 4:13b-37. •  Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law in Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34, Luke 4:38-41. •  Jesus continues to minister throughout Galilee – Matthew 4:23-24, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44. And then something changed in the call of Christ and Peter’s response when Peter “forsook all” to follow Jesus. •  Jesus later calls Peter (and the other three) to follow Him the second time (and they responded and forsook all to follow Him) – Luke 5:1-11. Where are you in the continuum of God’s call on your life? Do you know what life He is calling you to? Do you know what is standing between where you are now in your spiritual life and where He wants you to be? Are there some things you are still holding on to and have refused to give to Him? If so, you are in good company. So don’t get depressed and quit. Keep moving forward. Keep striving to be more like Him. After all, each of us is on our own journey to completeness with Christ (Col. 2:10), and no two people’s journey is the same. Be faithful. Trust completely. And God will complete what He has begun in you. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/110320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/110320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/110320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/more-than-stumbling-forward-478/ (478: It’s More Than Just Stumbling Forward) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-are-we-in-prophetic-history-477/ (477: Right Now, Where Are We In Prophetic History?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-condition-of-the-church-476/ (476: What is the Condition of the Church Today?)...

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But It’s More Than Simply Stumbling ForwardIn the Christian life, surrounded by our brothers and sisters who, like us, have failed in their walk with Christ, we often define sanctification as simply stumbling forward. We hear sermons, Sunday after Sunday, that tell us to grow closer to Him and bear His fruit (John 15:1-8), but they never seem to tell us how. And we are left feeling like we have to put together a dresser from Ikea without any instructions. But the Christian life, once we know the “how” to do what we must do, is so much more than stumbling forward. And the key is knowing how to do the things we know we need to do. Or how to obey the commands of Christ that we struggle with. Consider these “how to do them” questions: •  How to live by faith (Gal. 2:20). •  How to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). •  How to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh (Gal. 5:16). •  How to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). •  How to lay my life down as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2). •  How to have victory over sin (1 John 5:4). •  How to pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). •  How to rejoice always in every situation (Phil. 4:4). •  How to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). •  How to experience the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). •  How to hear God’s voice (2 Peter 1:18). •  How to have God’s Word become alive to me (Heb. 4:12). There are so many how questions in the Christian life. And there is so little teaching on how to answer them. Only Faith Can Keep Us From StumblingThe best way for our faith to grow so we will no longer stumble forward in our spiritual life is to believe the promises of God. All of them. Every last one. And in order to have that kind of faith to trust God at His Word, there are some things we must learn. And they are difficult. For example, we must learn to trust the promises of God. We must learn to lean and rely on Him and not on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). We must learn to let Him work out all the details of our life, no matter what they are. We must learn to say “yes” and not “why?”, “how?”, “what for?”, “how long?”, or “that doesn’t seem fair.” In essence, by faith we must learn to see by believing. And not seeing in order to believe. Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible (not able) to please (to be well-pleasing, to take pleasure in) Him, (why) for he who comes to God (to approach, to come near) must (is necessary) believe (faith, trust, be firmly persuaded) that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (seek Him out, to search diligently). Which means, without having faith you cannot, under any circumstances, be pleasing to God. Why? Because those who come near to God, those who approach Him must (there is no other way) be firmly convinced that He exists and that He will prove Himself to be a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him out. Join us as we take just one simple promise from God, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5) and use it to grow our faith in Him by believing and living victoriously in that belief. After all, it’s so much better than stumbling forward and then trying to convince ourselves this is the abundant life we were promised (John 10:10). To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101520-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101520-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101520-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/where-are-we-in-prophetic-history-477/ (477: Right Now, Where Are We In Prophetic History?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-condition-of-the-church-476/ (476: What is the Condition of the Church...

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We Are All Asking Where Are We In Prophetic History?When we look at the times in which we live, no question seems more important than this: Where are we in prophetic history? And what is going to happen next? What is next on the prophetic calendar? Where are we in regards to Matthew 24 or Daniel 9 or the book of Revelation? Where are we, right now, in the continuum of prophetic history? And the answer to that question will either fill you with peace or dread, depending on your relationship with the Lord. If you long for His return, then the signs of His coming provide great encouragement. But if you are trying to live your best life now, then His return and judgment should keep you up at night. Scripture gives us a few signs, like a timeline, for the end. And when we see these signs coming in rapid successions, like birth pains, we know the time of His return is near. Let’s look at just a few of these signs. 1. The Regathering of the Jewish People to their Land 2. Increasing Apostasy in the Church 3. The Coming Middle East Peace 4. Reuniting of the Roman Empire (East / West) 5. The Proliferation of Globalism Remember what our Lord said about these signs: Matthew 24:4-8 – “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Did you catch that? The “beginning of sorrows (or travail from childbirth).” Where Does the United States Fit into the End Times?But what about our country? Where does the United States fit in the end time? Where are we, as a nation, in prophetic history? The simple answer is, we do not figure into the end time scenario. And there are many speculations why that may be. We may be included in the list of Gentile nations that reject God in the end times (Revelation 10:11, 11:18, 12:5, 14:8, 15:4, 16:19, 17:15, 18:3, 23, 19:15). Or even worse, we may be included in the nations that rage against God in Psalm 2. Psalm 2:1-2 – Why do the nations rage (including ours), and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us (the nations and people) break Their (plural) bonds in pieces and cast away Their (plural) cords from us.” Again, are we part of the “nations” in Psalm 2? Or, are we a Godly nation that follows after Him? Is the church pure enough to forestall His wrath? Can we expect another great revival before the end? And, if so, what would the rapture do to our nation? Or are we, as a nation, long overdue for judgment? As you can see, these are vital questions that need to be answered as we see the day of His return approaching (Hebrews 10:5). So let’s take a look at this together to determine exactly where we are in prophetic history and what we can expect next. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101420-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101420-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101420-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-condition-of-the-church-476/ (476: What is the Condition of the Church Today?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-understand-the-why-questions-475/ (475: How to Understand the “Why” Questions) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/time-to-call-a-sacred-assembly-474/ (474: It’s Time to Call a Sacred Assembly) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/self-examination-and-salvation-473/ (473: The Link Between Self-Examination and Salvation)...

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It Seems Apostasy and Compromise are the Agenda for TodayWhat is the condition of the church today? Is the bride of Christ pure like our Lord commanded? Or have we compromised and sold our birthright for a bowl of stew? The church, made up of true believers, is to be the assembly of those who are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) and salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). But sadly, as we see the church compromise and the world’s acceptance and approval of us loom large in the hearts of many, our influence wanes to the point of being a non-factor in our culture. How did that happen? We allowed our focus to move from the Lord to ourselves as we judge truth by how it affects each of us. This is the current condition of the church. And it really should not be any surprise to us. After all, Jesus said it would be this way for those who live, like we do, in the Laodicean church age. •  Denial of God – Luke 17:26; 2 Timothy 3:4-5 •  Denial of Christ – 1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:6 •  Denial of Christ’s Return – 2 Peter 3:3-4 •  Denial of the Faith – 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Jude 3 •  Denial of Sound Doctrine – 2 Timothy 4:3-4 •  Denial of the Separated Life – 2 Timothy 3:1-7 •  Denial of Christian Liberty – 1 Timothy 4:3-4 •  Denial of Morals – 2 Timothy 3:1-8,13; Jude 18 •  Denial of Authority – 2 Timothy 3:4 What else does the Scripture teach about the condition of the church in the end times? What is the Condition of the Church Today?There are many Scriptures that show us the condition of the church at the end. And the major description of the church is apostasy. They have left their first love (Rev. 2:4). Let me just share a few with you. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! And there are many more. This should shed some light on the condition of the church today. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/101320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-understand-the-why-questions-475/ (475: How to Understand the “Why” Questions) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/time-to-call-a-sacred-assembly-474/ (474: It’s Time to Call a Sacred Assembly) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/self-examination-and-salvation-473/ (473: The Link Between Self-Examination and Salvation) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/have-you-experienced-regeneration-or-conversion-472/ (472: Have You Experienced Regeneration or Conversion?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-the-peace-of-god-471/ (471: How to Truly Experience the Peace of God)

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Learning How to Ask the Why Questions of ScriptureWhen we read Scripture, we usually focus on the obvious “who, what, where, and what does it say and what does it mean” questions. But what is often overlooked are the vital “why” questions. And learning how to ask the “why” questions takes some time. It is not something that comes naturally. You almost have to train your brain to look beyond the obvious and force yourself to try to understand the “why” questions that come with every passage of Scripture. Not, “why did God choose to put this statement in His Scripture?” Or, “why is the Song of Solomon included in the Bible?” But “why did Paul write this letter to the church at Phillipi in the first place?” What was the problem that needed to be addressed or the ministry that needed to be encouraged? And how would I feel if I was a member of that church, listening to Paul’s letter being read publically? What impact would it have on me? For example, consider the following well-known teaching from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Now, let’s ask some questions about the text in order to better understand “why” Paul wrote this letter to them. What was the setting for this statement? Where was Paul when he wrote the letter? What worries or fears did the church at Philippi have? Next, begin to make it personal. What worries and fears do I have? What keeps me from experiencing His peace or robs me of experiencing His joy? And what worries and fears do I have that rob me of my joy? The Importance of the Why Questions in Bible StudyAs you read Paul’s letter (or any passage of Scripture), imagine you were in the church in Philippi listening to this letter being read. How would you feel? What would the words mean to you? And what impact would they make on your life if you were living in the early days of the New Testament? Then go deeper. What impact are these words having in your life today? And why is that? As you look at each verse, ask yourself the “why” questions in order to understand (and feel, experience) the power of these words. And when you do, the Scriptures, every Scripture, will come alive to you in ways you may not now fully understand. 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, And why is that? 2 Timothy 3:17 – that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Join us as we learn how to understand the importance of asking the “why” questions in Scripture. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/time-to-call-a-sacred-assembly-474/ (474: It’s Time to Call a Sacred Assembly) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/self-examination-and-salvation-473/ (473: The Link Between Self-Examination and Salvation) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/have-you-experienced-regeneration-or-conversion-472/ (472: Have You Experienced Regeneration or Conversion?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-the-peace-of-god-471/ (471: How to Truly Experience the Peace of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-theater-of-your-mind-470/ (470: See Scripture Through The Theater of Your Mind)

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We Desperately Need to Call a Sacred AssemblyAs in the time of Joel, the church today needs to come together and call for a sacred assembly, or a time of national repentance and spiritual renewal. A sacred assembly is a time where everyone who is called by the name of the Lord drops everything and comes together for a season of fasting, praying, repentance, and revival. But before there can be a national move of the Spirit in our land, there has to be a move of the Spirit in our individual lives. Hence, individual revival must come before a national revival. And this is why the call for individual brokenness and repentance is so important today. Consider what the Lord said to Joel in his time about personal repentance. Joel 2:12 – “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, (how) with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning (wailing, great lamenting).” And then, after the people are revived, the nation can be revived. Joel 2:15-16 – Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. No one is exempt. This is a time of communion with the Lord. Personal Revival Must Come Before National RevivalBut a personal commitment to Him must precede a national commitment. After all, a nation is made up of individuals. And as the individuals go, so does, by definition, the nation. Therefore, each of us must decide to recommit our lives to the One Who saved us before we can come together as a group and expect God to do anything. So what would be the focus of our commitment? For me, Oswald Chambers describes it perfectly in My Utmost for His Highest. This is from January 1st. My Utmost for His Highest. “My eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed.” We shall all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus on the point He has asked us to yield to Him. Paul says—”My determination is to be my utmost for His Highest.” To get there is a question of will, not of debate nor of reasoning, but a surrender of will, an absolute and irrevocable surrender on that point. An over-weening consideration for ourselves is the thing that keeps us from that decision, though we put it that we are considering others. When we consider what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He does not know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point; He does know. Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only—”My Utmost for His Highest.” I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and for Him alone. Join us as we recommit our lives to our Lord and prepare to call for a sacred assembly. Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/self-examination-and-salvation-473/ (473: The Link Between Self-Examination and Salvation) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/have-you-experienced-regeneration-or-conversion-472/ (472: Have You Experienced Regeneration or Conversion?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-the-peace-of-god-471/ (471: How to Truly Experience the Peace of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-theater-of-your-mind-470/ (470: Seeing Scripture Through The Theater of Your Mind) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/whats-the-point-of-the-lords-supper-469/ (469: What’s the Point of the Lord’s Supper?)

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Self-Examination and SalvationScriptures teach that our heart is deceitfully wicked, even to the point it will deceive itself (Jer. 17:9). And this often happens in regards to true salvation, or the difference between saving faith and non-saving faith. That is why we are commanded to examine ourselves, to take on the difficult task of self-examination, in order to see if we are truly saved. And often this self-examination is both painful and revealing. Consider the following: 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?— unless indeed you are disqualified (reprobates, those not approved, those who fail the test). Ouch! That stings. How can we go about looking at our spiritual lives in the light of Scripture? What questions do we ask ourselves? How is the process of self-examination and salvation accomplished? And how can we know we are saved and not disqualified? Saving Faith or Non-Saving FaithThe answer is found in 1 John. In fact, one of the key goals of 1 John is for believers, people like you and me, to be able to know we have eternal life. Look at what John says towards the end of his book: 1 John 5:13 – These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, (why) that you may know (what) that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Using 1 John as our source, let’s look at each of the following questions in detail in order to determine our spiritual state. After all, what could be more important than that? 1. Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? – 1 John 1:3 2. Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? – 1 John 1:6-7 3. Do you admit and confess your sin? – 1 John 1:8-9 4. Are you obedient to God’s Word? – 1 John 2:3-5 5. Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world? – 1 John 2:15 6. Is your life characterized by “doing what is right”? – 1 John 2:29 7. Do you seek to maintain a pure life? – 1 John 3:3 8. Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? 1 John 3:5-6 9. Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? – 1 John 3:14 10. Do you “walk the walk,” or just “talk the talk”? – 1 John 3:18-19 11. Do you maintain a clear conscience? – 1 John 3:21 12. Do you experience victory in your Christian walk? – 1 John 5:4 Again, don’t take this time of self-examination lightly. These may be the most important questions you have ever asked yourself. And your answers may indicate if you exercise saving faith or non-saving faith. And the difference between the two is the difference between heaven and hell. So set apart some time for this self-examination and let’s look at His Word together. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/have-you-experienced-regeneration-or-conversion-472/ (472: Have You Experienced Regeneration or Conversion?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-the-peace-of-god-471/ (471: How to Truly Experience the Peace of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-theater-of-your-mind-470/ (470: Seeing Scripture Through the Theater of Your Mind) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/whats-the-point-of-the-lords-supper-469/ (469: What’s the Point of the Lord’s Supper?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/following-jesus-in-real-time-468/ (468: Learning How to Follow Jesus in Real-Time)

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The Difference Between Saving and Non-Saving FaithOne of the most frightening truths is the fact that many who claim the name of Christ, who profess salvation, are actually lost and on their way to eternal separation from Him. How can that be? How can someone be so duped into believing they are saved when, in fact, just the opposite is true? The answer is found in our understanding of the difference between regeneration (being born again) and conversion (exercising faith and repentance). Conversion must follow regeneration for true salvation to take place. If the order is reversed, nothing eternal happens. Often, with good intentions, we focus on getting someone to convert to Christ by emphasizing their need to recite the “sinner’s prayer”— which focuses on faith (Romans 10:9-10) and repentance. But without regeneration (being born again), the converted individual (who prayed a prayer) is not saved. They have made a verbal assent (faith) to a code of ethics or a religion or a way of life, but without a supernatural change in nature. And it is only the change in nature (regeneration) that leads to salvation. Sadly, the converted, yet unregenerate sinner, becomes another unsaved, baptized, deceived, church member. This is exactly what Jesus spoke of in His Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13) and warned about at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Consider carefully His words: Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” So what are we to do? How Can You Tell if You’ve Experienced Regeneration or Conversion?The Scriptures repeatedly admonish us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly saved, if regeneration has taken place. 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified (reprobates, those not approved, those who fail the test). And you can do this by asking yourself the following questions (from 1 John): •  Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? – 1 John 1:3 •  Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? – 1 John 1:6-7 •  Do you admit and confess your sin? – 1 John 1:8-9 •  Are you obedient to God’s Word? – 1 John 2:3-5 •  Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world? – 1 John 2:15 •  Is your life characterized by “doing what is right”? – 1 John 2:29 •  Do you seek to maintain a pure life? – 1 John 3:3 •  Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? 1 John 3:5-6 •  Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? – 1 John 3:14 •  Do you “walk the walk,” or just “talk the talk”? – 1 John 3:18-19 •  Do you maintain a clear conscience? – 1 John 3:21 •  Do you experience victory in your Christian walk? – 1 John 5:4 Don’t take this lightly. These may be the most important questions you ever ask yourself. And your answers may indicate if you are truly His. Do you want to know? If so, then keep listening. Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-experience-the-peace-of-god-471/ (471: How to Truly Experience the Peace of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-theater-of-your-mind-470/ (470: Seeing Scripture Through the Theater of Your Mind) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/whats-the-point-of-the-lords-supper-469/ (469: What’s the Point of the Lord’s Supper?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/following-jesus-in-real-time-468/ (468:...

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The Peace that Passes UnderstandingPeace seems like such an elusive commodity today. After all, it seems we are surrounded by ever-increasing chaos and turmoil with no end in sight. What are believers to do in a climate like we are facing today? We are to strive to experience the peace of God. Note, not peace with God, which is something quite different. But the peace of God. It is a peace that only comes from Him, the peace He also experienced while on earth, the indescribable, supernatural peace of God. Paul tells us exactly how to find this peace. Consider the following: Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and (the promise) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. But what kind of peace is that? And how can I experience that promised peace? Is it something I muster up myself? Or is it something I internalize myself? Or does it, like faith, come from outside of myself? And, if so, how can I obtain this peace of God? How Can I Experience the Peace of God?Great questions. But the answer is simple. The peace of God is a gift from our Lord, left to each of us as a part of our inheritance in Him. It is the peace Jesus personally experienced while on earth, facing untold trials, tribulation, betrayals, and spiritual attacks. And He gives us, as a gift, this very peace as a promise— a promise so wonderful it cannot be described or even understood. Notice what our Lord said about how to experience the peace of God. John 14:27 – “Peace (what) I leave with you, My peace (what) I give to you; (contrast) not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus is going away and His disciples are troubled (John 13:33-36). But He promised to leave them a gift, something that helped Him persevere during His dark days. And that was His peace. Not peace like the world gives, which is primarily a lack of conflict and is temporary at best. But a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). His peace. The peace of God. Do you realize the peace of God is also offered to you? It is part of your birthright as a child of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17).  All we have to do is receive this gift to experience the peace of God. Are you ready? Then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/090120-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/090120-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/090120-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-theater-of-your-mind-470/ (470: Seeing Scripture Through the Theater of Your Mind) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/whats-the-point-of-the-lords-supper-469/ (469: What’s the Point of the Lord’s Supper?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/following-jesus-in-real-time-468/ (468: Learning How to Follow Jesus in Real-Time) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/we-are-living-in-bonhoeffers-germany-467/ (467: We are Now Living in Bonhoeffer’s Germany) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-seek-gods-face-466/ (466: How to Seek God’s Face and Not Just His Hand)

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Seeing With More Than Your EyesWhen you read anything, including Scripture, there’s something that happens that is called the theater of your mind. It is in the theater of your mind that you take descriptive text and add details to make the story more personal, more alive, more kinetic. For example, consider this simple description: “It was raining. As he walked to the car, he pulled his coat tight around himself and quickened his steps.” Now, what scene are you seeing in your mind? And what details have you added to make this descriptive statement more descriptive? How hard was it raining? Was this a rural setting or a side street in New York City? Or was the man on his front porch walking across his lawn to his car, or was he coming out of a restaurant or an office building in downtown Chicago? Did this take place in winter, maybe mid-January? Or was it in early Spring, during the first week of May? What was the color of his coat? How old was the man? Was he dressed in a tuxedo like he was heading to a wedding? Or was he tired, in worn-out overalls, on his way home after spending twelve hours in a wheat field on a John Deere Harvester? How do you see this in the theater of your mind? There is no right or wrong answer. You are the one who adds these secondary elements to what you read and paints black and white text with a pallet of colors you make up in your own mind. We all do this. Everyone does this when we read descriptive text. How Does the Theater of My Mind Help Me Understand Scripture?And the same thing happens when we read, for example, the gospels. We tend to focus on the red print, the words of Jesus, to systematically glean doctrine and truth. But we skim over the black print, the descriptions of people and places where Jesus spoke and performed miracles, creating stick figures or silhouettes of the characters in Scripture. And by using the gift of having a theater in your mind, it can greatly increase your experience with Scripture. You will, in effect, see everything differently. Now rest assured, we are not adding to His Word nor or we taking anything away. We are simply imagining some details to make the story more alive. And we are wondering what we would have seen, or heard, or felt if we were actually watching a biblical scene play out before us. Matthew 19:13 – Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. Imagine you were there with Jesus when this event took place. How old were the children? How many of them were brought to Jesus? And who brought them? The disciples? Others who were listening to Jesus? Maybe the mothers of the children? Who did the disciples rebuke? Jesus? The mothers? The children themselves? Someone else? And how did Jesus respond? What was the expression on His face? Was He angry? Annoyed? Hurt? Satisfied? Sad? But What are the Right Answers?There are no answers to any of these questions in Scripture. But as you read this single passage and let your mind focus on the words, you will begin to develop a picture in your mind of what this event might have looked like. And as your mental theater begins to expand, so will your emotions. And you will find you will begin to feel as you read the text what you would have felt had you been there personally, two-thousand years ago, as a first-hand witness. And once you master this tool, Scripture will begin to take on an entirely new experience for you. So join us as we learn how to experience the Word of God using the Theater of Our Minds. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/083120-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/083120-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click...

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“I Don’t Understand What the Lord’s Supper Means” In the history of the church, there seems to always be confusion about the Lord’s Supper. What does it mean? Why do we participate? What happens when I do? Let’s be honest, many find the Lord’s Supper somewhat confusing. I often hear people say, “I don’t understand what the Lord’s Supper means.” And, in our narcissistic church culture, where it’s all about us, this is usually followed by “So what’s the point of the Lord’s Supper anyway?” We know it’s something important, really important, but we’re not sure why. And we know it’s something we’re supposed to do because Jesus commanded us to, but again, we’re not sure why. Which presents even more questions. What does it mean? Is it really all that important? Why should I participate? Are there any reasons why I should not participate? What happens when I do participate? And why all the controversy and confusion? Sometimes the Lord’s Supper is called communion. But communion with who? And how is that communion experienced by taking a sip of juice and eating an unleavened doughball? In other words, there must be more to this than what many believers have experienced. And, if so, how can I understand what it all means? “What’s the Big Deal About the Lord’s Supper Anyway?”In addition to trying to understand what Jesus meant when He said, “This is My body” (Matt. 26:26), we also have confusion about His often misunderstood statement in John 6:51-56. Here, Jesus talks about those who “eat His flesh” and “drink His blood”, as strange as that sounds. And it was this statement alone that gave first-century critics of Christianity cause to call them cannibals. But that’s not what Jesus was talking about. Consider this: John 6:51-56 – “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” So what does all this mean? And why is it important? Can we get some answers to all the confusing questions? Absolutely. Simply keep listening and join us as we discover the wonder of the Lord’s Supper and the incredible benefits that come from experiencing true communion with Him as we participate together. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081420-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081420-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081420-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/following-jesus-in-real-time-468/ (468: Learning How to Follow Jesus in Real-Time) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/we-are-living-in-bonhoeffers-germany-467/ (467: We are Now Living in Bonhoeffer’s Germany) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-seek-gods-face-466/ (466: How to Seek God’s Face and Not Just His Hand) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-fasting-465/ (465: The Important, Yet Forgotten Discipline of Fasting) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-disciples-of-jesus-and-john-464/ (464: Who Were the Disciples of Jesus and John)

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What Does Following Jesus in Real-Time Look Like?Let’s cut to the chase. We are living in troubling times. Right now in California, for example, pastors are being threatened with fines and imprisonment for holding church services indoors. Yet, riots and demonstrations are not restricted but encouraged. How is that possible in our nation? And many Christians, who should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder for the truth, are scattered like autumn leaves afraid of their own shadows. Is this what following Jesus is all about? And what does following Jesus in real-time mean today? Is it an emotional decision we make one time that lets Jesus season our life for the better? Or is it, like Bonhoeffer said, a “call to come and die”? Or maybe something in-between these two extremes? Whatever it means, those following Jesus in the Scriptures seemed to have different lives than we do today. And why is that? How Did the Early Disciples Follow Jesus?In this message, we will look at the accounts in Matthew where Jesus invited those He encountered to “follow Him” and see what that actually meant. And I think you’ll find it is more than a simple mental assent to a moral code or set of personal principles. No, following Jesus is a life-altering event that literally changes everything— about everything. Consider the following: Matthew 4:18-20 – And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Does this sound like what happens when we decide to follow Jesus? But there’s more… Matthew 4:21-22 – Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. And there are dozens of more examples that show us clearly what following Jesus in real-time meant back then, and also means today. So join with us as we discover more about this life with Christ and the joy that comes from following Him. Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/we-are-living-in-bonhoeffers-germany-467/ (467: We are Now Living in Bonhoeffer’s Germany) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-seek-gods-face-466/ (466: How to Seek God’s Face and Not Just His Hand) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-fasting-465/ (465: The Important, Yet Forgotten Discipline of Fasting) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-disciples-of-jesus-and-john-464/ (464: Who Were the Disciples of Jesus and John) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-prayer-life-of-jesus-463/ (463: Learning From the Prayer Life of Jesus)

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Are We Seeing History Repeat Itself?In the 1930s, if you were a Jew in Germany, you would be faced with unforeseen challenges, that would only get worse. And if you were a Christian during the same period, you would have to make the same choices many of those brave men made, to follow Christ or the Reich. This choice is now thrust upon each of us who are called by the name of Christ. Will we follow His commands or cower to the oppressive power of the State? And just like Bonhoeffer and the members of the Confessing Church, we must stand or fall together. So yes, we are living in Bonhoeffer’s Germany. Recently, the Supreme Court, in a 5 to 4 decision, denied an appeal for a Nevada church to allow additional worshipers to join in-person services based on building capacity during the virus. Nevada has placed a 50-person cap on all places of worship, no matter the capacity of the building. But that cap doesn’t apply to casinos, movie theaters, and restaurants. Does something seem amiss? And in California, churches must meet outdoors and limit the number of participants. Plus, there are no potlucks or fellowship dinners allowed. No singing, even in small, home groups. And all of this is happening while riots and demonstrations are permitted and encouraged by the same government officials, yet ordinary citizens must comply with Covid19 restrictions. Why? Because our governmental officials state the demonstrations are “too important” to regulate. So how are we to respond to this hypocrisy? How Are We Living in Bonhoeffer’s Germany?Our response is simply saying, “Enough!” This is exactly what some churches, including Grace Community Church in California and their pastor John MacArthur, have done. They have publically said, “Enough!”  But they have said it with grace and respect. And they have not said it quietly or behind closed doors. Boldness seems to be the great need for the church today. Remember the poem found in the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem that speaks of the times in which we live. It is titled “First They Came.” First they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me. Grace Community Church published a position paper on why they will not adhere to the Governor of California’s decrees to limit worship and curtail freedom of religion. It is a paper that communicates the rationale behind civil disobedience from a Scriptural perspective. We, at the https://thechurchwithoutwalls.com/ (Church Without Walls), have modified and adopted this statement as our official position. In this message, we will talk about the ramifications of standing for Him alone, even if you have to do it alone. Join us as we stand in faith together. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081020-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081020-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081020-Slides.pdf (HERE) To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081020-Statement-on-Government-Restrictions-on-His-Church.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081020-Statement-on-Government-Restrictions-on-His-Church.pdf (Statement on Government Restrictions on His Church), click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/081020-Statement-on-Government-Restrictions-on-His-Church.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-seek-gods-face-466/ (466: How to Seek God’s Face and Not Just His Hand)...

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Remember to Seek God’s Face, and Not Just His HandOne of the four requirements found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a cryptic command to “seek” God’s face. Note, not His hand, nor His blessings or grace, but simply to seek God’s face. What does that mean? And how is that done? Think, how do we begin the process of seeking God’s face? What does the Scripture say about that? Is it something I should be doing? Are there any requirements or things we first must do to be ushered into the presence of God? What is it like to “behold the face of God”? Is that even possible?  If I do seek God’s face, won’t I die? And if I actually do experience the presence of God, how will that experience change my life? It’s maybe not as simple as we were led to believe. So, How Do I Seek God’s Face?In Psalm 24, we find the requirements God demands to have unhindered intimacy with Him, or to seek His face. These are not suggestions, but are aspects of our sanctification that allow us to “be holy, for I am Holy” by experience (1 Peter 1:16), and not just theologically or positionally in Christ. Note the question and answer in Psalm 24:3-4: Question:  Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? Answer:  He who has clean hands (outward holiness) and a pure heart (inward holiness), who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. Also, note the distinction between outward and inward holiness. It’s the same distinction we find in the Sermon on the Mount. For example, let’s look at Matthew 5:21-22: Outward: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'” Inward:  “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” And there is so much more we can learn about God’s requirements or standards that must be met to have the kind of intimacy with Him described as “seeking His face” and finding it. So join with us today as we strive to do just that, to “seek His face” together. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/080720-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/080720-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/080720-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-fasting-465/ (465: The Important, Yet Forgotten Discipline of Fasting) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-disciples-of-jesus-and-john-464/ (464: Who Were the Disciples of Jesus and John) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-prayer-life-of-jesus-463/ (463: Learning From the Prayer Life of Jesus) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/learning-how-to-humble-yourself-462/ (462: Learning How to Truly Humble Yourself) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-last-great-awakening-461/ (461: Praying For Our Last Great Awakening)

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Isn’t Fasting Some Medieval Christian Ritual?Often the church chooses to let go and forget the disciplines that served her so well in the past. We feel they have served their purpose and then callously throw them aside for something more trendy, modern, and popular. And this is especially true of the forgotten discipline of fasting. I mean, who really wants to fast? And isn’t fasting some Medieval Christian ritual that we stopped doing centuries ago? Plus, if I fast, won’t it mark me as some sort of fanatic or Christian extremist? If I fast, won’t I really be just starving myself? That can’t be healthy. And I’m not sure there are any real-time benefits for fasting (other than losing weight). Why? Because I don’t know anyone who fasts. In fact, I don’t know anyone who knows anyone who fasts. So what’s the big deal? Remembering the Forgotten Discipline of FastingJesus expected His disciples to pray. He said, in the Sermon on the Mount, “when” you pray, and not “if”. Matthew 6:5 – “And when (not, if) you pray…” Matthew 6:6 – “But you, when (not, if) you pray…” Matthew 6:7 – “And when (not, if) you pray…” But look at what the Lord says about fasting. He assumes it is something His disciples would do, like praying, and not something that was optional. Matthew 6:16 – Moreover, when (not, if) you fast…” Matthew 6:17 – “But you, when (not, if) you fast…” And, like with His teaching on prayer, Jesus speaks about the motives behind fasting and not if His disciples should practice it. That was a given. It was assumed. There is much to learn about this all-important forgotten Christian discipline called fasting. Join us today as we dig deeper into the amazing world of fasting. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072120-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072120-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/072120-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-disciples-of-jesus-and-john-464/ (464: Who Were the Disciples of Jesus and John) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-prayer-life-of-jesus-463/ (463: Learning From the Prayer Life of Jesus) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/learning-how-to-humble-yourself-462/ (462: Learning How to Truly Humble Yourself) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-last-great-awakening-461/ (461: Praying For Our Last Great Awakening) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-it-mean-to-abide-in-christ-460/ (460: What Does it Mean to “Abide in Christ”?)

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The Tension Between the Disciples of Jesus and JohnAs we look deeper into the relationship between the disciples of Jesus and John the Baptist, a few questions come to the surface. Why did John still have disciples after he proclaimed Jesus is the Son of God (John 1:34)? And why is there a perceived tension between the disciples of Jesus and the disciples of John? In fact, you can almost feel the tension when John’s disciples confront Jesus and chastise Him for not doing what they, and the Pharisees, were doing regarding fasting. Matthew 9:14 – Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” Or, to put it another way, “Why are we doing things right, and You are not teaching Your disciples to follow us?” Two People, Three OpinionsBut there is more here than meets the eye. When John proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God, only two of John’s disciples followed Jesus. The rest, it appears, remained loyal to John and continued with him in the ministry of baptism. How is that even possible? John 1:35-37 – Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. We will also see the blessings that come from following Jesus into the great faith adventure, like these two did, rather than remaining in our comfort zone with John. There is much to learn about the difference between the good, and the best, for each of us. So join us today as we seek to follow Jesus more by learning about the tension between the disciples of Jesus and John the Baptist. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/071720-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/071720-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/071720-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-prayer-life-of-jesus-463/ (463: Learning From the Prayer Life of Jesus) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/learning-how-to-humble-yourself-462/ (462: Learning How to Truly Humble Yourself) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-last-great-awakening-461/ (461: Praying For Our Last Great Awakening) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-it-mean-to-abide-in-christ-460/ (460: What Does it Mean to “Abide in Christ”?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/abide-in-me-and-i-in-you-459/ (459: Jesus Said, “Abide in Me, and I in You”)

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Prayer: Our Connection with the LordWe have been looking at the four conditions/requirements found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to have God forgive our national sin and heal our land. The first of these conditions is for God’s people to humble themselves. And the second, just as difficult as the first, is to pray. But what kind of prayer satisfies the condition? And what is the content of that prayer? Can it be a quick prayer, or does it have to be long and intense? Can we pray with our eyes open, sitting down, all alone? Or do we have to agonize in prayer, on our knees, among a great throng of people? There are so many questions the text doesn’t answer. So, to find what we are looking for, we will look at the prayer life of Jesus and see what we can learn from Him. I can’t think of a better teacher, can you? What Can We Learn From the Prayer Life of JesusThere is much we can learn about Jesus’ commitment to prayer. Much we can incorporate in our own lives. For example: •  Jesus got up early to pray, way before dawn (Mark 1:35). •  He separated Himself from distractions and went away from everyone to a secluded place to pray (Mark 1:35). •  Jesus often prayed to be able to know His Father’s will. Just like us (Mark 14:36). •  Often, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12). •  The focus of Jesus’ prayers, on many occasions, was the welfare of those He loved (John 7:15). •  Jesus agonized in prayer (Luke 22:44). •  And Jesus often prayed alone (Matthew 14:23). •  And finally, Jesus offered to His disciples then, and to us today, a lesson on how to pray. We find this in Matthew 6:9-15. We know it as the Lord’s Prayer, but it is much more than that. Infinitely more. The Conditions and the PromisesRemember again the passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14 with both the conditions and promises: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” So join with us as we learn about the prayer life of Jesus. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/062320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/062320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/062320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/learning-how-to-humble-yourself-462/ (462: Learning How to Truly Humble Yourself) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-last-great-awakening-461/ (461: Praying For Our Last Great Awakening) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-it-mean-to-abide-in-christ-460/ (460: What Does it Mean to “Abide in Christ”?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/abide-in-me-and-i-in-you-459/ (459: Jesus Said, “Abide in Me, and I in You”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/i-am-the-true-vine-458/ (458: “I Am the True Vine”… But What Does That Mean?)

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How Do We Learn to Humble Ourselves?We have before us, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, an incredible if/then promise from God’s Word. If we meet the requirements, the if’s, then God will respond in ways that only He can, the then’s. And the promise of God is that He will forgive our national sin and heal our broken and troubled land. There are four requirements and three promises in this passage. The first requirement is for God’s people, you and I, to humble ourselves before the Lord. Or, to make it more personal, God is telling His people to humble yourselves before He will move. But what does that mean? How is that done? Are there some steps we can use to learn how to humble ourselves? And, if so, what are they? Genuine Humility is NOT WimpinessIn this message, we will discover ten practical steps to learn how to humble ourselves before the Lord and others. These steps are Biblical and simple, but incredibly hard, especially for those in our culture that have learned that humility and meekness somehow equate with wimpiness. But nothing could be further from the truth. As an example, we will look at a Greek word study showing the Biblical definition and history of the word, meek. Unlike how we understand the word and the concept behind it today, both Moses and Jesus were described as meek. So it has to mean something more than a man without leadership qualities who is incapable of making a decision. It has to mean something else. And when you understand the true meaning of meekness and humility, as used in Biblical times, I think it will help you understand how important and Christ-like it is to humble yourself before God and others. Remember the passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14 with both the conditions and promises: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Join us as we learn how to have the type of humility that leads to fulfilling the conditions found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/062020-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/062020-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/062020-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-last-great-awakening-461/ (461: Praying For Our Last Great Awakening) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-it-mean-to-abide-in-christ-460/ (460: What Does it Mean to “Abide in Christ”?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/abide-in-me-and-i-in-you-459/ (459: Jesus Said, “Abide in Me, and I in You”) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/i-am-the-true-vine-458/ (458: “I Am the True Vine”… But What Does That Mean?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-prophetic-implications-of-covid-19-457/ (457: The Prophetic Implications of COVID-19)

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Our Hope and Prayer for a Last Great AwakeningThere is no need to spend any time talking about the lukewarm condition of the church in the West. We all know. In fact, we are all part of the problem. And since we know and are part of the problem, we tend to just assume this is the way things are, and it’s best to just sit back, relax, and live with it. But that’s a recipe for even more failure. The spiritual event that will shock the church out of apathy and lukewarmness is what we call an “awakening.” What we need is another Great Awakening, like we experienced as a church and a nation in the past. And maybe this will be the last Great Awakening before the Lord comes. But what is a Great Awakening and how does it happen? A “spiritual awakening” can be defined as: “a socially transforming spiritual movement.” We can see “socially transforming spiritual movements” all across our land, but not for the better. The spirit behind the rioting, hatred, anger, and destruction is demonic, and not of God. It appears the dark side has beaten us to the punch when it comes to transforming our society. But, according to God’s Word, that can always change. A “revival”, on the other hand, is an individual or personal “spiritual rebirth which transforms a person, church, or community into the likeness of New Testament Christianity.” But note, a personal revival must come before a national awakening. The smaller gives way to the larger, the personal to the corporate, but only after some time. It usually starts small before igniting. How to Prepare Spiritually for a Great AwakeningAs believers, our hope is for the Lord to bring a great time of revival and personal spiritual awakening to His church. Then, when the fires of church revival are burning, we hope for a national great awakening. But how are we to prepare ourselves for this great event? What can we do to help bring this all about? Are there certain requirements the church has to meet in order for God to heal a broken, sinful nation? And, if so, what are these all-important requirements? We find them in a familiar passage often taken out of context to mean something it doesn’t really say.  And that passage is 2 Chronicles 7:14. In this passage, God is speaking to Solomon about His people and His land: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” One Sentence, Two VersesBut notice, this verse is the second half of one long sentence. In order to understand 2 Chronicle 7:14, we must first read 2 Chronicles 7:13. And when we do, we see God bringing judgment and calamity to His people and the land in which they live. It is sobering. Revealing. “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people.” And then the rest of the sentence which is a remedy for God’s judgment, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) There is so much here that we need to know as we see the American experiment possibly come to a close. If you want to pray and prepare for our last great national awakening, then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061920-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061920-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061920-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-it-mean-to-abide-in-christ-460/ (460: What Does it Mean to “Abide in Christ”?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/abide-in-me-and-i-in-you-459/ (459: Jesus Said,...

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How Can We Abide in Him… Always?In John 15, we have the Lord’s blueprint for the “abundant life” (John 10:10) He promised each of us. And no, that life doesn’t involve expensive cars or vacation homes or buckets of cash or having Your Best Life Now! The abundant life in Him is defined by being able to bear His fruit and bearing it in ever-increasing quantities. Or, like Jesus said, “more” fruit, then “much” fruit, and finally “fruit that will remain.” Consider the following: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2) “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:8) “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16) Unless the church fully understands the importance of bearing the fruit of Christ, the Vine, this incredible teaching of Jesus will have little meaning or lasting effect on our lives. Or on the lives of those we try to influence with the Word, our spouse, our friends, our parents, children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. We must come to a clear understanding that the only purpose for the branch, the only reason you and I were created and chosen in Him (Eph. 1:4), is to bear the fruit of the vine. And the only one who benefits from the fruit we bear, is the Vinedresser, the Father. The one key to hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23), is our commitment to being nothing but branches, committed totally to bearing His fruit. As we said last week, there is no other way. But, How Do We Bear His Fruit?The key to bearing His fruit is tied up in the single word, abide. Last week we defined the word abide (ménō) as to “remain, dwell, live”, but always, in John’s writings, with the idea of a relationship in view. However, in John 15, the definition of abide (ménō) expands to mean “to be and remain united with Jesus, one with Him in heart, mind, and will, and to remain steadfast, unwavering in that relationship.” That understanding of abide (ménō) puts this entire passage under a new, incredible light. So how do we bear His fruit? Or what part do we play in this divine equation? Simple, abide. It’s hard to do in real life, but it’s simple, nonetheless. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7) “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9) “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10) Remember, this is only the beginning. If you can capture the joy of abiding in Him as a dependent branch, a life of abundant joy (John 10:10) is right around the corner. So buckle up! To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/052420-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/052420-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/052420-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/abide-in-me-and-i-in-you-459/ (459: Jesus

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“Abide in Me”? What Does that Mean?Once we move past identifying the characters in this teaching (Jesus is the vine, God the Father is the vinedresser, and we are the branches), we can clearly see the focus is on bearing fruit (more fruit, much fruit, and fruit that remains). But the key to having a relationship with the Lord that allows us to bear the fruit that brings glory to the Father (John 15:8), is being able to “abide” in Him, in the vine. In fact, we find that phrase repeated repeatedly in this amazing discourse. Consider the following: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4) “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7) “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9) “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10) So the concept of abiding is not something to be taken lightly. Obviously, it is a description of the relationship Jesus has with the Father, and the relationship all Three share in the Godhead. And the amazing thing is that He commands us, no, He invites us to abide in Him the way He also abides in His Father. What a wonderful privilege He offers each of us. But let’s address the elephant in the room, the $64,000,000 question. What does “abide” in this passage really mean? United in Heart, Mind, and WillOn a simple level, the word abide (ménō) means to “remain, dwell, live.” In John 15:11, the word is translated “remain” when it says “that My joy may remain (ménō) in you.” But the word has a much deeper meaning than that. In John’s writings, it conveys more with the mechanics of the relationship between one thing or person and another. Thus the context of (ménō) could be “remain in or with someone.”  We see this in 1 John 2:19 where (ménō) is translated “continued with us.” They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us (ménō); but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (1 John 2:19) In John 15 (ménō) means “to be and remain united with Jesus, one with Him in heart, mind, and will, and to remain steadfast, unwavering in that relationship.” Now, that changes everything. “Abide (remain united with Him in heart, mind, and will, to remain steadfast and unwavering in that relationship) in Me, and I (abide) in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides (remain united with Him in heart, mind, and will, to remain steadfast and unwavering in that relationship) in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide (remain united with Him in heart, mind, and will, to remain steadfast and unwavering in that relationship) in Me.” (John 15:4) But it gets better. Next, He tells us how to bear fruit to bring the Father glory and to prove we are His disciples (John 15:8). “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who (what) abides (remain united with Him in heart, mind, and will, to remain steadfast and unwavering in that relationship) in Me, and I (abide) in him, (what) bears much fruit; (how) for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) As I shared in my last post, this is only the beginning. Join with us as we endeavor to grow closer to the Lord by becoming a fruitful branch of His vine, for the glory of the Vinedresser. Because at this time in our history, nothing else really matters....

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Facing Our “Invisible Enemy”For the past two months, our nation has been held in the grips of, as President Trump said, an “invisible enemy.”  But this “invisible enemy” is not Covid-19. Nor is it the loss of jobs and the bankruptcy of thousands of small businesses and the inevitable collateral effect that will have on our economy for years, maybe even decades, to come. No, the “invisible enemy” we face is fear. And fear results from a lack of faith, and a lack of faith renders even the strongest believer useless as His light-bearer (Matt. 5:14-16). But we know that. Yet, for some strange reason, it doesn’t seem to have any effect on us. Why? Because many of us as believers in the West have surrendered our rights and privileges as children of God (Romans 8:16-17), in order to live comfortable lives in this fallen world. We have made ourselves, as James tells us, “an enemy of God” because of our “friendship with the world” (James 4:4). Just spend a few minutes on Facebook and you can see the narcissistic cancer that runs unchecked in our culture today… even in the church. These are truly desperate times. But what are we to do? How can we prepare ourselves for what the Lord is allowing to happen? And what lesson is there to be learned from watching Him bring our evil and proud society to its knees by events beyond anyone’s control? What do we need to do? Simply this: We need to grow in our faith and our relationship with our Lord like never before. Like there is no tomorrow. Because there might not be.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow (James 4:13-16). No one is. Now is the time for serious soul-searching. Now is the time to put Him first in all things and to lay up for ourselves “treasures in heaven” and not spend our lives collecting trinkets and toys on earth (Matt. 6:19-20). And the best way to do this is to understand what our life is all about and why God created each of us. Welcome to John 15. The Vine and the BranchesFor the next few weeks, we will take a detailed look at John 15 and our Lord’s teaching about His relationship with His Father and our relationship with Him. We will see the example of a vine, a vinedresser, and branches. And we will grow to understand the importance of fruit. More fruit (John 15:2). Much fruit (John 15:5). And fruit that will last and remain when all else fails (John 15:16). Jesus began this incredible teaching by saying He is the true Vine, and His Father is the Vinedresser (John 15:1). Have you ever thought about the nature of a vine, its branches, and the vinedresser? After all, this is the example Jesus taught us about this relationship. •  The vine is planted by the vinedresser wherever the vinedresser desires. The vine has no say in where it is planted. •  The vine is cared for by the vinedresser. •  The vine is dependent totally on the vinedresser. •  The vine’s only function is to produce fruit. •  But the fruit is for the benefit of the vinedresser. •  The glory of the vinedresser is his vine, but only if it produces fruit. •  And the glory of the vine is its fruit. •  The only function of the branch is to bear the fruit produced by the vine and for the glory of the vinedresser. It is good for nothing else. And this is only the beginning. Join with us as we endeavor to grow closer to the Lord by becoming a fruitful branch of His vine, for the glory of the Vinedresser. Because at this time in our history, nothing else really matters. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/052020-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/052020-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/052020-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest...

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Seeing the Prophetic Handwriting on the WallRight now, we as a nation and as the church are in the midst of an unprecedented worldwide pandemic that has some unfortunate, unforeseen circumstances. We are currently mandated by our government to stay at home and practice social distancing. Which, in effect, means no corporate church services. No normal business activities. No hugging our grandchildren or shaking hands with a friend. No picnics at the park, no day trips to the mountains, no shopping at the mall, no having friends over for dinner. All of that has changed. But so has our culture. Our economy is in a free-fall. Unemployment claims are greater, much greater, than in the time of the great depression. Small businesses are closing at a rate unseen in our lifetime and the future looks dim, at best. Liquor stores and abortion clinics are deemed essential, but churches are not. And since lawlessness has increased greatly, “the love of many,” as Jesus foretold, “has grown cold” (Matt. 24:12). These are truly desperate times. But could God be trying to tell us something by all that is happening around us? Is He trying to get a message to us, a warning? And, if so, what is that message and why are we as a people so obstinate and hard of hearing? We know, from Scripture, that God warns His people primarily in two ways. One, by sending them a prophet, a prophetic voice in their generation to proclaim the words of the Lord. God often sent a Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or John the Baptist to bring His people back to repentance before He chastised them for their sins. Unfortunately, because of our collective pride, we in the West are not particularly open to a modern-day Isaiah or a proclamation of “Thus says the Lord!” from anyone. So often God warns His people the second way, by a remedial judgment. He allows storms, plagues, war, famine, or pestilence to bring us to our knees and allows us to realize that God is God and we are not. God often humbles us by showing us how much we are not in control. Could that be what is happening right now? And, if so, what warning are we failing to heed? And what changes do we need to make in our lives right now? Remember, God is sovereign. That doesn’t mean He is the cause of suffering and death. No, our sin brought that upon us. That blood is on our own hands. But what it does mean is that nothing happens in our lives, good or bad, without His permission. Why? Because He is sovereign. He is good and gracious and holy, but foremost, He is sovereign. The Blessings and the CursesIn Deuteronomy, we find a list of promises God gave to Israel that also applies to each of us today, as individuals and as a nation (and church). They are found in Deuteronomy 28. In this chapter, God gives His people one grand if/then promise.  If they will “diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, (how) to observe carefully all His commandments” (Deut. 28:1), then an incredible, breathtaking list of blessings will follow. In fact, the Lord says “all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake (overwhelm) you, (why) because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut. 28:2). Did you catch that? His blessings will literally overtake them (you can’t outrun the blessings of God), and literally overwhelm them. Would you like to be blessed like that? Then read the rest of the if conditions in Deuteronomy 28:3-14. But there is a dark side. It is the consequence of not meeting God’s if/then standard. He says: “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you” (Deut. 28:15). And as wonderful as the blessings...

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Our Love/Hate Relationship with Total CommitmentI love this quote, “The definition of a fanatic is someone who loves Jesus more than you do.” So true. But as a culture, we have always had a love/hate relationship with total commitment and self-abandonment. We admire those whose commitment leads them to do great things, like win an Olympic Medal or lose a tremendous amount of weight. And we applaud their commitment because we value the object of their goals. But on the other hand, we detest the commitment of terrorists, idealogues, and others like that. We brand them as activists, fanatics, or extremists. But in Jesus’ day, this is exactly how the world saw His followers. They were activists who wanted nothing more than to see the entire world come to the same understanding they had regarding Christ. They were extremists who sacrificed everything for a cause greater than themselves. And they were fanatics, no longer interested in the things of this world because they had their life focused on something unseen, mystical, and illogical. And of these, the Lord said the “world was not worthy” of them (Heb. 11:18). My, how we have changed today. Today, the church falls into two main camps. One, the camp where our relationship with Christ is defined by rule-keeping and our ability to follow the law. And two, those who view their relationship with Jesus as something profitable to add to their already busy lives, much like sprinkles on a cupcake or sweetener to our coffee. But there is another option. And these are the ones whose relationship with Christ is not based on guilt, religious duty, the hope of heaven and eternal reward, or the fear of hell and eternal punishment. No, this select group is drawn to Christ because of His overwhelming beauty and glory and the irresistible power of His Kingdom. The very kingdom we are commanded to proclaim today. Remember? We are to proclaim, like Jesus, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). And we are to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matt. 4:23) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matt. 9:35) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt. 24:14) But what is the “Gospel of the Kingdom”? The Gospel of the KingdomIn the first century, the words “gospel” and “evangelize” referred to heralding the good news that a new emperor had been installed in the Roman Empire. Heralds would go out to proclaim the good news, informing people that a new era of peace, salvation, and blessing had begun. They then exhorted people to get down on their knees to worship the new emperor, their rightful king. The apostles used the same term to describe the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom of God. The gospel that the apostles preached was the announcement, the heralding, that Jesus of Nazareth had become this world’s true Emperor (Lord), launching a new era of peace, salvation, and blessing, and because of it, everything has changed. And it was this message that turned the world upside-down during the first century. But it is a message seldom preached today. Did you ever wonder why? Once we begin to see the glory of Christ and the wonder of His Kingdom, everything changes. He is no longer a historical figure, but Someone we literally adore and long to be with. He is Someone we will gladly abandon all to follow. Are you interested in knowing more about this glorious Christ and His wondrous Kingdom? Then keep listening....

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Both Jesus and John Preached About the KingdomAs we begin our study on John the Baptist, we are going to take the Scripture accounts of his life from all four gospels and merge them into one single narrative. But rest assured, all you will see is nothing but Scripture. Nothing has been added. This helps us get a complete view of John’s incredible ministry, the man Jesus said was without rival in all of humanity (Matthew 11:11). The following is the beginning of John’s ministry as told from Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:4-8 and Luke 3:1-18. (LK) Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (MT) In those days John the Baptist (MK) came baptizing in the wilderness (MT) of Judea. (LK) And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, (MT) saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, (LK) saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'” (MT) Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. (MK) Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, (MT) and all the region around the Jordan went out to him (MK) and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. (MT) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, (LK) he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, (MT) “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (LK) So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, (MK) and he preached, (LK) saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water (MT) unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, [and] (MK) whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but (LK) He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. But there is so much more. And note the substance of John’s preaching. It was of repentance and the coming Kingdom of Heaven. Are they both related? Absolutely. The Word of God Came to JohnDid you catch the open phrase of John’s ministry? It

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God Always Responds to Repentance… Always!Another Sunday is upon us and the church is still having to figure out how to worship together while practicing self-distancing. Awkward and uncomfortable, I know. But I believe our choice to forgo our right to assemble and worship for the sake of the least of these (those who are at greater risk), is proper and prudent. And I believe the Lord will honor the free sacrifice of our own rights for the sake of others. With that said, the following message is from the first two chapters of the book of Joel. In fact, as we go through Joel together, I think you’ll be amazed and comforted at how the crisis in Joel’s time (locust invasion) parallels the crisis we are facing as a church and a nation today. For me, the most encouraging truth from Joel is the solution to their locust problem then is the same as the solution to our coronavirus problem now. And that solution, as always, is repentance. We will specifically focus on Joel 2:12-13, which reads: “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, (how) with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, (why) for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.” Note, the first sentence is a statement by God. The second is the application from Joel. And Joel’s words are timeless. They are just as valid and true in his generation as they are today. So take them to heart. Two Truths About God from JoelIf you read the small book of Joel, you will discover there are two unchanging truths the Lord wants us to know about Himself. It is almost like He is presenting these as an encouragement to His children when they go through trying times and He wants us to rest in these eternal truths. The first one deals with God’s sovereignty. God is in control of all situations we may face – government intrusion, war, illness, heartache, financial ruin, swarming locusts and the coronavirus. Name your catastrophe, it doesn’t matter. God is in control. And the second one is even more encouraging. God responds to repentance. Always and forever. Without fail. No matter how horrible the sin that prompts the repentance. Or, to put it another way, God loves us as least as much as the best human father we could imagine would love his children. Howie Cunningham, Ward Cleaver, James Dobson, Andy Taylor, Carl Winslow, Philip Banks, you name it. They are great fathers, maybe better than the ones you had as a child. But God is off the charts! Beyond comprehension. So there is no comparison. Period. As we face an uncertain future, let’s confidently hold fast to our certain God. Rest in Him. Trust Him. Grow in a likeness to Him. And when you do, you’ll find His promises to be true. My brethren (put your name here), count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (why) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4). And remember, you are “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/041820-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/041820-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/041820-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/increase-our-faith-453/ (453: How Can We Increase our Faith?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-hear-gods-voice-452/ (452: Learning How to Hear the Voice of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/everything-follows-faith-451/ (451: Make No Mistake, Everything Follows Faith) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-coming-apostasy-450/ (450: How to Prepare for the Coming Apostasy)...

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“Increase Our Faith!” – Luke 17:5As I have been sharing with you since late last year, the times we are facing as believers, and as a church and a nation, demand faith. But not faith as usual or faith that is comfortable. We need mature faith, secure faith, maybe even radical faith to believe what our Lord says about everything, and then act on that belief like we truly believe what we claim to believe. In fact, one of the signs of maturity in our walk with Christ is our ability to drown out the voices of our culture, and even our own voice of fear, doubt, and insecurity, and live in the joy of sheer trust in His character, His Word, and His promises (and warnings). Our desire is to learn how to trust as a little child does his loving father, without question, and with great joy. And for logical, pragmatic, even somewhat cynical people, that leap in trust can be quite difficult. “But where does faith come from?” many often ask. The disciples recognized their need for more genuine, mature, seasoned faith when it came to continually having to forgive someone who sinned against them over and over again with no true sign of repentance. When faced with that impossible task, they cried out to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). Our need for more faith is apparent. But where do we go to increase our faith? Faith and the Word of GodIn Romans 10, after speaking about Israel’s need to hear the gospel, Paul then makes this most revealing statement: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom. 10:17) Or, to put it another way, “faith comes by hearing the word of God.” And it’s really just that simple. The object of what we are to hear to increase our faith is the Word of God. If you have been in church for any amount of time, you know that on Easter you will hear a sermon about the resurrection, just like you will hear about the birth of Jesus during December. It’s just what we in the church do. It’s almost a sacred tradition. This means that many of us have heard dozens of sermons about the empty tomb every late March or early April. And if we’re not careful, the wonder of the resurrection may get dull by rote habit or tradition. Remember, familiarity often breeds contempt. But this Sunday, I want God’s Word to bring the sermon and not me. I want each of us to have our faith increased by hearing His Word, and not by hearing a pastor (like me) expound on His Word. In essence, let’s go directly to the source for the pure milk of His Word and not settle for the homogenized, skim stuff. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of reading a combined account of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord taken from the four gospel accounts. In other words, what you will hear is everything Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote so we can get a perfect picture of everything that transpired with our Lord and His disciples from His death until His ascension. And to be quite honest, I have preached these passages for decades and yet found myself mesmerized as I marveled at the picture they present when combined and synthesized together. What you will hear is pure Scripture (although I do make a comment or two. Sorry, can’t help it. It’s in my nature). And I will let you know the source from where I am reading before I read. So join with me today as we let the Holy Spirit, using Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, present our Easter sermon for us. I will simply try to act as the host or facilitator, bring a few comments of clarification or questions, as we listen to this wondrous story. Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-hear-gods-voice-452/ (452: Learning How to Hear the Voice of God) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/everything-follows-faith-451/ (451: Make No Mistake, Everything Follows Faith)...

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Hearing God’s Voice is Our Protection Against DeceptionAs we see the day of His return approaching, we must be more diligent to make sure we don’t fall for the great deception Jesus spoke about (Matt. 24:4) and prepare ourselves for the coming apostasy (2 Thes. 2:3). Why? Because as our Lord warned the deception would be so great even the elect, if possible, would be deceived and fall away (Matt. 24:214). So what are we to do? How do we become a faith prepper and guard ourselves against such great deception? The answer is simple to understand, yet difficult to do. In Cliff Notes style: •  You must personally experience God yourself. •  Second-hand faith won’t cut it. •  Your faith must be first-person, personal. •  You cannot live on the faith of another. •  And your encounters with God must be on-going and habitual. •  Especially as we see the darkness approaching. •  This is what becoming a faith prepper is all about. In essence, you must know God. Intimately. Personally.  And you do that by learning to hear His voice. “And this is eternal life, that they may know (ginōskō) You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) The key to not falling for falsehood and deception is an experience with God. After all, a relationship between two people must include talking and listening from both parties. And so it is the same with each of us and the Lord. We talk. We ask. We beg. Sometimes we demand. But does God ever speak personally to us? If so, how? And how often? How to Hear the Voice of GodThe key to learning to hear God’s voice is desire. Do you have a desire to thirst after Him and His righteousness more than you do, for example, to keep abreast of current events? Do you watch FOX News more than you spend time in His Word? Are you on Facebook more than on your knees in prayer? If so, why are we surprised we seldom, if ever, hear the voice of our Lord? Remember, a key characteristic of being one of the Lord’s sheep is being able to hear His voice. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know (ginōskō) them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) Did you get that? Jesus’ sheep hear His voice. It’s the defining characteristic of being His sheep. But what does that say if we don’t hear His voice? What are the implications? The key to intimacy with anyone is communication. That’s two-way communication. Between each of us and the Lord. So one of the most important things we can learn in our life with Christ is how to hear his voice? Do you long to hear His voice? Do you have a hard time differentiating between His voice and your own voice? If so, keep on listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040320-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040320-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040320-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/everything-follows-faith-451/ (451: Make No Mistake, Everything Follows Faith) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-coming-apostasy-450/ (450: How to Prepare for the Coming Apostasy) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-limitations-of-apologetics-449/ (449: The Inherent Limitations of Apologetics) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/narcissism-the-ultimate-end-time-personality-disorder-448/ (448: Narcissism – The Ultimate End Time Personality Disorder) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-two-invitations-447/ (447: The Two Invitations Offered by Christ)

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Do You Believe What You Say You Believe?One of the questions each of us will have to come to grips with as we see the time of our Lord’s return approaching is this: Do you believe what you say you believe? Or, more pointedly, how does your life reflect what you claim to believe? In other words, do we really believe everything the Scriptures say about God, this world, heaven and hell, our lives, the future, whatever? Or are we somehow hedging our bet in His Word to fit what we feel or think?  Consider the following scriptures and ask yourself if you truly believe what they say. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Do you believe this statement to be true of you? If so, make it personal by putting your name in the place of “those”. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for (your name) who love Him.” Let’s try one more. Do you believe this statement to be true? Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) If you believe God can do more than you can ask or think, then put your name in this verse. Make it first-person, personal. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that (I can) ask or think, according to the power that works in (me), to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. So why is this important? Because your relationship with God, your intimacy with the Father, will rise and fall on your belief in Him and in His character. Your beliefs always determine your actions. Always. In everything. For example, if you don’t believe God can do “exceedingly abundantly above all that (I can) ask or think,” then you will be overcome by your doubts and fears and feel like a helpless kitten abandoned in the dark. But if you believe God is who He says He is, then you will be invincible in faith before anything that comes your way. Why? Because everything follows faith! Everything Follows FaithSearch your soul and ask yourself the following questions: Do you really believe what the Scriptures say about God, life, His church, and you? Do you really think it’s possible to learn how to hear His voice speak to you in a way that is unmistakable? Do you believe you will ever experience an outpouring of His Spirit like what is revealed in Scripture during your lifetime? Or let’s hit a little closer to home. Do you believe these statements are true? Do you believe what God’s Word proclaims is true as reality, and not necessarily what we see, feel, or hear? How are you going to begin to change your life to live in His Kingdom and not in the world that is fallen and passing away? And are you ready to begin today? If you answer yes to the last question, you are just beginning the great adventure. So hang on, it’s going to be quite a ride! To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040220-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040220-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/040220-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-coming-apostasy-450/ (450: How to Prepare for the Coming Apostasy) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-limitations-of-apologetics-449/ (449: The Inherent Limitations of Apologetics) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/narcissism-the-ultimate-end-time-personality-disorder-448/ (448: Narcissism – The Ultimate End Time Personality Disorder) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-two-invitations-447/ (447: The Two Invitations

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Ready or Not, the Great Apostasy is ComingWhen we have the discernment that Jesus spoke about to know the “signs of the times” (Matt. 16:3), it becomes clear we are living in the last days. In fact, there are several key signs that bring us to this conclusion. •  The regathering of Israel into their own land •  The surging apostasy •  The coming Middle East peace •  The reuniting of the Roman Empire (East, West, both?) •  Globalism For the church today, the most important of these prophetic signs is the rising tide of apostasy or defection from God and the Christian faith. We see this happening almost daily within the ranks of the church. As we have already discussed, apostasy means to “depart, revolt, or forsake. It is a deliberate defection from a formerly held religious position.” Apostasy doesn’t necessarily mean a total rejection of God or the authority of His Scripture. Apostasy can come in stages. It usually begins with a defection from a section of Scripture or a specific teaching that is incompatible with the current cultural church mood. Some examples are homosexuality, divorce, women pastors, abortion, or a myriad of other issues that divide the Body today. And once a small defection takes place, full-blown apostasy is not far behind. But this shouldn’t surprise us. After all, Jesus said in Matthew 24 the greatest sign of His return was deception. And He warned His disciples about that deception four times (Matt. 24:4, 5,11, 24). He even went so far as to say the deception at the end would be so great that, if it was possible, even the elect would be deceived (Matt. 24:24). And the elect includes Peter, Paul, James and John, Martin Luther, D.L. Moody, Spurgeon, Billy Graham, and you and me. That’s a sobering thought that should not be taken lightly. So what can we do to prepare for the coming apostasy? The Apostasy is ComingOr, how do we prevent falling prey to the deception that will only get greater as the Day approaches? Great question. You must know what you believe, and why. You must personally experience God for who He is. It is not possible to ride on the coattails of another’s faith. Your faith must be your own. And you must understand how overwhelmingly powerful the deception will be in the end times and be prepared. Ask yourself the following questions: Has God ever revealed Himself to you in an unmistakable fashion that left no doubt? Has He ever revealed Himself to you through His Word? If so, what was that experience like? How did it change your view of Scripture? Do you hunger for more of Him? Has that hunger led you to read more of His Word? And if not, why? Once you begin to understand the power of His Word and the wisdom He gives you through His Word, what the world offers is nothing more than pocket change. You, through Him, have more wisdom than the talking heads on CNN. You have more understanding than those who make acceptance speeches at the Academy Awards and spend that time telling you how to live. You are the dwelling place of God Himself, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, which makes you a living sanctuary of the Presence of God. Tell me what the world has that you don’t. Exactly. Nuthin’! To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/021920-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/0219820-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/021920-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-limitations-of-apologetics-449/ (449: The Inherent Limitations of Apologetics) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/narcissism-the-ultimate-end-time-personality-disorder-448/ (448: Narcissism – The Ultimate End Time Personality Disorder) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-two-invitations-447/ (447:...

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As the Scriptures claim, one of the greatest signs of the end is the mass defection or apostasy from the Christian faith by those who once claimed to be believers. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns that the "Spirit expressly says that (when) in latter times (who) some (what) will depart from the faith, (how) giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). This great apostasy is characterized by a rebellion or revolt against God and His Word. And it is promoted by those who once claimed Jesus as Lord but are now "giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." Peter says "scoffers will come in the last days" (2 Peter 3:3-4). Jude calls them "mockers" (Jude 17-19).

So what are we to do in the face of this great apostasy? How do we answer skeptics when they demand we "prove our God exists?" How do we defend our faith in the unseen God? What are we to do? Historically, the answer has been to study up on apologetics and be prepared to go toe to toe with those who demand answers from us void of faith. But is that the real purpose of apologetics? I'm not so sure.

For the message (or, preaching) of the cross is foolishness (mōría - folly, absurdity, moronic, stupid, senseless, foolhardy, insane) to (who) those who are perishing (or, being destroyed completely, to render
void), but to (who) us who are being saved (to deliver, make whole, preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction) it (the message of the cross) is the power (dúnamis) of God - 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Our faith in the cross of Christ is moronic to those who are perishing. Period. And apologetics won't change that fact. Think about it, our God doesn't need defending. He can take care of Himself. And you cannot lead someone to Christ by logically answering all their questions about faith and the Scriptures to their satisfaction. Why? Because faith in Him is a gift from God and, before God imparts faith to the individual, the lost are incapable of believing the Gospel. To them, our faith in the cross of Christ is moronic.

So, is apologetics important? Absolutely. But not necessarily in the way you think.

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There are Limitations in the Discipline of ApologeticsAs the Scriptures claim, one of the greatest signs of the end is the mass defection or apostasy from the Christian faith by those who once claimed to be believers. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns that the “Spirit expressly says that (when) in latter times (who) some (what) will depart from the faith, (how) giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). This great apostasy is characterized by a rebellion or revolt against God and His Word. And it is promoted by those who once claimed Jesus as Lord but are now “giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” Peter says “scoffers will come in the last days” (2 Peter 3:3-4). Jude calls them “mockers” (Jude 17-19). So what are we to do in the face of this great apostasy? How do we answer skeptics when they demand we “prove our God exists?” How do we defend our faith in the unseen God? What are we to do? Historically, the answer has been to study up on apologetics and be prepared to go toe to toe with those who demand answers from us void of faith. But is that the real purpose of apologetics? I’m not so sure. For the message (or, preaching) of the cross is foolishness (mōría – folly, absurdity, moronic, stupid, senseless, foolhardy, insane) to (who) those who are perishing (or, being destroyed completely, to render void), but to (who) us who are being saved (to deliver, make whole, preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction) it (the message of the cross) is the power (dúnamis) of God – 1 Corinthians 1:18. Our faith in the cross of Christ is moronic to those who are perishing. Period. And apologetics won’t change that fact. Think about it, our God doesn’t need defending. He can take care of Himself. And you cannot lead someone to Christ by logically answering all their questions about faith and the Scriptures to their satisfaction. Why? Because faith in Him is a gift from God and, before God imparts faith to the individual, the lost are incapable of believing the Gospel. To them, our faith in the cross of Christ is moronic. So, is apologetics important? Absolutely. But not necessarily in the way you think. The Purpose of ApologeticsThe purpose of apologetics is for you to have all your questions answered about God and salvation and to allow your faith to grow strong. It is not for the direct benefit of the lost. This is what 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 shows in graphic detail. It has always been God’s plan to thwart man’s wisdom by revealing Himself through something man considers foolish. He does this to bring to nothing the wisdom of this world and, in turn, exalt faith in Him as the key that opens the door of salvation. Consider the following from 1 Corinthians 1:21-22: •  Question: Where is the wise (or, respected, learned philosophers and experts)? •  Question: Where is the scribe (or, writers, scholars)? •  Question: Where is the disputer (or, debater, reasoner, influencer) of this age? •  Question: Has not (who) God made (what) foolish the wisdom of this world (kósmos) •  Answer: Absolutely! But why? For since, in the (what) wisdom of God, the world through (its) wisdom did not know (ginōskō – or choose to know) God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached (foolishness to those who are perishing) to save those who believe (faith). The reason for apologetics is for you to be secure in your faith and not necessarily to convince someone by the power of your arguments to receive Christ. That is a sovereign act of God alone. And prior to the impartation of faith in the elect, our most important argument is foolishness (stupid, ridiculous, moronic, insane) to those who are perishing. Jesus never gave signs for others to...

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Narcissism: It’s All About MeJesus chastised the religious elite of His day for their confidence in predicting things like the weather, but not being able to discern the signs of the times. In fact, He called them hypocrites. Remember? “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times” – Matthew 16:2-3. I wonder if He would say the same about His church today? After all, it appears we all seem to know everything about everything. Just ask us. It seems we resemble those that Isaiah was called to address. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight – Isaiah 5:20-21. But there is one prophetic statement of Jesus regarding the times before us that is hard for many, including me, to understand. That is until today. Jesus said “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12). Got that. He also promised that “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matt. 10:36). How is that possible? How can our love for our spouse or children grow so cold we will treat them as enemies to the extent of hatred and betrayal? (Matt. 24:10). How can that be true? What sort of perverted human would turn on his own family for the sake of himself? What kind of depraved mind or personality disorder would produce sociopaths with a love this cold? In a word, it’s called narcissism. And it is the ultimate end-time personality disorder. Narcissism: It’s Never About YouIn general, narcissism or narcissistic traits can be described as follows: •  They have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. •  They have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration. •  They expect and demand to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it. •  They exaggerate their achievements and talents. •  They are preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate. •  They believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people. •  They monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior (which is just about everyone). •  They expect and demand special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations. •  They habitually take advantage of others to get what they want. •  They have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others. •  They are envious of others and believe others envy them. •  They behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious. •  They Insist on having the best of everything because they are entitled. And they are everywhere! They multiply like kudzu. Narcissism may very well be the ultimate personality disorder of the end-times. And it certainly fits the Laodicean church model. In fact, psychologists believe that in the last 15 years, over 30% of our population now registers on the narcissism spectrum. And that number grows daily. So what are we to do? Great question. Keep listening to find out more. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/021520-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/021520-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/021520-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-two-invitations-447/ (447: The Two Invitations Offered...

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“Come Unto Me…”One of the vital truths regarding our desire to follow Christ is to fully understand our union with Him. After all, we are invited to become one with Him and are described in Scripture as being “in Christ.” In Romans 8 we are called “children of God” that are “adopted” into His family and are now “joint heirs with Christ.” Romans 6 tells us our old man has died and Christ now lives in us in the Presence of the Holy Spirit. But do we really understand the implication of what this means? Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, states “Union with Christ is a phrase that summarizes several different relationships between believers and Christ, through which Christians receive every benefit of salvation. These relationships include the fact that (1) we are in Christ, (2) Christ is in us, (3) we are like Christ, and (4) we are with Christ.”  Ok, I’ve got that. But is there more to this union with Christ than dry theology? Can I really experience union with Him? And, if so, how is that done? What do I have to do to experience the fullness of my union, my relationship, with Christ? Great questions.  And the simple answer is, “Yes, you can know the wonder of our union with Him.” And the wonder of it comes with the invitation of Christ to be joined with Him. Consider the following invitation found in Matthew 11:28. It is a familiar passage: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Now, let’s see what it means by defining a few terms. “Come to Me, all you who labor (to be worn out, fatigued, faint, weary) and are heavy laden (to overload, heavily burdened, like with the freight of a ship), and I will give you rest (to cease from labor, to refresh, relax, loosen, to be at peace or rest).” Do you see the trust relationship implied in this invitation? Do you see Christ’s invitation to let Him carry your troubles and you rest in Him? To be united in Him? Many of us struggle with this and ask how is that accomplished? How can I truly experience rest in Him? Is it just a mental thing? Or is it some sort of resolution I make and then fail at when things get uncertain or tough? Is it a mantra I go over and over again in my mind, like “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can”? Or is it something else? Oh, it is definitely something else. Let’s look at the second invitation. “Abide in Me, and I in You”The second invitation reveals to us the “how” of our union and complete trust in Him. This invitation is found in John 15:4, and elsewhere in that chapter. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Note the two-fold relationship. One, I abide in Christ. And two, He abides in me. This is vital. And “abide” means, “to remain, dwell, live, to make one’s home, to be united with one heart, mind, and will.” So I “remain” and “make my home” in Christ, “to be united with one heart, mind, and will” with Him. And He will “remain” and “make His home” in me, “to be united with one heart, mind, and will” with Me. This is what it means to abide. As you listen to this podcast in order to understand more of this marvelous relationship we have with the Lord, remember the following: •  The branch (you and I) does not produce the fruit. That comes from the Vine (Christ). •  The branch does not secure the nutrients necessary to produce the fruit. That again comes from the Vine (Christ). •  The branch does not position the buds to get the most sunlight. The Vinedresser (Father) does that. •  The branch does not prune dead wood. Again, that is the Father’s job. •  The branch does not provide water nor sunlight. •  The branch does not participate in harvesting....

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How Do You Experience the Fullness of the Spirit?How does one receive the Holy Spirit?  Simple. As Peter said in Acts 2:38-39, you “repent” and “believe.” Which just happens to be the same requirements for salvation. After all, the guarantee of our inheritance in Him is the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). This is a truth most Christians know and understand. No Holy Spirit, no salvation. It’s as simple as that. But how does one experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit? How do we find our joy in Him? Or, how do we experience the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8) as a daily, living reality? How is that possible? Consider the following: Every believer has received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is only received by repentance and faith in Jesus at salvation. There is a fullness of the Holy Spirit that is usually greater than what is experienced at conversion. Your own experience confirms this truth. As there are certain conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit, there are also certain conditions for experiencing the fullness of the Spirit. They are primarily found in Romans 6 and 12. Let’s dig a bit deeper, shall we? Two Words: Deny and SurrenderThe fullness of the Holy Spirit is found in the same way, and under the same conditions, as following Jesus. Do you remember the requirements Jesus placed on those who desired to follow Him? They are self-denial and surrender and are found in Matthew 16:24-25, among other places. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Denial and surrender. Or, by letting the Lord be Lord over our lives. The same principle is required to experience the fullness of the Spirit. To experience the fullness of the Spirit requires the absolute, unqualified surrender of your life to God, to do His will and not your own. But this shouldn’t surprise you. You had to do this to receive salvation by declaring someone other than yourself as Lord. Remember, when we surrender our sins and believe, we receive the Holy Spirit with salvation. And when we surrender our lives and believe, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Why?  Because the receiving of the Spirit is God’s answer to repentance and faith and the guarantee of our salvation. And, in a like manner, experiencing the fullness of the Spirit is God’s answer to a life surrendered to Him. When we are saved the Spirit enters into our life. But at surrender, the Spirit takes full possession of our lives and brings us the blessings that come from a life that is fully surrendered to God. So the choice is ours. We can continue to live in lukewarm Laodicea satisfied with less than the abundant life Christ promised. Or we can jump into the deep end of the pool and surrender all to Him. It’s not complicated. It’s just hard. What do you want to do? The ball is in your court. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012020-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012020-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012020-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-it-means-to-follow-jesus-445/ (445: What it Means to Follow Jesus) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/it-all-comes-down-to-denial-444/ (444: It All Comes Down to Self-Denial and Surrender) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/it-all-comes-down-to-desire-443/ (443: Ultimately, It All Comes Down to Desire) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-surrender-your-life-to-him-442/ (442: How to Surrender Your Life to Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-justified-by-action-441/ (441: Faith is Justified by Actions, Not by Mere Words)

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What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus?When Jesus began His earthly ministry, His initial message was the same as John the Baptist. He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). And throughout the next three years, one underlying theme in His teaching was about life in His Kingdom. When Jesus sent out His disciples to preach His message, He said, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ ” (Matt. 8:11). Jesus even told those close to Him why He spoke to the crowds in parables. And His answer had to do with concealing from some the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven. He said, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt. 13:11). Which begs the question, what does it mean to follow Jesus? And what is life like in His kingdom? Finally, He shared parables specifically pointed to revealing what the kingdom of heaven, His Kingdom, was like. He said it was like a “man who sowed good seed in his field” (Matt. 13:24). Or, it was like a “mustard seed” which, being small, grew into a tree “so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matt. 13:31). Jesus likened His Kingdom to “leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened” (Matt. 13:33). And to express how wonderful His Kingdom is for those who possess it, He said it was like a “treasure hidden in a field” (Matt. 13:44) or a “pearl of great price” (Matt. 13:46) that was worth all one had on earth. Jesus then asked His disciples, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord” (Matt. 13:51). I wonder what our answer would be today? Do we understand His Kingdom? Do we fully know what it means to follow Him? Can we honestly say we are proficient in following Jesus? I’m not so sure. And maybe you aren’t either. And What Does it Mean to Live in His Kingdom?Let’s just take a flyover view of the first few chapters in Matthew and see if we can determine some principles and instructions for what it means to live in the kingdom of heaven. And then compare them to what we teach in church today, and I think you’ll be as shocked as I was. •   Blessed… or Not So Blessed – Matthew 5:3-12 •   Self Identity – Matthew 5:13-16 •   His Standard of Righteousness – Matthew 5:20 •   Anger – Matthew 5:21-26 •   Lust and/or Sexual Sin – Matthew 5:27-30 •   Marital Relationships – Matthew 5:31-32 •   Oaths and Dishonesty – Matthew 5:33-37 •   How to Respond to Evil – Matthew 5:38-42 •   How to Respond to Haters – Matthew 5:43-47 •   Be Perfect – Matthew 5:48 •   Self-Promotion – Matthew 6:1-4 •   How to Pray – Matthew 6:5-13 •   How Much Forgiveness? – Matthew 6:14-15 •   Fasting and Other Disciplines – Matthew 6:16-17 •   Our Life Focus – Matthew 6:19-21 •   Everyone Serves Somebody or Something – Matthew 6:24 •   Worry, Doubt, and Fear – Matthew 6:25-34 •   I’m Right and You’re Wrong – Matthew 7:1-2 •   I’m Good and You’re Bad – Matthew 7:3-6 •   What is a Life of Faith – Matthew 7:7-11 •   Treat Others Like You Treat Yourself – Matthew 7:12 •   Turnstile or Interstate – Matthew 7:13-14 •   Fruit Inspector – Matthew 7:15-20 •   Doing and Not Just Talking – Matthew 7:21-23 •   Don’t Be Stupid! – Matthew 7:24-27 •   Minister Within Your Reach – Matthew 8:1-17 •   Everything

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You Cannot Follow Jesus Until You First SurrenderWhen Jesus instructed His disciples, and the others, about what it meant to follow Him in Matthew 16:24-25, He spoke of “desire to come after me” and then “let him deny himself.” We looked at desire in our last message, and now we will turn our focus to what He meant by “deny himself.” Note the requirement and sequence in the verse below. First, there must be desire (“if anyone desires to come after Me”). Then, a denial and the corresponding action showing the commitment to deny himself (“take up his cross”). And finally, the invitation to “follow Me.” Jesus shows surrendering to Him must follow in this order. In essence, first meet the conditions, and then come “follow Me.” Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” – Matthew 16:24-25. The word deny (aparnéomai) when followed by the pronoun heautón (oneself, himself) means “to deny oneself, or to disown and renounce self and to subjugate all works, interests, benefits, and enjoyments to another.” The word is also translated “to speak against, contradict, to avoid, reject, nullify, to stand firm against, resist, oppose.” When Jesus said we must “deny” ourselves, the impact of our denial affects all areas of our life. Deny, Denial, and Denied!In Matthew 10, Jesus speaks of confessing Him before men or risk having Him deny us before His Father. It is an extremely troubling warning from Christ that left no room for doubt or excuses. He said, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” – Matthew 10:27-28. Who is the One we are to fear? Exactly, the Lord. If so, do you have the fear of the Lord in you? How has that fear changed your life so far? “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore (the consequences of speaking what the Lord tells you to say); you are of more value than many sparrows” – Matthew 10:29-31. But then it gets quite serious for those who do not heed the Lord’s warning. “Therefore whoever confesses Me (where) before men, him I will also confess (where) before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies (refuse, avoid, reject, resist, oppose) Me (where) before men, him I will also deny (refuse, avoid, reject, resist, oppose) before My Father who is in heaven” – Matthew 10:32-33. Can you imagine being denied by Christ before the Father? Fear and ExcusesBut if I confess Jesus, my friends will not include me. Or my spouse will reject me even to the point of separation or divorce. Or I’ll lose my job and source of income. Or I’ll be persecuted, even to the point of possible imprisonment. Or… you choose the excuse. They are all the same, lame. But Jesus anticipated these excuses. He continued: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in law against her mother in law ’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is (what) not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is (what) not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is (what) not worthy of Me. (Therefore) He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life (why) for My sake will find it” – Matthew 10:34-39. Or are you a follower of Jesus according to what works best for you? Have...

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Are You Tired of Two Steps Forward and One Step Back?On any given Sunday, if a pastor asks by a show of hands how many in the congregation consider themselves followers of Christ, most would raise their hands. But if he followed up that question with: “And how many of you know what it means to be a follower of Jesus today?” – the number of raised hands would drop considerably. Maybe even to none. Why? Because our view today of following Jesus is a far cry from what it meant in the time of Jesus. Think about it for a moment. Today, following Jesus means agreeing to a set of doctrinal facts, going to church regularly, tithing, volunteering for some service ministry, adhering to a moral code, and reading and praying as often as we can. But in the New Testament, following Jesus meant something quite different. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). Note the components of His invitation. First, it begins with a conditional clause, if, like a classic if / then statement. “If you desire to come after Me, then these are the conditions.” Next, we have self-denial or self-subjugation to God. “If you desire to come after Me, the first condition is to deny yourself.” And finally, we are now privy to the degree to which self-denial must take place. “If you desire to come after Me, the first condition is to deny yourself even to the point of death, and a horrific death at that.” And only then does Jesus say, “and follow Me.” First, meet the conditions, and then “follow Me.” But What About Desire?Exactly. The entire invitation of Jesus hinges on the word, desire. If you desire, then do the following. If you don’t desire, then this message must not be for you. Which begs the questions, what is your desire regarding following Jesus? And is your desire great enough to pay the price necessary to meet His conditions? Ouch. This is where it often gets personal. In order to fully understand all of what Jesus said when He revealed His conditions of following Him, let’s look at this invitation from all three Gospel accounts. Only then can we fully understand all the implications and the Cost of Discipleship (to quote Bonhoeffer). The following is from Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:34-35, and Luke 9:23-24: Then Jesus (MK) called the people to Himself (LK) and said to them all, (MK) with His disciples also, (MT) “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross (LK) daily, (MT) and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake (MK) and the gospel’s (MT) will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul (LK) and is himself destroyed or lost? (MT) Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (MK) For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes (LK) in His own glory, and (MT) in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” Today, we will primarily focus on the issue of desire. •  What is your desire regarding Christ? •   Have you counted the costs of a deeper relationship with Him? •   Are you ready to pay the price? No matter what that price might be? •   Are you paying any price right now for your commitment to the Lord? •   Do you know if it will be much different in the future? Are you tired of taking two steps forward and then losing ground once again because you desire something less than all of His fullness manifested in your life? If so, then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/010920-Slides.pdf...

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Isn’t Surrender a Sign of Weakness?We have looked at what it takes to become a Faith Prepper over the last few weeks. We did this by learning to pray at all times by letting the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word, direct your prayers.  And we also spent some time learning how to trust at all times by allowing your faith to grow by having it exercised in often unpleasant situations. But even with all of this, we still are plagued with a few questions. •  How do we go from talking about faith to living by faith? •  How do we learn to trust the Lord in all things? •  How do we know and understand His will? •  What are the practical steps we need to take to surrender our all to Him? •  And how can we go about doing just that? The answer, according to Scripture, is found in the single word, surrender. It means “to yield, give up or over, submit, abandon, relinquish, cede, waive, or capitulate. From the Christian perspective, it means to relinquish ownership of what we consider ours: our property, rights, time, decisions, future, independence, basically our life. Surrender, like most things, is a choice. The classic passage on total surrender is found in Galatians 2:20. It reads: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” But there is so much more. As Bob Dylan Said, “Gotta Serve Somebody”In order to surrender our life to the Lord, we must first recognize we are created as a triune being. We consist of three parts: mind, body, and will. Total surrender comes when we purposely and with intention surrender all parts of ourselves to Him. First, we must surrender our mind. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every (what)  thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Next, we must surrender our body to the Lord. And then finally, we must surrender our will to the Lord. Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” – Luke 9:23-24. Note both “desire” and “deny himself, and take up his cross daily”. This speaks of both the surrender of the will and the body or flesh. Remember, you are not filled with the Holy Spirit because you desire to be filled nor because you confess your sins or present your body a living sacrifice— you are filled by faith. So it is with a surrender to the Lord. If we are willing but find your flesh weak, God is strong and will complete what you are unable to do. What God is initially looking for is your willingness to be all His. It all begins with desire. One final note, if you believe God is good and He is sovereign, can you give me one reason not to fully submit and surrender yourself to Him? Me neither. Other than pride. And that’s not a good thing. So where are you in your journey to surrender your life to the Lord? Have you surrendered yourself and left your life in His hands? Or have you, like many today, surrendered one moment and then snatched it out of His hands the next? Are you tired of the endless struggle and sense of failure? If so, then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121619-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121619-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/121619-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest...

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Actions Always Speak Louder Than WordsWe have previously looked at how to pray at all times and in all circumstances by letting the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word, direct our prayers. But next on the Faith Prepper list of required spiritual skills is learning how to trust Him at all times by allowing our faith to grow by having it exercised in often unpleasant circumstances. After all, faith grows when it is tested. And testing is usually unpleasant during the process but wonderful at the end. The Greek word translated “faith” in the New Testament is pístis and means: “to win over, to persuade. Subjectively it means firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth” This definition is used over 250 times in the New Testament alone. Everything in the Spirit is based on faith and everything of faith is designed by God to bypass the senses. Everything. In addition to this, all faith is not justified by merely having it. But all faith is justified by the action it produces. In other words, faith by itself is worth little. But faith, accompanied by actions or works based on that faith is alive and real. This is exactly what James was trying to tell us in James 2:14-26. Read it for yourself. People of Faith Did SomethingIf you look at the people included in Hebrews 11, what we affectionately call the roll-call of faith, they are all listed there not because of their faith, but what they did based on their faith. Or what actions they took empowered by their faith. To believe God told you to do something but then not have the faith to actually do it, will not land you on this list. Faith is justified by the actions empowered by our faith. Let’s look at Hebrews 11. By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain (Heb. 11:4). Or, “by faith Able did something…” By faith Noah prepared an ark (Heb. 11:7). Noah did something by faith. He built a boat in a desert when it had never rained. By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was told to leave his home and travel to a land promised to him by God (Heb. 11:8-10). His faith was justified, not by the fact he believed God had a land for him, but by the fact he actually left his home to travel to a foreign country. He did something. By faith, Abraham was told to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering (Heb. 11:17-19). And he did just that. If God hadn’t intervened, Abraham would have obeyed God explicitly and his son would have died. Why? Because faith is justified by actions. And Abraham’s actions proved his faith. By faith, Isaac and Jacob and Joseph did something on their death bed (Heb. 11:20-22). They did something. And what they did, by faith, is what qualified them to be listed with the others in this chapter. Next, we have Moses (Heb. 11:23-29). Then the story of the fall of Jericho (Heb. 11:30). We are presented with the faith and actions of Rahab (Heb. 11:31) and so many more, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets (Heb. 11:32-34). And they are all listed in the chapter because of the actions they took based on their faith. Not the other way around. So where are you in your journey of faith? Do you have the faith needed to be a faith prepper? Can your faith survive the coming darkness? What are you doing today to place yourself in situations where you must rely on your faith and not on your own wit or resources? Where do you want to go from here? To find out more about becoming a Faith Prepper, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120919-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120919-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120919-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/taking-god-at-his-word-440/ (440: Having Faith to Take God at His...

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We Either Believe God’s Word, or We Don’tOne of the attributes of becoming a Faith Prepper is learning how to trust God as His Word. I know many of us will say that we do. When pressed, almost all believers will state the mantra, “I believe everything God says, start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation.” After all, that’s the expected answer. To say anything less would make us seem like a lukewarm believer. But the truth is, most believers, maybe ever you, don’t truly take God’s Word as the final authority in your life. How can I say that? Because God’s Word speaks to just about every issue we face today yet the church seems to be divided up into various opinions that differ greatly from one another. If God’s Word doesn’t change and is always true, how can that be? If God’s Word says something is wrong, for example, how can any believer who claims God’s Word as the final authority in their life, have a different opinion than what the Word says? It seems inconsistent, doesn’t it? Hypocritical. As the adage goes, the Scriptures are true about everything it teaches. And it teaches about everything. To test whether God’s Word molds your opinions or whether your opinions are determined independent of God’s Word, I have listed a number of controversial issues below. What is your opinion on these? And whatever your opinion is, does it line up with the Word of God? If it doesn’t, who is wrong, and what are you prepared to do about it? Do My Opinions Matter?Let’s see how you would answer the following: •  Abortion – Does a woman have the right to end the life of her unborn child under any circumstances? •  Homosexuality – Is it a sin? Or did God create people both heterosexual and homosexual? •  Sex – Is premarital sex always a sin? Always? •  Divorce – Is it proper to divorce a spouse? •   Education – Whose responsibility is it to educate our children? Or, is it proper to send our children to government (public) schools? •  Tolerance – Is it true that Jesus never judged any one and neither should we as His followers? •  Children – How many children should a family have? Is birth control or family planning ever in God’s will? •  Church – Should women be pastors? Should women have leadership roles that involve men? •  Friends – Should a believer have friends that are non-believers? How close should they be? •  Home – Should a man be a stay at home dad? Or should a woman go to work outside the home and put the kids in daycare or public school? •  Spiritual Leadership – Whose responsibility is the spiritual leadership in a family? Father? Mother? Church? Someone else? •  Environment – How concerned should a Christian be about the environment? And what should they do about it? •  Politics – Should a believer ever vote for a Democrat? Should a believer ever vote for a Republican? Should a believer vote at all? •  Dating and Marriage – Should a believer ever marry an unbeliever? Should they date an unbeliever? •  Dating vs Courtship – Should a believer date at all? •  Islam – How is a believer to view the god of Islam? •  Drinking – Should a believer drink alcohol? •  Entertainment – Should a believer watch or listen to media that includes profanity, nudity, or sex? Should a believer watch or listen to media that promotes anything contrary to sound Biblical teaching? •  Money – How much money should a believer accumulate? And how much of their income should they give away? How many of your opinions were just that, opinions? How many of your views or convictions were based on...

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Praying Kingdom PrayersWhen we look at the content of the prayers of the early church we are amazed they didn’t pray like much of the church does today— for the little answerable “fix”. Instead, they prayed for Kingdom matters, what we call Kingdom Prayers. Let me explain. A “little answerable” is a prayer for a little “fix” that is often related to our sense of entitlement from God. These can be called horizontal prayers. We lose our job so we pray for a new one. A loved one is sick, so we pray for their healing. We don’t have enough money to make it through the end of the month, so we pray to win the lottery. And on the surface, these seem like proper, loving, spiritual prayers. But that’s not how the early church prayed. A Kingdom prayer, on the other hand, is praying for something that has lasting value and importance in the Kingdom of God. For example, look at the following prayers and note what they are asking for (and what they are not): Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-19, Romans 15:5-6, 13, Philippians 1:9-11, Philemon 1:4-6. Our Prayers Today Compared to the Early ChurchDo you see the difference? Instead of praying for the current situation to be remedied, the early church prayed for a lasting effect in the believer no matter how the situation turned out. Their prayers were long-term, character-focused, and not merely looking for an immediate “fix” to make life better. So what can we learn from this? Assuming you looked up the verses listed above, the following are a few truths we can glean from the content of the Kingdom prayers. One, don’t immediately just jump to the obvious when you pray for a need. Instead, begin by asking God what He wants to do in that situation? Or, what is His will regarding what you pray? Or finally, what would give Him the most glory in this situation? Then, begin to pray accordingly. Two, don’t be so quick to pray for the results or the “fix”. Instead, pray for spiritual growth, insight, and development in the life of the one in need. Again, ask God what He wants to do to bring glory to Himself in this situation or how He wants to transform the person into the image of His Son in this? Three, when you don’t know what to pray, then pray Scripture. The Holy Spirit will guide you in your prayer and even pray for you when you don’t know how to pray. Remember the promise in Romans 8:26-27. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God – Romans 8:26-27. Having the content of your prayers changed to focus more on the eternal rather than the temporal is one major step to becoming a faith prepper. To find out more about how this is done and how to become a faith prepper, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120719-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120719-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/120719-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-pray-gods-word-438/ (438: How to Have the Confidence to Pray God’s Word) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-union-with-christ-437/ (437: Our Position in Christ and Our Union with Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/exercising-faith-no-pain-no-gain-436/ (436: Exercising Faith: No Pain, No Gain) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-become-a-faith-prepper-435/ (435: How to Become a Faith Prepper) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/preparing-for-the-invite-434/ (434: Preparing for the Invite to the Lord’s Table)

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The Power of Praying ScriptureFor the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about praying through Scripture to help focus our prayers and have specifically been using the book of Ephesians. If you remember, before we began, we looked at three great truths regarding using God’s Word to focus our prayers. They are: One, there is a direct connection between the degree that Scripture shapes our minds and the degree to which our prayers are answered. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” – John 15:7. Two, God only answers the prayers and petitions that His Son had some part in asking. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him – 1 John 5:14-15. And three, the early church prayed Scripture. And so should we. But today, we want to focus on some doctrines we found in just the first chapter of Ephesians. It is on these doctrines we have been focusing our prayers. Praying Through DoctrinesSome truths we have been praying through are: 1. God’s Calling 2. Faithfulness 3. Grace and Peace 4. Blessed is our God 5. Complete in Him 6. Being “in Christ” and all that means 7. Election 8. Sanctification 9. Identification 10. Predestination 11. Adoption 12. Sovereignty of God 13. Grace 14. Our Acceptance 15. Redemption 16. Substitutionary Atonement of Christ 17. Forgiveness of Sins 18. Grace in Abundance / Riches of His Grace 19. Wisdom and Prudence of God 20. Reconciliation 21. The Church 22. Eternal Security / Sealed 23. Holy Spirit 24. How to Pray / What to Pray For 25. Revelation 26. The Knowledge of God 27. Effectual Calling 28. Eternal Life / Our Final State 29. Resurrection 30. Ascension 31. Power 32. Dominion I hope you can see the importance of using Scripture to focus your prayers, especially as we see dark times approaching. To find out more about how this is done and how to become a faith prepper, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112719-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112719-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112719-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-union-with-christ-437/ (437: Our Position in Christ and Our Union with Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/exercising-faith-no-pain-no-gain-436/ (436: Exercising Faith: No Pain, No Gain) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-become-a-faith-prepper-435/ (435: How to Become a Faith Prepper) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/preparing-for-the-invite-434/ (434: Preparing for the Invite to the Lord’s Table) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-natural-reaction-to-seeing-him-433/ (433: Our Natural Reaction to Seeing Him)

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What Does it Mean to be “In Christ”?As we look more into the idea of being a faith prepper, one of the key elements to understanding our position in Christ is to get a firm grasp on our union with Him. After all, it seems the most common phrase in Scripture regarding our position is “in Christ” or “in Him”. But what does that mean? And what kind of union with Christ does that phrase imply? Let’s put on our theology hats for just a moment and look at the two types of unions spoken of in Scripture about Christ. Two Types of UnionFirst, we can see our union with Christ as a federal (head) or covenantal union (called Federalism). Romans 5:12-21 shows each of us as being in Adam before salvation and in Christ after salvation. And God established Adam as a representative or federal head of the human race. If Adam continued in righteousness, we would also have been considered to have continued in righteousness, being in Adam. But if Adam sinned, we too would be considered as also having sinned, being in Adam. This is where we begin to understand original sin. If Adam sinned and fell by the transgression of God’s command, then we would also be considered to have sinned in him and Adam’s sin judgment and subsequent death would pass on to each of us. And, as we know, Adam did sin and death was passed on to each of us. This is the proof of our identification with Adam. But Jesus did not sin and, by living a perfect, sinless life, not only demonstrated for each of us a practical and perfect righteousness in His own life, but He also died for us who would be united to Him in faith. See 1 Peter 3:18 ––“the just for the unjust”. Thus, those judged sinners because of Adam’s sin are now declared righteous because of Christ’s righteousness. Our sin was imputed to Him and His righteousness was imputed to us. Therefore, because He is justified, we are justified. Because He is raised, we are raised. Because He is exalted to heaven, so are we. And because He now sits at the right hand of the Father in glory, so also are we seated. Second, we can describe our union with Christ as an experiential union with Him. This refers to the actual effects in us of our relationship and union with Christ. It’s how our union with Him relates to us in real-time. It is like positional vs practical sanctification. And we can see most clearly it in Jesus’ teaching about the vine and branches in John 15. Let me suggest you turn to John 15 in your Bible and read along as you listen to this teaching. Why? Because knowing who you are “in Christ” is a fundamental first step in becoming a faith prepper. And becoming a faith prepper is a necessary first step to becoming the kind of believer you will need to be to navigate the times that are coming. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112619-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112619-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112619-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/exercising-faith-no-pain-no-gain-436/ (436: Exercising Faith: No Pain, No Gain) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-become-a-faith-prepper-435/ (435: How to Become a Faith Prepper) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/preparing-for-the-invite-434/ (434: Preparing for the Invite to the Lord’s Table) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-natural-reaction-to-seeing-him-433/ (433: Our Natural Reaction to Seeing Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-importance-of-trust-in-dark-times-432/ (432: The Importance of Trust in Dark Times)

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“Lord, Increase Our Faith!”As we grow in our life with Christ and actually, without reservation, take His Word and His promises at face value, we will inevitably come face to face with the limits of our faith. After all, there is only so much we can believe today and, if we are growing in our faith, there will hopefully be more we can believe tomorrow. But right now we live in today and today we must prepare for tomorrow. That is why His disciples cried out to Him and pleaded, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). That’s the essence of being a faith prepper. So let me ask just a few questions. What is the shortest way to get from where you are in your life of faith right now and where you want to be? Or, what can you do to increase your faith? Just like everything else in life, increase comes from repeated use and exercise. So you must exercise your faith, and unfortunately, that is done by having your faith tested. No pain, no gain. No Pain, No GainIf you will look at James 1:2-4, you will see this is the classic No Pain, No Gain passage regarding faith. Especially when you take the time to define the words James uses to convey this truth. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. After looking up the various Greek words in the verse, it would read something like this: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall (surrounded, engulfed, in the midst of) into various trials (temptations, testing, adversity, afflictions), knowing (ginṓskō) that the testing (to try or prove by afflictions) of your faith (firm persuasion, conviction, assurance, belief in the truth) produces (to work, to bring about, to accomplish, to carry out a task until it is finished) patience (to persevere, to remain under, to bear up under, to endure). But let patience (to persevere, to remain under, to bear up under, to endure) have its perfect (reaching a goal or purpose, finished, that which has reached its end, complete, full, wanting for nothing) work (performance, the result or object of employment), (why) that you may be perfect (reaching a goal or purpose, finished, that which has reached its end, complete, full, wanting for nothing) and complete (all, the whole, sound, perfect, with all its needed parts), lacking nothing – James 1:2-4. And it that wasn’t enough, read Matthew 10:1-15, where Jesus intentionally puts His disciples in situations that will require them to exercise their faith. After all, He sends them out two by two and tells them to bring nothing with them to rely on. Then He commands them to do the same things by faith they had seen their Lord do. It was time to exercise their faith, time to move from milk to meat. It was time to grow up. No pain, no gain. Next, we have the account of the early church in the first few chapters of Acts. Different day, but same story. Every time a new trial comes their way, it forced them to rely only on Jesus and to exercise their faith in Him. Read it for yourself. To grow in the faith we are going to need, as our world dissolves into more chaos, requires us to become proficient with the faith we already possess. From there, growth comes from testing. And testing is often painful. But that shouldn’t be a surprise to any of us. Why? Because of the universal truth, “No Pain, No Gain”. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112519-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112519-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/112519-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-become-a-faith-prepper-435/ (435: How to Become a Faith Prepper) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/preparing-for-the-invite-434/ (434:...

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How to Prepare for the Coming DarknessThere comes a time in each of our lives when we have to ask ourselves some tough questions, especially as we see the coming darkness growing over our land and the church. And for many, that day of self-examination and questioning is today. Consider the following: •  What are we to do when we see the darkness rapidly encroaching on everything we hold dear? •  How do we raise our children in this deeply divided and hostile environment? •  How are we to remain light in the coming darkness? •  Where do we find our strength for the journey? •  Where can we go for our encouragement and motivation to stand strong, come what may? •  What is going to happen to all we know and love if things keep getting darker? •  How can we become, today, the believers we need to be, seeing all the surrounding chaos? The answer is simple. It is now time to put everything aside and begin to prepare for what lies ahead. No more denial or sticking our heads in the sand. It is now time to become a faith prepper. It’s Time to Become a Faith PrepperA faith prepper, like any prepper, is one who sees the danger ahead and sacrifices today for tomorrow in order to secure the safety and well being of those he loves. After all, Noah built the ark before it started to rain. Consider these two people who both saw the danger, yet only one did anything about it. Which are you? A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished – Proverbs 22:3. Just a few more questions. •  How can we, as individual believers and as a church, work, and sacrifice to become a faith prepper? •  What is the shortest distance between where we are spiritually and where we need to be? •  What is the key to intimacy with the Lord? •  And what is the one area in our spiritual lives that is most lacking? Answer: Prayer. That’s right, the first step to becoming a faith prepper is understanding the importance of prayer. And we will do that with a 21 Day Prayer Challenge to “Pray Before Anything”. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103119-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103119-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103119-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/preparing-for-the-invite-434/ (434: Preparing for the Invite to the Lord’s Table) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-natural-reaction-to-seeing-him-433/ (433: Our Natural Reaction to Seeing Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-importance-of-trust-in-dark-times-432/ (432: The Importance of Trust in Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-be-filled-with-the-holy-spirit-431/ (431: How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/he-is-sovereign-430/ (430: Above All Else, He is Sovereign!)

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It’s More Than a Simple Church RitualWhen we come to the Lord’s table, we often spend little time in spiritual preparation to meet with our Lord. But this is His table, and He has offered to each of us, regardless of our sins and failures, the blessing to come and dine with Him. Remember His words to His disciples? Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). With “fervent desire I have desired.” Can you feel the intensity of His words? This is something Jesus was passionate about, something that He truly wanted to do. And it involved each of us. Spiritual Preparation for the InviteIn the Philadelphia church age (Rev. 3:7-13) where the Lord only had good things to say about the church, just a few generations ago, the church took the Lord’s Supper much more seriously than we do today. In fact, they had printed prayers and a devotional study they spent the week going through to make sure they were not taking this in an “unworthy manner” (1 Cor. 11:29). For example, let me give you the text for just Saturday, the day of Self-Surrender to the Lord. My Father, You call me to Your table to participate by faith anew in the sacrifice of Your Son: I cry to You, in turn, to make me partaker of the power, the inclination, and the spirit of His self-sacrifice, that I, in fellowship with Him, may in like manner offer myself up to You. “Through the Eternal Spirit, He offered Himself up to God.” My God, let the same Spirit make me also, on my part, a complete offering to You. My Father, grant unto me to see that self-offering constitutes the essence and the worth of His sacrifice. Let the surrender of my feeling and will to the will of God be the mark of my piety. Yes, Lord, let me live as one who offers himself wholly to the desire of God and man to further Your honor and their salvation. My Father, at the Supper I desire truly to present myself as a living, a holy sacrifice, well-pleasing, to God—an offering that shall be wholly consumed. For this end, I entreat You for grace to prepare myself for this sacrifice, as Your Son prepared Himself for the sacrifice on Golgotha by saying in Gethsemane: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” So would I offer myself as a sacrifice to You with the complete surrender of my will: may Your will be all in all to me, O my God. Lord enable me to say in truth: “I live only to do the will of God.” In the strength of Jesus Christ, who lives in me and in whom I offer myself to You, I venture to make His language my own: “I come to do Your will, O God!” Lord, prepare me also to say: I desire here before You to renounce every known and unknown sin. All self-seeking and self-will I desire to abandon before You. I take Jesus Christ as my holiness, my strength, my victory; and in virtue of the new nature which He has prepared for me, I say: Father, no more sin, but Your will only— Your will wholly, Your will always and in all. Lord Jesus, who did give Himself for me, I give myself to You. Yes, Lord, in this very moment, where I in solitude am this morning preparing myself for the Supper, I say before heaven and earth: Jesus, Son of God, I will give myself wholly to You, to live now and henceforth only for You. Lord Jesus, I do this now. And as one who is offered to the Father and to You, I will go to the Supper table, there to be confirmed in the faith and confession; I am no longer my own: I have been bought with a high price: I will glorify God in my body and my spirit, which are God’s. Are you humbled? Convicted? Maybe you should be. I know I am when I read this and the rest of what they prayed during their week of preparation for the invite. Take some time and read through the days of prep the church of a time gone by spent preparing themselves to meet with the Lord. And see, like me, if it doesn’t give you a deeper view of what this Lord’s Supper is all about....

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Seeing Jesus Face to FaceWhen we look at the Revelation, we should be shocked by the reaction of those who see Jesus face to face. First, John. And then the twenty-four elders. Look at the reaction of John: After John hears the loud voice of the Lord, “as a trumpet”, and sees the seven lampstands and the seven stars and the “One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band” – John is so overwhelmed that he “fell at His feet as dead”. Dead. John had reached his ability to function and all his systems had shut down. Have you ever responded like that when you encountered the Lord Jesus? Have you ever known anyone who has? And, if not, did you ever wonder why? The Twenty-Four EldersBut when the twenty-four elders see Christ, their reaction puts us to shame. Consider the following: Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:9-11). And then their praise continues: Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:8-10). And more… Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever (Revelation 5:11-14). What Are We Missing?I think it’s kind of obvious, don’t you? What we see in the Revelation is a far cry from what we experience each Sunday in church. Which makes me wonder why? •  Has God changed? •  Does He allow Himself to be worshipped one way by the twenty-four elders but expects less from us today? •  Or is He now content and satisfied by our lukewarm adoration of His Son? •  Is He, like us, more concerned about what we feel comfortable with than what His Son deserves? •  Has the Father finally determined that “it’s all about us” and not about Him? I think not. There is so much more we need to know and understand about how to truly worship the Lord that is found in the pages of the Revelation. So let’s find out more together, shall we? To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100219-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100219-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/100219-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-importance-of-trust-in-dark-times-432/ (432: The Importance of Trust in Dark Times) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-be-filled-with-the-holy-spirit-431/ (431: How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit)...

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Sometimes, You Have to Stand AloneThe expectation for our future, as a Nation and as the church, are grim indeed. We are going to face some very tough times, and have to navigate some very rough waters, especially for those of us who live in the United States. During the Tribulation, the Bible teaches that Israel will stand alone. No longer will we be her protector. God will fill that role. In fact, the US is not even a minor player in the end times scenario. Look at Ezekiel 38 and 39 if you need convincing. The prophetic future of the US is almost non-existent. Something must happen to us to bring us down to the point we can no longer protect Israel. Can you see it coming? Just look around. The ExpectationWe are facing unprecedented times in America: •  Our trade war with China, and soon the rest of the world. •  The coming 2020 elections and all the chaos that will surely follow, regardless of who wins. •  The overt attack on Christianity in the media. •  The almost insane push of the homosexual agenda. •  Judicial tyranny at every level. •  The widespread corruption in our honored institutions and the government. •  Natural disasters run amok, earthquakes, drought, hurricanes, flooding, etc. •  Societal breakdown. •  Hatred among citizens. •  The public talk of a Second Civil War. •  Mass shootings and other acts of terror on almost a daily basis. And it only gets worse. Because of these, we will need to learn to lean more on the Lord than ever before. Sunday School faith will no longer cut it. Church, as we have known it in the West, will become more and more obsolete and irrelevant. Your personal faith and trust in the Lord will rapidly become the most important thing in your life. And it all hinges on one word: Trust. Trust During the Coming DarknessThe classic Old Testament teaching on trust is found in Proverbs 3:5-6. There our Lord gives us a profound if/then promise, the very if/then promise we so desperately need as we see the darkness approaching. Consider His words: (if) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, (if) and lean not on your own understanding; (if) in all your ways acknowledge Him, (then) and He shall direct your paths. As we look at this promise, we are compelled to ask ourselves a few questions about the joy of having the Lord directing our paths. •  What would you give, especially when we see the coming darkness in our world growing stronger, to have the Lord of All direct your life? •  What would it be worth to you to have the confidence to run to Him for shelter and refuge and to know you are welcome under His wings? •  What confidence in dark days would that give you? There is so much more here than just what we read on the surface. To discover the meaning and implication of each word of this glorious if/then promise, and then to rest in His promise, you will need to keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092419-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092419-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/092419-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/how-to-be-filled-with-the-holy-spirit-431/ (431: How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/he-is-sovereign-430/ (430: Above All Else, He is Sovereign!) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/signs-of-the-end-deception-429/ (429: The Primary Sign of the End: Deception) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-remembering-428/ (428: The Forgotten Discipline of Remembering) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/are-you-in-or-are-you-out-427/ (427: Are You In? Or Are You Out? Time to Choose)

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The Promise of the Father – Acts 1:4As we begin to see the darkness come over our land and persecution confront the church in ways unimaginable just a generation ago, it is well past time for each of us to understand and embrace the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit like never before. As Apollo Creed said to Rocky to shake him from his fear, “There is no tomorrow!” And Apollo was right. There is no tomorrow. The time for spiritual preparation is today. Actually, it should have been yesterday, or last week. We cannot put the time for fervency towards our Lord off any longer. The well-worn excuses about family responsibilities, career advancement, and the general business of life seem trite at best, and will mean nothing when persecution comes. And it will come. Most assuredly, it will come. The Scriptures promise persecution. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution – 2 Timothy 3:12 That is, of course, unless you aren’t particularly interested in living godly in Christ. Then you may be pretty safe, right until the time you take the mark on your hand or forehead. But that’s another issue for another time. How to be Filled with the Holy SpiritThe key to living a life of assurance and confidence in Him is learning how to remain filled with the Holy Spirit. And before you can remain filled, you have to be filled in the first place. This is what this message talks about. We talk about some steps you can take to prepare yourself for His filling. They are as follows: First, you must desire to live a life that will please the Lord. Second, be willing to surrender your life totally and irrevocably to our Lord Jesus Christ. Third, confess every known sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and experience the cleansing and forgiveness that God promises in 1 John 1:9. Fourth, ask Him, by faith, to fill you with the Holy Spirit. You can pray something like this: Dear Father, I need You. I hunger and thirst for a more vital relationship with You. I admit that I have been in control of my life. And, as a result, I have sinned against You. Thank You for forgiving my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now confess and turn from my sins and surrender the control of my life to the Lord Jesus. By faith, I invite You to fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled. You promised to fill me if I ask according to Your will. I pray this in the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. To demonstrate my faith, I now thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit and for taking control of my life. Amen. But that’s not the end. There is So Much More to Learn.You will need to understand the basis of God’s filling, and it has nothing to do with the amount of time you spend praying or the people who lay hands on you. The basis is on the command (Eph. 5:18) and promise (1 John 5:14-15) of God. And the filling of the Holy Spirit is given to you the same way you received salvation, by faith. But there is so much more about all this that we cannot do it justice in this simple summary. To find out more, you will need to keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/082019-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/082019-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/082019-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/he-is-sovereign-430/ (430: Above All Else, He is Sovereign!) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/signs-of-the-end-deception-429/ (429: The Primary Sign of the End: Deception) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-remembering-428/ (428: The Forgotten Discipline of Remembering) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/are-you-in-or-are-you-out-427/ (427: Are You In? Or Are You Out? Time to Choose)...

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What Do You Value Most About God?When we think of Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions or a church mission statement, we know they comprise our bedrock values. So it is the same with each of us when we attempt to put on paper what we value most about God. For me, the choice was simple. In addition to His grace and mercy, His abounding love and forgiveness, the one attribute that I cling to the most about our Lord is His sovereignty. Yes, the Almighty is sovereign! He is Lord over all!  He is the Supreme Ruler. He is the Creator. He is the Final Arbitrator. He is All in All. He is the great “I AM.” There is nowhere to go beyond God. He is Sovereign! He is Sovereign!So how can I communicate the greatness of His sovereignty? Let’s start with just a few verses that speak of that. We’ll begin with my life verse: But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” – Psalm 115:3. Why? Because He is sovereign. “Remember this, and show yourselves men; recall to mind, O you transgressors. Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'” – Isaiah 46:8-10. How can this be true? Because He is sovereign. For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places – Psalm 135:5-6. How is this possible? Because He is sovereign. And everything belongs to our Sovereign God. The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters – Psalm 24:1-2. How can everything belong to Him? Because He is sovereign. What does that really mean? He is Omnipotent (all powerful). His power is unfathomable to us. It is infinite and has no limit or end. And God is not limited to what He has already done. God can do infinitely more than He already has. What Does that Mean For Me Today?Understanding God’s sovereignty and His unconditional love for you should forever remove any worry, doubt, fear, apathy, or depression from your life. After all, the very one who slung the universe into existence has the hairs on your head numbered (Matthew 10:30). And it can’t get any better than that. And how can He do that? Simple. He is sovereign. There is so much more to know about God’s sovereignty. To find out more, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/070419-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/070419-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/070419-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/signs-of-the-end-deception-429/ (429: The Primary Sign of the End: Deception) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-remembering-428/ (428: The Forgotten Discipline of Remembering) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/are-you-in-or-are-you-out-427/ (427: Are You In? Or Are You Out? Time to Choose) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-personal-revival-looks-like-426/ (426: What Does Personal Revival Look Like?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/is-real-revival-possible-425/ (425: Is Revival Possible? Even for Us?)

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Preparing for Life in the Last DaysIn this message, we begin a deep journey into the prophetic words of Christ found in Matthew 24. Why? Because we are truly living in the last of the last days and it would do us well to see what our Lord has to say about the events that precede His coming. And we will especially look at the first sign Jesus told us would point to the beginning of the end, deception. That’s right, deception is planáō in Greek and means “to cause to wander, to be led astray, to mislead, to seduce, to cause to err.” Or, simply put, good old-fashioned deception. This raises just a few questions. •  How are we being deceived today? •  And, if we are being deceived, how would we know? •  Are there other places in the Scriptures that warn us against deception? •  What kind of deception can we expect? •  And what was the specific focus of the deception Jesus spoke about? How Important is the Coming (and Present) DeceptionTo see how rampant deception is in our society, and as a sign of the end, look at how many times Jesus spoke about it in Matthew 24: And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” – Matthew 24:5. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” – Matthew 24:11. And how powerful will that deception be? “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” – Matthew 24:24. Did you catch that? If it were possible (and we know that it’s not), even the elect, those chosen and sealed by Christ, would be deceived. It’s gonna be bad. Who Do You Trust?One final question regarding trust and deception. Ask yourself this one question: Who do you trust? If you’re honest, your answer may shock you. •  Do you trust your government? The media? Hollywood? •  Do you trust what you read in the news or on Facebook? •  Do you trust what you are taught in school? •  Do you trust our economic system in this country? •  Do you trust the church? •  The family? •  Do you trust your friends or spouse? There is so much more to talk about regarding deception. To find out more, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/070319-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/070319-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/070319-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/the-forgotten-discipline-of-remembering-428/ (428: The Forgotten Discipline of Remembering) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/are-you-in-or-are-you-out-427/ (427: Are You In? Or Are You Out? Time to Choose) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-personal-revival-looks-like-426/ (426: What Does Personal Revival Look Like?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/is-real-revival-possible-425/ (425: Is Real Revival Possible? Even for Us?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-greatest-gift-from-him-424/ (424: Realizing Our Greatest Gift is From Him)

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“We’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin'”Unfortunately, in our walk with the Lord, Chaucer’s ancient adage proves true: Familiarity Breeds Contempt. It breeds contempt in the form of apathy, laziness, indifference, lack of honor or respect and, finally, misplaced love. It seems to be the curse of Western Christianity that wants for nothing save the things that matter. What can we do when we find our relationship with the Lord boring at best? What happens when, to quote the classic song by the Righteous Brothers, “we’ve lost that lovin’ feelin'”? What happens then? How can we recapture what we have a hard time even remembering? We find the answer in the Lord’s letter to His church in Ephesus. Familiarity Breeds ContemptThe church at Ephesus, when John penned the Revelation, was only one generation removed from the life of the Lord. They were a hard-working bunch of committed believers who had a resume and doctrinal purity that would be the envy of almost any church today. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary” – Revelation 2:2-3. In fact, they worked for the Lord to the point of sheer exhaustion. “I know your works (the results of employment, duty, business, something to be done), your labor (to toil to the point of exhaustion, the labor which demands the whole strength of a man exerted to the utmost to accomplish the task), your patience (to remain under, to bear up under), and that you cannot bear (support, stand) those who are evil (bad, worthless, wicked, vicious, harmful, bad in heart, conduct, and character). And you have tested (tried, to prove either good or bad) those who say (affirm, proclaim) they are apostles (messengers, sent ones) and are not, and have found (by examination, search, or inquiry) them liars (false); and you have persevered (to bear up under patiently) and have patience (to endure, to remain under), and have labored (to be fatigued, worn out, weary, faint) for (what) My name’s sake and have not become weary (faint from constant work).” I get tired just reading all that they did.  But, like the church today, they had missed the most important part of their relationship with Jesus. The relationship! “Nevertheless (despite all this) I (Jesus) have this against you, that you have left (to forsake, quit, abandon, desert) your first love ( agapē)” – Revelation 2:4. Sobering words. The Lord said He is “against” them… even after all the good they had done. How could that be? And what can they do to right their sinking ship? It may seem simple, but it is hard to remember the right things. Sometimes it is painfully hard. “Remember (to call to mind, to keep on remembering) therefore from where (why, how) you have fallen (to fall off or from, to fall away, to fail, to be without effect, in vain); repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place— unless you repent” – Revelation 2:5. Do You Remember?It may seem simple, but it is hard to remember the right things. Sometimes it is painfully hard. Consider the following questions to help begin the process of remembering: •  What does it mean to remember? •  Take a moment and remember your first few weeks as a new creation in Christ. •  What were you like? •  Back then, how would you feel about yourself now? •  Did you make any promises to the Lord that you would not even think of making today? •  Did you keep whatever promises you made to Him? •  Has your relationship with Him cooled over time? •  If so, did it happen gradually, like a slow leak? •  Or did it happen all at

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You Can’t Sit on the Fence ForeverThere comes a time in each of our spiritual lives when the Lord brings to us His divine interruption that always comes with a choice. And that choice, other than obedience, seems to focus on our willingness to let Him move us into an area that we are totally unfamiliar with.  Or will we choose to remain where we feel safe and comfortable? The choice is to follow Him into the deep or remain in the kiddie pool holding fast to our water wings. And as always, the choice becomes a matter of faith, of trust. After all, we sing songs about Him being a “good, good Father.” Do we really mean it? Or is that just for church? The question or choice is simply this: Are You In? Or Are You Out?If you look at the major faith personalities in the Bible, you will find every one of them had to ask themselves the same question.  Every one of them faced a choice that comes with a set of troubling questions: “Do I continue in the course that seems right to me? Or do I trust I actually heard from the Lord and go in a direction totally unfamiliar to anything I’ve ever done or known? How much faith do I really have?” We call these moments Divine Interruptions. In this message, we’ll look at these interruptions from the vantage point of: David Paul Mary Matthew James and John and Peter and Andrew Moses And finally, Hosea. A Personal NoteAnd I will share with you the divine interruption I received this week while preparing for this message from Jude. In fact, in the weeks to follow, I will share more about the changes the Lord has brought in my life regarding what His will is for me and this ministry. And I rejoice in that. Why? Because He has simply answered a prayer I have prayed for almost two years in a most profound way. But we’ll talk more about that at a later time. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061719-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061719-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061719-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/what-does-personal-revival-looks-like-426/ (426: What Does Personal Revival Look Like?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/is-real-revival-possible-425/ (425: Is Real Revival Possible? Even for Us?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-greatest-gift-from-him-424/ (424: Realizing Our Greatest Gift is From Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/breathing-view-christ-423/ (423: Experiencing a Breathtaking View of Christ) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/christ-one-enough-422/ (422: Christ + One = More Than Enough)

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Wanted: Mature, Spirit-Led BelieversWhen it comes to revival, personal revival, we are somewhat hamstrung by the reality that many in the church today do not know what that even looks like. Think about it. It’s not like you can pick up the phone and call a mature Christian saint who is at the top of their game spiritually, and has been for years, and ask them to mentor us in a personal revival. It seems, at least in the West, that those people are few and far between, if they exist at all. And this is to the shame of the church… and to each of us as individuals. So we’re back to the fundamental question. What Does Personal Revival Look Like?In this message, we’ll look at a few Scriptures that describe to us what true, Spirit-led, personal revival looks like. Some passages we’ll examine are Psalm 119:25, 37, and 40, along with a few of the kingdom parables (Matthew 13:44-46). We then look at Philippians 3:7-8, and a few other passages, and conclude by asking just a few questions. •  What is worth selling all you have to acquire? •  What is worth everything you are? •  What is the thing you value the most? •  Have you asked the Lord to show you things in your life that are worthless and deceitful and are causing you to sin and grieve the Holy Spirit? •  Or are you too afraid of what He might say? •  What will you do if He shows you what must go? •  Is the promise of living your life more alive and more abundantly than you are now worth more than holding on to what we are convinced brings lasting joy? •  Will you ask Him right now to reveal it to you? But as we shared last week… The Time is NowRemember, our first step in seeking true revival is to ask HIm what we are doing, or not doing, that grieves His Spirit. Until then, be vigilant and strong and live out the life He intended for you to live. Empowered by HIm, seeking Him, depending on Him alone, and faithfully serving Him wherever He commands. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061019-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061019-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/061019-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/is-real-revival-possible-425/ (425: Is Real Revival Possible? Even for Us?) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/our-greatest-gift-from-him-424/ (424: Realizing Our Greatest Gift is From Him) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/breathing-view-christ-423/ (423: Experiencing a Breathtaking View of Christ) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/christ-one-enough-422/ (422: Christ + One = More Than Enough) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/wicked-witch-thyatira-421/ (421: Beware of the Wicked Witch of Thyatira)

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The Solution is ObviousThe greatest need for the church, and for our fractured nations, is revival. No, not the kind of revival we have been satisfied with over the last two generations: the hired evangelist that comes once a year to preach all week to half the congregation of a church, salvation messages to people who are already saved. That’s not real revival. It’s a cheap second. A knock-off. So what is real revival and is it even possible? The First and Second Great AwakeningReal revival has taken place on our shores, but it was several centuries ago and has become known as the First and Second Great Awakening. It was spurred on by the preaching of Charles Finney, Wesley, Whitefield, and many others, who faithfully preached about the conviction of sin and the need for repentance and conversion. In fact, the results in the communities where revival took place were remarkable. But note this, modern, manufactured feel-good meetings are not true revival. In fact, they are a cheap substitute for something Spirit-led and ordained by a sovereign God. In 1932, William Sprague took upon himself to research the Great Awakenings in our nation and wrote a book titled, Lectures on Revival. In his book, he quoted many ministers who had experienced, firsthand, the Spirit-led move of God on this land. One of these men was Francis Wayland, a Baptist pastor and president of Brown University. Wayland described the true revival he had experienced: I believe in the existence of revivals of religion, as much as I believe in any other fact, either physical or moral. By revivals of religion, I mean special seasons in which the minds of men, within a certain district, or in a certain congregation, are more than usually susceptible of impressions from the exhibition of moral truth. For example, ministers are more than usually desirous of the conversion of men. They possess, habitually, an unusual power of presenting the simple truths of the gospel directly to the consciences of their hearers, and feel a peculiar consciousness of their own weakness and insufficiency, and at the same time a perfect reliance upon the efficacy of the gospel, through the agency of the Spirit, to convert men. Christians, during periods of revival, are characterized by an unusual spirit of penitence, of confession of sin, and of prayer, by a desire for more holiness, and especially by a tender concern for the salvation of souls. Unconverted persons are more desirous to hear the gospel, and particularly the plainest and simplest exhibitions of it; they readily listen to conversations on the subject and seem to expect it. Truths which they have frequently heard with total unconcern they now hear with solemn and fixed attention; and in many cases, for days together, scarcely a sermon will be preached, or an exhortation offered, which is not made effectual to the conviction or conversion of one or more souls. This is what true revival looks like. Ever experienced that? Have you ever known anyone in the West that has seen God move this way? I didn’t think so. Me neither. The Time is NowBut all of our excuses must stop. Not one of us who have known the Lord for any amount of time should rest until we make a commitment to Him to do whatever is necessary to see Him move today, in our lives, our church, and in our country, as He has in the past. Anything less is a great failure on our part and, honestly, a wasted life. And remember, our first step in seeking true revival is to ask HIm what we are doing, or not doing, that grieves His Spirit. But we’ll talk more about that later. Until then, be vigilant and strong and live out the life He intended for you to live. Empowered by HIm, seeking Him, depending on Him alone, and faithfully serving Him wherever He commands. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/051019-Slides.pdf...

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It’s Christmas All Year LongAs the Christmas season is winding down, it would be appropriate for us to look at the greatest gift we have ever received from the greatest Person we have ever known— our Lord, and to give Him praise for that wondrous gift. And for me, I find that gift revealed to me in Colossians. Let’s look at this gift together. No Longer Alienated and Enemies of the LordThe Scriptures say that I, and all who are called by His name, are no longer “alienated and enemies” of the Lord. Look at this marvelous gift found in Colossians 1:21-22: And you (your name), who once were (past tense) alienated (apallotrióō – to estrange, alienate entirely) and enemies (echthrós – hatred, hostility, enmity) in your mind by (what) wicked works, yet now (present tense) He (Christ’s actions) has reconciled (apokatallássō – the restoration of a relationship of peace which has been disturbed) in the body of His flesh (how) through death, (why) to present (paristánō – to cause to stand near or before) you (your name) holy (hágios – set apart, sanctified, consecrated, a saint), and blameless (ámōmos – unblameable, without spot or blemish) and above reproach (anégklētos –unreproveable, not merely unaccusable but unaccused, free from any legal charge) in His sight (presence, before His face). But there is more. He keeps us from stumbling and presents us as faultless before His glory. Amazing.  Read it yourself in Jude 1:24. Now to Him (Christ) who is able to keep you (your name) from stumbling (áptaistos – falling), and to present you (your name) faultless (where) before the presence of His glory (how) with exceeding joy (agallíasis – extreme exultation, exuberant joy), And how do we respond to this incredible gift? Read the next verse. To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. I pray you will begin the next year with the same praise and passion for your Lord that you ended the last one. And you can do that by realizing what a great God we serve and what a great gift He has given us in His Son. Will you join with me in exalting His Name? Then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012319-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012319-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012319-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/breathing-view-christ-423/ (423: Experiencing a Breathtaking View of Christ) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/christ-one-enough-422/ (422: Christ + One = More Than Enough) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/wicked-witch-thyatira-421/ (421: Beware of the Wicked Witch of Thyatira) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-cost-420/ (420: Make No Mistake, Faith Always Has a Cost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/thyatira-church-sin-corruption-419/ (419: Thyatira – The Church of Sin and Corruption)

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There’s Nothing Better Than ChristOne of the major failures of the church today is to downplay the place of Christ when we come together to worship. Yes, you heard right. We, hopefully unknowingly, often relegate Christ to the back pew or the second chair. And who do we elevate in His place? Usually the pastor or, often, the worship leader. And when we come together as a church, we have a tendency to preach on the “what’s” and “why’s” of the Scripture and seldom the “how’s”. Think about it. We know Scripture commands us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1-2), but are never told exactly how to do that. Did you ever wonder why? We are commanded to “walk according to the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), yet are never instructed on how to do that. We know what it means and why it’s important. But for some reason, our pastors fail to take our hands and show us exactly how to accomplish this command. Why? Is it because practical Christianity is not in vogue today? Or could it be we have become a church made up of those who can tell us what to do but have never experienced it themselves? Are we more like cowboys driving cattle from the rear than a shepherd leading from the front? What are we to do? Seven Things the Church Failed to Teach MeRecently I was reading a blog by https://frankviola.org/?s=7+things (Frank Viola) that shared these seven things the church never taught him. And I couldn’t agree more. Consider the following: 1. How to practically live by the Christ who dwells inside me. 2. How to practically learn how to hear the Lord’s voice beyond “pray and read your Bible.” 3. That church-as-we-know-it is drastically different from church-as-God-would-have-it. 4. What the gospel of the kingdom is and how radically it can alter a human life. 5. How deep the tentacles of the world system go and how to break free from them. 6. That God’s presence is extremely subtle most of the time. 7. How to find Christ in the Scriptures, including the entire Old Testament. So in 2019, I have committed to teach the church I pastor the “how’s” of the Christian faith and to answer these, and other, practical questions about living for Him. Will you join with me as we explore the breathtaking view of our Lord together? To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012219-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012219-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/012219-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/christ-one-enough-422/ (422: Christ + One = More Than Enough) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/wicked-witch-thyatira-421/ (421: Beware of the Wicked Witch of Thyatira) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-cost-420/ (420: Make No Mistake, Faith Always Has a Cost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/thyatira-church-sin-corruption-419/ (419: Thyatira – The Church of Sin and Corruption) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/happens-prayers-go-unanswered-418/ (418: What Happens When Our Prayers Go Unanswered)

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Sometimes, Our God is Too SmallWhen we look at the turmoil in the world and the lukewarmness of the church, sometimes it feels natural to get depressed and throw up our hands and see the problem as too big and the solution as too small. We long for others to step up and stand in the gap against the rising tide of sin in our land. And we’ll gladly support those that do. But they seem so few and the enemy seems so many. What are we to do? One Man is All God NeedsBut there are some encouraging words for us in the Proverbs. Consider the following: Proverbs 28:2 – Because of the transgression (rebellion) of a land, (result) many are its princes (ruler, official, chieftain); But (what) by (through) a man (one, singular, individual) of understanding (biyn – to discern, to pay careful attention to, to consider diligently) and knowledge (yāḏa) right will be prolonged. Did you catch that? It only takes one man, one single man of understanding and knowledge for God to prolong what is right in a land. Just one man. That’s why the Lord continually addresses the remnant in His letters to the church at Thyatira and Sardis. Revelation 2:24 – “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira (the remnant), as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.” Revelation 3:4 – “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments (the remnant); and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” Do you want to be part of the remnant? Do you want to be the man, the single man the Lord can use to change the face of our culture? Do you want to know Him more than you do today? Then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/110217-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/110217-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/110217-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/wicked-witch-thyatira-421/ (421: Beware of the Wicked Witch of Thyatira) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-cost-420/ (420: Make No Mistake, Faith Always Has a Cost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/thyatira-church-sin-corruption-419/ (419: Thyatira – The Church of Sin and Corruption) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/happens-prayers-go-unanswered-418/ (418: What Happens When Our Prayers Go Unanswered) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-the-next-right-thing-417/ (417: Want Some Advice? Do the Next Right Thing)

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“I’ll Get You My Pretty”The Lord said some rather horrific things about the church at Thyatira. In fact, His words to this sinning church should strike fear in all of us who have leadership positions in our own church. Consider the following: “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:20-23). The Sin of ThyatiraSo what was the sin of Thyatira? Was it Jezebel, or the teaching of Jezebel, that led God’s people into sin? Or was it the sin itself? Was it the sexual immorality and idolatry the church freely embraced? No, as sobering as it sounds, the sin in Thyatira was not Jezebel. It was the church, and the leadership of the church, that allowed the teaching of Jezebel into the church. They were asleep at the wheel. There was no watchman on the wall. No guard at the gate of the church. No protective shepherd watching over the sheep. Nothing. So what does this say about our leadership today that allows all sorts of sin and false teaching into the church just to give the appearance of growth or vitality or acceptance by the culture? What does it say about the prosperity gospel or multi-campus mega-churches or rock concerts disguised as worship experiences? Where do we fit into all of this? If you are concerned about how this letter to Thyatira applies to the church of today, then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103117-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103117-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103117-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/faith-cost-420/ (420: Make No Mistake, Faith Always Has a Cost) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/thyatira-church-sin-corruption-419/ (419: Thyatira – The Church of Sin and Corruption) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/happens-prayers-go-unanswered-418/ (418: What Happens When Our Prayers Go Unanswered) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-the-next-right-thing-417/ (417: Want Some Advice? Do the Next Right Thing) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/church-bad-marriage-416/ (416: Pergamos: The Church in a Bad Marriage)

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Nothing is Free… Especially FaithFaith is not free. In fact, faith costs everyone associated with it something. No, I’m not talking about saving faith or salvation. But even then, salvation has a cost. It costs Christ His life and the Father His only Son. And it costs each of us who embrace saving faith the one thing we hold most dear. Us. Salvation costs each of us who we are. But the faith we are talking about is the Hebrews 11 kind of faith. It’s the faith defined as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). It’s the faith that made the notable men of the Scripture, notable. And it’s the faith that helps us answer the why questions in life. The Why QuestionsWhy does God allow bad things to happen to people who love Him? Why does God allow innocent babies to die? Why does God allow drug addiction and abortion and rape and child abuse and starvation and disease? Why, oh why, oh why? Get the point? But having the faith to trust God’s answer to these questions will cost you something. Why? Because it costs Abraham and Noah and Jacob and Moses and many, many others what it will cost you to know the truth. Are you willing to understand the cost of faith? Do you want to know the answer to the most troubling questions in the Christian life? If so, then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103017-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103017-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/103017-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/thyatira-church-sin-corruption-419/ (419: Thyatira – The Church of Sin and Corruption) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/happens-prayers-go-unanswered-418/ (418: What Happens When Our Prayers Go Unanswered) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-the-next-right-thing-417/ (417: Want Some Advice? Do the Next Right Thing) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/church-bad-marriage-416/ (416: Pergamos: The Church in a Bad Marriage) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/curse-gods-abandonment-415/ (415: The Horrible Curse of God’s Abandonment)

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Thyatira, Evil But Not TotallyIn our Lord’s seven letters to His seven churches, He says both good and bad things about three of the churches (Ephesus, Pergamos, and Thyatira). Two churches have only good things said about them (Smyrna and Philadelphia) and two have only bad (Sardis and Laodicea). And when we look at how these seven letters lay out for us church history in advance, we would assume the church that represents the Medieval church, the church of the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church, would have only bad things said about it. But that’s not what happens. In fact, incredulously, the Lord says some pretty good things about the church at Thyatira, which represents the Catholic church (along with some pretty bad things too). For example: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first” – Revelation 2:19. Note this is the first time the Lord commends a church for their love (agapē). Love? How can He say that about a church known for corruption, false doctrine and the Inquisition? And then He says the church that represents the Catholic church is actually getting better. After all, our Lord says, “I know your works” and “the last are more than the first.” Really? How can that be? How is There Any Good in What Looks So Bad?How can the Lord have anything good to say about a church filled with so much corruption and have nothing good to say about the church (Sardis) that shed their own blood to remove themselves from that corruption? How is that possible? Is there something we’re missing? I think so. To find out more, keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/102517-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/102517-Slides.pdf (slides) for this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/102517-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/happens-prayers-go-unanswered-418/ (418: What Happens When Our Prayers Go Unanswered) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-the-next-right-thing-417/ (417: Want Some Advice? Do the Next Right Thing) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/church-bad-marriage-416/ (416: Pergamos: The Church in a Bad Marriage) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/curse-gods-abandonment-415/ (415: The Horrible Curse of God’s Abandonment) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/blessings-persecution-414/ (414: The Unbelievable Blessings of Persecution)

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We Pray, God is Silent. What Gives?Some of the hardest questions in the Christian life have to do with God not answering our prayers— no matter how much we pray or how much faith we can collectively muster. Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? Why didn’t God do what I prayed He would do? Why doesn’t God love me? Because if He did, He would not have let happen what happened? Where was God during my time of deepest need? I prayed to God for ________ and it did not happen. Which inevitably leads us to ask this: Why God? Is the problem with me? Am I not doing enough to get my prayers answered? Or is the problem with You? Are You showing favorites and am I on the bottom of Your list? What’s the problem? Help me understand this, God, because this is hurtful and makes little sense. You’re Right, It Doesn’t Make Much SenseAnd the reason for that is our reliance on Cliff Note theology. We grab a few Scriptures, usually out of context, and hold on to them like a life preserver vainly trying to get them to say something they don’t. Consider these: 1 John 5:14-15 – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. Did you notice something? The key, according to this verse, is praying “according to His will.” When that happens, badda bing, badda boom, prayers get answered. But when we ask for something not according to the will of God, all bets are off. The answer will be, “Not today, not ever.” Matthew 18:19 – “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” For one thing, this statement by our Lord has nothing to do with prayer, but with dealing with a sinning believer. And even if it gave us a prescription for prayer, can two people agree for world peace and the end of all wars, and it be a guarantee from the Lord? I think not. Why? Because God has already revealed to us that in the future we “will hear of wars and rumors of wars” (Matt. 24:6). God has already spoken prophetic truth to us and won’t violate His Word because of our prayers. Do you want to know the reason God often doesn’t answer our prayers? Because the reason will change the way you look at God and prayer from this point forward. If you want to know more, then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/091817-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/091817-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/091817-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/do-the-next-right-thing-417/ (417: Want Some Advice? Do the Next Right Thing) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/church-bad-marriage-416/ (416: Pergamos: The Church in a Bad Marriage) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/curse-gods-abandonment-415/ (415: The Horrible Curse of God’s Abandonment) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/blessings-persecution-414/ (414: The Unbelievable Blessings of Persecution) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/importance-baptism-413/ (413: The Importance of Baptism in Church Life)

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It’s Pretty Simple, Do the Next Right ThingYou want some great advice? Good. Then “do the next right thing.” When we face depression, chilling disappointment, or numbing loss, what are we to do? What happens when all our dreams come crashing down around us like Jenga pieces scattered on our dining room floor? What happens when the intimacy we once felt with our Lord evaporates right before our eyes— and we don’t know why? What do we to do when the only voice we hear is our own doubt and paralyzing fear? What happens when our pain compels us to sleep 18 hours a day, and we forget who we are and Who we serve? What are we do to then? “Do the next right thing?” Simply stumble forward. Stumbling ForwardDo you realize that if your goal was to run 5 miles and all you could do was stand and then fall flat on your face, eventually you’d get there? One body length at a time. That’s exactly what our Bible heroes of old did. They stood on their feet and did the next right thing. They chose to not doubt in the dark what they believed in the light. After all, truth doesn’t change. But our circumstances do. What did Moses do when decades passed and it looked like God had forgotten and forsaken Him? He did the next right thing. And remember Elijah, who was struggling with self-doubt and depression to the point he wanted to die. What did God say to him as they met at the mouth of the cave? Essentially this, “Do the next right thing.” How about David when he learned his son was dead because of his own sin with Bathsheba? What did David do? The next right thing. The Scriptures are full of those, just like you and me, who stumble forward in the dark faithfully doing the next right thing, even when they didn’t know why or how. They just did what was right. And they made sure it was the next thing they did.  Do you want to know more about putting one step in front of another and doing the next right thing? Then keep listening. To https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/091717-Slides.pdf (download) the https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/091717-Slides.pdf (slides) to this message, click – https://leavinglaodicea.com/pdf/091717-Slides.pdf (HERE) Our Latest Posts:https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/church-bad-marriage-416/ (416: Pergamos: The Church in a Bad Marriage) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/curse-gods-abandonment-415/ (415: The Horrible Curse of God’s Abandonment) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/blessings-persecution-414/ (414: The Unbelievable Blessings of Persecution) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/importance-baptism-413/ (413: The Importance of Baptism in Church Life) https://www.leavinglaodicea.com/leaving-your-first-love-412/ (412: The Unbelievable Pain of Leaving Your First Love)

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The word Pergamos comes from a combination of two Greek words that mean "mixed, objectionable" and "marriage."  Pergamos therefore means a "mixed marriage" that is "objectionable" to God.  Prophetically, it represents the marriage of the church and state where the state elevates the church to a place of acceptance or political correctness at the expense of the church’s devotion to God. Look at what the Lord had to say about this church: "But I have a few things against you, because you have there (in the church) those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.  Thus you also have those (in the church) who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" - Revelation 2:14-15.

The Sin of Compromise The church, although commended by Christ for the fact they have not denied His name under severe trials and suffering (Rev. 2:13), nevertheless dropped the ball and allowed those into the church who were heretics and sought to drive the believers away from God and into sin.  And the church did nothing about it.  Why?  Because, like the church of today, they allowed themselves to compromise with the world and allow all sorts of worldliness into His church.  And they also showed a glaring lack of discernment and church discipline. Sadly, the same can be said of the church today.  Which raises a couple of questions: How should we, as His church, respond to compromise and worldliness in the church? What can we do as a congregation to foster a spirit of holiness in our time together? What can you, as a member of His body, do to present yourself before Him spotless? What areas of your life need to be addressed? And what are you prepared to do about it? The following is a study on Jesus' letter to the church at Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-17.

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There's a time when the Lord gives us what we want: freedom, autonomy, independence, and to have no authority over our lives but ourselves.  That's right.  God gives us over to our selfish, carnal attitudes and allows us to experience the consequences of our sins.  It's like He says, "Ok, you want to go your own way?  Have at it.  I'll be here when you come to your senses."  It's the story of the prodigal son played out in our lives in real time. This is called the curse of God's abandonment.  It's when He removes His protecting grace from our lives and our nation and let's us see how we like life without Him.  And the results are catastrophic. Samson, after having his hair cut by Delilah, woke up to confront his enemies still believing he had the same strength as before because his God was with him.  But that was not the case.  He said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!”  But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him (Judges 16:20).  Samson was experiencing the abandonment of God.

God Gave Them Up In Romans 1 we see three examples of this very act of God's abandonment: Therefore God also gave them up – Romans 1:24. For this reason God gave them up – Romans 1:26. God gave them over – Romans 1:28. But who are the "them" in these verses?  The lost?  The unregenerate?  Those nations that reject truth and justice?  Yes.  But if you will study these verses closely you will find the object of God's curse of abandonment is also the church.  It includes His wayward believers.  It includes you and me. Does this seem strange to you?  Maybe hard to believe?  Then I suggest you keep listening and find out the truth for yourself.  And remember, "judgment begins at the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17).  Are you ready? The following is a study on the Curse of the Abandonment of God.

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Sometimes there are passages in the Scripture that confound even the most mature Believer.  These are the ones that seem to defy logic, ones that fly in the face of our cherished sensibilities.  For example, in Luke 6:30 the Lord tells us to "Give to everyone who asks of you.  And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back."  But Jesus gives no qualifier in this verse.  The person who asks for your stuff may be a bum, a greedy businessman, or the government.  How are we supposed to follow that command? Another example deals with how we respond to a personal attack.  Jesus said, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also" (Matt. 5:39-40).  How does this play out in real life in real time?  If the church followed this command the future of the legal profession would be in great peril. But one of the hardest teachings in Scripture, especially to an opulent, narcissistic church like we have today, is the idea that suffering or persecution could be a good thing.  That sentiment is hard to swallow, let alone believe.  How could persecution be a good thing?  Ever?  To anybody?

The Church at Smyrna In the second of our Lord's seven personal epistles to His church, found in Revelation 2 and 3, He has nothing but kind words to say about the church at Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11).   And the primary characteristic of this church was their faithful perseverance under extreme persecution that lasted centuries.  We would be well advised as a church, and as individuals, to emulate in our life what brought this church such praise from our Lord. To find out more about the Lord's letter to the church at Smyrna, and what we can learn about our own view of suffering, then keep listening. The following is a study on Jesus’ letter to the church at Smyrna, Revelation 2:8-11.

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Baptism has fallen out of favor in the church today.  Many people are confused about baptism. And since there seems to be such a wide diversity of opinion about what baptism means and how important it is, many in the church have relegated it to an archaic, antiquated ritual and not much more.  And that is a grave mistake.  Why?  Because baptism is your first act of obedience as a Christian. Many in the church who call themselves Christians have not been baptized according to the New Testament baptism.  That may include some of you who are listening to this podcast.  But think, if we are unfaithful to the first command of obedience to our Lord who saved us, it makes it much easier to disobey His other commands.  Does this describe you? The question we ask today is why don't people get baptized?  And there are at least five reasons: ignorance, pride, indifference, rebellion, or because they are simply lost.  In this message we will look at each of these in detail. Are you confused about baptism and why it seemed so important in New Testament times but not so much today?  If that describes you, then keep listening. The following is a study on baptism.

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The first of Jesus' seven letters to the churches in the Revelation reveal more about each of us than we often care to admit.  The letter to Ephesus has this chilling assessment from the Lord: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love" (Revelation 2:4). Ouch.  In spite of this church standing firm against heresy and faithfully persevering under great trials, the Lord holds something against them.  He is hurt, angry, almost unforgiving.  He must feel rejected and forgotten.  Why?  Because the church in Ephesus, the early church, the church that still had members that knew the Lord personally had left and forsaken the very one they claimed to love.  He said, "Nevertheless I have this against you, (what) that you have left your first love."  And that first love was Jesus. Do you remember what it was like when you first came to Christ?   Do you remember the joy, the exuberance, the passion and full commitment you felt towards Him?  Do you remember the promises you made in sheer gratitude for what He had done for you?  Do you remember any of this? Now look at your life.  Are you still as passionate?  Are you still giddy in love with Him?  Are you closer to the Lord today than in any other time in your life?  If not, you've done more than simply plateaued.  You've left and forsaken your first love.  And in doing so, the Lord now has something "against" you. If I were you, I'd not rest until I made this right with Him.  Do you know how?  If not, then keep listening. The following is a study on Jesus' letter to the church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7.

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We will not all be equal in heaven.  Now we're not talking about salvation, but of rewards.  All of us are equal in regards to salvation because it is a gift given freely to those who believe.  In this, there is no question.  But what we do with our salvation is another matter.  And we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to Him in this life.  Consider the following: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 - For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with (1) gold, silver, precious stones, (2) wood, hay, straw, each one’s (personal) work will become clear; (how) for the Day will declare it, (how) because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s (personal) work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures (gold, silver, precious stones), he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned (wood, hay, straw), he will suffer loss (of reward); but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Charles Stanley also spoke of this in his book, Eternal Security.  He said, “Some believers will be entrusted with certain privileges; others will not. Some will reign with Christ; others will not (2 Timothy 2:12). Some will be rich in the kingdom of God; others will be poor (Luke 12:21, 33).  Some will be given true riches; others will not.  Some will be given heavenly treasures of their own; others will not.  Some will rule and reign with Christ; others will not.  Privilege in the kingdom of God is determined by one’s faithfulness in this life.  It is true that there will be equality in terms of our inclusion in the kingdom of God, but not in our rank and privilege.” Does this sound troubling to you?  Maybe confusing?  If so, keep listening to learn more. The following is a study on the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Ceremony of the Lamb.

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The Judgement Seat of Christ is the first of seven great judgments that will occur.  And for the believer, it's the most important.  Why?  Because at this judgment all church-age believers will appear before Christ to give an account of their lives for reward.  Or, in the case of many, no reward.  Consider the following: 2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we (Paul includes himself) must (not optional) all appear before the judgment seat (bḗma) of Christ, (why) that each one (personal and individual) may receive (review and reward) the things done in the body, (review) according to what he has done, (reward) whether good or bad. These are some of the main areas that will be examined when we stand before the Lord: How we treat other believers (Matthew 10:41-42; Hebrews 6:10) How we employ our God-given talents and abilities (Matthew 25:14-29; Luke 19:11-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10) How we use our money (Matthew 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) How well we endure personal injustice and being mistreated (Matthew 5:11-12; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 6:27-28, 35; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 4:12-13) How we endure suffering and trials (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) How we spend our time (Psalm 90:9-12; Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 1:17) How we run the particular race God has given us (1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 2:16; 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:1) How effectively we control our fleshly appetites (1 Corinthians 9:25-27) How many souls we witness to and win for Christ (Daniel 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) How much the Rapture means to us and shapes our lives (2 Timothy 4:8) How faithful we are to God’s Word and God’s people (Acts 20:26-28; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Hebrews 13:17; James 3:1; 1 Peter 5:1-2; 2 John 1:7-8) How hospitable we are to strangers (Matthew 25:35-36; Luke 14:12-14) How faithful we are in our vocations (Colossians 3:22-24) How we support others in ministry (Matthew 10:40-42) How we use our tongues (Matthew 12:36; James 3:1-12)

Are you ready to stand before the Lord and have your life judged by His standards?  Because it will happen. There is no escape.  And if not, what are you prepared to do about it?  What changes are you willing to make in this life to be rewarded for in the next?  But be warned, time is running out.

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One of the major reasons we study prophecy is called the Law of Proportions.  This law states the more ink the Lord uses in His Word to communicate a message, the more important that message must be.  Consider the following regarding the Old Testament: Number of Verses in the Bible:  31,124 Number of Predictions in the Old Testament:  1,239 Number of Old Testament Verses that Contain Predictions:  6,641 out of 23,210 Percent of the Old Testament that is Prophecy:  28.5% What about the New Testament? Number of Predictions in the New Testament:  578 Number of New Testament Verses that Contain Predictions:  1,711 out of 7,914 Percent of the New Testament that is Prophecy:  21.5% And the Bible as a whole? Percent of the Whole Bible that is Prophecy:  27% Number of Separate Prophetic Topics in the Bible:  737 Just a few more facts: Of the 333 prophecies concerning Christ, only 109 were fulfilled by His first coming, leaving 224 yet to be fulfilled in the Second Coming. There are over 300 references to the Lord’s coming in the 260 chapters of the New Testament— one out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books mention the Lord’s coming. Jesus refers to His second coming at least twenty-one times. There are 1,527 Old Testament passages that refer to the Second Coming. For every time the Bible mentions the first coming, the Second Coming is mentioned eight times. People are exhorted to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ over fifty times. Need we say more?  If you're interested in the study of prophecy, then keep listening.

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Jesus said, "When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’  Hypocrites!  You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times" (Matt. 16:1-2).  In essence, He was paraphrasing an ancient maritime proverb that went something like this: "Red sky at night, sailor's delight.  Red sky at morning, sailor's warning." But the point of HIs words was to shame those of us who fail to see the signs of the times of His coming— even as they are portrayed right before our eyes. Open Your EyesTake a look around.  Read your Bible.  Look at the nation of Israel.  Do they mean nothing to you regarding the soon coming of our Lord?  "Hypocrites!  You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times" (Matt. 16:2). The study of the end times, that discipline known as eschatology, is a minefield of confusion and disagreement.  And because it's so divisive and  controversial many shy away from it.  But not so with us.  We are going to take a look at the Lord's prophetic calendar to see exactly what the Scriptures tell us is right around the corner. Are you ready?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on the End Times.

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One of the pressing questions today, as we take an honest look at the church, is what does worship look like?  Is it what we see manifested on Sunday mornings?  Is it music, a light show, an engaging speaker telling interesting and affirming stories?  Or is it something more? The greatest verse regarding the mechanics of true worship is found in the book of Romans.  Consider the following: Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech (parakaléō – to beg, exhort, desire, call for, encourage) you (personal) therefore (based on what was previously written), brethren (to believers), by the mercies (compassion and pity one shows for the suffering of others) of God, that you (personal) present (to place, offer) your (personal) bodies (whole person) a living (constant, enduring) sacrifice (offering, something slaughtered on the altar of God), holy (hágios - set apart, sanctified, consecrated, devoted, sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth's defilement), acceptable (good, well-pleasing, that which God wills and recognizes) to (whom) God, which is your (personal) reasonable (implies intelligent meditation and reflection as pertaining to the soul) service (voluntary worship or service which conforms to human reason).  And (you) do not be conformed (syschēmatizō - to fashion alike, to conform to the same pattern outwardly) to this world (generation, culture, referring to an age or time in contrast to kósmos), but (you) be transformed (metamorphóō - to transfigure, to change one’s form) by the renewing (a qualitative renewal, a restoration or renovation which makes a person different than in the past) of your mind (intelligent understanding, perception), that you (personal) may prove (try, test, discern, distinguish, to determine whether a thing is worthy or not) what is that good (excellent, best, distinguished) and acceptable (good, well-pleasing, that which God wills and recognizes), and perfect (complete, having achieved its goal and purpose, full, wanting for nothing) will (desire, God’s gracious disposition done out of His own good pleasure) of God. Take a few minutes and reflect on these two verses.  Have you done this?  Do you worship Him this way?  Is it even close?  If not, then keep listening. The following is a study on Romans 12:1-2.

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Over and over again we see the commands in Scripture to "remember" something.  Often we are to remember the commands of God (Num. 15:39-40).  Other times we are to remember what God has done for us (Deut. 5:15).  Then God Himself is said to remember His covenant with us and all living creatures (Gen. 9:15) or to not remember our sins anymore (Heb. 8:12).  Jesus told His disciples to "remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:32) and in the Revelation the church at Ephesus is commanded to "Remember therefore from where you have fallen" (Rev. 2:5).  We see sinful man asking God to "remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Luke 23:42) and the Lord asking us to "do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 11:24).  And we are told, not to "keep" the Sabbath as a command, but to "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8).   Why?  Because remembering who we are and what God has done for us will bring a desire to "keep" His command and make His day holy. But did you know that one of the key prerequisites of true worship is the ability to remember who God is and what He has done for us?  Remembrance brings past realities into the present.  It makes yesterday alive today.  And it gives us the courage to face tomorrow, no matter what, come what may. Do You Remember?Let me ask you a couple of questions: What do you forget in the dark that you remember in the light? What about the Lord’s Word and character do you fail to remember daily? How has He shown Himself faithful to you? Do you remember? If you want to discover more about true worship through remembering, then keep listening. The following is a study on Matthew 5:23-24.

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In his classic book, the Costs of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sums up the teaching of Jesus in this one phrase:  "When Christ calls a man, he calls him to come and die."  That's die to self.  Die to our dreams.  Die to our reputation.  Die to our wants and rights.  Die to our families, friends, and future.  And die to our very lives. We see Jesus continually calling men "to forsake all and follow Him" (Luke 5:11)  Consider the following. Matthew 16:24-26 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him (1) deny himself, and (2) take up his cross, and (3) follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Note the order.  First, there is the desire to "come after" Jesus.  This is followed by the list of conditions to "deny" yourself and then visibly and publicly show others your self denial by taking up your cross.  And finally, after the conditions are met, the desire is fulfilled.  Only then does Jesus say, "follow Me." Which raises a few questions.  Do you follow Jesus?  Have you died to yourself?  If so, in what way?  Can others tell?  Are there areas in your life you have refused to die to?  And if so, what are you prepared to do about it? Do you want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on John 21:19-25.

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When it comes to worship, some of the most profound words are those of Jesus to the Samarian woman He met at Jacob's well in the city of Sychar (John 4:5).  It was here that Jesus gave us clear instructions on the type of worship the Father seeks. John 4:23-24 - “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true (one who cannot lie, real, genuine, sincere) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit (human) and truth (reality, the essence of a matter); for the Father is seeking (to look for, search, strive to find) such to worship (to kiss, adore, fall or prostrate before, pay reverence) Him.  God is Spirit (Holy Spirit), and those who worship Him must (what must be done from duty) worship in spirit (human) and truth.” Which, as usual, raises a few questions. What is worship? What’s the difference between worship and true worship? What is true worship like internally? What is true worship like externally? And what does true worship look like today? One last thought, in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the first question goes like this: Question:  What is the chief end of man? Answer:  The chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever. Did you catch that?  We glorify by enjoying Him forever.  So, do you enjoy God?  Do you love your time with Him?  Is that time the highlight of your day?  Do you know how to worship Him in spirit and truth?  If not, then keep listening. The following is a study on John 4:23-34.

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God never wastes an experience in our life, good or bad.  When we sin, for example, God uses our failure as a ministry to help others struggling with the same sin.  He allows us to share the times we fell flat on our face to encourage others who are doing the same.  It seems that's what Jesus was teaching Peter. In the upper room, during the last supper, Jesus told Peter He was praying for him.  But His prayer was not to remove the temptation and inevitable fall from Peter.  No, His prayer was that when Peter fell and suffered the consequences of that fall, that once he repented and returned to Jesus, he was to strengthen his brothers by that experience.  Consider the following: Luke 22:31-32 - And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Jesus didn't tell Peter he would deliver him from the temptation, the sifting.  He promised Peter that after he fell and recovered and returned to his faith, Jesus would use that experience to encourage and strengthen others who were struggling in the same way.  That's why, in John 21, we see Jesus restoring Peter by saying, "Feed My lambs" (John 21:15).  Even after Peter's epic denial of Jesus, his ministry was not finished.  In fact, it was just beginning.  And so it is with us. Does this thought encourage you?  It does me.  If you want to learn more about your usefulness after your failure, then keep listening. The following is a study on John 21:15-23.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus equates anger with murder (Matt. 5:21-22), in much the same way He equates lust with adultery (Matt. 5:27-28).  Later, John adds the following: 1 John 3:11-15 - For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love (agapaō) one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother.  And why did he murder him?  Because his (Cain) works were evil and his brother’s (Able) righteous.  Do not marvel (wonder, be surprised, astonished), my brethren (fellow believers), if the world (kósmos) hates (to detest, an active ill will in words and conduct, a persecution spirit) you. We know (eidō) that we have passed from death to life, (how) because we love (agapaō) the brethren.  He who does not love (agapaō) his (personal) brother (fellow believers) abides (rest, make their home) in death.  Whoever hates (to detest, an active ill will in words and conduct, a persecution spirit) his (personal) brother (fellow believer) is a murderer, and you know (eidō) that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. John also equates anger and hatred with murder.  And he states that "no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."  This is a profoundly important point.  Which raises a couple of questions: Have you been angry with a fellow Christian? What was the cause of your anger?  Was it the holiness of God?  Or some personal preference about which you felt slighted? Are you still angry with that person?  And if so, why? Did you know that, according to the Scriptures, you are guilty of murder?  Why?  Because the one you hate and murmur about was created in the image of God.  And to hate someone created by God, who is also made in the image of your God, is to hate God.  You cannot love the Creator and hate His creation. The Scriptures call this murder.  Are you confused?  Do you think hatred and murder are two different things with two different penalties?  Do you want to know what the Scriptures say about anger and murder?  Then keep listening.

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In John 21, we have the account of Jesus revealing Himself to a few of His disciples while they were fishing.  As soon as it was revealed to John that it was Jesus on the shore, he said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" (John 17:7).  And in perfect Peter style, he overreacted and jumped into the water to swim to Jesus. But by the time he swam the 100 yards to where Jesus was, something happened.  You can see it in Peter's demeanor.  You can almost feel his reluctance to approach Jesus.  Why?  Maybe Peter was afraid Jesus was angry with him for his denial in the courtyard.  Or maybe Peter was ashamed he had drawn the others away and gone fishing, back to their old life, like nothing important had happened these last three and a half years. Or maybe Peter hadn't forgiven himself for his denial of Jesus.  Maybe he was ashamed.  Who knows? But something changed.  Not just with Peter, but with all the disciples.  They had excitement and passion that can only come from belief while on the boat.  But once ashore, it seems more like calm reservation.  In fact, John goes out of his way to tell us what the disciples weren't thinking.  It was his way of trying to explain the strange way they approached Jesus. John 21:12 - Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.”  Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. There are life lessons to be learned in these fourteen verses.  Profound lessons.  Are you interested?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on John 21:1-14.

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Life teaches us that anything worth having has a price attached to it.  Nothing of value, other than salvation, comes free.  "No pain, no gain," as the saying goes.  Jesus spoke that same truth in Luke 14:26-33. And the same principle applies when it comes to understanding and experiencing spiritual gifts.  There are some things we must do and some things we can expect.  Let's look at our part first: You must have a desire for more of the Lord.  A desire for the Spirit's gifts.  But that desire means more than calm, wishful, thinking.  Consider the following 1 Corinthians 14:1 - Pursue love (agápē), and desire (zēlóō - to burn with zeal, to be heated or to boil with envy, to lust, covet) spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Then you must cultivate a vibrant prayer life.  This takes time and effort.  But the rewards are life-changing. And finally, you must be willing to fast.  Why?  Because the Lord links fasting, for some reason, with prayer and spiritual fervency.  They seem to come in a package.  Two for the price of one. Do you want to know more about growing deep in your intimacy of the Lord?  Do you want to begin living in the realm of the gifts the Spirit has given you?  Do you want to let Him manifest HImself to the world through you (1 Cor. 12:7)?  Great.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

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If you'll take the time, you'll find the core message of Jesus was about the kingdom of God.  Over and over again we find summary verses like this one: Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus went about all Galilee, (1) teaching in their synagogues, (2) preaching the gospel of (what) the kingdom, and (3) healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. In fact, Jesus said the object of the gospel He preached, and commanded us to preach, is the kingdom of God.  Consider what Jesus said in His olivet discourse: Matthew 24:14 - "And this gospel of (what) the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." There are also certain kingdom characteristics in the lives of believers that the Scriptures point out to us as signs of His kingdom.  In essence, when believers manifest certain characteristics of the kingdom in their lives, we can know the kingdom of God is present.  And, conversely, when a believer doesn't manifest these kingdom characteristics, we can also safely assume the kingdom of God is far from them. This is a sobering thought.  Character, holiness, and sanctification matter.  Do you want to discover more about the signs of life in the kingdom?  Then keep listening. The following is a study of Acts 4:32-5:16.

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One of the greatest blessings the church has experienced has become its greatest curse.  And that is wealth.  Opulence.  The ability to run ahead of God rather than waiting on Him to provide what His church needs and when it needs it.  Then there’s the great blessing that comes with persecution that a wealthy church always views as a curse.  How did it become so upside down? The early church understood the blessings that come with persecution.  Because they remembered the promise of Jesus when He preached His sermon on the mount where He said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:11-12). And later, Paul would tell his son Timothy that “Yes, and all who (condition) desire to live godly in Christ Jesus (result) will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).  Do you see the condition and the result?  If you desire to live godly in Christ Jesus, which most Christians would say they do, then you will suffer persecution because of your godly life in Christ.  It’s a given.  A promise. And the opposite of this promise is also true.  If you are not suffering persecution, then it stands to reason you do not desire to live godly in Christ Jesus.  Sobering, isn’t it?  This is not how the early church lived.  They embraced every opportunity to live godly in Christ, regardless of how they suffered.  Do you want to know more about people who love Jesus that way?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Acts 4:1-35.

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In John 20 we find some events that took place on that momentous Sunday, the first day of the week, when Jesus was raised from the dead.  Some of those events took place early that Sunday morning and other events happened later that day, at evening.  It was at this time, in the evening of the same day, that Jesus appeared to His disciples and others who were hiding for fear of the Jews (John 20:19).  And then, to this frightened and confused group of friends and disciples, Jesus spoke these words: John 20:21 - "Peace to you!  As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." His words to them were comforting and also challenging.  Just like they are to us today. And then Jesus uttered some of the most misunderstood words in all of the gospel accounts.  He said: John 20:23 - "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Do you see how a lazy interpretation of this verse could lead you to believe that God has granted fallen, mortal men the ability to forgive sins?  And those sins are forgiven, not because they are confessed by the one who has sinned, but by the forgiveness of an uninterested third party.  How can that be? Want to know more?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on John 20:19-23.

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Trying to live the Christian life in the flesh is exhausting and, quite honestly, impossible.  But that's how many believers live today.  They start out well, full of hope and empowered by the Spirit, and then digress into a life of flesh, pride, and reliance on human wisdom rather than the wisdom of God.  But the early church shows us the "abundant life" Jesus promised those who follow Him fleshed out in real time (John 10:10). And it's all based on faith. Look at the faith involved in the healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful.  Question:  Whose faith is the agent God uses to perform this sign and wonder? Acts 3:6-7 - Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”  And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Note what happened here.  Peter had something that he was able to give to the lame beggar.  What was that?  And how did Peter know he possessed whatever he possessed?  And the healing took place, not when Peter spoke the affirmation, but when he "took him by the right hand and lifted him up" (Acts 3:7).  That's faith.  But whose?  The beggar's?  Not really.  It was the faith of Peter. What does this mean?  And what can we learn about exercising our Spiritual gifts in the world today?  Want to know more?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Acts 3:1-10.

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The best way for the early church to disciple the 3,000 who came to faith after the preaching of Peter's sermon would be to let them learn to live like the disciples had lived for the last three years.  Think about it.  How did the disciples of Jesus, who had left everything to follow Him, support themselves during the time they went from city to city with Jesus?  Did they take out a home equity loan on their house?  Did they max out their credit cards to fund their extended mission trip?  Did they cash in their 401k, take the tax hit, and continue on with their vision quest with Jesus?  What did they do? They lived by faith.  Just like the early church did.  Consider the following: Acts 2:44-45 - Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. And later... Acts 4:32-35 - Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.  And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.  Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Did you ever wonder how that is even possible?  How can we trust each other that much, like they did?  Seems impossible, doesn't it?  Want to learn more about living by faith?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Acts 2:42-47.

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In Acts 2, after the promised Holy Spirit came mightily upon the faithful praying in the upper room, and after Peter preached his Spirit-empowered sermon, the infant church grew from 120 to over 3,000 literally overnight.   And now the apostles had a logistics problem.  How were they to manage a crowd of over 3,000 newbies without the benefit of Christian literature or Lifeway, CCM, K-LOVE, God's Not Dead 1 and 2, WinterJam, or local mega-churches with multiple, cross-town campuses?  What were they to do? The answer was simple.  They were to teach their new Christian brothers exactly what Jesus spent three years teaching them— how to live by faith.  That's right, faith.  Remember? Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith (pístis) is the substance (to place under, the basis, foundation, that which underlies the apparent) of things hoped for (confident expectation, to abide still, to expect fully), the evidence (proof, conviction, assurance, supreme confidence) of things not seen. As we dig deeper into the life of the early church, we'll discover that faith was pretty much all they had.  And it was enough for them to turn their world upside down (Acts 17:6). Do you want to know more about what it means to live by faith?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Acts 2:36-41.

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When Peter stands up in the midst of the 120 and declares that Judas must be replaced, he was speaking the truth (Acts 1:20).  It is true from Scripture that God intended to someday replace Judas.  But that doesn't mean it was the right time to decide who the Lord had chosen to become part of the Twelve.  What happened then, and what often happens with each of us, is that we decide a course of action, present God with two options we have chosen, and then ask Him to choose which of our choices is His will.  And this assumes it was His will for us to do what we've determined to do in the first place. The lesson from Acts 1:15-26 is that doing the right thing, at the wrong time, is the wrong thing.  Everytime. No matter how much it feels like the right thing and the right time. And it often takes years to undo the mistakes we make for the right reason, or so we think.  Remember, spiritual maturity is asking God what His will is, and not trying to force Him to choose the lesser of two evils that we have chosen.  Do you want to know more about this classic error of presumption?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Acts 1:15-26.

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When the 120 met together after the ascension of Jesus, there were some logistics we often overlook when considering their 240 hour prayer meeting (Acts 1:14).  For example: What about food?Did they go home to eat several times a day?Did someone have food catered in to them?Did they go to Wal-Mart or McDonald’s daily?Did their family drop off lunch bags each day?Or did they go on an extended fast?And if so, what was that like? I believe it was a time of prayer and fasting— and not just prayer alone.  After all, that's what Jesus expected them to do (Matt. 6:16-18).   Which raises one last question: What can fasting do for me today?  Or, why should I fast since fasting seems to be passe in the church today?  Consider the following: Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras.Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.Fasting will encourage the Holy Spirit to quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you.Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life and make you a channel of revival to others.In summary, fasting opens up your spirit in ways that are hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. Have you ever considered adding fasting to your prayer life?  You should.  You really should. The following is a study on Acts 1:12-14.

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As we begin to look at how the Holy Spirit moved in the lives of ordinary men in the book of Acts, we are confronted with a few questions.  These questions have to do with the character of the men Jesus chose to fulfill the mandate He gave to His church.  And what was that mandate? Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power (dúnamis) when (what) the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Then, the first set of questions: Has this mandate changed for the church?Does it still apply today?If so, how are we doing?Have you received the power Jesus promised?And how is that power being manifested in your life?Do you see that kind of power in the church today?If not, do you ever wonder why? How would you answer these questions about the church?  How would you answer the ones that are more personal in nature?  The ones about you and the power, or lack of power, in your life?  Do you see a disconnect between the account of the church in Acts and the place you worshipped last Sunday?  Me too.  But what are we going to do about it? The following is a study on Acts 1:1-14.

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When we try to determine the exact day that Jesus was crucified, either Friday or Wednesday, we come face to face with an ugly fact about the history of the church.  That ugly history shows the depth of the church’s hatred for the Jews during the first and second century, much like the church’s hatred of the Jews today.  Church councils were called to try to determine a uniform date for Easter in order for it to not correspond with the Jewish Passover (the 14th of Nisan), even if they are, in reality, intrinsically tied together. For example, the Council of Nicea (325 BC) unanimously ruled that the Easter festival should be celebrated throughout the Christian world on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox (March and September); and if the full moon should occur on a Sunday, and thereby coincide with the Passover festival, Easter should be commemorated on the following Sunday. Why try so hard to make sure no Christian festival corresponds to its Jewish counterpart, even if by accident?  Antisemitism.  But there’s so much more to this debate.  You have the two Passovers during the passion week, the rantings of Emperor Constantine, and the excommunication of the Quartodecimans.  Sound intriguing?  Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on John 19:31-37.

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If we were honest, we'd have to admit that the picture of life in the church as revealed in Scripture and our own personal church experience are not always the same.  In fact, they often seem like polar opposites, like night and day.  Consider what Paul said about life in the church: Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works (where) in us, to Him be glory (where) in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen. And yet, knowing this, we still struggle with trying to find the answer to the questions that trouble us the most. Why can’t we keep our children involved in church?Why can’t our children hold to Biblical morals?Why can’t our children make Godly decisions?Why can’t the church make a noticeable difference in our nation, culture and family?Why can’t we get victory over our own sins?Why can’t we see Jesus move in our lives like He did in the past? Is there an answer to these questions?  Is what we're experiencing in church, Sunday after Sunday, all there is?  Or is there something missing?  And if so, what is it?  How do I find it?  What can I do? If you want to know the answer to these important questions, then keep listening. The following is a study on life in the kingdom of God.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus reveals to us what life is like in His Kingdom, He contrasts the Old Testament Law with its true intent.  And it does this by saying, "You have heard that it was said to those of old... but I say unto you."   Or, to put it another way, "You have an understanding about the Law and what it governs, but I want to show you the true intent of the Law and what it really means." The Law governed external actions.  Or so it seemed to them and to us.  But in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus shows us the true intent of the Law by contrasting it to the human understanding of it.  In other words, only actions matter in the mind of men.  But with God, everything comes from the heart. "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Do you want to know more about having a heart that is pleasing to the Lord?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Matthew 5:21.

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The baptism of, or with, the Holy Spirit is defined as: “The Baptism of, or with, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God coming upon the Believer, taking possession of his faculties, imparting to him gifts not naturally his own, but which qualify him for the service to which God has called him.” But this just raises more questions for us to ponder.  For example: What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?Is it a command from God?Is it something we should actively seek?What does it look like?leavHow is it obtained?And is it even Biblical? Want to know more?  Then keep listening as we discover the truth about this controversial subject. The following is a study on being Baptized with the Holy Spirit.

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Twice in Scripture we are commanded to “pray in the Spirit.”  We see this first in Ephesians 6:18 and again in Jude 1:20.  We are not told to pray “with” the Spirit or “to” the Spirit, but pray “in” the Spirit. Have you ever wondered what that means?  Is it praying in tongues as Paul referenced in 1 Corinthians 14:15?  No.  That’s something entirely different. Is it something that I do or is it something the Holy Spirit does through me?  Where does my responsibility end and His activity begin?  What is the essence of “praying in the Spirit”?  Am I praying for what I want or is the Spirit praying through me according to the will of the Father?  And if that’s the case, what’s the content of that prayer?  Am I an active participant in my prayer life?  Or do I just kick back and let the Spirit take over?  And again, if so, to what extent? Ah, so many questions.  Do you want to know the answers?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Praying in the Spirit.

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Ever since the resurgence of the charismatic movement in the last century, there has been incredible controversy in church on the issue of spiritual gifts, especially the gift of speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 10:8).  One faction believes it is a sign of a deeper relationship with the Lord that everyone should seek but only few find.  You hear this when statements like this are made:  “You must receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.” Then there is the other side that throws all the uncomfortable gifts of the Spirit out the window for fear of being called strange, loopy or out of control.  And these camps are entrenched, like opposing armies set for war. But what is the truth?  And how can we know from Scripture which side is right? Simply put, the answer to this great controversy is found in the singular and plural use of the Greek word “glṓssa” – and nothing more.  When you get this definition under your belt, the entire controversy vanishes into thin air, like a man-made mirage. Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:10.

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When we look at the gifts given us by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, we are drawn to the fact that some of these gifts are verbal (word of wisdom and knowledge, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues) and some are non-verbal (faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles).  And within the verbal gifts, we find certain pair that are closely associated with each other.  For example, we have the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge. Then those who possess the gift of tongues and those who are gifted to interpret tongues.  And the gift of prophecy and those who are able to discern the spirit behind the prophecy.  It seems one gift is closely related to another. But a more careful study will show that two of these gifts are directly related to one another, they're literally different sides of the same coin.  "What two gifts?" you ask.  Prophecy and tongues.  "How can that be?"  Keep listening to find out more. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:10.

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Have you ever wondered why we don't see the healings and miracles today like they did in the times of the New Testament?  Has it left you longing for what obviously the early church had that we, somehow, seem to have lost?  Or could it be something else? We have listened to a litany of theologians try to sell us on the fact that God doesn't do the cool stuff anymore because we have the completed New Testament in our hands.  Or He only did the stuff back then to authenticate the apostles' preaching and, for some strange reason, our preaching today doesn't need authenticating.  Really?  Could've fooled me. But what if the Bible truly means what it says?  What if God still does today what He proudly and publicly did back then?  What if miracles really happen today, but they are just hiding from us, waiting for us to seek them out?  What if the difference between the church in 2017 and the church in the book of Acts is not the way God moves, but the way we believe?  What if things could be different? Are you interested in finding out where miracles hide?  Good.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:10.

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When we have the desire to know more about the gifts given each of us by the Holy Spirit, and our responsibility in exercising those gifts, we are faced with a couple of questions.  Especially when we see that the purpose of those gifts is to give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to manifest or express Himself to others.  Consider the following: 1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation (expression) of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. How does the Holy Spirit manifest or express Himself in the world today?Does the Holy Spirit give His gifts to everyone that belongs to Christ?Does that include you?What gift or gifts has He given you?And why did He give you His gifts?So He could express Himself to others through each of us. Do you realize the reason the Holy Spirit gives us His gifts is to manifest Himself to others through us?  Let that sink in for a moment. According to 1 Corinthians 12:7, all the gifts that follow (word of wisdom and knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, and tongues) are all given so He can use these gifts to express Himself through us to others.   Do you know what that means?  Can you see the implications of that verse and what it means for you and me and the church today?  If not, then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:9.

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Many of us make resolutions this time of year.  It just seems natural.  Maybe we want to lose weight, get out of debt, or finish a long neglected project around the house.  But as a Christian, we want to somehow make our resolutions more spiritual.  That also seems natural.  So we often resolve something like this: "I want to read my Bible more.""I want to pray more.""I want to share my faith more.""I want to love more, forgive more, worship more.""I want to live more like a Christian.""I want to know more of God and have myself conformed to the image of His Son." But the key to discovering the "abundant life" (John 10:10) Jesus spoke about is not in keeping resolutions, no matter how good they may be.  It's living a life of holiness.  It's practicing sanctification.  It's being set apart or consecrated unto God.  After all, we belong to Him. But sanctification never takes place unless we first understand the way God's if / then promises work.  The promise comes after the condition.  The then follows the if.  Consider the following: Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (condition one) Trust in the LORD with all your heart,(condition two) and lean not on your own understanding;(condition three) in all your ways acknowledge Him,(promise) and He shall direct your paths. Want to know more.  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Proverbs 3:5-6.

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When we read the reason God gave each of us spiritual gifts, we find they are an expression or representation of the Holy Spirit to a lost world in dire need of Him.  Think about it, the Holy Spirit lives in each of us as a deposit or guarantee of our future inheritance in Him (Eph. 1:14).  In essence, no Holy Spirit, no salvation.  And because the Holy Spirit now lives in each of us, He also graciously gives us certain gifts that come from Him.  Some of these gifts we readily embrace.  Others we feel less than excited about.  But  regardless of our personal feelings about what the Holy Spirit has blessed us with, we are given these gifts for the benefit of others.  They are to be used for others as a clear expression of Him who now lives in us. Consider the following: 1 Corinthians 12:7 – But the manifestation (expression, to make visible or observable) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is given (to bestow, to give freely of one’s own accord and with goodwill) to each one (to each and every one separately and individually) for the profit (benefit, advantage, usefulness, help, to bring together for the benefit of another) of all. Does this also apply to the "gifts of healings" and the "working of miracles" in the verses that follow?  What about tongues and the interpretation of tongues?  How about the gift of discerning of spirits?   Now it gets a little squirrely, doesn’t it?   Do you have questions about these gifts?  Are you wondering how your experience lines up with the Scriptural teaching about spiritual gifts?  Do you feel confused and somewhat in the dark when it comes to these controversial gifts?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone.  Most of the church feels the same way.  Want some answers?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:9-10.

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When we think of the cost of Christmas, most of us think about how much it is going to cost us and how long before we pay our credit cards off.  But that’s the horizontal cost.  The cost of presents that feel good for the moment but have very little lasting value. There’s also a vertical cost to Christmas.  And that cost was paid by the Son of God who “emptied Himself and took on the form of a slave” (Phi.2:7), the lowest of men. What did Christmas cost Jesus?  You’d be shocked, surprised and humbled to know.  He exchanged the praise and adoration of angels for the spittle of men. Want to find out more?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Philippians 2:5-8.

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In 1 Corinthians 12:9, in the beginning of the second group of spiritual gifts, it says one of the gifts is faith. “To another faith by the same Spirit” – 1 Corinthians 12:9a. But what kind of faith are we talking about?  Is this saving faith?  The faith God gives to those chosen by Him from the foundation of the world? (Eph. 1:4).  Or is it something else?  And, if so, what exactly is this kind of faith? Is it faith like Abraham had when he left his home to travel to a land the Lord would show him? (Gen. 12:1).  Is it faith like Moses had when he approached Pharaoh with a staff and a simple message from the Lord, “Let My people go!”? (Ex. 8:1).  Or is it faith like Peter had when he asked Jesus to let Him step out of the boat and walk on water to Him? (Matt. 14:28).  Or again, is it something else? And is this faith really a gift from God to reveal the Holy Spirit to others like the Scriptures say? (1 Cor. 12:7).  Could this gift be for you and me today?  Or was this gift only given to others who lived long ago in a land far, far away? So many questions.  Do you want some answers?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:9.

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Often we are confused concerning the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.  Questions still linger:  Are all the gifts for today?  Or, were some of them only for the time of the apostles?  And, if they are for today, what does the exercise of these gifts look like?  How are they manifested in the church today? In order to understand the truth behind these questions, we must begin with a simple, seven letter word:  another.  There are two Greek words translated "another" in this passage.  The first is allos, which means "another of the same kind."  And then there is heteros, which means "another of a different kind."  Now, look at the passage in question: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 - For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another (allos) the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another (heteros) faith by the same Spirit, to another (allos) gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another (allos) the working of miracles, to another (allos) prophecy, to another (allos) discerning of spirits, to another (heteros) different kinds of tongues, to another (allos) the interpretation of tongues. Now we have three groups of gifts each divided by the word heteros - or "another of a different kind." Group One Word of wisdomWord of Knowledge Group Two FaithGifts of HealingsWorking of MiraclesProphecyDiscerning of Spirits Group Three Different kinds of tonguesInterpretation of tongues Do you see how logically the Lord has presented this confusing passage about the gifts of the Spirit?  Do you see what He is trying to teach us?  If you want to know more, then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

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When we look at the warnings from the Lord found in the first chapter of Proverbs, we are naturally drawn to the almost prophetic words of Forrest Gump. "Stupid is as stupid does." To put it in the words of Solomon: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?" - Proverbs 1:22. Or, "How long, you simple (foolish, simpleminded, stupid, naive, moronic) ones, will you love simplicity (what is foolish, simpleminded, stupid, naive, moronic)?" Great question. But what is the object of this question? What exactly are the stupid ones loving stupidly? What can we learn about the wisdom of God from what is being said here? If you want to know more, then keep listening The following is a study on Proverbs 1:20-33.

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In our study of Spiritual gifts, the question before us is this: Why does the Holy Spirit give us His gifts? What's the point? How does giving us gifts, that we don't believe we have, benefit Him? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 12:7. Here it says: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. Got that. But what does this verse really mean? The word manifestation means "expression, to make visible or observable." Think about that. The "expression" of the Holy Spirit, or the way the Holy Spirit expresses Himself is "given to each one for the profit of all." Or, the way the Holy Spirit makes Himself "visible or observable" is by the gifts He gives to "each one for the profit of all." Do you see how important these gifts actually are? And what specific gifts are we talking about? To continue in context: for to one is given the (1) word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the (2) word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another (3) faith by the same Spirit, to another (4) gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the (5) working of miracles, to another (6) prophecy, to another (7) discerning of spirits, to another (8) different kinds of tongues, to another the (9) interpretation of tongues - 1 Cor. 12:8-10. And this is only the beginning. There is so much more to learn. Are you interested? Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

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In the final few words in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul leaves them with some heartfelt, bullet-point warnings and admonitions that speak to living in the Kingdom. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 he said, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit. If you look closer, you will see this is another classic, life-changing if / then passage.  If we do the first three, then we won't experience the last.  Or, if we don't do the first three, then the last, quenching the Spirit, is ours as a consequence of the first three.  And who in their right mind wants to willingly quench the Spirit of God in our life.  But there is so much more to be found here.  Interested?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19.

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This truth is never more apparent than at the crucifixion of Jesus. There, at the foot of His cross, standing faithful with their Lord, we find several women and only one disciple, the one characterized as the disciple "whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). We see Mary the mother of Jesus, and her sister, Salome, the mother of James and John and the wife of Zebedee. We see Mary the wife of Clopas who, along with Mary Magdalene, kept vigil at the tomb (Matt. 27:61) and was one of the women who tried to persuade the disciples that Jesus was alive (Luke 24:10). We also see a larger group of women, possibly as many as a dozen, standing together "at a distance" from the cross (Luke 23:49). But what we don't see are the bold, self-confident men who pledged their very lives to Christ just a few hours earlier. Nowhere is Peter, the "even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" (Matt. 26:35) disciple. Andrew, James, Matthew and the others disciples are conspicuously absent. AWOL. Scattered like dry leaves in an October wind. The men are gone. These bastions of courage and determination fled like frightened children while the women stood faithful with their Lord to the end. Why was that? What was it about the quality of love and devotion found in these women that propelled them to such courage when the men, who should lead in that area, drifted off into the landscape? What does this show us about true faith and devotion? What does this show us about the love of women and the apparent apathy of men? And how can that change our lives today? If you would like to explore this further, then keep listening.

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We all assume we are totally objective when it comes to things in the Scriptures.  But nothing could be further from the truth. We often believe, not what the Scriptures say, but what we’ve been taught they say and why - all confirmed by our experience. In essence, the main reason we, as Bible-believing Christians, do not believe in the miraculous gifts of the Spirit is simply this: We have not seen nor experienced them.  And our theological traditions support our lack of belief in them. These are the top three reasons much of the church in the West refuses to believe in the more miraculous gifts of the Spirit. One, we have not personally seen nor experienced New Testament quality miracles in our Christian lives.Two, we don’t see New Testament quality miracles in the later history of the church and they are not part of our theological traditions.Three, we are repulsed by the misuse of those who claim to possess New Testament quality gifts of the Spirit in contemporary churches and healing movements. But none of these are based on Scripture. They are based on personal experience.  Do you want to know the truth?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on Spiritual Gifts found in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28, and Ephesians 4:11.

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For those who live in the Kingdom of Heaven, this question is of profound importance.  What gifts of the Spirit are manifested in your life? (1 Cor. 12:7).  We know the gifts of the Spirit are listed in at least four places in the New Testament:  Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Ephesians 4:11.Admittedly, some of these gifts we readily embrace today.  Gifts such as teaching, showing mercy or administration we affirm as necessary and present in the church.  But those of healing, prophecy or the distinguishing between spirits?  That's a completely different issue.But where does the truth lie?  Are spiritual gifts for the church today?  And, if so, which ones?  All of them?  Or is it just a select few?  And if a few, which ones make the cut?  And why?  By what merits?These are just a few of the questions we are going to look at today.  Are you intrigued?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Spiritual Gifts, specifically 1 Corinthians 12:4-12.

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When we look at the chilling words of Jesus that tell us "unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20) we are perplexed.  And rightly so.  When we then see the requirement of becoming a "new creation" in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) in order to possess the "righteousness that exceeds that of the scribe and Pharisees," we are faced with even more than questions.Are you a new creation in Christ?Has God changed you from the inside out?Do you possess a righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees?If so, how do you know?Can your friends and family tell?And then one more:Does this describe you?But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law - Galatians 5:22-23Have you ever asked yourself these questions?  How did you answer?  What does it mean if your answer to these questions are, no?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:20.

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This has been one of the most contentious election seasons I can remember.  Good people have been dragged into the mud with lies and character slander for the sole purpose of trying to win an election.  Which raises a few questions for the Christian.How does a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, who is also a citizen of the United States of America, reconcile their responsibility as citizens to both?  Especially in this election.What is the purpose of human government?  And what is our duty towards that government?  But what if that government is oppressive?  Are we to obey a government that commands us to sin?  Then what are we to do as Christians when we are appalled by the corruption in our own government?Have you ever asked yourself these questions?  I have.  To find the answers from Scripture, keep listeningThe following is a study on the Kingdom of God and human government.

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Some of the most chilling words of Jesus begin with a condition that seems impossible to meet.  He begins this by saying:“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20).But what does this mean?  Who were the scribes and Pharisees and what was the characteristic of their righteousness?  What is the nature of the righteousness that must exceed their righteousness and how is that righteousness obtained?  And once it is obtained, how do we know?  How can we be sure?  In what way does our righteousness have to exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees?  And finally, what does Jesus mean when He says, "You will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven"?These are tough questions.  Important questions.  Eternal questions.  Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:20.

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Jesus spent much of His Sermon on the Mount preaching about the Kingdom.  What's the Kingdom like?  What are the unique realities that belong only to those in the Kingdom?  Are there promises to those who live in the Kingdom?  And, if so, what are they?  How does one receive the Kingdom and, more importantly, how does one enter into the Kingdom?The key is found in Mark 10:15:  “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”Did you catch that?  Receiving must precede entering when it comes to the Kingdom.  Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:19.

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Often we preach about the need for revival in the church and in our own lives.  We hold the virtues and blessings of revival up high, for all to see, yet fail to talk about the dark side of revival, the downside of totally surrendering to Him.And that downside is satanic attack.For the novice, this attack can be devastating because they are often ill-prepared to stand against it.  For the more mature believer, the attack is just another affirmation they are living as light and walking where the enemy dwells.Do you know how to prepare for a spiritual attack?  Do you know how to stand when the day of evil comes (Eph. 6:13)?  If not, then keep listening.The following is a study on Spiritual Warfare.

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One of the greatest needs in the life of the believer today is revival.  Revival is defined as "a restoration of life, consciousness, vigor, or strength. It is an awakening to something previously dormant.  It is an improvement in the condition or strength of something or someone."  Spurgeon said revival means "to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished."But how does revival come about?What does true revival look like?How does it change the person being revived?Are there stages or steps to revival?And how can we have revival now, today, in our lives and in the church?Are you interested in finding out more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on revival.

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Great question.  Why did God choose to save each of us?  Was it because He wanted to make our life better?  And, if so, what does "better" mean?  And "better" from whose perspective?  His?  Or ours?  Maybe He chose to save us to give our life purpose and meaning.  And what would that purpose be?  And whose purpose are we talking about?  God's?  Or ours? See the problem?  When we view the purpose of our salvation from how it affects us, we tend to become self-centered and inner-focused.  But it's not about us, it's all about Him.  Totally for Him and Him alone. Want to discover the true reason God chose to save you?  Then keep listening. The following is a study on total surrender.

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There are great men of the Bible the Lord places before us as examples of human frailty and divine grace.  Men such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Job and Daniel fill the pages of the Old Testament.  And then there are our New Testament heroes, Peter, James, John, Paul, and Stephen, among others.  Church history is also littered with men who forsook this life for the life to come.  Men "of whom the world was not worthy" (Heb. 11:38).But what characteristic or spiritual trait runs through each of these men?  Was it human ability or ingenuity?  Was it their upbringing and privileged background?  Maybe it was their education, family status, financial security, political position, or something like that?  No.  Each of these men possessed only one characteristic that allowed God to use them like He did.  And that one characteristic is being totally, fully, surrendered to Him.Do you want to know more about total surrender?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on being fully surrendered, fully consecrated to Him.

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Often we find ourselves focusing on the temporal things in life and not on the eternal.  We seem to devote most of our time and energy on the things that pass, things that fade away, things that are transitory at best and have an expiration date, and not on what truly matters and what lasts.  Why is that?Jesus said:Matthew 5:18 - "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."Jesus said the law, the Word of God, is something that will outlast even heaven and earth.  Then, according to Psalm 138:2, God said He honors His Word above His name.  So what does all of this mean?  And what are the implications for each of us?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:18.

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Great question: "What is truth?"  It's the question Pilate asked Jesus and the same question our culture asks of the church today.  But there's more to that question than is readily apparent.  For example:Is there such a thing as absolute truth?And if so, what is that truth?How do we know that absolute truth is absolute?What about the changing times in which we live?Does truth change to meet the culture?Is truth living and active?  Does it evolve?Why is truth for yesterday truth for today?Doesn’t each generation need their own truth?Jesus addressed these questions in His first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.  Let's take a look at His answer together, shall we?This is a study on Matthew 5:17.

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Everyone has a story.  Everyone's life has a tale to tell.  Will it be a story of redemption, faith, grace, mercy and love found only in Christ, or a story of failure, rejections, sin, guilt and judgment found in a life separated from Him?Yes, everyone has a story to tell.  And that story is often portrayed as the light of our life.Consider the words of Jesus:"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" - Matthew 5:14-16.So what's your story about?  What light of His are you shining?  And do those who don't know Christ glorify Him because of your light and good deeds?  Something to think about, isn't it?The following is a study on Matthew 5:14-16.

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Many Scriptures speak of things we must "do" as followers of Christ.  Some of them are:You are to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).You are to "walk according to the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16).You must "present your bodies as a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1).But when we find some passages that speak about who we are (in contrast to what we do), they should stop us cold in our tracks.  These are Scriptures that define and describe us from the Lord's perspective.In Matthew 5 we find two of these:  "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:11), and "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:12-14).  And the implications of these are profound.  Want to discover more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:11.

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Consider these if / then passages:"(then) Blessed are those (if) who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for (then) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (then) Blessed are you (if) when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  (then) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for (then) great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:10-12).Yes, and all who (if) desire to live godly in Christ Jesus (then) will suffer persecution.  (2 Tim. 3:12).Which leads us to ask a few questions:Question:  Will you face persecution?Answer:  That depends.Question:  Depends on what?Answer:  On how committed you are to live Godly in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12).To find out more about persecution and the if / then passages, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:10-12.

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Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9 ).   Which ponders the questions:What is a peacemaker?What does peace really mean?And with whom does the peacemaker make peace?Who is calling the peacemakers “sons of God”?And what does this look like in real life?Amazingly, the answer to these questions might very well change your world.  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:9.

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When we are overwhelmed with fear, it's usually because our God is too small and our problems are too big. Have you ever experienced a fear of Death?Fear of the Future?Fear of Failure?Fear of Never Being Loved?Fear of Pain or Sickness?Fear of Financial Ruin?Fear of Divorce?Fear of Something Happening to My Children?Fear of Being Victimized?Fear of Getting Older?Fear of Things Always Changing?Fear of Trusting?Fear of Confrontation?Fear of the Death of a Loved One?Fear of Satan?If so, the reason for your fear is that your God is simply too small.  Way too small.  Tiny.  Do you want to know how to change that?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on 1 John 3:1-3.

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When we look at the teachings of Jesus, there are a few questions we must, at some point, ask ourselves.  Consider the following:Can Jesus’ words be taken at face value?Does He really mean what He says?And do the words of Jesus apply to me today?All of them?  Or just part of them?And how can I tell which do and which don’t?Or, were His statements and promises meant only for those who lived in New Testament times?And again, how can I tell?The answer to these questions will have a profound impact on how you understand the Sixth Beatitude.  There Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, (why) for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:8.

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The fifth Beatitude speaks of mercy. Jesus said:Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed (makários) are (who) the merciful (those who show compassion, to be benevolent in both thoughts and actions; it is the word that emphasizes the misery with which grace deals), (why) for they (the merciful) shall obtain mercy."But mercy from whom?This Beatitude does not teach that mercy to men brings mercy from men, but that mercy to men brings mercy from God. If we are merciful to others, God will be merciful to us, whether men are or not.But there is so much more to this wonderful statement of Jesus. To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:7.

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At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."And then we later find the Apostle Paul saying of Christ:1 Corinthians 1:30 - But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.Are these two passages related?  Has Christ really become for us true righteousness? And, if so, what does that say about what we "hunger and thirst" for?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:6.

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One of the most difficult statements to reconcile is found in the third blessing of the Beatitudes spoken at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount.  There He said,Matthew 5:5 - "Blessed are the meek, (why) for they (the meek) shall inherit the earth."But what does this mean?  Does meekness mean weakness?  Does it mean being soft and gentle?  Somewhat effeminate?  Cowardly?  Maybe whimpy?  And, if so, why does Jesus describe Himself as "gentle and lowly in heart"? (Matt. 11:29).  How can that be?Actually, Biblical meekness is nothing like we think of it today.  And if you want to know more about what Jesus means when He says, "Blessed are the meek", then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:5.

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One of the reasons the church is in the condition we now find it, is because many, if not a majority of those who claim Christ as Lord, are actually lost.  They have their faith placed in something other than the true, Biblical Jesus.  And their allegiance is usually to something other than Christ Himself.But this really shouldn't surprise us.  For the mark of this church age is the simple fact that Jesus is on the outside of the church longing to come in.   And His call is not to the group, the church, or the institution.  It is to the individual.Consider the following:Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, (what) I (Christ) stand at the door (of His church) and knock.  If anyone (personal) hears My voice (John 10:27) and opens the door (of His church), I will come in to him (personal) and dine with him (personal), and he with Me (personal)."Could this be you?  Could it be someone you know?  If so, then keep listening.The following is a study on True Salvation.

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Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, (why) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3).  And a few verses later He adds, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, (why) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:10).Which raises a few questions:What is the "kingdom of heaven"?  Is it the same as the "kingdom of God"?  And, if not, how is it different?Why is Matthew the only Gospel writer that uses this phrase?And how does this all apply to me today?You will find the answer to these questions will change the way you live your life from this day forward.  It will have a profound impact on your future and your eternity.Are you intrigued?  Interested?  Maybe a little curious?  Good.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:3,10 about the Kingdom of Heaven.

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In the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus presents the Beatitudes that introduce His teaching about living in the Kingdom of Heaven.  But there are some truths about living in His Kingdom that we sometimes forget.  For example:External things cannot satisfy internal needs.  Got it.And things are not always what they seem to be.  Got that too.True happiness and true blessedness cannot be found in a fallen, cursed world.  Uh, if you say so.Everything we see and touch in this world is temporary at best.  I know, but let's get all we can while we are here.And if that wasn't enough, in Matthew 5:4 Jesus said, "Blessed are (who) those who mourn, (why) for they (those who mourn) shall be comforted." But that raises a few questions:  What does it mean to Biblically mourn?  What are we supposed to be mourning about?  And why is mourning a good thing?  To find out about the blessing that comes from Godly sorrow, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:4.

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We've worked real hard to redefine what worship means today?  And, in doing so, we've made it more about music or style or a feel-good experience than what it has historically meant in the past.  But what does "worship" really mean?According to Webster's Dictionary (1828) worship means:  "To honor with extravagant love and extreme submission.  It means to declare or attribute dignity and worth.  Worship is to show profound reverence and adoration."And this has nothing to do with a style of music or what I've seen in church most of my life.  Which brings us to the question:  Did you worship last Sunday?  Did you honor your Lord with extravagant love and extreme submission?  Did you boldly declare His dignity and worth among the congregation?  Did you show, by your very actions, your profound reverence and adoration for the Lord last Sunday?  And if you did, what was that like?And if you didn't, or if you're not sure, then keep listening.The following is a study on True Worship.

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In Psalm 56, during a very dark time in David's life, he wrote the following:Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; (therefore) I will not fear.  What can flesh (or, man) do to me?James Montgomery Boice said:  "Man can oppress, slander, hurt, hate, maim, and murder me, for starters.  But, of course, that is not the answer David is giving us in Psalm 56.  His answer is: Nothing!"And he's right.  What can man do to me?  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing?  Why?  Because "God is for me" (Psalm 56:9).  Do you want to know how to live in the midst of fear?  Do you want to know how to not let your view of God limit you because He is too small.  If so, then keep listening.The following is a study on Psalm 56.

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In Matthew 5:1-12, we find a paradox known as the Beatitudes, the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  And in reading them today, they seem illogical and out of touch with real life.  Consider these questions:How can you be blessed when you’re in mourning?How is being poor in spirit a good thing?In fact, how is being poor ever a good thing?And how can you possibly call the meek blessed?I always thought the strong were the ones who had it all together.  Is that not true anymore?But these teachings of Jesus are not about life in the now, but about life in His Kingdom.  They speak of the realities of living with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And, by the way, they’re not a paradox.  They’re realities of life that transcend our feeble existence on earth.  They are, as Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story.”Want to know more about living in His Kingdom?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:3.

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In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus covers many subjects which all show us how to live in the Kingdom of our Lord.  Over and over again, Jesus revealed to us the new realities of the life of faith in His Kingdom.  Some of them include:How to find true joy and happiness in the midst of suffering and turmoil - Matthew 5:3-12How to find our true purpose in life - Matthew 5:13-16How we are to now relate to the Law - Matthew 5:17-20Then Jesus talks about the internalization of the Law.He deals with anger, murder, strife, and unforgiveness - Matthew 5:21-26Adultery, fornication, porn, and sexual sins - Matthew 5:27-30Marriage and divorce - Matthew 5:31-32Honesty, vows, oaths, and pledges - Matthew 5:33-37Our "rights" and "privileges" - Matthew 5:38-42And how to respond to those who hate us - Matthew 5:43-48And that's just in one chapter.  There's so much more for us to learn about how to live with Him in His Kingdom.Are you interested in discovering more about life in His Kingdom?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 5:1-2.

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In closing his letter to the church at Colossae, Paul said the following to one of his "fellow laborers" in the faith, a man named Archippus. Colossians 4:17 - And say to (who) Archippus, "Take heed (or, consider, discern, to see with the eye, to watch carefully) to the ministry (or, service) which you have received (how) in the Lord, (why) that you may fulfill (or, to render full, to complete, to bring to effect) it."Archippus probably struggled, much like Timothy, with insecurity, timidity, and a lack of boldness. Paul reminded him that his ministry was from the Lord and his calling and purpose in life was to fulfill what God had created him to do.  And nothing more.Do you ever struggle with the same thing?  Do you ever wonder why you have such a hard time getting beyond your past and present failures?  Do you sometimes feel God had a plan for your life but now, because of your disobedience, He has passed on by never wanting to use you again?  If it was possible to move beyond that crippling thought, would you be interested in finding out how?If so, then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 4:16-18.

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In the closing verses of Colossians we are introduced to a list of names, a list of those beloved and commended by Paul.  And in the midst of those names we find Mark, Luke, and a guy named Demas.  We can basically summarize their lives this way:Mark - started out weak but finished strong.Luke - was always growing in his commitment to Christ and others.Demas - started out strong and finished... horrible!And if you have ears to hear, you can find your spiritual life embedded in the lives of these three men.  Are you interested?  Maybe intrigued?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 4:7-18  and 2 Timothy 4:9-11.

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Twice in the Proverbs we find the following warning:A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished - Proverbs 22:3.And again,A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished - Proverbs 27:12.But what does this mean?  And does this warning still apply to us today?  Absolutely— and even more so than when it was written so many thousands of years ago.  In fact, it's a vital warning to the church today.Want to know more? Then keep listening.The following is a study on 2 Timothy 4:1-4.

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There is a passage in the letter to Philemon that sums up the entire Easter, or Resurrection Day message.  It tells the timeless story of Christ in a letter from Paul (representing Christ), sent to Philemon (representing God the Father) who was the one wronged, about Onesimus (representing you and me) the guilty, runaway slave, that Paul calls his son in the faith,"that is, my own heart" (Philemon 10).  If then you count me as a partner (or, companion, partaker, comrade, one who shares in everything), (then) receive him (how) as you would me.  But if he has wronged you (or, hurt, damaged, injured, to act unjustly or wickedly, to sin against) or (what) owes anything, (then) put that (or, reckon) on my account - Philemon 17-18.What a wonderful Resurrection story found in Philemon.  Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 4:7-9 and the letter to Philemon.

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In our church culture the mantra is bigger is better.  Bigger churches, bigger congregations, bigger likes on Facebook, bigger budgets, bigger, bigger, bigger.  But there are some in the Kingdom of God who are faithful with small, but vital things.  These are the saints that labor behind the limelight, in the shadows, as unsung heroes, doing what a faithful servant does.And one of those great saints is a man named Tychicus.We find his name mentioned in only five places in the New Testament.  But oh, what we can learn from this great man of God.The following is a study on Colossians 4:7-9.

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One of the most convicting statements about prayer is found in the last chapter of Colossians.  Here the Lord, in Colossians 4:2, says:Continue (or, to persevere and not faint, to endure, to wait or tarry, to be in constant readiness) earnestly (or, to adhere to one, to be devoted to one, to be steadfastly attentive) in prayer, (how) being vigilant (or, to arise, arouse, to watch, to refrain from sleep, to remain fully awake) in it (in prayer) with thanksgiving (or, thankfulness, gratefulness, profound gratitude).Which raises a few questions:How is your prayer life?  Do you continue earnestly in prayer?  Are you devoted to prayer?  Vigilant in prayer?  Does your prayer life show you are "redeeming the time" given you by the Lord?  Or does it show just the opposite?  And, if so, what are you prepared to do about it?Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 4:2-6.

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In Colossians 3 we find the hands-on practical teaching of Paul that hits us right where it hurts: in our job, our profession, and in our sense of value and self-worth.  No area of our life is more open to hurt and confusion for a man that what he does for a living.  In fact, most men identify themselves by their jobs and not by their families or heritage or faith.Colossians 3:22 reads:Bondservants (doulos – a slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other), obey (or, to listen, to be obedient, to submit, to conform) in (what) all things (who) your masters (defined as) according to the flesh, (in what way) not with eyeservice (or, service performed only under the master’s eyes, for appearance sake), as men-pleasers, but in sincerity (or, singleness, faithfulness, purity) of heart, fearing (or, being terrified or frightened) God.Intrigued?  Want to find out more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 3:22-4:1.

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Some of the most wonderful yet confusing verses in the entire New Testament are found in the last chapter of the book of James.  Do you know what these verses mean:Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much - James 5:13-16Are you suffering?  Do you know those who are sick?  Do you know what the prayer of faith is and what is involved in calling for the elders and having them anoint you with oil?  Are these verses somewhat confusing to you?If so, then keep listening.The following is a study on James 5:13-16.

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In Colossians 3 the Lord confronts us with a checklist that deals with the proper attitudes we are to have in our most cherished relationships:  wife to husband and husband to wife, children to parents and fathers to children, and employers to employees and employees to their employers.In this lesson we're going to look at some of the tough words the Lord has to say to both fathers and their children about their relationship both to Him and to each other. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.  Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. - Col. 3:20-21To find out more, just keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 3:20-21.

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During His last week with His disciples, Jesus said the following regarding a fig tree that He cursed:“Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing (or, to have faith in, to think it’s true, to place confidence in, to entrust), you will receive" - Matthew 21:21-22.Do you believe what Jesus said?  Do you take His words at face value or have you reduced them to some type of parable or story not to be believed literally?  And what does Jesus mean by "believing"?  How does faith impact our prayers?  Keep listening, for the answer to these and other questions may astound you.The following is a study on Persistent, Overcoming Prayer.

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In Colossians 3 we see the commands to put off, put on, and put to death various aspects of our life.  Consider the following:“put to death your members” – 3:5“you yourself are to put off all these” – 3:8“put off the old man with his deeds” – 3:9“put on the new man who is renewed” – 3:10“put on tender mercies” – 3:12“above all these things put on love” – 3:14You would do well to carefully examine what about you is to be put to death (or, to mortify, kill, make dead, to deprive of force and vigor, to render powerless, impotent) and what we are to put on (or, to sink into, to clothe oneself, to be enveloped) and to put off (or, renounce, throw off, lay aside or down, to cast away).Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 3:12-17.

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There are three words that Paul uses to describe each of us: elect (or, chosen), holy and beloved. He uses these descriptive words in the first part of Colossians 3:12.Therefore (based on the previous verses), as the elect (or, chosen, picked out, one selected) of God (or, by God), (defined as) holy (hagios – set apart, sanctified, consecrated, a saint, a most holy thing, its fundamental idea is separation and devotion to the service of God, sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth’s defilement) and beloved (agapao – to be dearly loved, esteemed, to delight in).Does this describe you? Do you see yourself as chosen by God, holy in His sight, and beloved above all? I sure hope so. But if not, then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 3:12.

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You know, there's more to our life in Christ than most of us realize.  And that's because most of us are satisfied and content with far less than what God has planned for us.  Consider one of the primary purposes of acquiring wisdom:A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, (why) to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles - Proverbs 1:5-6.The climax, the zenith of wisdom is to be able to understand an "enigma" (or, a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand, also a riddle, a symbol or parable, a discourse requiring an interpretation) and the words of the wise and their "riddles" (or, difficult questions, perplexing sayings, statements with double meanings, or dark or obscure utterances).  It is the ability to comprehend the deep, dark sayings of the Lord.  The hidden truths, the obscure meanings of His Words.Yes, that is our inheritance in Him via His wisdom.  So how are you doing in the wisdom arena?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study of Proverbs 1:5-6.

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Sometimes, life throws us a curveball.  Scripture tells us to expect "trials and tribulations" (James 1:2) and even "persecutions" (2 Tim. 3:12)— but what seems to knock us down the hardest are the things we don't see coming, just the bad stuff that happens to fallen people living in a fallen world.  All people, both good and bad, sometimes get cancer, lose their jobs, or suffer from broken relationships.  No one is promised an easy road this side of heaven.  Which, if you think about it, should make heaven more appealing.  But often it doesn’t.  Instead, we get overwhelmed and depressed by daily life.Did you ever wonder why?   And have you ever wondered why your prayer life gets overwhelmed by the problems of life when it should be the other way around?  If so, this message is for you.  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Prayer and Luke 18:1-8.

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Our lives are busy, incredibly busy.  But the One who gets slighted when we fail at proper time management is usually the Lord.  Think about it.We schedule a time with Him and stay up too late the night before and oversleep.  Who gets slighted?  Who gets stood up?  Our boss?  Nope.  Our friends?  No way.  Our spouse?  Not on your life. Then who?  The Lord.  The very One we say we love more than anyone.  How can that be?Probably because we don't enjoy our time with Him as much as we enjoy our time with our spouse or friend.  That's why we choose them over Him.  And probably we don't respect Him as much as we do our boss.  That's why we choose pleasing our boss more than pleasing our Lord.If any of this sounds familiar, there is a change that needs to take place.  And to find out more about that change, keep listening.The following is a study on Devotional Bible Study and Prayer.

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The Scriptures talk much about how to approach the Lord or how to "come into His presence" (Ps. 95:2).  From the words to Moses at the burning bush:  "Do not draw near this place.  Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground" (Ex. 3:5), to the invitation from Christ:  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28)— we see examples of how to come near to the Holy One.But there's one place in Scripture that reveals more about how to approach the Lord than any other.  And that is found in Psalm 100.  Or, as Spurgeon called it, "the ol' one hundred."So join with me as we discover what it means to "Come before His presence with singing" and to "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise" (Ps. 100:2, 4).  I think you'll be surprised.  Why?  Because it doesn't mean what you think it means.Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Psalm 100:1-5.

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Believe it or not, your first thought about something is a telling indicator of your core nature.  It's your knee-jerk reaction that shows what you are made of and who you belong to— the god of this world or the One you claim as your Lord.Ask yourself this:  When you're faced with a problem or an inconvenience, what’s your first thought?Is it, how does this problem affect me?Or, is it how does this problem affect my family, or others, or the ones I love?Is your first thought about you?  Or is it about the welfare of others?Your answer may be a key indicator as to your true nature.  And your true nature is the single, most important indicator as to whether or not you're saved.  Confused?  Maybe a bit angry?  Good.  Then keep listening to find out what you need to do.The following is a study on Colossians 2:11-15.

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Some of the most compelling statements from Jesus about our life in Him and His life in us are found in John 15.  In this chapter He says:John 15:4-5 - “Abide in Me (or, to remain, to rest, to dwell, to live. Also means to spend time with, to continue steadfast, to persevere, to tarry, to remain in or with someone, to remain united with someone, being of one heart, one mind, and one will.  It defines something that remains where it is, continues in a fixed state, or endures), and I (abide) in you.  As the branch cannot (or, no, not, ever, an impossibility) bear fruit of itself (or, on its own), unless (condition) it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much (or, many, exceeding, abundant) fruit; for without Me (or, apart, separate, by itself) you (your name) can do (or, to make, to produce, to prepare, implies action) nothing (or, no one, none at all, not even one, not in the least)."Note the following:(command and invitation) “Abide in Me, and I in you.(example from nature) As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine,(application) neither can you, unless you abide in Me.(clarification and identification) I am the vine, you are the branches.(promise) He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;(warning) for without Me you can do nothing."But this is only the beginning.  There's so much more to learn.  Are you interested?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 15:4-5.

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In our Christian life we find the Lord gives us two calls or two personal invitations.  The first invitation is found in Matthew 11:28-30 where He says, "Come to Me."  This is the call to salvation, to the binding of ourselves to Christ and to become one with Him.The second call comes after salvation and it is the invitation to a life of unbroken intimacy with Christ.  That call is found in John 15:4 where He says, "Abide in Me.""Come to Me.""Abide in Me."There's so much to learn from these two simple invitations that will literally change the life of a believer.  Which begs the question: Do you want your life changed to be more like Him?  If so, then by all means, please keep listening.The following is a study on John 15:4 and Matthew 13:28-30.

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From John 15:John 15:1 – “I am (Jesus) the true (or, genuine, perfect, real, essential, enduring, not true as opposed to false) vine and My Father (God the Father) is the vinedresser (or, farmer, gardener, husbandman, a tiller of the soil, a vine keeper).”But it gets better.John 15:2 – “Every (or, all, each and every one, the whole, in totality, lacking none) branch in (abiding in) Me (Jesus) that does not bear fruit He (the Vinedresser) takes away (or, lifts up, elevates, raises up, to raise from the ground, to carry, to bear, to remove from its place); and every (or, all, each and every one, the whole, in totality, lacking none) branch that bears fruit He (the Vinedresser) prunes (or, cleans, makes pure, spotless, and without stain; to purify from filth, to cleanse from defilement), (why) that it may bear more fruit.”And then the key word:  abide.  To abide means “to remain, to rest, to dwell, to live.  Also, to spend time, to continue steadfast, to persevere, to tarry, to continue, to remain in or with someone, to remain united with someone, being of one heart, one mind, and one will.  It defines something that remains where it is, continues in a fixed state, or endures. ”Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 15:1-3.

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In Colossians 2 we find the church being warned about deception and being led away into error by persuasive and enticing words.  The word to them was to be "rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith" (Col. 2:7).But what if we're not?What if we're not rooted and grounded in Him and established in the faith?What if we're more concerned about this world and what it thinks of me rather than pleasing Him?What if we want “My Best Life Now” today?What if we're more earth bound than heaven bound?What happens when we try to satisfy our deepest needs and longings for acceptance, love, belonging, companionship, and purpose in our own flesh and not realize Christ has already satisfied those very needs in His flesh on the cross?What do we do when we find ourselves in that dire strait?To find out more about being complete in Christ, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:9-10 and Proverbs 1:11-14.

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The Great Deception we are facing today centers around the same issues the church at Colossae was struggling with.  And it all has to do with this one simple question:  Who is Jesus?Is He really the only way to the Father?Is He really the only way to heaven?Why is He right and everyone else wrong?Isn't that intolerant and judgmental?And isn't being intolerant and judgmental a sin?Hence, the Great Deception.  Want to find out how to survive the Great Deception?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 2:4-7.

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In John 14 we see Jesus, trying to encourage His disciples, telling them a wondrous truth.  He said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another (allos— another, but of the same kind and essence, of equal quality) Helper, that He may abide with you forever" (John 14:16).Or, to put it another way, Jesus said, "I'm leaving.  But I'm going to send Me to you in the form of Him— to be with you forever."Really?  But what does that mean?  And what are the implications of that amazing truth?Much.  So much.  Keep listening to find out more.The following is a study on the Holy Spirit.

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A faker is defined as someone who presents a false or misleading representation of themselves or someone who is not authentic or genuine, a sham.Many church members today are fakers.  And the person they fake out the most is themselves.  They believe they are saved because they prayed a prayer, or walked an aisle, or raised a hand, or were baptised, or whatever— yet true salvation never took place.  They became part of the great throng of baptised, unsaved, church members.How?  How can that be?  Because they skipped a key step in salvation.  They went from God's effectual call straight to conversion without the sovereign act of regeneration taking place.And that makes them a faker.  And being a faker is a terrible place to be.Want to know more about being a fake Christian and how to find true, authentic, genuine faith?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Saving Faith.

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In his book, The Baptism With the Holy Spirit, RA Torrey reveals a Scriptural path of seven simple steps anyone can follow to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  All seven steps are found or implied from Acts 2:38.Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."The steps include:You must be saved.  Truly saved. You must renounce all sin. You must be baptised. You must live a life of obedience. You must have a desire, a thirst for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You must ask. You must ask in faith and believe.

Do you want to know more about the abundant spiritual life and the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit?  If so, then keep listening.The following is a study on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

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In Colossians 2:2 we read the phrase: "And attaining to all the riches of full assurance of (what) understanding, (to what degree) to the knowledge of the mystery of God."  So, what does this actually mean?To "attain" means "to possess, to move into, unto, towards, to be among."  Got that.  But what about "full assurance"?  What does that mean?The word "full assurance" is used only four times in the New Testament and means "complete confidence, a most sure confidence, a full and perfect conviction, the full and total reliance on something or someone, to have complete understanding."  OK, but complete confidence and understanding of what?  Of Christ and the Father, to have the mind of Christ, to see things from His perspective, to understand truth as He understands truth, to have His peace and confidence and full assurance in the Father.Is that possible?  Is this promise and prayer meant for us today?  And, if so, where do we find that kind of assurance?  How can we discover and attain the "riches of full assurance" in the things of God?Want to know more?  Then keep listening.This is a study on Colossians 2:2.

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Sometimes, when we look at how big the evil in the world is and how small we are in comparison, we tend to get defeated and depressed.  “After all,” we reason, “what can one man do?  I’m in this all alone.  The enemy is too big, too well funded, too powerful.  What can one man do?”But we forget we are not alone.  We are part of the church, His church, the unified Body of Christ.  We are children of God. And, “if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17).We can’t look at us and the enemy with our own eyes, we must look at things from the eyes of our Lord.  And when we do, everything changes.Want to find out more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 2:1-3.

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When Paul says, "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Col. 1:24), we scratch our heads and wonder how that could be?How could a man, even the over-the-top Apostle Paul, actually rejoice in his sufferings?  Especially when we realize Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the church at Colossae.  How is that even possible?  And what is there to rejoice about?  We, in our culture, rejoice when our suffering is over. Yet Paul rejoices in the midst of his suffering.What can we learn from this?  Much.  So keep listening to find out more.The following is a study on Colossians 1:24-29.

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When Philip uttered the words, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8), he probably didn't fully understand the implications of what he was asking.  Actually, his words went more like this:"Lord, show (or, put on a demonstration, to point out, to present in sight) us the Father, and it is sufficient (or, it will satisfy, we will be content) for us" (John 14:8).This was not Moses begging God to reveal His glory (Exodus 38:18).  No, this was the disciples wanting more than Jesus.  They wanted to trust a visible manifestation of something more than simple faith in Christ.Have you ever done the same?  Have you longed for the Lord's power or blessing or answered prayer or a miracle more than the Lord Himself?  If so, keep listening.The following is a study on John 14:7-9.

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When Jesus tried to comfort His disciples He went about it in a way that seems foreign to us.  We comfort by trying to take the pain away, by saying some soothing words that aren't always true.We say, "Hey, don't worry about it, don't cry, everything's going to be alright"— even when we know it won't.But Jesus comforted His disciples by pointing to the big picture, the grand scheme, to life beyond the here and now.  He had them look beyond their current pain and predicament to the reality of eternity.  And in that light, how bad can a few passing problems in this life really be?He said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-3).Jesus is preparing a place for me, and He's coming back for me, so I can be where He is.  Changes everything, doesn't it?The following is a study on John 14:1-6.

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To totally commit our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ is the first thing we must do to spiritually prepare for the coming persecution in this country.  And, as we said last week, the way to do that is found in the words of John the Baptist.  John said, when comparing his ministry with that of his Lord:"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).The first statement, the "I must decrease" part is easy to understand yet difficult to apply.  But what about the second statement, the "He must increase" part?  What does that mean?  How can I, a mere mortal, make Jesus more than He already is?  Or, what can I give Him, who created everything, that He doesn't already possess?Keep listening as we begin to answer this all-important question that will give us practical steps to total commitment.The following is a study on Total Commitment.

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As we face coming persecution in this country, one of the most important preparations we can make is to totally commit our lives to the living Lord Jesus.  But that raises a few questions.What does total commitment look like?And what does total commitment really mean?How can I be totally committed to Jesus?Where do I start?What do I do?The answer is two-fold and is crystallized in the words of John the Baptist.  He said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).   Ah, that's it.  First, Jesus must increase and, second, I must decrease.  Or is it the other way around?These are vital questions that need to be answered, and answered now.  Keep listening to find out more.The following is a study on Total Commitment.

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With the winds of the coming persecution beginning to blow our way, we must ask ourselves this all important question:  Is there something we can do now, before the persecution begins in earnest, to prepare for what is soon to happen?And we discovered the answer is, yes.  We can do the following:One, we can totally commit our life to the living Lord Jesus.Two, we can begin to disengage from the world’s system and begin to live in His kingdom.Three, we can embrace persecution as a means of furthering the Gospel by looking beyond ourselves and looking only at Him.Which sadly, leads to a few more questions that each of us struggle with.How can I totally commit my life to the living Lord Jesus?  Is that even possible?Is He trustworthy?Will He keep His promises and  Word to me like He said?Does He really love me that much?To find out the answers to these question, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:19-23.

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We  know it's coming.  We can see the signs of it everywhere.  Persecution for the church has now come to our own shores and, quite honestly, we are ill prepared for it.  Which raises the all important question:  Is there something we can do now, before the persecution begins in earnest, to prepare for what is soon to happen?And the answer is, yes.  One, we can prepare spiritually by totally committing our life into the hands of the living Lord Jesus, come what may.Two, we can prepare physically by disengaging from the world's system and begin to live in His Kingdom.Three, we can prepare emotionally by embracing persecution as a means of furthering the Gospel by looking beyond our own circumstances and looking only at Him.And we can begin to prepare today.  The following is a lesson on Preparing for the Coming Persecution in America.

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After Judas left the others in the Upper Room to go finalize his act of grand betrayal, Jesus affectionately spoke to those who remained, calling them His "little children" (John 13:33).  He then gave them a new command."A new commandment I give to you, that you love (agape) one another; as I have loved (agape) you, that you also love (agape) one another.  By this (your love for one another) all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (agape) for one another" (John 13:34-35).Question:  How is that even possible?  How are we to love each other the way Christ loves us?  What does that look like in real life?  And why is our love for each other the defining mark of being a disciple of Christ?Do you want to find out if it is even possible to love like Jesus?  If so, keep listening.The following is a study on John 13:31-38.

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In Matthew, Jesus continually spoke about life in His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.  In fact He began His preaching the same way John the Baptist did, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2, 5:17).  Which raises a couple of questions:What exactly is His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven?  And where is it?  Is it something we can see and feel? And how are we suppose to live in His Kingdom?Are the realities in the Kingdom of Heaven the same as they are in everyday life?And if not, how are they different?And how can I be a citizen of His Kingdom when I'm a citizen of the United States of America?  How can I be in two places at the same time?  Is that even possible?Possible?  Yes.  But also expected for the Believer in Christ.  Listen to find out more about what life is like Living in Two Kingdoms— at the same time.The following is a study on Colossians 1:13-18.

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There are several questions that each Believer will ask themselves sometime during their spiritual journey.  And these questions usually go something like this:How are we to be delivered from the guilt of sin and the unrelenting attacks of Satan?How can we walk in faith and confidence and guard against the “wiles of the devil”?How are we to daily face the struggles of the enemy and our fallen flesh?What has God provided for our victory?And how can we continually live in that victory?But remember, the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10) is found when we live in the victory already provided by Christ.  And to do that, we need to simply “put on” what we often leave behind.Confused?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 6:13 and Ephesians 6:10-18.

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When Jesus said to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11), He was speaking to the critical issue of dependence.  What, or who, are we dependent upon?Are we dependent on our own ingenuity, hard work, investments, our education, job, retirement, our view of the future, our own wits, our self-determination, self-esteem, competitiveness, aggressiveness, our advanced degrees from esteemed institutions, or family pedigree, our status, popularity, charisma or fame?Or, are we dependent on God alone?One is repeatedly taught and modeled in Scripture.  And the other is the darling of our fallen culture.Which of them are you dependent on?The following is a study on Matthew 6:11.

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When Jesus begins to close His public ministry He makes a statement that, if not understood correctly, casts the Father in the light of a cruel taskmaster, a petty ruler, or a cold, cynical, calculating Nazi.  But when this same statement of Jesus is understood properly, in context, it shows the breathtaking love and grace of the Father in a way that will astound each of us.We find the controversial statement in John 12:39-40:Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:“He (God) has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, (why) lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I (God) should heal them."Does this really mean what it says?  Does God really harden people's heart so they can't believe in Him?  Yes. And no.  But you'll have to keep listening to find out more.The following is a study on John 12:37:50.

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One truth in the Christian life is that we have all been hurt by those we love and by those who we thought loved us.  Whether it's our spouse, our family, a former close friend, or someone in the church, we've all suffered from the words or actions of someone else we trusted.  And the scars run deep.So what do we do?  Mostly, we withdraw, vowing to never trust again.  We pull up the drawbridge, turn out the light, and hide alone deep in our room.  Simon and Garfunkel, many years ago, captured this so well in their song, I Am a Rock.I've built walls, a fortress deep and mighty, that none may penetrate.I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.I am a rock, I am an island.Don't talk of love, I've heard the words before; It's sleeping in my memory.I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.If I never loved I never would have cried.I am a rock, I am an island.But the Christian life is not meant to be lived in bitterness, fear and unforgiveness.  Why?  Because Christ purchased our freedom and freely offers that freedom to us.  It's ours for the asking.To find out how to love those who have hurt you or the ones you love, keep listening.The following is a study on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13.

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In Matthew 6, in the middle of what we call the Lord's prayer, Jesus told us to pray this way:"Your kingdom come. Your will be done (to what extent) on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).But what does that really mean? And what are we actually praying for?We could say it like this:"Your (the Father's) kingdom (or, dominion, reign, sovereign rule, authority, throne, the exercise of kingly power) come (or, arise, come forth, show itself, be established, become known)."Or like this:"Your (the Father's) will (or, active volition, resolve, purpose, mandate, a command with the emphasis on the authority of the one commanding) be done (or, to become, to begin to be, to come into existence, to happen)."Does that change anything for you? It does me. To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on Matthew 6:10, the Lord's Prayer.

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With our society and culture crumbling all around us it behooves the church to assess its commitment to Christ.  Are you hot or cold or lukewarm?  Is Christ on the outside of the church knocking, waiting, for us to open the door and allow Him into His church? (Rev. 3:20).These are scary times.  But not unprecedented times.  In fact, it's these very times that bring out the best in the church.  It's times like these where true men and women of God step forward to take their stand for truth.  It's the time of Daniel, Elijah, John the Baptist and Gideon.The following is a study on the call of Gideon.

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Jesus said to pray in this manner:  "Our Father in heaven, hallowed (or, sanctify, make holy) Your name" (Matt. 6:9).But is there more to God's name than just... God?  How can we make holy the name of God when we don't really know what that name is and what His name reveals about the nature of God?  For example, in the Old Testament God our Father is also known as:Jehovah-tsidkenu - Jehovah our RighteousnessJehovah-m’kaddesh - Jehovah Who SanctifiesJehovah-shammah - Jehovah is ThereJehovah-shalom - Jehovah is PeaceJehovah-rophe - Jehovah HealsJehovah-jireh - Jehovah Sees or His Provision Shall be SeenJehovah-nissi - Jehovah our BannerJehovah-rohi - Jehovah our ShepherdWant to know more about God's names and His nature?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:9-11 and the names of God.

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Paul's prayer for the church at Colosse was that they would be "filled with the knowledge of His will" and they would "increase in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:9-10).  How is that even possible?How do we increase in the knowledge of God?How do we grow closer to Him?How can we learn to hear His voice?And how can we live in the center of His will?Have you ever asked yourself these questions?  If so, keep listening for the answers.The following is a study on Colossians 1:9-11.

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In Matthew 21 we see Jesus enter the temple of God, and He violently "drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves" (Matt. 21:12).  And He proclaimed God's temple was to be a "house of prayer" and not the "den of thieves" they had made it (Matt. 21:13).  And once that cleansing was done, something amazing happened.Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them (Matt. 21:14).Did you catch that?  First, a cleansing to turn the temple into a house of purity.  Next, the declaration that His house is a house of prayer.  Then, it becomes a house of power when the blind and lame are healed "in the temple" (Matt. 21:14).  And finally, it becomes a house of praise (Matt. 21:16).Could the same thing happen to you?  Absolutely.  Keep listening and find out how.The following is a study on Matthew 21:12-16.

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The truth found in the Scriptures is that God loves us with an everlasting love, even when we don't love Him.  In fact, at the point of our deepest sin and rebellion, at the time of our greatest rejection of Him, at the very moment of our disdain for the sacrifice of His Son, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).  And He expects, even commands, us to love each other with the kind of love He has for us.Which leads us to ask a couple of questions.How can we love others with God’s love when we find it so hard to feel loved by God ourselves?Does God sometimes hide from us and our pain?And, if not, why does He allow pain and suffering to happen to me and my family?Where is His love during those bad times?Troubling questions.  Do you want to know the answers?  If so, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:3-5.

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What is the most urgent need in the church today?The need for purity in sexual matters.To end abortion and homosexuality in our nation.Financial integrity in all matters and generosity to others.Greater evangelism and church planting.Disciplined, Biblical thinking— a Christian worldview.To end the plague of divorce in the church.No, the most urgent need in the church is for a deeper knowledge of God (Col. 1:10).  And how do we go about meeting that need?  Just keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:3 and prayer.

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We have unfortunately let the emerging church people hijack the term community, or fellowship, or koinonia, and turn it into something orthodox Christianity now rejects.  And that is a shame.  Nevertheless, community is how the Lord intended us to live.  Not convinced?  Then read the first few chapters in the book of Acts.But a few questions remain.  How can we “esteem others better than ourselves”?  (Phil. 2:3).How can we “love (agape) one another as Christ has loved (agape) us”?  (John 13:34).How can we live in fellowship (koinōnia) together, “bearing each other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ?”  (Gal. 6:2).How can we live in Christian community with each other, as a loving family, as part of His body functioning together as one?Do we even want to live that way?And, if we do, what would motivate us to love each other more than we love ourselves and to forgive each other— no matter what?Is that even possible today?Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:2 and grace and peace.

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Those in the church in Colosse were called by two names: (1) saints, or holy ones, and (2) faithful brethren.  This profound designation by Paul raises a few troubling questions.What does it mean to be a faithful brethren?How do you become a faithful brethren?What does a faithful brethren look like?And how does the Holy Spirit fit into any of this?Especially, when we discover the word faithful means:  "those worthy of trust, belief, confidence, and duty; those steadfast, sure, truthful, firm; those who do not waver, unmovable."Does any of this describe you?  Does it describe anyone you personally know?  And, if not, why?  What does that say about the church of today, or about you and me personally?To find out how to become a faithful brethren, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:2 and becoming a faithful brethren.

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When the Scriptures speak of you and I being called "saints" (Col. 1:2), and when we later discover that the word "saint" actually means "holy" or "holy ones"— the question that screams to be answered is this:  Just how holy is holy?  Or, just how holy does the Lord see us as His "saints" and how holy does He expect us to live?The answer will shock you.Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:13-16).Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:1-2 and the meaning of being called a saint.

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Could the default setting in the life of a Christian be one of expecting the Lord to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20), or is it simply living in the doldrums, in the muck and mire of a lukewarm, ordinary, less-than-average life?  What do you think?And regardless of what you think, how do you live your life in Christ?  Do you live your life spiritually powerless?  Or, like the words of William Carey, do you "expect great things from God, attempt great things for God?"The answer to this vital question is found in the reaction of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to the tomb of Lazarus.  Remember?  Their words may reflect your words and point to the cause of the impotence in the church today.Want to find out more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:17-27.

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What's the big deal with pastors today calling themselves apostles?  Why are they doing that and how can that be justified from Scripture?  Or, better yet, what are the qualifications for the office of apostle?  And, once we determine the qualifications, do any of these pastors meet them?  Can anyone meet them today?  Anyone?The lesson to be learned in all of this is that credibility is not communicated by titles or degrees.  Credibility is communicated by character.  True, God-like character.  And the fact we have men calling themselves apostles today shows us how much we still need to learn as a church, doesn't it?The following is a study on Colossians 1:1-2.

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Sometimes, when it comes to living our life in Christ in a way that pleases the Lord, encouragement can come from someone whose name is not found in the Bible.  Case in point:  Winston Churchill.  Consider the following:“Never give in.  Never give in.  Never, never, never, never— in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.  Never yield to force.  Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”Churchill was talking about the Nazi war machine, but our encouragement comes when we see his words as regarding Satan and the desires of our fallen flesh.  Our enemy is far greater than the Nazis.  We struggle against Satan and our own captivating selves.  To find out more on how to prevent spiritual backsliding, keep listening.The following is a study on Proverbs 14:12-14.

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Often we only remember the bad things about someone and, when we do, that single memory eclipses whatever good a person's life might have stood for.  Case in point: the disciple Thomas.  Or, "Doubting Thomas" as we like to call him.Thomas is mentioned three times in Scripture but we tend to only focus on these words:"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe"  John 20:25.But Thomas said much more.  In fact, he seemed to be the one disciple who had the courage to verbalize what everyone else was thinking.  And that courage and loyalty to our Lord was clearly shown in the raising of Lazarus from the dead.Want to learn more about the honesty, courage and loyalty displayed by our "doubting" friend?  Good.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:7-16.

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In Colossians we are introduced to a man named Epaphras who was someone Paul proudly called a fellow bondservant (doulos) or fellow slave of Christ.  His name is mentioned only three times in Scripture: Colossians 1:7, 4:12, and Philemon 1:23.  But in those three verses, in less than 70 words, Epaphras is described as:“our dear fellow servant”“faithful minister of Christ”“bondservant of Christ”“always laboring for you in prayers”“my fellow prisoner”What would the Lord write about your life if He mentioned you three times in His Word?  Would you be considered a "faithful minister of Christ"?  Would you be found "alwaying laboring in prayers" for others?  If not, that can change today.  You can begin right now writing a new chapter in your life.  To discover more about Epaphras, keep listening.The following is a study on Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13.

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Sometimes God, in His sovereignty, allows things to happen to us that are hurtful and difficult to understand.  Our fervent prayers go unanswered, our finances continue to dwindle to the point of ruin, our closest family relationships remain estranged and broken, and our sick loved ones grow weaker and die.And when this all happens we often point the finger at God and accuse Him of being unloving.  "God, I would never allow my son to go through what You've made me go through.  Why?  I feel like I'm more loving to my children than You are to me."But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.  Case in point: When Jesus waited for two day before coming to the aid of Lazarus (John 11:6).To find out more about why sometimes God seems unloving, keep listening.The following is a study on John 11:1-6.

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It seems that one of the greatest blessings in the Christian life is found in being "in Him" (Col. 1:15-18).  After all, Jesus has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6).  "Where and when did this take place?" we ask.  Look at the last few words.  We are "raised up together, and made to sit together in the heavenly places— in Christ Jesus"  How?  In Christ Jesus.How can we know we are in Christ?How can we experience being in Christ?And how can we celebrate being in Christ?To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on being "in Christ".

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Sometimes the Lord moves us from a place of marginal fruitfulness or limited success to a place of profound fruitfulness— and we often view it as a retreat, a failure, something akin to running away.  Yet nothing could be further from the truth.It seemed Jesus faced one confrontation after another during His short ministry in Jerusalem.  In fact, some would call His efforts marginally fruitful, at best.  But when He withdrew "beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing first" (John 10:40), everything changed.  Many believed in Him (John 10:42).Do you know why?  Have you figured out the great lesson for us in what Christ did by leaving Jerusalem and going back to a place of good memories?  If you're not sure, then keep listening.This is a study on John 10:33-42.

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There is a passage found in 1 Corinthians where the Lord Jesus is explaining the unity of His church, His body, by showing the many members of the body, the church, are actually one in Him.  Consider the following:For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Cor. 12:12).But the phrase that stopped me cold in my tracks is, "so also is Christ."  What does that mean?Is Christ saying that He and His church are one?Is Christ saying that He cannot be separated from His church?Is Christ saying that He is His church?  That they are united as one like He is with His Father?To find out more, keep listening.The following is study on the Body of Christ.

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When Jesus said, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30), He revealed truth so exciting and profound that we dare not overlook it.  When Jesus spoke these powerful six words, He was proclaiming that "All that God is, I am, and all that I am, the Father is."  Again, "I and My Father are one."But what does this mean?  No, not just theologically, but devotionally.  What does this truth mean to me and my everyday, intimate relationship with the Father?  What does it say about what the Father is like?  About His attributes, personality and characteristics?  What can I know about the Father from Jesus?The answers will change the way you live and pray... forever.  To find out more, just keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:30.

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Let nothing be done through selfish ambition (or, self-interest, rivalry) or conceit (or, empty pride, haughtiness), but in lowliness of mind (or, humility, meekness) let each esteem (or, value, consider, honor, treasure) others better (or, over and above) than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests (or, for himself), but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).Is it really possible to live like this?  And, if so, who has ever done that?  I don't know of any church or any Christian who meets this standard, do you?  I mean, who can we look to as our example?  Did Christ leave us a model or a prototype of a church that truly looked "out not for their own interest, but also for the interest of others" (Phil. 2:4).Where can I go to see this kind of love fleshed out in real life?  The Scriptures give you the clear answer.  Just keep listening.The following is a study on Church Unity from the Book of Acts.

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One of the most theologically packed words spoken by our Lord is found in John 10:27-30 where He says:"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one."In these few words of Jesus we find the doctrines of grace, election, the state of the lost, the effectual call, salvation, regeneration, sanctification, eternal life, eternal security, the perseverance of the saints and the trinity.  It's a literal treasure trove of truth given as a gift to each of us.Want to know more about this gift?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:22-30 and the importance of meditation.

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As Believers living in the Laodicean church age, we tend to re-define terms that make us feel uncomfortable.  For example, when Jesus says, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), we redefine His command to say, "Study about how others go into all the world in your annual Missions Conference and rationalize to yourself you are obeying His command by looking at African artifacts and watching a missionary slide show during your Sunday evening service."  But that's not what Jesus said at all, is it?We also re-define what the word "revival" means because we, as the church, are pretty much clueless as to what a true, Spirit-born revival actually looks like.  We look to follow those who tell us about revival but have never experienced revival themselves.  It's like the "blind leading the blind" (Luke 6:39).Do you want to be different?  Do you want to learn from those who lived in a constant state of revival?  Me too.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on How Not to Find Revival from Revelation 2 and 3.

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When Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) what does He mean?  What makes a shepherd of the sheep, maybe even a faithful shepherd, a good shepherd?  What characteristics or innate virtue qualifies them to be a Good Shepherd?The answer is simple:  Jesus said, "the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11).  In fact, this specific attribute is repeated four times in 8 verses just to emphasize this very fact (John 10:11, 15, 17, 18).And Jesus goes one step further.  He says in John 10:17:  "Therefore My Father loves Me, (why) because I lay down My life that I may take it again."Don't be caught sleeping— these statements by the Lord are deeply profound and life-changing.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 10:11-21.

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Our experience may indicate otherwise, but the default setting for the Christian can be found in John 10:10 where Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  Did you get that?  Jesus came to give us life and to give it to us abundantly.  This is the standard, the default setting in our spiritual life.Is that what you're experiencing in your life with Christ?  If so, praise Him.  If not, why?  Keep listening and you'll discover how to reset and restore your spiritual life back to the default, factory setting.The following is a study on the Hindrances to Revival from Revelation 2:1-11.

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As 2014 draws slowly to a close, I am once again reminded of our greatest need as individual Christians and as the church:  Revival!  "And what is revival?" you ask.  According to the Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions, revival is: "the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more spiritual life, witness, and work— by prayer and the Word after repentance."Leonard Ravenhill said, "Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself.”  And Vance Havner summed it all up when he said, "Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again."Do you need to fall in love with Jesus all over again?  I sure do.  Come join with me and together let's ask our Great God for revival.The following is a study on Our Need for Revival.

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What happens when God decides to interrupt your life?  What happens when He offers to change your plans or to rearrange your priorities?  Do we joyfully embrace His divine interruptions or do we gripe and complain and run in the opposite direction?When God offers us an interruption He always gives us a choice.  We can joyfully accept His gift or reject the blessing.  The choice is always ours.Enoch, Noah, David, Zacharias, Peter and Andrew, James and John, Paul, Joseph and Mary— they all had their lives interrupted by God.  Do you want Him to do the same to you?  If so, keep listening.The following is a study on God's Divine Interruptions.

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When we consider the Christmas season and the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus we often focus on Mary and Joseph, or the Magi and their three gifts, or maybe the lowly shepherds and the heavenly host singing "Glory to God in the highest"— to the exclusion of all else.  It seems that if the cast of characters at the birth of Christ don't rate a place in our Nativity scene or weren't around on that fateful night in Bethlehem then, we reason, they must not have been very important.But nothing could be further from the truth.  Did you ever hear of a man, a common priest named Zacharias, and his beloved wife, Elizabeth?  The Christmas story actually begins with them.To find out more about these two incredible people, keep listening.The following is a study on Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist.

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In John 10 Jesus begins to speak, point-blank and unashamedly, to the sins and hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the other members of the Industrial Religious Complex of His day.  And in doing so He introduces a strange cast of characters and idioms that must be identified and defined in order to understand the deep meaning of His words.Jesus speaks of the Good Shepherd, the Door, the false shepherds, thieves and robbers, the doorkeeper, the sheepfold and, of course, the sheep.  And without a proper understanding of what these terms mean, for example, we will never grasp the essence of the following:"To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out" (John 10:3).Keep listening to discover the truth hidden behind these simple words.The following is a study on John 10:1-9.

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The cherished and beloved 23rd Psalm begins with both a statement and a promise.  The statement:  The Lord is my shepherd.  And the promise:  I shall not want.It seems like the rest of the Psalm simply elaborates on this wonderful promise.  For example, I will not want for:Food -  because I am made to "lie down in green pastures" (23:2)Refreshment -  because "He leads me beside the still waters" (23:2)Forgiveness and Renewal of Spirit -  because "He restores my soul" (23:3)Direction and Guidance -  because "He leads me in the paths of righteousness" (23:3)Fear of Failure and Death -  because "I will fear no evil in the valley of the shadow of death" (23:4)His Presence, Acceptance -  because "You are with me" (23:4)Comfort and Peace -  because "Your rod and Your staff they comfort me" (23:4)Victory in the Face of Our Enemies -  because "You prepare a table before me in the presence of My enemies" (23:5)Do you want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Psalm 23:1-2.

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Many of those who deny the doctrine of the Rapture of the church smugly say the word rapture doesn't even appear in the Bible.  And, to a degree, this is true.  Unless you have a Latin Bible, and then everything changes.  You see, the Greek word translated rapture in Latin is harpazo and means:  "to seize upon, to snatch away, to draw away, to carry off, to catch up, to receive, to pluck out, to rescue, to forcefully take away."Rapture is the Latin form of harpazo and is found in the Vulgate which was translated by Jerome in the late 4th century and in the 16th century became the official Bible of the Catholic church.Do you have questions about the coming rapture (harpazo) of the church?  Good.  Then keep listening.The following is a study on the rapture of the church.

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There is so much confusion about the Holy Spirit today.  You have entire Christian denominations committed primarily to their particular view of the Holy Spirit:  Who He is, how He is received, the importance of gifts, are tongues real, has prophecy ceased, and of course the debate about the difference between baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit, and on and on it goes.Ahem.But the Scriptures are clear about the Holy Spirit and His role today.  In fact, there really shouldn't be any confusion or disagreement between Believers on this issue - especially concerning some of the more troubling passages in Acts.  And it is these very passages that we are going to examine from the Scriptures.  Are you interested?  Good.  Then keep listening.This is a study on the Holy Spirit.

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When Jesus, after the Passover meal, took the third cup of wine, the cup of redemption, He instituted what we call and celebrate as the Lord's Supper.  He spoke of the bread representing His body that was broken for them (Luke 22:19) and the wine as the new covenant in His blood that was to be shed for them for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28).  And He ended it all by saying:"Do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 13:25).When we partake of the Lord's Supper, Jesus wants us to remember Him.  Who He is and what He has done for each of us.  Remember Him.  And only Him.What do you remember about Jesus?  What are your most precious thoughts regarding Him?  And what does He want us to remember?   To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on the Lord's Supper.

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Of the 684 commands in the New Testament, some of them are of the if/then type and include a promise to those who obey the command.  For example, Jesus promises to manifest Himself to those who keep His commands.  Can you think of anything better than that?  “He who has My commandments and keeps (or, obey, guard, watch, as if a warden) them, it is he who loves (agape) Me.  And he who loves (agape) Me will be (1) loved (agape) by My Father, and (2) I will love (agape) him and (3) manifest (or, to make known, cause to be seen, to show, to cause something to be fully known by revealing clearly and in some detail—‘to make known, to make plain, to reveal, to bring to the light, to disclose, revelation) Myself to him" (John 14:21).And there are many more of the if/then promises of the Lord Jesus.  To discover them, keep listening.The following is a study on the blessings of obedience.

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Daniel has been in captivity for close to 67 years and understands, from the writings of Jeremiah, that this captivity will only last 70 years.  In 3 more years— freedom.  And Daniel is close to 80 years old when he discovers this truth.So what does he do?  He prays.  But not like you and I pray.  No, Daniel prays and cries for mercy for his sins, the sins of his people, and the sins of the land.  Daniel prays for his nation like you and I should pray for ours.Consider the end of his prayer:"O Lord, hear!  O Lord, forgive!  O Lord, listen and act!  Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name" (Dan. 9:19).What happens when we, the church, begin to pray like Daniel?  Listen to find out more.This is a study on Daniel 9:1-19.

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After a full chapter of confronting the rabid unbelief of the Pharisees and enduring their personal, ad hominem attacks, Jesus turned the tables and told them exactly why they couldn't understand or receive, believe His Words.  He said, Question:  "Why do you not understand My speech?"Answer:  "Because you are not able to (or, cannot, it is an inherent impossibility) listen to My word."They're not able, they can't.  Listening to His words is an inherent impossibility to them.  Did you ever wonder why and how this fits with being His sheep in John 10?  If so, then keep listening.The following is a study on John 8:37-59.

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The book of Malachi ends with the description of two groups of people that will respond differently when the day of the Lord comes.  One, those who fear the Lord and long for His appearing, will see the "Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings" (Mal. 3:2).  The other group, those who do not know or love the Lord, that Day will be a day of "burning like an oven" (Mal. 4:1).Question for us is this:  Which group are you in?  And what are you prepared to do about it?To find the answer to these eternal questions, keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 4:1-6.

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In Malachi 3:16 says:  Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.Did you catch that?  A book of remembrance was written before Him.Is your name written in the Lord's book of remembrance?  Has He recorded your service rendered to the King of Kings so He can reward you in due time?  Is there anything in your devotion to the Lord Jesus worthy of remembering?  If so, praise to the Lord.  All glory belongs to Him.  But if not, why?  Why waste another second of your finite life living for the trinkets and toys of this fallen world when you can live for the praise and adoration of the King and be called His special treasure.The following is a study on Malachi 3:13-18.

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How can we know and experience the Love of God (1 John 4:8) when we are often surrounded by pain and despair, broken lives and broken marriages, sickness, disease, rejection and betrayal, and everything else that makes up living with fallen people in a fallen world?  How can we, like Job, confidently say:  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15)?  How can we live like that?  How can we have the faith that trusts in Him regardless of the circumstances?  How is that even possible?Want to know the answer to these questions?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Psalm 27:1-14.

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The Pharisees plotted together against Jesus and put forth a lawyer to try to trap Him in His words.  The lawyer asked, "Which is the greatest commandment in the law?"  And Jesus' answer was twofold:“'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40)The word for love is agape.  "You shall agape the Lord and you shall agape your neighbor."How do we love (agape) God?  And how do we love (agape) others like we're suppose to love (agape) God?  How is that even possible?  To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on the Love (agape) of God.

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After almost three chapters of blistering accusations in Malachi against His people and His priests, the Lord offers a profound challenge to them based on their obedience.  And the area in which He challenged them was, of all things, money.Command:  "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house."Challenge:  "and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts.Promise:  “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."Results:  “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts (Malachi 3:10, 12).Do you believe the promise given to them also applies to you?  If so, will you accept the challenge to not rob God?  And, if not, why?The following is a study on Malachi 3:6-12.

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Often we find ourselves, like the people in Malachi's day, lodging a complaint against God.  Why?  Because He didn't do things the way we thought He should.  Because we don't like the situation we are in.  Because we want more than what He has sovereignly given us.  Because He didn't meet our expectations.Just like spoiled, selfish children.But the granddaddy of all complaints is found in Malachi 2:17 where the people accuse God of blessing evil and ignoring good:  "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them."  Or, "Where is the God of justice?"Want to see how God responds?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 2:17-3:5.

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When we go to court and the prosecutor has a key witness ready to testify against us, we basically have only three options of things we can do..One, we can make the witness disappear, much like Don Corleone in the Godfather.  Or, two, we can try to discredit the witness by digging up dirt on his past sins that would impugn his testimony and character.  In other words, we would put the witness on trial.  And if that didn't work, three, we could hire Madison Avenue lawyers to find a technicality, a loophole, to get us off.This is exactly the course of action the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, to no avail.  Why?  Because He was always one step ahead of them.Want to find out more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 8:12-20.

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In the latter half of Malachi 2 God employs some strong words to convey His feelings about His people and their attitude towards Him.  He uses treacherously five times in 8 verses.  We also find profane or profaning, abomination, and God saying He literally hates something.  Those two words alone, God and hate, should get our attention.But what does God hate?  Ah, that's where the "D" word comes in.  Want to hear more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 2:10-17.

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Sometimes we accept the forgiveness of Jesus and assume it's simply a one-sided act.  He does all the work and we reap all the benefits.It's like changing the lyrics to the old song that goes:  "Jesus paid it all."  And with this we agree.  "All to Him I owe."  Uh, not so fast.  I'd rather just take the forgiveness and go home.But that's not how it works in the Kingdom of God.  In John 8 we see a woman forgiven by Jesus and left with the following command:  "Go and sin no more."   Did you ever wonder why He said that to her?To find out more, keep listening.The following is a study on John 7:53-8:12.

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One of the most sobering and frightening statements by God to the priests, clergy, and believers just like you and me is found in Malachi 2:3.  There God says:“Behold, I will rebuke your descendants and spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your solemn feasts; and one will take you away with it."Just so you know, refuse means dung, fecal matter, excrement.  That's right.  God is saying He will spread or smear excrement on the faces of His priests or clergy or you and me.Do you want to know why God would do something as drastic as this?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 2:1-9.

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Jesus placed as first importance the need to count the costs (Luke 14:28) before coming to Him and partaking of His life (John 7:37-38).  But many today fail to embrace, or even consider, what it means to truly follow Christ.  We debate among ourselves trivial theological matters or define, to our own carnality, what is "permissible" in the Christian life, yet fail to understand the depths of the new life He has call us to.It's a life, mind you, of holiness.  After all, "No man ever spoke like this Man! (John 7:46).Want to know more about the life of faith?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 7:40-52.

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Jesus, at the close of the Sermon on the Mount, speaks some of the most frightening words in all of Scripture.  He draws a clean distinction between those who are saved and those who are deceived in thinking they are saved.He begins by explaining the narrow way to life and the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14).  And many, He says, go the way of destruction.He then tells us we will know those who are deceived by the lack of fruit in their lives.  Spiritual fruit is the only evidence, according to Jesus, of true salvation (Matt. 7:15-20).Finally Jesus tells us many will be deceived on the Day of Judgment and be cast from the Lord's presence.  Why?  Because they "practiced lawlessness" (Matt. 7:21-23).Incredibly sobering words.  Want to hear more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on True Salvation.

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When Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders with the truth of who He is, they naturally respond by wanting to silence His voice, to take Him captive (John 7:32), to destroy Him or, literally, to kill Him (John 7:19).  And, unlike many of us today in the church, Jesus did not retreat but boldly stood and declared to them the gospel once again.  Consider the following:On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38).Jesus preaches to them the gospel in just three words:  thirst, come and drink.Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 7:25-39.

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Some of the most scathing words spoken by the Lord to those who have committed their lives to Him, the priests, are found in the first chapter of Malachi.  And I mean scathing words.But what God says in Malachi is not limited to the priests of Israel, but also to the church today.  These words speak to everyone of us.  They are not to be taken lightly.Consider the following:  “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor?  And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?" says the Lord of hosts.Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 1:6-14.

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The first of the two most important questions asked of Jesus is:  Who are You?  (John 7:12) This question can be asked of Him as long as He is with the crowd, as long as He's at arms length to each of us.  But when He invades our world, everything changes.  Now we are faced with the second most important question asked of Jesus:  Can we believe what You say?  Are Your words true?  And what exactly are You saying to us? (John 7:16-18).Or, to summarize CS Lewis' thoughts in Mere Christianity:A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on John 7:15-24.

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Message from Malachi — A Prophetic Warning to the ChurchWe are about to undertake a study of the last book of the Old Testament, the last of the Post-Exile prophets, Malachi.  This small, four chapter book holds a unique place in the Scriptures because it stands at the end, the last call if you will, of the Old Testament and also at the beginning, as an introduction, to the 400 year period where God was silent and closed the door on any future revelation to His people.Rest assured, there's much in Malachi to challenge and rebuke and offend the church and the clergy today.  It's a most timely book that needs to be preached from pulpits all across our land but, unfortunately for the church, seldom is.  As we dig deeper into his message, you'll understand why this book has fallen out of favor in the Laodicean church of today (Rev. 3:16).Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Malachi 1:1-5.

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For the Jews, prophecy was not just predicting the future as we think of it today, but prophecy dealt with patterns that pointed to a deeper truth, a future truth.  So all the Jewish feasts were not just commemorating some past event, but they were also, by their schedule and pattern, also pointing to something in the future, something prophetic.For example, we know the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled by Jesus and the cross.  But did you know the Feast of Firstfruits was fulfilled in the resurrection and the Feast of Weeks in the birth of the Church?What about the Feast of Trumpets or the Feast of Tabernacles or the Day of Atonement.  What future events do these point to?  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 14:16-21 and Leviticus 23.To http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/081114-insert.pdf (download) the http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/081114-insert.pdf (notes) from this message, click – http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/081114-insert.pdf (HERE)

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Romans 12:1-2 speaks of our response to God for His abundant grace and mercy.  In essence it asks, "What are we to do with all the goodness You have shown us?"   And the answer is simple:I beseech (or, urge, beg) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present (what) your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.And how do we go about doing that?And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (why) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.How does this fit in with the book of Leviticus?  Listen and find out more.The following is a study on Leviticus 1:1-17.

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Embedded in chapter 14 of Zechariah, in the middle of the Lord telling His people about how He will "fight against the nations" that fought against Jerusalem, we possibly find a cryptic description of the effects of a neutron bomb.  It reads:Their flesh shall dissolve (or, rot, waste away) while they stand on their feet,Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths (Zech. 14:12).How can that be?  And what does that mean for us today?  Is this really the effects of a neutron bomb?Keep listening to find out more.The following is a study on Zechariah 14:1-15.To http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/072714-insert.pdf (download) the http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/072714-insert.pdf (notes) from this message, click – http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/072714-insert.pdf (HERE)

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Zechariah chapter 12 tells of the national salvation of Israel where the Lord will "pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.  Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn" (Zech. 12:10).  It is the literal fulfillment of Romans 11:26 where Paul says "and so all Israel will be saved."So what happens after God saves a nation, or what happens when He saves you and I?  What is our response?  What are we to do?  How are we to act?And that very question is what is answered in Zechariah 13.  Zechariah lets us know exactly what God expects from those He calls "My people" and for His people who say "the Lord is my God" (Zech. 13:9).  What God commands the remnant in Zechariah 13 is exactly what He commands of us today.  After all, we also have been cleansed of our "sin and uncleanness" from a "fountain" that flowed from the veins of the Lord Jesus (Zech. 13:1).  A fountain of blood freely given for us.  As William Cowpens wrote so many years ago:There is a fountain filled with blood,Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,Lose all their guilty stains.Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 13:1-9.To http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/072014-insert.pdf (download) the http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/072014-insert.pdf (notes) from this message, click – http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/072014-insert.pdf (HERE)

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Zechariah 12:10 states:"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then (what) they will look on Me whom they pierced.  Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn."Quick question:  When does the pouring out of God's Spirit happen?  And when does the mourning and grieving take place?   Since they must take place after the death of Jesus, do they take place during the time of the early church?  Or, does it refer to the great expansion of preaching and growth during the ages that follow (Reformed / Amillennial view)?  Or, does it refer to a time yet in the future (Dispensational / Premillennial view)?Quick answer:  Historically, these events were not fulfilled during the days of the early church.  Second, these passages cannot be interpreted as referring to the church since there is no mention of "the people of God" or even "Israel" for that matter.  Additionally, there is no greater Jewish prophecy in all of Zechariah.  Note verses 12 and 13:  "house of David, house of Nathan, house of Levi, family of Shimei."So what does this mean for us today?  Much.  Keep listening to find out more.The following is a study on Zechariah 12:1-14.To http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/071414-insert.pdf (download) the http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/071414-insert.pdf (notes) from this message, click – http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/071414-insert.pdf (HERE)

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Just the mention of the word Antichrist brings to mind images from Revelation 13 and of some old, outdated movies that were made in the late 70's.  Remember those movies?  I sure do.But the Scripture reveals much about the Antichrist from the Old Testament.  In fact, Zechariah gives us the only physical description of the Antichrist found in Scripture and his description lines up perfectly with what we know from Revelation  13.  Zechariah says, for example:"Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock!A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye;His arm shall completely wither, and his right eye shall be totally blinded."Want to find out more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 11:1-17.To http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/070614-insert.pdf (download) the http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/070614-insert.pdf (notes) from this message, click - http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/070614-insert.pdf (HERE)

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Today we often forget the condemning indictment God levels against those shepherds of His flock, those pastors of His church, that have forsaken the call and left their first love and followed after the things of this world.  We forget God's anger against them, but we see this kind of church apostasy and defection all around us. So what does God say about a shepherd that cares not for the flock?  And, more important, what does God promise to do to those shepherds?The answer is both chilling and frightening.  Keep listening to find out more.This is a study on Zechariah 10 and Ezekiel 9.

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We are living in troubling, turbulent times... but not unlike the times of the prophet Jeremiah.  In Jeremiah's day his nation was facing destruction and decay both from within and without.  The judicial system had been perverted and compromised.  Infant murder (abortion) was rampant and the people were engulfed in sexual sin.  Does that situation sound familiar?  I thought so.  Sounds much like today, doesn't it.So listen to see what Jeremiah would say today to both the church and the nation.The following is a study on Jeremiah 7:1-34.

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We talk much about revival in Christian circles.  In fact, often we schedule an evangelist to come to our church and preach salvation messages for an entire week and call it a "revival."  But what does revival mean?  What are we trying to experience?  What are we trying to revive?The Webster definition of revival is:  to restore life or strength, to give new strength or energy.  It also means the growth of something or an increase in the activity of something after a long period of no growth or activity.So, for the Christian, a revival happens when we have our strength in the Lord restored or have new strength or energy given to us by the Holy Spirit.  Or, it means when we experience an increase in something that we have long let die.  Sound familiar?Are you in need of revival but don't know how to go about getting revived?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 8:1-23.

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In Zechariah 7 we find the Lord stripping away the face paint of religion and forcing His children to look deeply at their attitudes and motives, and not their religious actions and practices.  Here He says to them, and to us: "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me— for Me?" (Zech. 7:5-6). His words cut deep because they are convicting and they are true.  They also reveal how far we, as the church of today, have fallen from the standard set by the Acts church, the template, the prototype of how church should be.  Consider the difference between life in the book of Acts and the life of the church today. Then, they were focused on power.  Now, we are focused on correct doctrine and seminary degrees.Then, the abundant life.  Now, cutting edge entertainment.Then, sacrifice and commitment.  Now, potluck suppers and youth trips to Disneyworld.Then, confrontation.  Now, tolerance.Then, boldness.  Now, we just want to fit in.Then, holiness.  Now, compromise.Then, one accord, unity.  Now, fragmentation and denominationalism. Then, baptized and full of the Holy Spirit.  Now, we debate those very terms. There has to be something more to the Christian life than what we are experiencing.Oh, there's more.  Much more.  Keep listening to find out what is missing. The following is a study on Zechariah 7:1-14.

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It's hard to believe, but in the book of Zechariah we have a complete picture of the climax of the ages when the Lord Jesus, the Man, the Branch, comes to establish His Kingdom on this earth.  It shows humanity crowning Him with an elaborate crown and declaring Him to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  And it also shows how His death brought peace between a Holy God and His sinful creation.And yes, this is all found in the book of Zechariah.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 6:9-15.

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As crazy as it may sound, many of us spend our Christian lives playing Whac-A-Mole with the strongholds of sin and consequences of disobedience that we have allowed to take root in our lives.  And why do we do this?  What's the point?  Where's the payoff for us?There isn't any.  We strive and struggle again and again, whacking one mole only to have another pop up in its place, with no end in sight.  Our so-called "abundant life" can easily become one of frustration and defeat.But it doesn't have to be that way.  We can live victorious over the enemy and experience true freedom in Christ.  How?  Keep listening to find out.

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When dealing with Babylon in the Scriptures we find ourselves concerned with the Fall of Babylon, the final Destruction of Babylon and, of course, Mystery Babylon as described in Revelation 17 and 18.  Or, the FDM of Babylon.But wait, there is also the city of Babylon built on the plain of Shinar, the nation of Babylon that was conquered by the Persians and the evil system of Babylon that is cursed and condemned by God in the Scriptures.So which one is it?  Which one is Zechariah talking about in the visions he was given by the Lord?  Listen and find out.The following is a study on Zechariah 5:5-6:8.

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The words of German pastor Martin Niemoller were just as poignant in 1937 as they are today.  Why?  Because we are living in the same times and under the same threat.To the question:  Am I my brother's keeper?Pastor Niemoller's answer:First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak for me.The following is a study on Zechariah 4:1-5:4.

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This Easter, commit your life and thoughts and dreams to Him who can do far beyond what we can possibly imagine (Eph. 3:20-21).  Do not, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, fall back and fade into obscurity regarding the moving of God and remain satisfied with the trinkets and toys this world offers and neglect the "riches in heaven" prepared for you, the "abundant life" our Lord promised (John 10:10).  Look around you and see the mission field God has place you in and begin today, on Easter, to faithfully serve Him who gave His life for you (Matt. 20:28).And remember the words of William Carey:  "Expect great things from God.  Attempt great things for God."The following is a study on John 3:1-2.

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In the fourth of Zechariah's eight visions we see the following prophetic words about Jesus:For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the Branch.  For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua:  Upon the stone are seven eyes.Behold, I will engrave its inscription.I think I've got the part about the Branch and the stone and the seven eyes.  But what inscription is engraved on the stone?The answer to this question will alter your view of Jesus... forever.  The following is a study on Zechariah 3:1-10.

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In the last verse of the second chapter of Zechariah we find the chilling statement that God will no longer stay silent while His people, the apple of His eye, are mistreated by others.  The sleeping Giant has awakened.  Momma bear is ready to protect her cubs.  The time for the great awakening is upon us.  "Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused (or, awakened) from His holy habitation!"In other words, Aslan in on the move!  And you'd better be ready.This following is a study on Zechariah 2:1-13.

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The first of the eight visions revealed to Zechariah tell a harrowing tale of disappointment and disillusionment to those who are waiting for God to keep His promise.  But as you dig deeper into the vision of the Man and the Myrtle trees, you find that God has not failed them but gives them incredible promises and declarations of what their future will be like.In fact, according to Zechariah 1:13 the Lord answered the questions with "good and comforting words."I don't know about you, but I could use some good and comforting words from the Lord.  Listen and be encouraged from a prophecy to Zechariah that is just as relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago.The following is a study of Zechariah 1:7-17.To http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/033014-insert.pdf (download) the notes for this message, click - http://leavinglaodicea.com/podcast/pdf/033014-insert.pdf (HERE)

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The book of Zechariah begins with one of the most challenging and frightening conditional promises found in Scripture.First, there is God's statement of their condition:  “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers."Then, the wonderful and frightening promise:  “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts."But the flip side of this promise is also true.  If they won't return to Him, then it logically follows that He won't return to them.Sounds like much of the church today.  Keep listening.The following is a study of Zechariah 1:1-6.

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The entire message of Haggai can be summed up in these three words:  Consider your ways.After all, consider this warning given five times in Haggai:Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!" - Haggai 1:5Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!" - 1:7"And now, carefully consider from this day forward." - 2:15And again, "And now, carefully consider from this day forward." - 2:17There is something - something important - the Lord is trying to tell us through the words of Haggai.  Keep listening to find out more.The following is a study of Haggai 2:1-23.

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After 14 years of doing nothing the Lord finally sent the prophet Haggai to confront the apathy and laziness of His remnant.  First, the Lord rebukes them for their excuse.Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: "This people says, 'The time has not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built.'"Really?  But the Lord responds to their excuse this way."Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?"In other words, you can't find the time to build My house but you have plenty of time to build your own house.  Sound familiar?  I thought so.  Keep listening for more of Haggai's message to us today.The following is a study of Haggai 1:1-15.

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When John the Baptist saw the sky crack open and the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove all he could utter was, "Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world."  And then John sent two of his disciples to follow Jesus.Did you ever wonder why John didn't also follow his Lord?  Did you wonder why he continued to baptize after he revealed Jesus to the world?  And did you ever wonder why his message changed from, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" to "Herod, it is not lawful for you to take your brother's wife as your own." How is that preparing the way for the coming of the Lord?Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study of John 1:19-37.

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Without a doubt, the church languishes as it does today because many, if not most, of professing believers in America are not even saved.  Does that sound harsh?   Well, consider this: many today have bought into a mind set that allows them to live any way they want and still claim to "belong to Jesus."   But John said, "If we claim to have fellowship with the light (to be a believer, a follower of Jesus, a Christian), and yet walk in darkness (to live like the world), we lie (in claiming to have fellowship with the light) and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:6). Ouch.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening. The following is a study of the Lost in the Church today.

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There are three great musts in the Gospel of John.
1.  You must be born again - John 3:7.2.  The Son of Man must be lifted up - John 3:14.3.  Those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth - John 4:24.
The first two usually don't cause us any problems.  After all, what Christian would not agree that we must be born again?
But the third one, the spirit and truth one... ah, that's where it gets a bit more difficult.  What does Jesus mean?   What is spirit and truth?  And why is this one of the musts? 
For answers, keep listening.
The following is a study of John 4:19-24.

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The life and ministry of John the Baptist can be summarized in the opening few verses of John's gospel.  John 1:6-9 states: 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

I've got a couple of questions.  What is the Light?  How does he bear witness of that Light?  Is it something that only he can do or can I be that witness also?  It looks like there is so much more here than meets the eye.  
There is.  Keep listening.
The following is a study of John 1:6-13.

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Jesus summed up the essence of His life in John 12:31-32 where He said:  

"Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

The key to preaching and the key to the Christian life is to simply lift up Jesus to our lost and dying world and let Him do the rest.  But why is that so difficult?  Why do we falter time and time again?
Are you interested in discovering what Jesus has to say about these questions?  Good.  Then keep listening.
The following is a study of John 1:1-5.

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John the Apostle and friend of Jesus has a unique purpose in writing his Gospel.  He states that purpose in John 20:30-31:  

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.  

He has a two-fold purpose.  One, that you would believe and two, that by believing you would have eternal life in His name.  
And this is just the beginning.  Want to hear more?  Then keep listening.
The following is a study of John 1:1-3.

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One of the most chilling verses in the book of Matthew is this: 

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

In this verse, the He is Jesus and the there is Nazareth and the truth is that because of their unbelief Jesus was not able to do what He wanted to do among those He loved.  He had to cut His revelation to them short because they would not receive what He was offering them.  And the results of their unbelief were damning.  
Do you think you have ever walked in their shoes?  Probably so.
The following is a study on unbelief.

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When we read in Genesis 3:15 about God's curse on Satan we sometimes fail to see the incredible gift in that curse given to us. 

"And I will put enmityBetween you and the woman,And between your seed and her Seed;He shall bruise your head,And you shall bruise His heel.”

"And what gift is that?" you ask.  It is the gift of hating sin.Want to hear more about it?  Then keep listening.
The following is a study of John 12:12-41.

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One of the greatest Christmas passages in all of Scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  It reads:

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own.  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

"What does this have to do with Christmas?" you ask.
Simply this:  Are you wasting your life running after trinkets and toys or have you given your life back to the One who gave it to you in the first place?  And, by the way, your answer to this one question will change everything!
The following is a study of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

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Question: But what have I forgotten?
Answer: The encouragement, when facing trials and tribulation, that you are a son of God.
Question: What is the encouragement?
Answer: Proverbs 3:11-12 which reads:

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.

Question: Really? I am to be encouraged with a verse that speaks about chastening, rebukes and scourging? Really?
Answer: Absolutely.

The following is a study of Hebrews 12:4-11.

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Psalm 69 gives us a chilling insight into the life of Jesus as a young boy being raised in the home of Mary and Joseph. After all, we know He had 4 brothers and at least two sisters. What must His life been like during His teenage years.

From Psalm 69:

I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children. Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

Want to know more about the suffering that Jesus endured before His introduction by John the Baptist? Then keep listening.