Categories
Bible Teaching

The Mighty God In Christ, In You

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 11/12/2023 | 10:00 AM

Text: 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Matthew 1:18-25

(18)  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

(19)  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

(20)  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

(21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

(22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

(23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

(24)  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

(25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

They struck Christ, they lied on Him, they mocked Him, Judas Iscariot betrayed Him, Peter denied knowing Him, but Jesus didn’t react with anything but love.

What was in Jesus manifested itself.

God was manifest in the flesh.

God was in Christ and Christ is in you.

What you are full of will become visible when you’re bumped.

An old Indian proverb says, “Whatever you are overflowing with spill out when you’re bumped.”

You say, “That’s not me,” but if it came out of you the Word of God says it is in you:

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).

The Purpose of God in Christ is Reconciliation:

2 Corinthians 5:16-21, “(16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.  (17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Reconciliation = “exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor: – atonement, reconciliation (-ing).”[1] Also, “to restore to friendship or harmony.”[2]

First, I am reconciled to Him then I become His ambassador working to bring harmony into other people’s lives.

To be in Christ = water baptism

Christ in you = Holy Ghost infilling

Romans 8:1-11

(1)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

(3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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

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

(7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

(8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

(9)  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

(10)  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

(11)  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

2 Peter 1:5-11

(5)  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

(6)  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

(7)  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

(8)  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(9)  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

(10)  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

(11)  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is the Mighty God in Christ, In you and then in others.

[1] Strong’s. G2630.

[2] Merriam-Webster.

Categories
Bible Preaching

Echoes of the Father’s Mercy

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 10/15/2023 | 6:30 PM

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

(3)  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

(4)  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

(5)  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

(6)  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

(7)  And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

(8)  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

(9)  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

(10)  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

(11)  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

The Father of Mercies = Merciful Father

He is “the author, or source of” mercy. “Mercy proceeds from God…he is the source of it…it is his nature to impart mercy and compassion.” Jesus is the Father “of all true joy. It is one of his special and glorious attributes that He thus produces consolation and mercy.”[1]

Mercies = “Compassion, pity, mercy. Bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion. Emotions, longings, manifestations of pity.”[2]

All throughout the book of Psalms (13 times) and the Gospels (13 times) there is a phrase that keeps popping up: “Have Mercy.”

Turn to your neighbor tonight, look them in the eyes, and in your best Elvis Presley impression say, “Have mercy.”

Mercy.

It is what we seek when have sinned, or when we are at our wit’s end.

Our sin is so great that we simply don’t know what to do and we call out to Jesus, “Please, forgive me.” It is a call for the Father of Mercies to take pity on you and to release from your guilt and from the penalty attached to sin.

Have Mercy, is the sincere prayer of the heart crying out for God’s compassion and help to come along help in a time of great struggle.

Have Mercy.

13 times in the Psalms:

  • 4:1, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
  • 6:2, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.”
  • 9:13, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:”
  • 25:16, “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.”
  • 27:7, “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”
  • 30:10, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”
  • 31:9, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.”
  • 51:1, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”
  • 86:16, “O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
  • 102:13, “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”
  • 123:2, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
  • 123:3, “Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.”

13 Times in the Gospels:

  • Jesus – Matt. 9:13, “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
    • I will have mercy, and not sacrifice – 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
    • According to Adam Clarke, These are remarkable words. We may understand them as implying,
      • 1st. That God prefers an act of mercy, shown to the necessitous, to any act of religious worship to which the person might be called at that time. Both are good; but the former is the greater good, and should be done in preference to the other.
      • 2dly. That the whole sacrificial system was intended only to point out the infinite mercy of God to fallen man, in his redemption by the blood of the new covenant. And
      • 3dly. That we should not rest in the sacrifices, but look for the mercy and salvation prefigured by them. This saying was nervously translated by our ancestors, I will mild-heartedness, and not sacrifice.[3]
  • Matt. 9:27, “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.”
  • Matt. 12:7, “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”
  • Matt. 15:22, “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”
  • Matt. 17:15, “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.”
  • Matt. 20:30-31, “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”
    • Sometimes, your need will push you beyond your limits, past societal niceties, and you will get to a place where you don’t care what anyone thinks – as long as you can get to Jesus.
  • Mark 10:47, “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
  • The Rich Man in Hell, Luke 16:24, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”
    • There is no mercy in Hell, no matter how long you cry for it.
  • The Ten Lepers – Luke 17:13, “And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
  • The Blind Beggar – Luke 18:38-39, “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

These all were all healed, or found deliverance.

Why? Jesus is the Father of Mercies.

ECHOES OF MERCY: Isaiah 58:10-12

(10)  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

(11)  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

(12)  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

When you extend mercy that’s been granted to you, the echo of the mercy you received and then passed forward will be remembered for generations.

Mercy is ready tonight to triumph over Judgment, all you need do is cry out to God – HAVE MERCY!

Ephesians 2:4-10

(4)  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [The Father of Mercies]

(5)  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

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

(7)  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [Echoes of Mercy]

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

(9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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

[1] Albert Barnes’. 2 Cor. 1:3.

[2] Thayer’s

[3] Adam Clarke. Matthew 9:13.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Heart Attack – Harold Hoffman

Another highly recommended series taught by Pastor Harold Hoffman of First Church (Stirling Heights, MI).

Heart Attack | Lesson 1 | Harold Hoffman
Heart Attack | Lesson 2 | Harold Hoffman
Heart Attack | Lesson 3 | Harold Hoffman
Heart Attack | Lesson 4 | Harold Hoffman
Categories
Consider this...

A Case for Inerrancy: Argument from Animation – James Anderson

Guest Author: James Anderson | Originally Posted: May 10, 2006 – 9:52 AM | Retrieved: November 19, 2006 | http://thepresstheosophical.blogspot.com/2006/05/case-for-inerrancy-argument-from.html

Varying definitions of “inerrancy” exist today. However, an orthodox interpretation should include the idea that the Bible, when correctly interpreted, is completely truthful and accurate in all and every respect and that its original autographs are free from error. This paper is not exhaustive on the subject of “inerrancy” because there are so many paradigms to consider; however, one particular view that this paper considers is the “argument from animation.”

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV.

This paper presupposes that its readers understand and affirm the “divine inspiration” of Holy Scriptures. However, the phrase “given by inspiration of God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 is one Greek word, theopneustos. It literally means “God-breathed.”[1] If the book is God-breathed, then it is God’s Book and not just man’s book. In the Genesis 2 God formed man (Adam) from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. The body was present, created by God, but it was dead. It had no animation—no life. The difference here is between life and death.

We should not understand the Holy Scriptures as written merely by people but as breathed into by God (as in the case of the Adam). The words of the Bible came from God but were written by men. The apostle Peter affirmed this when he said that “prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21 NKJV). These men were literally “moved” (Grk. phero) to write or go into the destination that the Holy Spirit desired. It is as if the Holy Spirit picked them up in one place and carried them or bore them to another. They did not write by their own will, but were moved by the Spirit. These writings are living, not inanimate, and have the ability to encourage and convict the hearts of people.

It has been a common thing for non-believers to argue against the inerrancy of Scripture. In recent times, however, many Christian scholars have come to disallow in part or in whole the scriptural doctrine of inerrancy (Jack Rogers of Fuller Theological Seminary affirms limited inerrancy).[2] In view of this attack against the reliability, inspiration, and veracity of Scripture from those within and without the ranks of Christianity, it is important that Christians be able to defend and articulate the proper position on the inerrancy of Scripture against all attacks. Here is my personal statement on inerrancy; it is basically a modification of Article XII of the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy:

“When all facts are known, the Scriptures–the original autographs–properly interpreted will be shown to be wholly true in everything that they affirm whether that has to do with doctrine or morality or with the social, physical, or life sciences. We affirm that Scripture in its entirety is inerrant, being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit. This inerrancy is not limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes, exclusive of assertions in the fields of history and science. Past, present, or future scientific hypotheses about earth history will not overturn the teaching of Scripture on creation and the flood.”

Without understanding or perhaps realizing their position many preachers or lay persons have made statements like this, “Well, the bible does not claim to be a science book so it may have some errors about biology or creation.” Such a statement is on par with “limited inerrancy” and should be avoided. If the bible is God’s book, and God is omniscient, it is only counterproductive to use such reasoning. Usually the faux pas is the fault of the exegete. Typically the texts are not interpreted properly or the translations make an error—not the original texts. In any case, all supposed biblical errors in English translations have a plausible explanation.

Another common argument against the true inerrancy of the Scripture is that man wrote the bible, man is errant, thus there must be mistakes in the bible. This is a circular argument. None of us would question the fact that George Washington was the first American president. Yet, we can only know this fact by reading the historical writings of men. Another attempt to undermine inerrancy is the change in certain terminology. Some scholars prefer the term “inerrancy” over “infallibility.” “Infallibility” is the “idea that Scripture is not able to lead us astray…”[3] This switch of terms, most likely, has to do with the insistence of some that one could have an infallible message while also having an errant biblical text.[4] Here, we should wonder if the critics really understand or affirm divine inspiration.

As Christ made no room in His claims to simply be a “good man” or a “good prophet”, so the Holy Scriptures affirm that all of Scripture is profitable for us (2 Timothy 3:16) and that all of it is “God-breathed.” Thus it is completely pure (Psalms 12:6), perfect (Psalms 119:96), and true (Proverbs 30:5). The Bible itself does not make any exclusions or special restrictions on the class of subjects to which it speaks truthfully or un-truthfully. As Jesus told us that He is “the way”, so the scriptures tell us that they are breathed by God Himself—they have life and animation by Him.

A denial of inerrancy presents us with the snowball effect. It begins like this, since the scriptures are indeed inspired of God, yet is not inerrant then it is possible that God has inspired lies. If God is a liar, and we are being made into God’s image should we expect to lie? This would lead us to wonder if we can really believe anything God says. Thus, by discounting certain passages as errant we are making the claim that we have a higher level of understanding and truth than God’s Word. Essentially we end up in a humanistic paradigm, where human reasoning has exalted itself above God. Therefore, we end up with Pandora’s Box and all of biblical doctrine subject to error and easily dismissed.

The Bible lets us know about its human authorship, but it also makes us aware of its divine authorship as well—dual authorship (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21). The argument for Spirit animation, in my opinion, is a very strong argument—albeit significant others do exist. Dr. Elmer Towns, of Liberty University, says, “Since the process of inspiration is “in-breathing” God did more than breathe accurate content into the Bible, He breathed His Spirit into it.”[5] God is not a stranger to the supernatural. The Incarnation is accompanied by a virgin birth—a supernatural infusion of divinity and humanity. The Word of God should be seen as no less supernatural—an infusion of a divine author and human authors. Thus, we have a supernatural book. This supernatural book has the ability to transform lives. It is a supernatural book that has the power to convict, convince, and convert.

[1] Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. (2000). Vol. 4: Analytical lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Baker’s Greek New Testament library (Page 196). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

[2] Belief that the Bible is free of error only in its theological content, and not in its historical or scientific statements.

[3] Systematic Theology, Copyright © 1994 by Wayne Grudem. All rights reserved.

[4] Horton, Stanley M. Systematic Theology © 1994, 1995 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved.

[5] Theology for Today, Elmer Towns. Copyright © 2002 by Wadsworth Group. Pg. 72

Categories
Bible Teaching

Overcoming the Spirit of Jezebel – Jason Sciscoe

Overcoming the Spirit of Jezebel | Jason Sciscoe

In this series, Jason Sciscoe, of Triumph Ministries International, answers these questions:

  • Who was this woman named Jezebel?
  • Why focus on just this spirit?
  • Why are we giving so much attention something in the demonic world?

Some notes from this series to whet your appetite

(all from Jason Sciscoe)

Jezebel learned how to indoctrinate a culture that supported her. 

“What we’re dealing with in the 21st century right now is not just the spirit of Jezebel, we are dealing with the culture of Jezebel.” -Jason Sciscoe

We don’t need to focus on fighting the spirit or the culture of Jezebel, but instead create a culture of anointed and empowered leaders. 

Change the culture by imparting the anointing to others. How?

“We bring Jezebel down by going back to the agenda of God.” -Jason Sciscoe

Breaking Jezebel’s Influence Means:

  1. There will be a new culture of spiritual awareness. The supernatural will be unleashed. 
  2. Sin in high places will be dealt with. 
  3. People will begin to despise who Jezebel is and what she represents. No longer swayed by her. 
  4. The demonstration of the Holy Spirit will happen and that is the antidote to the manipulations that Jezebel brings. 
  5. Jehu is anointed a the antidote to this spiritual disease/poison. Jehu is the antithesis to Ahab and the antidote to Jezebel. We need a baptism of the spirit of Elisha and Jehu.

“The first layer of Jezebel’s attack is always seduction. It’s never accusation or meanness. It’s always this soft, almost irresistible, magnetic, charismatic, emotional, sensitive, intuitive person.” -Jason Sciscoe

The painting of the face is an illusion.  It’s a model of perfection that doesn’t exist. It’s a seduction. 

“The second layer of attack is accusation, and it is a powerful form of manipulation.” -Jason Sciscoe 

If she can question your righteousness then your prayers will not avail (James 5:16).  

She’ll try to make you feel guilt for obeying God. 

Nothing about Jezebel is legitimate, but she accuses you of being the one undermining authority. 

Expose the truth carefully with wisdom. Don’t get on her web, don’t respond to her accusations, don’t feel guilty and don’t negotiate with the devil on any front. The moment you negotiate means you’re willing to compromise and not accept total victory.  In the case of Jezebel, it’s ok to be intolerant. 

Through the power of the anointing, speak to the people who really know Jezebel. Those who under her control and influence that really know who she is and what she says and does behind closed doors. 

Jehu said, “who is on my side?” 

Her victims know what she is, but they need to be empowered to act. 

Categories
Bible Teaching

Reason, Foundation & Eternity

The Library of Celsus (Getty Images)

A Sure Foundation[1]

The New Testament Church is built on a sure foundation whose reason for existence is that the Creator would have a relationship with His creation, and the final state of that relationship is the eternal communion of Man with God – – Eternal Life. It is imperative for the Church to constantly reassess the integrity of its walls and foundation as it looks forward to everlasting life:

  • 2 Timothy 2:19-21, “(19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  (20)  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.  (21)  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Time unfolds for Man the special arrangement that God has made in continuing the spread of His Word and Gospel, and it has successfully grown in scope and magnitude for over 6,000 years with each dispensation, each covenantal period, adding a particular stone or brick to relevant to its age and purpose with special emphasis on Man’s obedience or disobedience to the plan.

The ending of one dispensation didn’t necessarily indicate a failure, but rather a finishing of a specific step in the continuation and completion of the plan of God that began with the foundation of the World and a Lamb slain for the procurement of eternal life:

  • Ephesians 2:19-22, “(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
  • Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

God placed Man into a position where he had complete authority and dominion over all God’s creation on earth and the only way Adam could jeopardize his position in this new structure was by proving himself unfaithful to God’s architectural plan, which he did:

  • “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so” (Genesis 1:26-30).

In the Old Testament you will observe God continually working and establishing a better operation whereby the overall purpose of God could be realized – – reconciliation between Himself and Man.  Since sin is the line of demarcation between Creator and creation a bridge was needed to span that gap, and that bridge is Jesus Christ:

  • Romans 5:12-21, “(12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  (13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  (14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.  (15)  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.  (16)  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.  (17)  For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  (18)  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  (19)  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  (20)  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  (21)  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The New Testament establishes the plan for mankind and God to be in communion again and reconciled to each other and it is a better in all points than the Old Testament plan.  The writer of Hebrews wrote that this new covenant was just better:

  • 1:4, “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”[2]
  • 6:9, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”
  • 7:7, “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.”
  • 7:19, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”
  • 7:22, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.”
  • 8:6, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
  • 9:23, “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”
  • 10:34, “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
  • 11:16, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
  • 11:35, “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:”
  • 11:40, “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
  • 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

Without the organization of this better plan, this better covenant, you would have not received such a super great salvation.  Your obedience and faith is necessary to receive its reward – – eternal life:

Hebrews 2:1-4, “(1) Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  (2)  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;  (3)  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;  (4)  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

The Logos (word, decree, mandate, reason)[3] of God became flesh and when you believe on Him (Jesus Christ) you have the promise of everlasting (eternal) life, and it all started with a plan, an organized plan of salvation that would put Man back in right relationship with His Creator and the creation he was to have dominion over:

  • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not…. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14).
  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

It is God’s plan for you to have eternal life by turning towards Him in faith and obeying the blueprint He has established for all mankind – – The New Birth:

  • “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:1-8).
  • “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:37-39).

There is also the necessity of looking after the house and keeping it in proper working order through a life of holiness. To do otherwise will result in the destruction of that house:

  • “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “(19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

When you adhere to the plan of God for Man’s salvation; continue building on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ, the apostles and prophets; and, move ever closer to your eternal reward while maintaining a holy house, you will know the Word that became flesh and who is in fact “the true God and eternal life,” our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • 1 John 5:13-20, “(13) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.  (14)  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  (15)  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.  (16)  If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.  (17)  All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.  (18)  We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.  (19)  We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.  (20)  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”

[1] Originally written as an assignment for the Church Government course taught by Allen McMillan at Parkersburg Bible College (WV) on 10/6/2001 (“Why Organization Is Important”), edited on 9/3/2005, and revised on 10/24/2023.

[2] Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Savior, the Word of God made flesh, is the only begotten Son of God and therefore “so much better than the angels.”

[3] G3056. Logos. Thayer’s Greek Definitions.

Featured Image: Jesus Christ The Chief Cornerstone (Tyree AME Church, Philadelphia, PA, est. 1870)

Categories
Bible Teaching

Light In Darkness, Manifestation in Chaos

Message begins at 32:25 mark: https://www.facebook.com/apostoliclifecathedral/videos/736172267332492/ 

Text: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:1-5).

John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing” (John 9:1-7).

We are engaged in a battle older than time itself: Light and Darkness

I come with a message from God to the Church, the prodigal, the hurting, and all those groping in the darkness, entitled:

Light in Darkness, Manifestation in Chaos

Since 1960, and the invention of the atomic clock, the rotation of the earth has been clocked. “The Earth’s 28 fastest days on record all occurred in 2020, with Earth completing its revolutions around its axis milliseconds quicker than average.”[1]

In fact, “this past summer, on July 19, the shortest day ever was recorded—it was 1.4602 milliseconds shorter than the standard.” [2]

Even the earth wanted to get out of 2020!

Sin leads progressively into darkness and chaos.

There is a direct correlation between the treacherous slope of sin and its destruction of nature and civilization.

Adam’s transgression brought decay and death, not only to himself, but also to the earth.

Cain, the first murderer, was afraid of what people would do to him for killing his brother Abel. God, in His mercy, set a mark on Cain so that nobody would touch him.

However, In just a few generations Lamech bragged about his murders, and had no fear of man or God.

In less than 2,500 years the order of God’s creation was once again in a chaotic mess of Flood and water as the earth suffered because of the sin of man.

But, there was an ark built to God’s pattern (a type of the church) by Noah, a man who found grace in God’s sight.

The Church is the only ark of safety Jesus has provided for this world of chaos.

Get in the Church and don’t leave her shelter…

            No matter how smelly or storm tossed she gets…

                        Regardless of how tempting it might seem to leave…

                                    Get in the Church.

                                                Stay in the ark of safety.

Today, we are dealing with a world in chaos and confusion. It is like the days before the creation: “Darkness moved upon the face of the earth.” Then God said, “Let there be Light,” and there was Light. 

Darkness dissipates before the Light, not vice versa: “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).

Comprehended = “to take eagerly, that is, seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively): – apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-) take.” [3]

What the world needs right now is Jesus.

What the Church needs is to awaken from slumber…

We need to step completely into the role for which we were re-born. Why? “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).

Manifestation is Light

This world in its present chaos (complete disorder and confusion[4]) is still hoping with expectancy for Light to pierce its Darkness and for salvation to come and shine hope and clarity into their confusion.

Jesus is the Light: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Jesus called us, His disciples, to be the Light of the world:

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

It is time to SHINE

It is time to be the Light in Darkness

There are many artificial lights in the world, but there is only one true Light:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:1-9).

We are to bear witness of that Light!

Awake

First, stop your spiritual slumber and wake up.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:10-12).

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:11-16).

Return

Second, we must return to Him.

To do that we need to get our relationship right with Him: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

Pray

Seek God’s face and His will in prayer

Be sensitive to His voice (how He speaks to you) and obey Him.

Daily and continual prayer will bring a daily assignment.

When you receive your assignment, obey God and watch the power of the Light in Darkness as those around you see the manifestation of a child of God.

Love = Unity

In this hour, in this chaotic time, we need unity in love and purpose:

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalms 133:1-3).

We need to lay our will down and say, like Jesus said, “Not my will but thine be done.”

The world is waiting for the manifestation of Light and the only way they can know that we are children of the Light and true disciples of Jesus Christ is when we manifest that love, first to each other and then to them:

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

Praise the Lord

Jesus deserves our total praise.

We would never be content with half-hearted displays of affection, and neither is Jesus. We should guard against tepid praise.

When the Church comes together, there should be an element of celebration and thanksgiving to God for what He has done, will do, and is currently doing:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalms 103:1-8).

Depression, a broken spirit, is like a funeral shroud covering an individual who from outside shows signs of life, but it obscures a heavy darkness inside.

Some of these pews today carry the burden of depression worn as a garment heaviness by tormented and hurting souls sitting on them.

Good people? Yes!

Born again folk? Yes!

But hurting all the same…and tired, tired, tired of the battle.

This is why when we, the saints of the most high God, enter into this sanctuary, it becomes a sanctuary of praise:

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalms 100:1-5).

Reclaim and lay hold again on the uninhibited praise that springs from our lips, and shakes our hands, and moves us to tears as we sing, shout, and dance with holy abandon in total praise to Jesus Christ.

Not just because we serve a praisable and worthy Savior, but our praise creates an atmosphere where joy springs forth and the river of the Holy Gpirit flows with the healing waters of salvation, comfort, healing, deliverance.

You need, I need, we all need to recapture a spirit of Joy and praise and say, “Bless the Lord, o my soul and all that is within me…”

If you see someone praising God in an uninhibited fashion celebrate with them, you don’t know where God brought them from:

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears….O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalms 34:1-4, 8).

I assure you, as you praise God with all that is within you, you will lose track of time and you will simply see Jesus. Others will join in and the atmosphere will change as the pure unadulterated power of God will be made manifest.

In that atmosphere, the shekinah glory of God, lives will be changed, hearts mended, bodies healed, homes unified.

Go

God is a missionary and we serve a missional God who have given us a mission:

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

That is the true manifestation of Light in Darkness, of Order in Chaos.

[1] Doyle Rice. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/08/earth-spinning-faster-than-has-decades/6581600002/. Accessed: 1/10/2021.

[2] Bob Yirka. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-earth-faster.html. Accessed: 1/10/2021.

[3] Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. katalambanō (G2638).

[4] Chaos. Oxford Dictionaries.

<Originally preached on January 10, 2021, at Apostolic Life Cathedral>

Categories
Bible Preaching

An Unexpected Revelation

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 9/24/2023 | 7:00 PM

Text: John 4:4, “And he must needs go through Samaria.”

This event in the chronology of Jesus occurs in the first year of His ministry, and He has already upended the religious practices and expectations of his day:

  1. He was baptized by John. <Unexpected = Behold, the Lamb of…>
  2. The Spirit drove Him into the wilderness for a time of fasting and temptation. <Unexpected = Seal of approval on Him, still tempted>
  3. He chose five of His twelve disciples: John, Andrew, Simon (Cephas), Philip and Nathanael. <Unexpected = name change, no guile>
  4. His first miracle in Cana of Galilee where He turned the water into wine (Jn. 2:1-11). <Unexpected = Best for last>
  5. The First Passover of His earthly ministry occurs, He cleanses the Temple, and He prophesied His death and resurrection:
    1. John 2:13-22, “(13)  And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (14)  And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15)  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; (16)  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. (17)  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. (18)  Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign [what miracle or authority] shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? (19)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (20)  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (21)  But he spake of the temple of his body. (22)  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” <Unexpected = Messiah suddenly comes to His temple, Mal. 3:1>
  6. He reveals the necessity of being born again to a Jewish leader named Nicodemus: John 3:1-21. <Unexpected = New Birth>

All these Unexpected Events and Revelations occur in a short amount of time at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry

Then He goes through Samaria – He must need go through Samaria.

Here we lift our text and announce the thought:

An Unexpected Revelation

John 4:1-26

(1)  When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

(2)  (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

(3)  He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

(4)  And he must needs go through Samaria.

(5)  Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

(6)  Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.[1]

(7)  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

(8)  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

(9)  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

(10)  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

(11)  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

(12)  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

(13)  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

(14)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

(15)  The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

(16)  Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

(17)  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

(18)  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

(19)  The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

(20)  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

(21)  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

(22)  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

(23)  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

(24)  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(25)  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

(26)  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

Jesus rarely chooses the expected path.

Romans 11:33-36

(33)  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

(34)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

(35)  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

(36)  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

[1] Sixth hour = Noon

Categories
Bible Teaching church history

The Promise

Text: John 14:15-18

(15)  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

(16)  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

(17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

(18)  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Isaiah 55:10-11, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

The Promise[1]

God keeps His promises.

Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

At no time on earth since Acts 2 has there been a moment when there wasn’t a Spirit-filled believer.

God’s Word is forever settled in Heaven and will accomplish its goal.  There are generally, two types of promises God makes with man in the Bible:

  1. Unconditional – The promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not depend on any future action on their part because they were unconditional and would come to pass regardless of anything that these men did or didn’t do:
    • Genesis 12:1-3 [sevenfold blessing], “(1) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  (2)  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  (3)  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
    • Genesis 15:13-18, “(13) And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;  (14)  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.  (15)  And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.  (16)  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.  (17)  And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.  (18)  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:Galatians 3:15-18, “(15) Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  (16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  (17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  (18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
    • Joel 2:28-29, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”
    • Isaiah 28:11-12, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”
  2. Conditional – The Bible contains “if…then” statements.  These are requirements that you must meet to receive the promise.  They represent future acts that must be obeyed to receive the full promise:
    • 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
    • Acts 2:37-39, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Some ask, “Why Tongues?”[2]

  1. God is not accountable to us for what He chooses to so.  He is Sovereign, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Savior…He is GOD.
  2. Tongues is an initial external sign that must be followed by the continuing evidence of Fruit of the Spirit.
    1. Gal. 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
    1. John 3:8, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
  3. It is the consistent pattern of evidence established by God as essential in the New Birth:
    1. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
      1. Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
      1. Acts 10:46, “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
      1. Acts 19:6, “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
  4. The tongue is the most unruly member of the body and when you receive the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues you are allowing God to control the most expressive part of your personality.  Man’s expression of emotion, intelligence, and communication is articulated through the tongue.

T. F. Tenney asked, “Why not tongues?”

Virtually the entire third chapter of James is devoted to admonishing the church to beware of that little member that boasts of great things. James goes on to refer to the tongue as a fire, and says that it is capable of defiling the whole body. Did you ever hear of fighting fire with fire? This is exactly what happens when the fire of God’s Spirit enters a man and gains control of his tongue.[3]

James refers to the tongue as the most unruly and hard-to-tame member of the body. Is there any wonder that God has chosen this sign to indicate complete submission to Him. The overpowering blaze of the Holy Spirit neutralizes the burning embers of the carnal tongue. At last the most unruly member of the body is conquered, and the Holy Spirit declares through it in a language known only to God, that Christ has been enthroned in the heart of the believer.[4]

Supernatural? Of course! But when we rob Christianity of its supernatural impetus, we have destroyed its vitality and passion.[5]

Some say, “It’s just for the Apostles and Early Church…”

            Irenaeus (died 202): “In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God.”[6]

            Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179: “sang in unknown words with such facility and winsomeness that her utterances were known as ‘concerts in the Spirit’.”[7]

            The Waldenses (c. 1217): these followers of Peter Waldo believed in visions and prophecies.[8] Both healing and speaking in tongues were manifested among these heavily persecuted Christians.[9]

            Early Quakers: “We received often the pouring down of the Spirit upon us, and our hearts were made glad and our tongues loosed and our mouths opened, and we spake with new tongues as the Lord gave utterance, and as His Spirit led us.”[10]

            John Wesley: People in Wesley’s meetings would be filled with the Holy Ghost while he preached.[11]

                    Thomas Walsh: (one of Wesley’s foremost preachers) made this entry in his diary; “This morning the Lord gave me a language that I knew not of, raising my soul to Him in a wonderful manner.”[12]

                    In England (1830) there was a revival under Edward Irving where gifts of the Spirit were manifested. One member of the congregations writes: “The moment I am visited with the Spirit, and carried out to God in a tongue which I know not… I am more conscious than ever of the presence of God. He and He alone is in my soul. I am filled with some form of the mind of God, be it joy or grief, desire, love, pity, compassion, or indignation; and I am made to utter it in words which are full of power over my spirit, but not being accessible to my understanding, my devotion is not interrupted by association of suggestions from the visible or intellectual world: I feel myself, as it were, shut in with God in His pavilion, and hidden close from the invasions of the world, the devil, and the flesh.”[13]

                    Charles G. Finney: “I received a mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost…No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart.”[14]

                    D. L. Moody: “On the following Sunday night, when I got to the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. I found the meetings on fire. The young men were speaking in tongues and prophesying. What on earth did it all mean? Only that Moody had been addressing them that afternoon.”[15] At a meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. R.A. Torrey told of a service in London where Moody took the pulpit to preach and instead broke into another language. He tried again, with similar results. The third time, after prayer and praise, he was able to preach his message.[16]

                    Charles H. Spurgeon: A British preacher told how Spurgeon once asked his audience to forgive him that when he got especially happy in the Lord, “I break forth into a kind of gibberish which I do not myself understand.”[17]

How Do I Receive this Phenomenon of the Holy Ghost?[18]

  1. Prepare your heart by obeying Acts 2:38 (Repent).
  2. Understand that God wants you to receive His gift as much as you want it…just ask Him for the Holy Ghost: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)
  3. You must be hunger to receive His Spirit.
    1. Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
    1. James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
  4. Expect to receive: “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).
  5. Believe to receive: John 7:38-39, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
  6. Relax!!

Promise of Christ’s Return:

            1 Corinthians 15:51-56, “51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Praying Someone Through to the Holy Ghost[19]

* Instruction in receiving Holy Ghost is NOT teaching someone to speak in tongues. It is the strategic practice of removing common roadblocks that keep people from receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking with tongues. *

  1. You must believe God wants to filled EVERYONE with the Holy Ghost and that God will work through you and confirm your words. Stop worrying about looking foolish. Surrender your fears about ego for the cause of the Gospel.
  2. You must conquer your personal fear…trust that God will come through – Take a risk
  3. Talk clearly and avoid distractions.
    • Do not speak in Christianese.
    • Do not talk too fast.
    • They must understand what the Holy Ghost is and how to yield to it.
    • Don’t spit on them.
    • Make sure you have pleasant breath.
    • Be certain that they can hear you.
  4. Ask them if they would “like to receive the Holy Ghost.”
  5. Explain repentance in simple terms – do not expect the exact result you had.
    • I usually try to connect them with what they are saying WHILE they are saying it. (Come on, _____You’ve got to mean it when you say it…etc)
  6. Stop them and ask if they “meant what they said.” – according to scripture they are “forgiven.”
    • Luke 11:9-10, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
  7. Explain what happens next…and BUILD THEIR FAITH.
    • “Are you ready to receive the Holy Ghost?”
    • The Holy Ghost is a gift (Don’t beg, plead or even ask…just receive).All you have to do is lift your hands (as a sign of surrender) and begin to say out loud, “thank you Jesus for the Holy Ghost…”
    • There will come a point VERY QUICKLY…that sounds will come to your mind that you will not understand. When that happens you MUST speak out those sounds (sometimes I ask, “will you do that”).
  8. If the individual is not following your instruction, the chances are very low that they will receive the Holy Ghost. Tell them, “I’m going to lay my hands on your head just like they did in the Bible and when I do the same thing that happened then is going to happen to you. You will receive the Holy Ghost….BUT remember YOU must speak out those things that come to your mind. YOU have to speak the sounds out but the Holy Ghost will tell you what to say.” Ask them “When you hear those sounds will you speak it out?” (have them answer verbally…not nodding their head.)
  9. Have them begin “before” you lay hands on them, then lay hands on them.
    • Sidenote: (The practice of “laying on of hands”) – Forehead wrist to elbow. No weird massaging. I rarely lay hands on them until the last possible moment.
  10. Once they receive the Holy Ghost confirm it…almost EVERYONE has doubts.
    • Ask them 1st: “Did you hear yourself speak in tongues?”
    • Then: “So did God just fill you with the Holy Ghost?”
  11. Don’t allow someone to develop a habit of “seeking” for the Holy Ghost. Stop them after 2 or 3 minutes and build their faith.
    • Make sure they’ve really repented.
    • Encourage them.
  12. Close the deal with Baptism – Don’t ask…tell them they need to
    • (politely command).
    • (The disciples weren’t shy about commanding baptism).
  13. *** Be Sure to write down their contact information *** (This is how we begin the crucial process of discipleship).

Altar & Prayer Instructions[20]

Prayer 1—Focus on Talking to Jesus

Let’s close our eyes and invite Jesus to talk with us right now

<<Pray a simple prayer asking Jesus to speak and touch the hearts of everyone there>>

Jesus is here with us. The Bible says everyone has a bit of faith inside, and we can use that faith to talk to Jesus. Showing Jesus that we have faith makes Him happy.

We need Jesus. Life without Him is not good. We need Jesus to help us. We want Him to fill our hearts with His Spirit. We have faith, but His Spirit gives us the power to overcome.

When we are filled with the Holy Ghost, Jesus lives in our hearts. He gives us direction. He helps us do what is right. We are all special to God. When we worship Him with all our hearts, He can do special things in our lives.

Prayer 2—Repentance Prayer

For Jesus to live inside us, He has to clean out our hearts. Our faith helps us repent. It is time to tell Jesus we are sorry for the bad things we have thought and said and done. We are all going to ask Jesus to help us change and not do those things anymore.

<<After leading in a simple prayer of repentance,

invite children to the altar>>

Now our hearts are clean for Jesus to live in them, and it is time to ask Him to come into our hearts. If you are ready to use your faith and pray that right now, come to the altar

Prayer 3—At the Altar

Let me tell you three simple steps for praying:

  1. Close Your Eyes: First, close your eyes and think about Jesus and how much He loves you. Right now, all that matters is talking with Jesus. We are not going to look around at anyone else. This time is just for Jesus, when you can show Him you have faith and believe He wants to hear you. Just think about Him and begin to talk to Him like you would talk to your best friend. Use simple words that tell Him how much you love Him and how you want Him to be your best friend. Pray out loud; Jesus likes to hear your voice.
  2. Lift Your Hands: Now we lift our hands and reach to Jesus. We want Him to fill our hearts, so we put our faith to work by raising our hands to Him and showing Him we are open to Him. Keep talking to Jesus and telling Him what you want. If you want the Holy Ghost, ask Him for it. It’s like asking your mom or dad for a gift. Jesus wants to give you His gift.
  3. Talk to Jesus: Talk to Jesus in your outside voice. As you talk to Him, you may feel something very special start to happen. You may begin to feel like you are saying words you cannot understand. That is good, because those words are Jesus talking through you with your voice. Just let those words pour out of your mouth as you let Jesus come live in your heart.

Conclude every session with a time of thanks and praise to God. Also affirm children that they have done a good job of praying. Your prayers are very beautiful to God. He loves it when you reach out to Him. Your faith makes Him happy.

Encourage those who wanted to receive the Holy Ghost but did not that God loves them and is working in their lives. We will continue to pray, and God will continue to touch each of our lives as we continue to seek Him.

[1] This is an updated version of a sermon I originally preached on May 15, 2005, in Rockport, IN, to the congregation of Landmark Apostolic Bible Church, which was then pastored by the late and beloved James Denham.

[2] “Speaking In Tongues.” Various Authors. Retrieved 5-15-2005 from http://altupc.com/articles/tongues1.htm.

[3] T. F. Tenney. (1975). Pentecost-What’s That? ISBN 0-932581-83-8.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Against Heresies, V,6,1, Ibid., vol 1, p. 531

[7] George H. Williams and Edith Waldvogel, “A History of Speaking in Tongues and Related Gifts,” in The Charismatic Movement, ed. by Michael P. Hamilton, p. 70

[8] R. Kissack, “Waldenses,” The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. by J.D. Douglas, revised edition, p. 1026

[9] Gordon F. Atter, The Third Force, p. 13

[10] Bresson, Studies in Ecstacy, pp. 48-52

[11] http://www.holyspiritinfo.net/ch_hist.htm

[12] Entry of March 8, 1750, quoted by Frodsham, With Signs following, p. 232

[13] A.L. Drummond, Edward Irving and His Circle, pp. 161-162

[14] Charles G. Finney, Autobiography, p. 20

[15] Boyd, Robert, The Lives and Labours of Moody and Sankey, p. 47

[16] Lennard Darbee, Tongues: The Dynamite of God, p. 24.

[17] Ibid. p.24

[18] Principles of Doctrine: Lesson 11. “Holy Spirit Baptism.” Parkersburg Bible College.

[19] Pastor Rob McKee.  Ministers In Training Class.

[20] VBS Material. Pentecostal Publishing House. UPCI

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Unexpected and the Overlooked

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 9/3/2023 | 10:00 AM