Tag: Apostolic Life Cathedral
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100
Text: Psalms 100:1-5
(1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
(2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
(3) 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.
(4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
(5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
This week, Apostolic Life Cathedral will be celebrating 100 years of existence here in the Guyandotte section of Huntington, WV.
100 years with all the joy and pain, gain and loss, births, graduations, weddings, life and death.
100 years of sound doctrine, new births, and ministries born and sent out.
100 years of capable and visionary leadership: Forbush, Kitchen, Harper.
100 years of shepherds leading God’s people and often going out into the streets, hollers, along creeks and riversides searching for stray sheep who left the safe pasture of the Church.
Look around the cathedral this morning and you will see that there are sheep missing from the fold.
Men and women, boys and girls, missing from this sheepfold.
The Good Shepherd is calling their name, just like he calls your name when you go missing.
Why? Jesus is interested in lost sheep.
“For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.”[1]
Jesus loves His sheep.
Before He went to the Gentiles, He first searched and reached for “the lost sheep of the house if Israel.”[2]
To find that one lost sheep Jesus will lead the 99 to a safe pasture, leave them there and go looking for 1.
1 out of 100 is as valuable to Jesus as the 99.
Do you see Him searching this morning?
Looking high and low for one lost sheep.
Ezekiel 34:12, “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”
“…we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
“(11) For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (12) How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (13) And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray” (Matthew 18:11-13).
And what rejoicing there is when He finds that one lost sheep.
There is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.
It doesn’t matter what your station, gender, job, career, education may be.
Everyone can and will at one point in their walk with God stray and be lost,
BUT the Shepherd comes looking, seeking, searching.
Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
When Jesus Comes to Lodebar
2 Samuel 9:1-13
(1) And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
(2) And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
(3) And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
(4) And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
(5) Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
(6) Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
(7) And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
(8) And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
(9) Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
(10) Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
(11) Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.
(12) And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
(13) So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.
Jesus will take His search to Lodebar
Lodebar simply means “pastureless,” or no pasture.[3]
It is a place where lost sheep find themselves.
Barren, rough, no place to forage, no safety, no security…
Lodebar was where the Shepherd-King David found Mephibosheth (“dispeller of shame”),[4] the lost prince.
When the Shepherd finds His lost sheep, He also drives away the shame of the past.
Luke 15:6, “And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
Do you feel lost this morning?
“…broken, hurting, marginalized…” do you often think you are “ignored and overlooked or worse, despised and abused.” Maybe it’s “due to your own mistakes of perhaps someone who was supposed to care” for you failed….do you now pass your days in a state of hopelessness, unable to believe that your life will ever be different.”[5]
The Shepherd is searching for you.
He wants to put you at His table.
He will erase the years of shame.
The lost sheep hears the shepherd’s voice:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”[6]
Text: Psalms 100:1-5
(1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
(2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
(3) 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.
(4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
(5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
[1] Ezekiel 34:11,
[2] Matthew 10:6, 15:24
[3] Strong’s. H3810.
[4] Strong’s. H4648.
[5] Paraphrased. https://churchsource.com/blogs/ministry-resources/god-of-new-beginnings
[6] John 10:27-28
Categories
Love & Humility
Text: John 13:33-35
(33) Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
(34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
(35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
God prepares you for what you will face in life by teaching you how to serve others with Love & Humility.
The Passover – The Last Supper (John 13:1–38)[1]
The disciples crowded through the door into the large upper room, eager to eat the Passover supper with Jesus.
Peter and John had arrived early to make everything ready, and the room was filled with the scent of roasted lamb, fresh-baked unleavened bread, vegetables, and vinegar. No one had eaten since noon, and now it was late evening. Everyone was hungry.
They all hurried to take their places, reclining on mats and cushions around a low table. No doubt many of them tried to sit as close to Jesus as possible. John had taken advantage of his role as organizer of the meal to ensure he was right next to Jesus.
Judas sat on the other side of Jesus. Both sat in places of honor…
However, No one made use of the large ceremonial jars full of water and the towels by the door they had just entered. Their feet were soiled with the dust, debris, and filth from the roads and streets they just walked.
There was no servant present and not one of the disciples was willing or thoughtful enough to take on that lowly role and wash the other’s feet.
When they had all gathered, Jesus said, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:15–16).
Jesus broke the bread and passed it around the table, telling them this bread was His body, which was broken for them. He passed around the cup of wine, saying, “This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19–20).
The moment was solemn and holy.
Yet a low, muttered argument started up among the disciples. Perhaps those relegated to the far end of the table were casting envious glances at John, Judas and the others who had positioned themselves closest to Jesus.
The old argument was flaring up again…
Somehow, despite following the humble Jesus, there developed a debate and a point of contention among the disciples. In their pride they began to argue among themselves:
“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest” (Luke 22:24).
Jesus took one last opportunity and turned it into a teachable moment.
At other times, Jesus had stopped them and taught them the greatest of them should be the servant of all, but His words had not reached them.
Jesus decided to send a much stronger message and without whispering a word, Jesus rose from supper, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured a basin full of water, and approached the table. He knelt at the feet of the first disciple, placed his foot into the basin, washed it clean, and then dried it with the towel around His waist.
A hush settled over the room.
Embarrassment. Confusion. Conviction.
Jesus was preaching a message more powerful than any other—one that would change the disciples’ lives forever. Actions speak louder than words.
Jesus Served His Disciples Because He Loved Them
Jesus loved His disciples enough to humble Himself and wash their feet. Jesus did not just tell His disciples He loved them; love moved Him to action.
Many people are happy to be served, but few are happy to serve.
Do you want to know if you have a heart for others?
How do you respond when you are asked to serve others?
In Jesus’ day, the lowliest servant or slave was expected to wash feet. That task was dirty and demeaning, yet Jesus willingly served because it was needed.
He saw a need and loved His disciples enough to meet that need.
Jesus loved His disciples enough to give them a powerful object lesson.
He knows that infighting will tear His church apart.
You will not be who Jesus called you to be as long as you are wrapped up in petty positional politics.
The church has no time to be weighed down with popularity contests and posturing.
Jesus loves you too much to let that be your future.
He loved His disciples too much to see them distracted by such selfish ambitions. So, He lovingly humbled Himself and intervened.
This was no surprise; Jesus had already shown humility and was about to example it even further:
Philippians 2:7–8, He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Jesus loved His disciples enough to wash their feet, and He loved you enough to die on the cross for you.
Jesus Corrected Peter’s Objections
All the other disciples seem to have submitted without protest, but when Jesus reached Simon Peter, Simon Peter asked in disbelief, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (John 13:6).
The use of the honorific “Lord” is noteworthy here. Clearly, Peter was focused on the disconnect between Jesus’ status as his Lord and Jesus’ humble actions of a servant. Peter could not understand what was happening. In his typical brash way, Peter protested, “Thou shalt never wash my feet” (John 13:8).
Why do you think Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet?
Peter probably had been thinking he was going to be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Maybe he had even been arguing that exact point with the other disciples. After all, didn’t Jesus give Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven? (See Matthew 16:18–19.)
Yet in that moment, Peter was getting a very different picture of what leadership of the church might look like.
He was either so convicted that he felt unworthy of Jesus’ service, or he was recoiling from the idea that the greatest in the Kingdom might be expected to serve in this way.
Jesus corrected Peter: “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me.”
Peter replied: “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”
Jesus Modeled Service and Humility
Jesus now had His disciples’ undivided attention.
His words would sink in deep.
He asked them if they knew what He had done to them. Were they self-aware enough to take the lesson to heart?
Jesus drove the lesson home:
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”[2]
They learned a lesson that they never forgot.
I Will Serve Others in Love and Humility as Jesus Directs Me
That lesson is just as much for us today as it was for them then.
Pride and the desire for higher position is just as much an issue in the church today as it was among the disciples in the first century AD.
If we are not careful, we can engage in hero worship, putting leaders on a pedestal only Jesus should occupy.
And if leaders are not careful, they can begin to think they belong there.
Jesus’ example brings us back to the reality He taught His disciples another time when they were disputing about who should be the greatest. “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Never forget that the greatest among us is to be the servant of all.
The most important person in the Church is not at the top, but at bottom, humbly serving everyone out of love.
Your greatness in God’s Kingdom is directly related to how many people you love and serve; not how many people love and serve you.
Jesus Prepares Us
Jesus repeatedly warned His disciples of what was coming.
He even tried to brace them for another great shock.
One of those sitting around the table, who had just eaten the Passover supper with Him and whose feet He had just washed was going to betray Him.
Someone in the room—someone in Jesus’ small circle of disciples—was a traitor.
Jesus told them to brace them and to prove His deity and foreknowledge: “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.”[3]
Here again is one of Jesus’ numerous “I AM” statements sown throughout the Book of John, the Gospel that heavily focuses on Jesus’ deity.
Jesus knew Judas’s betrayal would shake the other disciples, but it may also increase their faith, understanding He had a plan all along.
Finally, Jesus dipped a piece of bread into the wine vinegar and handed it to Judas. Immediately, Satan entered into Judas, and Jesus told him, “That thou doest, do quickly.”
Judas left immediately, and Scripture records it was night. Judas stepped out of light into darkness, literally and figuratively.
Jesus Gave a New Command to Love One Another as He Loved Us
Even as hatred and greed drove Judas into darkness, in the upper room Jesus was talking about love.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
It seems strange that Jesus mentioned a new commandment, considering how much He had already taught about love.
Love the Lord thy God.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love your enemies.
But this was the first time Jesus specifically told the disciples to love one another.
Perhaps, in light of their earlier arguing over position, He felt it was necessary to spell it out.
He did not simply say, “Love one another,” but He added, “as I have loved you.”
The love we are to show one another is a humble, self-sacrificing love. This kind of love would impel Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet and die for them.
The kind of love we are supposed to have for each other is both challenging and inspiring.
Of all the proofs of discipleship, selfless love for one another is the one Jesus points to above all others.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
No wonder I Corinthians 13 says no matter how eloquent and spiritually gifted we are, without love we are nothing.
If we give all we have to the poor or even our bodies to be burned, without love we are nothing.
A life of humble, loving, self-sacrifice is the most eloquent proof of discipleship.
Just as Jesus Prepared the Disciples,
He Prepares Us for What We Will Face
Jesus knew He was giving His disciples a seemingly impossible mission.
Soon He would be gone, leaving them with the task of spreading the gospel across the world and establishing God’s kingdom on earth.
But Jesus did not leave them unprepared. He lived His life as an example in front of them. They saw how He was moved with compassion and healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, and raised the dead.
They saw how He pitied the crowds and fed them with bread and fish.
They saw how He took authority over demonic spirits. Even they had gone out two by two, preaching, healing, and casting out demons. They had seen how Jesus humbly ministered to the simplest needs.
Jesus walked in supernatural power and served in menial tasks.
Then Jesus gave them hope by promising that He would rise again on the third day as a convincing testimony to His deity.
He promised them the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost would teach them all things and bring all things He had spoken to them to their remembrance (John 14:26).
The Holy Ghost would give them power to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Through the power of the Holy Ghost, the early church would turn their world upside down.
Just as Jesus prepared His disciples, He also prepares us.
We have His life of love as an example through the pages of Scripture. We can experience His authority and also feel the calling to meet the simplest needs of those around us through humble service.
And we too can receive the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit living in us, speaking through us, and empowering us to change our world.
Amy Carmichael, “One can give without loving but cannot love without giving.”
Bishop Edwin S. Harper, “Jesus didn’t give His apostles scepters, but He gave them towels because He commissioned them to serve, not to be a Lord over God’s heritage.”
[1] SOURCE: UPCI Quarterly. Fall 2024. Lesson 1.4
[2] John 13:13–15
[3] John 13:19
Categories
Image & Likeness
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
Man is made up of spirit, soul, and body: see handout[1]
As Christians and ministers, we must understand the tri-part nature of man in order to help people at the root (the source) of what has plagued them for years (sometimes their lifetime).
Genesis 1:26-27, “(26) 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. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
God created Man in His Image and Likeness:
- Image = Total Man (trichotomy)
- Imago Dei = “Image of God”
- Spirit = Transformed, New Creature, Born Again. This is where the Holy Ghost dwells. If unregenerated the spirit is empty of God’s presence and open to demonic spiritual attack.
- Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”
- When you receive the Holy Ghost, both your spirit and God’s Spirit are hermetically sealed together until the judgment seat of Christ.
- Soul = Mind, Will and Emotions. Subject to attack by tormenting, oppressive spirits through the thought life. Your mind sets your will. Your emotion is a direct result of your mindset.
- The Battleground: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, (3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations [carnal reasoning and fleshly calculation], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
- Body = Subject to attacks by spirits of infirmity (weakness and disease) through improper habits of health, nutrition, safety.
- Spirit = Transformed, New Creature, Born Again. This is where the Holy Ghost dwells. If unregenerated the spirit is empty of God’s presence and open to demonic spiritual attack.
- Likeness = goings and doings (choices we make)
- Free will
- Man, in God’s Image, chooses the likeness he pursues
- Mark 12:13-17, “(13) And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. (14) And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? (15) Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. (16) And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. (17) And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”
- Whose image is on you, and what likeness do you display?
- Why does a man do the things he does?
- A key to life is to learn to accept responsibility for your actions: the likeness you choose.
PLEASE NOTE![2]
Unless there is an open door, evil spirits cannot freely attack. We do not pick up an evil spirit while walking down the street.
Many have opened the door before they were filled with the Holy Ghost and when the spirit level of God is low in their natural life, satan starts invading their mind.
Why? The spirit of the man has allowed the Holy Spirit of God to become low in their life.
You, through the power of the Holy Ghost, have the right to evict all unwelcome guests to your body, soul and spirit.
This brings us to the point of renewing your mind. We renew, or refresh, our body by sleep and nourishment.
Likewise, we need to renew our mind in the Holy Ghost. This can best be accomplished through prayer and praise.
Ephesians 4:22-24, “(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation [lifestyle = goings and doings] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God [Image of God] is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
The mind cannot maintain a common relationship with the Lord if the heart, for instance, holds to things, such as resentment, bitterness and hatred. Body, soul and spirit must be purged to maintain a productive spirit level.
“The Holy Ghost can only flow through you as pure as you are in your body, soul and spirit.” –Johnny Garrison
A sick body naturally can come under attack spiritually. God wants us to maintain body, soul and spirit to the very best of our knowledge.
We all will be held accountable for what we know to do.
There is a strong link between sickness and sin, or sickness and fear (anxiety), which manifests itself in what has been called “psychosomatic disorders” (mind-body).
James gave us an antidote for these issues:
(13 )Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (14) Is any sick among you? 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: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:13-16).
Christians who have obey the Word and God and follow Jesus with an undivided heart bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
That obedience is the best revenge of our past disobedience when we were the servants of sin.
As Christians we have a choice regarding whose Image and Likeness we choose to carry and model: Romans 6:15-23
(15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
(16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
(17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(19) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(20) For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
(21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
(22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
(23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When you decide to carry the Image and Likeness of God you live in victory because of these truths:[3]
- You are separated from the power and enticement of sin: “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:2).
- You are alive unto God: “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
- The finished work of Calvary satisfied the demands of the Law and payment for our sin: “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ…” (Romans 7:4).
- Sin no longer has control over you: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:12-14).
- There is still a battle going on between the Law of God and the law of sin, which presents a choice between the Image and Likeness you choose: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:22-25).
- The Law of the Spirit is more powerful than the low of sin and death: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death…. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Romans 8:1-2, 13).
- The victory Christ purchased for you helps you to approach every temptation from a position of victory: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:…And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:19-21, 2:6-7).
[1] Notes: Dr. Joe Nelson. Techniques of Counseling 1. Parkersburg Bible College. Fall 2001.
[2] Ibid. (italicized parts are directly quoted from the PBC notes from the textbook on page 101)
[3] Ibid. p. 105-106.
Categories
God’s Extraction Plan
Jesus has an initial extraction plan to “seek and to save that which was lost,” and then to extract those He initially extracted (called out) from the sinful world to rise up and be with Him in Heaven.
Text: Acts 2:46-47
(46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
(47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The word “Church” (ekklesia) means “a calling out.”
The Church then is an assembly of people who have been called out of the sinful world.
We have in this assembly tonight men and women who were responded to the call of Jesus and were extracted and brought into a place of safety – the Church.
80 times “Church” is mentioned in the New Testament
The Church is universal – international. In fact, the last 7 times “Church” is mentioned in the New Testament Jesus is speaking to multiple churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea (Rev. 2-3).
Then we read this passage from John in Revelation 4:1, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
“Come up hither” is when the church is called out the second time to be with Jesus in Heaven.
Called out to be called up!
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
(50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
(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.
(58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Called out and called up!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Called out of the sinful world
Jude 1:21-23, “(21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And of some have compassion, making a difference: (23) And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
- Some have questions and need to be convinced by the Spirit and the Word.
- Others we snatch from Hell’s flames as God delivers them from sin.
- There are those to whom we show compassion and in a less aggressive manner we see them call out to God and they are saved from Hell as well.
- You don’t have to be stained by sin to love a sinner to Jesus.
- Just be intentional in God’s Extraction Plan.
God is intentional in His daily work to save people: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
- Intentionality of daily life – don’t become a robot
- Hebrews 12:1-2, “(1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- 1 Jn. 3:8b, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
- Out intentionality is necessary:
- Psalms 100:1-5, “(1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. (2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (3) 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. (4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
- Isaiah 12:2-3, “(2) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (3) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
God’s Extraction Plan involves ALL of member of the CHURCH working together:
Kelly Doss:
- Homeless man in need of a place to sleep last night.
- Ebony let him stay with her.
- Anita picked up Ebony and Kelly this morning for Sunday School.
- He wept in the car saying he needed a change and family.
- Anita told him, “We (ALC) can be your family.”
- Bro. Robbins read a verse about being free. Kelly related to it because of his own run-ins with the law.
- Bro. Daniel sang a song about being free.
- Before she went to teach her class she told him, “Jesus wants to do something for you today. Be willing to lean into that.”
- He came to the front and Gary Keesee prayed with him as he repented.
- Gary then went to his pew and talked with him about baptism, then took him to the baptistery.
- Bishop Harper prayed over Kelly.
- I baptized Kelly in the name of the Jesus Christ.
- Kelly came out of the water speaking in tongues as he was filled with the Holy Ghost.
- Everyone had a separate but necessary part to play in God’s Extraction Plan.
Are you ready?
Luke 12:40, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
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Jesus Is Alive Today
John 4:1-43
(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.
(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.
(27) And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
(28) The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
(29) Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
(30) Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
(31) In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
(32) But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
(33) Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
(34) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
(35) Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
(36) And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
(37) And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
(38) I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
(39) And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
(40) So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
(41) And many more believed because of his own word;
(42) And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
(43) Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 