Tag: Apostolic Life Cathedral
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The Life of Holiness
Categories
The Way of Holiness
Text: Leviticus 20:26
(26) And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
I have noticed over the years that some topics seem to raise the hackles on the saints, and at the bare mention of certain key words barriers are put in place.
When a preacher begins to address money, submission, or culturally acceptable, but biblically repudiated sins, mental and spiritual walls are raised and the man of God begins to wage a war to penetrate the barrier that separates the Good Word of God from the minds and hearts of the people.
Holiness is such a word. Hebrew: qadosh = a sacred place…dedicated thing…hallowed…holiness…holy…saint…sanctuary.[1]
You see, God intends to have a holy people, and I would be a poor preacher indeed if I preached only the palatable, only the delectable delights, the banana splits, if you will, of the Word of God.
If I simply stand aside and watch the people of God try to walk in holiness by trial and error, it would be a sin for me to hide from them the whole counsel of God.
Especially, when the Word of God is full of holiness teaching.
Especially, when by ignoring that teaching I fail to let you see Jesus in His totality.
Because God is HOLY, and He has commanded us to be HOLY.
1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [behavior]; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
He is sacred, pure, morally blameless
Even unclean spirits recognize Him as holy:
Mark 1:23-26, “(23) And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, (24) Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. (25) And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. (26) And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.”
And no wonder, sometimes the devils have greater understanding than we do:
James 2:19-20, “(19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
It is interesting the role of faith in the life of the believer: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
To have faith for anything that the Bible teaches, including the life of holiness, there must be instruction given from the Word of God.
When you receive that instruction and begin to purposely walk in the way of holiness, you will find the perfect path to God.
- Is. 35:8, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
- “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it” (Isaiah 40:3-5).
- Jesus simply said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
- Paul identified “The Way” as an identifying name of the early church: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: (Acts 24:14).
What Way? The way of holiness that Jesus both prepared, exampled, taught and for us.
I’m talking to you about Holiness, and I’m talking about Jesus. He is Holy, He is the Way.
In Acts 4:27, 30 Peter prayed to the Father and referred to the Christ as “thy holy child Jesus.”
Living a clean life relieves the mind, is less stressful on the body, and helps you to maintain a peaceful spirit.
The world needs people who are holy and happy, not more religious people, but more holy people.[2]
Truly holy people are happy people – “We’re a happy people, yes we are…”
Holiness occurs when your faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, allows the power of the Holy Ghost to change you:
Ephesians 4:22-24, “(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation 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 is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
That change is evidenced when you allow God’s grace to teach you how to walk in holiness in this present world:
Titus 2:11-14, “(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Peculiar = a people selected by God from the other nations for his own possession.[3]
Holiness identifies you definitively as peculiar: Holy, Sacred, Separate, Apart.
So, Paul continued in his letter to the Ephesian Church (Ephesians 4:23-32):
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.
(28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour [noise, disorder…brawl[4]], and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
That is THE WAY OF HOLINESS
I remember a time in my life that preceded great change, and the Lord dropped this passage in my spirit:
“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine” (Leviticus 20:26).
Holiness:[5]
- “separation,” or “setting apart.”
- “Holiness is a general term used to indicate sanctity or separation from all that is sinful, impure, or morally imperfect.”
- “It is moral wholeness.”
- “The term is used with reference to persons, places, and things.”
Holiness and separation are inseparable when walking The Way.
We are separated from the practices of sinful people and the ungodliness of this present world,
and we separated unto the Lord Jesus Christ, who is “the way, the truth and the life.”
So, in closing…
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
(14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
[1] Strong’s. Brown-Driver-Briggs. H6918.
[2] Clifton Jones. (2005). Holiness Teaching in Unholy Times.
[3] Thayer. G4041.
[4] Strong’s. G2906.
[5] The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary.
Categories
Sitting at the Well
Dwelling in the secret place with Jesus and allowing the living water of the Holy Spirit to flow continuously.
Categories
The Shepherd’s Assurance and Care
Text: Psalms 23:1-6, A Psalm of David
(1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
(2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
(3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
(5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The beauty of living for Jesus and having an intimate relationship with Him is the reassurance that He gives us as He leads us.
Life is full of extremes, but His assurance is always with us. Our Shepherd, our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Savior looks over us and He sees the end from the beginning.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, “(1) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (2) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (3) A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; (4) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (5) A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; (6) A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; (7) A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; (8) A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Jesus is a present in the good times as He is in the bad.
He is just as present in our yesterday as He is in our today and is already awaiting us tomorrow.
It does not matter what the day may bring, He is there…present.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).
Did you catch that?
- Fear not, I am with you…I am present.
- Don’t be disheartened, or alarmed, I am your God
- I will reinforce, brace and support you
- I will help you to bear your trial
- I will do this because I am faithful
Four Ways the Shepherd Assures Us:[1]
- The Shepherd is present
- “…he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).
- Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
- Throughout Psalm 23 David reminds himself of God’s assuring presence:
- He is present in Death Valley, in the green valleys, beside still waters, paths of righteousness, when enemies present themselves.
- Following close behind His Goodness and Mercy.
- He is present to restore your soul; anoint your head with His oil; comfort you in the midst of your anxiety and fear.
- He is present to guide, comfort, restore and assure you
- Since He is so willing and caring enough to be present with you, then you should develop that intimacy with Him that comes from time spent with Him.
- It is possible to be with someone and for them not to be with you.
- To be in the room, but miles away.
- Not our Jesus, He is every where present at the same time.
- Henri Nouwen wrote, “the mystery of God’s love is not that He takes our pains away, but that He first wants to share them with us…God is not a distant God, a God to be feared and avoided, a God of revenge, but a God who is moved by our pains and participates in the fullness of the human struggle.”[2]
- Jesus said, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mt. 28:20).
- The Shepherd Guides
- He leads me beside still waters
- He leads me in paths of righteousness.
- He leads me…
- Three Hebrew verbs that define the way the Shepherd guides us[3]
- Nahal – leading with tenderness…bringing a flock to a place of rest and refreshment.
- Nakhah – straightforward guidance
- Nahag – the kind of directive herding accomplished from the back of the flock, when the shepherd’s will has to be imposed.
- Trust the Shepherd. He knows the way you need to go.
- Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heat…”
- The Shepherd Provides
- Lush green pastures, refreshing still waters, rod of correction, staff of protection, lavish table of food, oil, overflowing cup.
- He daily provides all your needs
- 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- Jehovah-Jireh. He sees and provides
- The Shepherd Gives Hope
- You may be discouraged and disappointed, Discouraged and despondent, but God will provide
- “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
- Romans 8:35-39, “(35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus, our Shepherd, is present, He guides us, provides for us, and He gives Hope.
[1] Much of this is derived from Tom Nelson’s book The Flourishing Pastor.
[2] Henri J. M. Nouwen. (1992). Show Me the Way.
[3] Tom Nelson. (2021). The Flourishing Pastor.
Categories
The Mighty God In Christ, In You
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
Echoes of the Father’s Mercy
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.
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
An Unexpected Revelation
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:
- He was baptized by John. <Unexpected = Behold, the Lamb of…>
- The Spirit drove Him into the wilderness for a time of fasting and temptation. <Unexpected = Seal of approval on Him, still tempted>
- He chose five of His twelve disciples: John, Andrew, Simon (Cephas), Philip and Nathanael. <Unexpected = name change, no guile>
- His first miracle in Cana of Galilee where He turned the water into wine (Jn. 2:1-11). <Unexpected = Best for last>
- The First Passover of His earthly ministry occurs, He cleanses the Temple, and He prophesied His death and resurrection:
- 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>
- 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
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 