PHIL4V21Z92mortifyMAR2010

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PHIL\4V21Z92mortificationMAR  2010

wED, GAL 5 FLESH.    WED AM GRHV. [LATEST VERSION OF EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN [MOVED FROM SUN-WED AM. MORE LIKE THE MASTER; MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS, P 31-THE SOLID ROCK.  WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE; TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, O FOR 1000 TONGUES TO SING¼”].   I’M STILL JUMPING OFf FROM PHILIPPIANS 4:21 (KJV) WHICH SAYS, “21 SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS….”

          The last time I WAS WITH YOU I was TRYING TO PRESENT THE  PROPOSITION THAT THE SAINTS Being SALUTED WERE LIVING CHRISTIANS.

          I LEFT OFF LAST TIME TALKING ABOUT HOW REAL CHRISTIANS ARE PEOPLE Saved by Faith IN THE PERSON & WORK OF CHRIST--not OUR Works OR THE WORKS OF ANY ONE ELSE. 

          We are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. Not by any works we may do.  

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I Am NOT saying that works aren't important..

works are important. Every believer should do all he is able or willing to do to help others. Salvation, however is not dependent on works.

PEOPLE are saved only

by believing OR PLACING FAITH IN the CHRIST OF THE Gospel.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for

it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1st Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:1616 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.

JON 6::47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

ACTS 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, …[1]

Believing the Gospel is salvation, works are not part of salvation (but a saved person should certainly do good works):

EPH.2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordainedb that we should walk in them. “

NOW ALL OF THIS INFO COMES FROM

The Divinely inspiration and THUS authoritative BIBLE, the Holy Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:16,

 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

SO, IN PROGRESSING IN SANCTIFIACTION WHICH=H INCLUDES MORTIFYING THE SIN NATURE OR THE FLESH, JOHN 17:17 SAYS CHRIST SAID IN HIS HI PRIESTLY PRAYER

“ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

[GET OM WITH WORD & SANCTIFICATION-MORTIFICATION}

SEE PART OF WHAT SANTIFICATION INVOLVES IS DELIVERANCE OR FREEDOM FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN & DELIVERANCE OR FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN.

IN John 8:32, JESUS MENTIONED THE FREEING ASPECT OF THE TRUTH OF GOD WHICH IS IN OF COURSE, THE WORD OF GOD, “…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. “

AS WE ARE BEING FREED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT & THE HOLY SCRIPTURE, THEN WE  ARE TO PROGRESS OR GROW AS PETER WAS MOVED TO WRITE ABOUT IN 2 Peter 3:18,

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

ACTUALLY, CHRIST & HIS WORD ARE THE EPITOME OR HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM.

1 COR. 1:30 & 31 IS ABOUT CHRIST, “…who of God

 is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That,

according as it is written, He that glorieth,

let him glory in the Lord. “

GOD GIVES WISDOM, BUT WE HAVE TO RECEIVE IT & PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. 

SOLOMON WAS THE WISEST MAN, APART FROM THE GOD MAN, & THO SOLOMON DID NOT ALWAYS LIVE ACCORDING TO WISDOM, HE DID WRITE IN

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

PROV.2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. “

KEEPING THE PATHS OF THE RIGHTOEUS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ABSOLUTE SATNDARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH ARE REVEALED IN THE BIBLE & FOR OVER 100 YRS

increasingly NOTICABLE Departure from BIBLICAL - doctrinal preaching ALONG WITH A DISREGARD FOR BIBLICAL TRUTH FOUND IN BIBLICAL Creeds and confessions of faith Which were full of biblical  theology FOR GUIDING HUMAN PRACTICE.  NOW, BIBLICAL WISDOM HAS BEEN TO A LARGE DEGREE displaced & REPLACED BY science FALSELY SO-CALLED, , psychology, sociology, AND CHRIST DENTING PHILOSOPHY.   COL. 2:3-8 IS ABOUT CHRIST “ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words…6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

COL 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

COL 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudimentsc of the world, and not after Christ.”

SEE, practical godliness OR WHAT PAULS CALLED IN ROM 16:26, THE ..the obedience of faith: “ DEMANDS TO A LARGE DEGREE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRINCIPLES & PRECEPTS OF the REAL Faith OR HOW CAN THE obedience of OR TO THE Faith be expected?

On the other hand, BIBLICAL doctrine without BEING PUT INTO practice IN LIFE CAN BECOME A mere theoretical and speculative knowledge of things, WHICH is To no avail IN SANCTIFICATION.

BIBLICAL  Doctrine and BIBLICAL practice should go together. CHRISTIANS ARE TO both know and  do the will of God, WHICH DEMANDS instruction in BIBLICAL Doctrine and BIBLICAL practice.

2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable [first] for doctrine, [and then] for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Thus Paul exhorted Timothy IN

1 Tim. 4:16, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” PAUL ALSO INSTRUCTED Titus IN 3:8 ,

 "This is a This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. “

WE CAN’T REALLY KNOW

THE ABSOLUTE GOOD

WITHOUT THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH

IN THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.

          Our preservation from error IN FACTS, VALUES, AND MORALS lies in THE WORD OF GOD.

BIBLICAL Doctrine is the mould into which the mind & MORALS ARE FORMED.  Romans 6:17 FF READS: “17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart  that form of doctrine to which you were 5delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were  slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

ROM. 6:21 -23, SAYS: What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For cthe end of those things is death. 22 But now dhaving been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit 7to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but  the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

SO, LIVING ACCORDING TO ETERANAL LIFE IN THE HEAR & NOW MEANS WE NEED TO HEAR & HEED THE WORDS OF THE ETERNAL LIFE GIVER &  LIVE HIS WAY.

FOR A LIFE OF purity, the piety, the zeal, that close walking with God and uprightness before men, which were so pronounced in Christendom during the preaching of the Reformers, Puritans & PILGRIMS,  WE NEED THE BIBLICAL & doctrinal

MINISTRY WHICH produced such a love FOR CHRIST & HIS TRUTH that thousands willingly suffered persecution and great privation, and hazarded their lives, rather than repudiate the doctrines and INSTRUCTIONS Of Christ.

ToDAY SOME SAY THAT it matters not what a man believes so long as his practice is good is utterly erroneous.

Indifference to the THE ULTIMATE Truth

ULTIMATELY  betrays a heart that is not right with THE TRUE  God.

I AM also reminded THAT MANY SOME OF THE men whose ministry was most owned and used of God during last 100 OR SO YEARS were those who followed in the steps of the  REFORMERS, THE Puritans, & THE PILGRIMS,  C. H. Spurgeon, Robert Murray MeCheyne, BILLY GRAHAM, D JAMES KENNEDY, gave a prominent place to BIBLICAL - doctrinal instruction in  their preaching.

An observant eye will soon perceive that there is a distinct spirit which attends different types of preaching, manifesting itself more or less plainly in the regular attenders thereof.

There is a solidity and soberness, a stability and godly fear seen in real BIBLICISTS HOLDING TO THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE & THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE FOR THE CONTENT & PRACTICE OF THE FAITH

which IS not found among THOSE HOLDING TO A LOW VIEW OF SCRIPTURE.  There is an uprightness of character in those who espouse the Truth which is lacking in those who HOLD TO error. Where the SCRPTURE & THE sovereignty of God ARE denied there will be A DEGRADATION IN THE holy awe of Him.

Where the BIBLICAL DOCTRINE ON THE total depravity Is not insisted INSTRUCTED, HUMAN pride and self-sufficiency will REAR ITS UGLY HEAD.

Where the impotence of the natural man is not stressed there will be LESS Dependence upon the POTENCY OF THE Holy Spirit.

Where the holy demands of God ARE not PRESENTED & maintained there will be the absence of The holy effects on the heart and life.

Thus we may judge and determine this about the Truth of biblical preaching: "Whatsoever doctrine demonstrates the depressing situation of humble

Humanity,  WILL OF NECESSITY advance the glory, THE MAJESTY, & SOVEREIGNTY of THE TRUE God.

the Gospel OF CHRIST, which centers in CHRIST, SHOWS HUMANITY Is Laid low, and God IS to be exalted.

BIBLICAL DOCTRINAL PREACHING EXPOSES THE FALLENESS & FOLLY OF HUmanITY &

and transfers all the glory man would TRY TO TAKE INTO The hands of God. BIBLICAL

DOCTRINAL PREACHING  lays Humanity in the dust at God’s footstool BEGGING FOR MERCY RATHER THAN OFFERING MERIT.

ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR MElet me hide myself in thee;             let the water and the blood,             from thy wounded side which flowed,             be of sin the double cure;             save from wrath and make me pure.  

3.         Nothing in my hand I bring,             simply to the cross I cling;             naked, come to thee for dress;             helpless, look to thee for grace;             foul, I to the fountain fly;             wash me, Savior, or I die.  THE Text: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
PUT TO MUSIC Music: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872

            SO, ANY SO-CALLED doctrine which

encourages pride in HUMAN ABILITY is not a spark from heaven. No flesh must glory in God’s presence (1 Cor. 1:29).

            Biblical DOCTINAL PREACHING & TEACHING EXPOSES THE FALSE doctrine of justification by works AS PUT down by the apostle with argument IN ROM 3:27, “ ‘Where is boasting then?

It is excluded. . .by the law of faith’ (Rom. 3:27), that

is by the BILCAL doctrine of JUSTIFICATION BY IN CHRIST.

Boasting would FINE IF regeneration COULD BE  IDENTIFYING AS HAVING WITH HUMAN nature & HUMAN ABILITY TO justify by HUMAN works.

A BIBLE TEACHER FROM LONG AGO PUT IT LIKE THIS:

“…TRULY GLORIying THE TRU God is AN evidence of truth In A person: ‘

(Charnock, 1660).

SO, THEN LET US PRESS ON TO GLORIFYING GOD ABOUT OUR SALVATION & COOPERATING WITH HIM IN OUR SANCTIFIACTION & DO OUR  duty of mortification WHICH pertains to the practical side of AS MENTIONED IN 1 TIM 6:3, “THE DOCTRine which is according to godliness" (1 Tim. 6:3).

SUCH DOCTRINE IS much more than a species of intellectual propositions  intended for

instructing our brains. 

Is propositional revelation an essential evangelical doctrine? Henry argued vigorously that it was essential: “it is nonetheless wholly necessary to insist that divine disclosure does indeed take propositional form… That divine disclosure is cognitive and intelligible…is intrinsic to Judeo-Christian revelation” (GRA, 3:481). Bernard Ramm, at about the same time, was de-emphasizing the importance of propositional truth: “It is not of the essence of evangelicalism to believe that revelation is solely propositional.”5 Although both of these statements are qualified in their contexts, it is fair to say that Henry and Ramm had opposing concerns and were attempting to

3 For example, Henry cites both Bernard Ramm and George Eldon Ladd as evangelicals whose treatment of propositional revelation pose problems (GRA, 1:67; 3:458).

4 Terminology is crucial in this discussion. It should be noted at the outset that Henry and Grenz (the two primary theologians examined in this paper) use “proposition,” “propositional,” and “propositional revelation” is different ways. The reader is advised to heed carefully these differences as they are discussed.

The term “propositional revelation” is not an ancient term, though the concept that it designates certainly is. Since this paper is not intended as an historical treatment, I have not attempted to document the specific origin of the term or developments in its definition (though that would be a useful pursuit). The term, as I understand it, originated in the early 20th century as a derogatory term used pejoratively by those who rejected the orthodox statement of biblical revelation and inspiration. As used by opponents of orthodoxy, the term was often used to portray a straw man position (that the Bible consisted only of a collection of what may technically be designated “propositions”). The term has since been accepted by evangelicals as a usable term that accurately summarizes the orthodox view, though with an appropriately revised definition and qualifications.

5 Bernard Ramm, The Evangelical Heritage (Waco, TX: Word, 1973), 129.


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either maintain (Henry) or extend (Ramm) the boundaries of evangelicalism. To explore this issue, this paper will first summarize Henry’s understanding of propositional revelation, then that of a counter-proposal, and finally assess the discussion and propose an answer to the question, “may evangelicals dispense with propositional revelation?”

Propositional Revelation in Henry’s God, Revelation and Authority

Definition of Propositional Revelation

The first indexed occurrence of the explicit term “propositional revelation” in GRA is 1:67, but it is not there defined. It is, however, used synonymously with Henry’s entire discussion of verbal revelation which he repeatedly declares to be fully intelligible, precise, factual, conceptual, cognitive, rational, valid and literally true (e.g., 1:68–69). He also interchanges the terms “propositional revelation” and “intelligible revelation.”6 He clarifies a reference to the propositional character of divine revelation by appending, “that is…, God’s revelation is rational and objectively true” (3:455).7

Henry’s formal definition of propositional revelation is given near the end of volume three: “We mean by propositional revelation that God supernaturally communicated his revelation to chosen spokesmen in the express form of cognitive truths, and that the inspired prophetic-apostolic proclamation reliably articulates these truths in sentences that are not internally contradictory” (3:457). He goes on to explain that “the inspired Scriptures contain a body of

6 See, e.g., GRA, 3:416, “A proposition, implicit or explicit, may communicate the same objective meaning and truth in a variable vocabulary; as long as words preserve the sense, considerable difference of expression is compatible with intelligible revelation.”

7 The full statement is as follows: “The controversy between Protestant orthodoxy and neoorthodoxy focused with special intensity on the issue of the propositional or nonpropositional character of divine disclosure, that is, on whether God’s revelation is rational and objectively true, or whether it is only noncognitively life-transforming. Neoorthodoxy emphasized that God’s revelation is personal but nonpropositional. Evangelical respondents like Gordon Clark, Cornelius Van Til, Edward J. Carnell, James I. Packer, Kenneth Kantzer, Ronald Nash and Francis Schaeffer, on the other hand, insisted, as had earlier Christian theologians, that God’s revelation is cognitive and propositional.”


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divinely given information actually expressed or capable of being expressed in propositions. In brief, the Bible is a propositional revelation of the unchanging truth of God” (ibid.).8

This definition may be qualified in several ways. First, Henry does not view the Bible as a digest of assorted logical syllogisms. He explicitly claims that “the truth of revelation is not a series of unrelated and disconnected propositions” (GRA, 1:233). It should also be noted that propositions are not the same as concepts. A concept (e.g., grace or sin) cannot be true or false. Only as one asserts a proposition regarding a concept can it be true or false.9 Third, propositional revelation is not invalidated by figures of speech, rhetorical questions, or imperatives. “Regardless of the parables, allegories, emotive phrases and rhetorical questions used by these writers, their literary devices have a logical point which can be propositionally formulated and is objectively true or false” (GRA, 3:453). Questions are not propositions in the technical sense, but rhetorical questions imply a judgment that can be stated in propositional form. Likewise imperatives, though technically not propositions by their grammatical form, do not “cancel the fact that revelation is primarily correlated with a communication of propositional truth. Imperatives are not as such true or false propositions; but they can be translated into propositions (e.g., ‘to kill is wrong’) from which cognitive inferences can be drawn” (3:417).

8 The term “proposition” should also be defined in this context. A fairly standard definition is that a proposition is “that which is proposed or stated; the content of a declarative sentence, capable of truth and falsity” (Simon Blackburn, The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy [Oxford/New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1994], 307). In a similar vein, see Gordon Clark, Logic, 2d ed. (Jefferson, MD: Trinity Foundation, 1988), 30. The meaning (and even the existence) of propositions is hotly debated in philosophical circles. For a survey of the dispute and the various positions advocated, see Richard M. Gale, “Propositions, Judgments, Sentences, and Statements, “ in Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. Paul Edwards, 6:494–505 (New York: Macmillan, 1967). For purposes of this paper it is only necessary to know how the term is used in discussion of propositional revelation. Henry’s definition accords with the standard definition just cited: “… a proposition is a verbal statement that is either true or false; it is a rational declaration capable of being either believed, doubted or denied” (GRA, 3:456).

9 This distinction between propositions and concepts is also relevant to the doctrine of revelation, particularly in terms of method. The older “word study” approach to Scripture, although properly concerned to focus attention on the words that are verbally inspired, misplaced its emphasis with an atomistic, microscopic focus on the individual semantic elements to the detriment of a macroscopic focus on propositions and context. The words on which such study placed so much emphasis only serve to convey truth in context as components of propositions. Words alone leave us “strangely unilluminated” as to the meaning of the text (to use Brand Blanshard’s terminology as cited by Henry, GRA, 3:443). See also Henry’s comments on p. 453.


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Henry does not affirm that all biblical revelation is couched in formal propositions. Such a claim would be an overstatement (3:480; see also 481).

Some evangelicals who espouse propositional revelation hesitate nonetheless to say that God’s revelation is expressed or conveyed exclusively in a rational and objectively true form. They affirm instead that, in addition to God’s frequent and possibly even normal conveyance of revelation in propositional form, God sometimes discloses himself in other than propositional modes. They emphasize that the biblical terminology of revelation sometimes suggests features not reducible to propositional statements but that are correlated rather with dreams and visions and imagery. But, it should be indicated, the extraverbal and extrarational belong only to the rim of revelation; revelation in its essential definition centers in the communication of God’s Word (3:457).

The essence of revelation is personal. Although the biblical prophets did, indeed at times receive revelation in the form of dreams and visions which almost certainly did make a non-verbal impression on the prophet, yet the authoritative message for us (and for the prophet as well) was propositional in nature.10 As with history, event in the form of dream or vision must be divinely interpreted to constitute authoritative revelation.

Relationship of Propositional Revelation to Logic and Rationality

Much of Henry’s defense of propositional revelation is predicated on his view of logic, rationality, and language. Although some biblical scholars (and some evangelicals) scorn the concept of propositional revelation “as an imposition of rationalistic encumbrances upon the discussion of Scripture,”11 no true knowledge of God is possible apart from a rational, logical, verbal revelation. Not only is logical rationality not an encumbrance, it is essential.

Without noncontradiction and logical consistency, no knowledge whatever is possible…. The importance of intellectuality in theology, of cognitivity and concepts, of valid propositions, of logical system, therefore dare not be minimized. Some deny the rational emphasis on logic and consistency in considerations of divine revelation. God is not bound by such criteria, it is said; he is assertedly above the canons of human reasoning, so that the ‘truth of revelation’ confronts man in terms either of contradiction or of paradox or of mystery. But without appeal to sufficient reason, the mind of man has no basis for discriminating between mysteries, paradoxes and contradictions (GRA, 1:232–33).

10 “Whatever must indubitably be said for dreams, visions and other psychic phenomena, the prophets themselves, and the Apostle Paul likewise, find in the intelligibly communicated Word of God the fixed center of revelation” (GRA, 3:417).

11 This is Henry’s phraseology summarizing objections often raised (GRA, 3:455).


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Logic did not originate with Aristotle.12 There is but one logic in the world13 bestowed on humankind by the Creator as a reflection of his own nature.14 It has no independent existence apart from God himself and it is not optional, even for those who attempt to deny it.

The logical functions of the individual consciousness are everywhere the same, wherever the historically differentiated forms of human life appear; the laws of logic are integral elements of mental consciousness. The many human languages have a common basis in the fundamental logic of human language; amid their undeniable differences, all languages basically reflect the same laws of logic and modes of thought (GRA, 3:240).

To use logic in the interpretation of Scripture is not the intrusion of a foreign system, but the only possible way to understand any text, biblical or otherwise.15 “Evangelicals need not tremble and take to the hills whenever others charge us with rationalism, since not every meaning of that

12 “While Aristotle systematically formulated the principles of logical thought, we should note that Parmenides and Plato and others argued logically before Aristotle formulated the rules of logic, and we must insist that syllogistic reasoning was not invented by the Greeks, that logical categories are not peculiarly Greek, and that the patterns of logic and forms of logical reasoning are human rather than provincially Greek” (GRA, 3:242).

13 “There is one logic to which all propositions are answerable” (GRA, 3:385).

14 “Since the eternal Logos himself structures the created universe and the conditions of communication, logical connections are eternally grounded in God’s mind and will, and are binding for man in view of the imago Dei” (GRA, 3:214; see also 1:393–94; 3:387–90).

15 “Revelation requires no dismemberment or boycotting of logic. Neither in part nor as a totality is the truth of revelation an illogical or nonlogical monstrosity” (GRA, 3:303). Too often the use of logic is confused with theological reasoning which extrapolates speculative theological conclusions apart from explicit biblical data. On the role of logic and rationality see the extended discussion in GRA, 3:234–42. Mohler has noted that “Henry is often labeled a rationalist, though this is a careless misreading of his studious attempt to forge a middle way [i.e., between the fideism of Tertullian’s elevation of revelation over reason and the rationalism of Aquinas’ reduction of revelation to reason]” (Richard Albert Mohler, Jr., “Evangelical Theology and Karl Barth: Representative Models of Response” [Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1989], 123 n. 259). In another context Mohler refers to William Abraham’s assessment of Henry’s position as “turgid scholasticism” and suggests that “this statement [by Abraham] indicates something of the great divide between those who define evangelicalism primarily as a set of theological commitments and those who point instead to an evangelical faith experience and concern for personal holiness. To be fair, Henry has evidenced a concern for both dimensions, but has given the cognitive dimension primary attention in his writings” (idem., “Carl F. H. Henry,” in Baptist Theologians, ed. T. George and D. Dockery, 518–38 [Nashville: Broadman, 1990], 538 n. 47). An “evangelical faith experience and concern for personal holiness” are not possible apart from propositional revelation that defines the evangel and describes God’s holy character as the standard for holiness. True, one may comprehend the doctrine without ever experiencing the evangelical faith or holiness, but the reverse is never true. Henry (and most who emphasize the necessity for propositional revelation) does not divorce the cognitive and the experiential.


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term is objectionable” (3:480). Indeed, to deny the law of noncontradiction results in equating truth and error—in effect, destroying any concept of truth (1:233).

Opposing Views

Henry interacts at great length with many representatives of opposing views representing a wide variety of theological and philosophical systems. Only a summary can be presented here. His primary foil is a non-propositional view of revelation which is most frequently couched in terms of personal revelation.16 Henry contends that if revelation “is defined as an internal event rather than as a communication of objectively valid information” (as in neo-orthodoxy, etc.), then one will not be able to uphold propositional revelation (GRA, 3:475). Personal revelation is vaguely described as a non-cognitive, non-rational encounter with God. But “revelation which incorporates no valid knowledge can hardly be spoken of confidently as knowledge” (GRA, 4:436). This is Schleiermacher’s feeling of absolute dependence or Moltmann’s “promise.”17 Henry suggests that Barth has been the most influential twentieth-century theologian in disavowing propositional revelation (3:466).

As Barth puts it, “revelation … takes place as an event, when and where the word of the Bible becomes God’s Word…. Where the Word of God is an event, revelation and the Bible are one in fact.” Barth later rejects a view of the Bible as propositional revelation, arguing instead that revelation is personal: “God’s Word is not a thing to be described, nor is it a concept to be defined. It is neither a content nor an idea. It is not ‘a truth,’ not even the very highest truth. It is the truth because it is God’s person speaking, Dei loquentis persona. It is not something objective.” The doctrine of Scripture of “later Old-Protestantism”—that the Bible is “a fixed total of revealed propositions” is “radically impossible.”18

16 “Neo-Protestant, neo-Catholic and reform Jewish theologians today all share widely in repudiating the definition of revelation as a divine communication of cognitive information” (GRA, 3:469).

17 See the summary in GRA, 2:147–49.

18 Karl Barth, The Doctrine of the Word of God, v. 1 pt. 1 of Church Dogmatics (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1936), 127 (emphasis added), 155, 156; see also 160–61.


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Or in Brunner’s words, “revelation is certainly not a ‘Something’, a ‘thing’; but it is a process, an event, and indeed an event which happens to us and in us.” He goes on to explain that “the Word which has been formulated in human speech [i.e., the Bible] is now only revelation in an indirect sense; it is revelation as witness to Him.” He explicitly rejects the view of “orthodoxy” that the Bible is verbally inspired—a “sterile intellectualism” with “disastrous results.”19

It is true that Barth’s earlier statements magnify this rejection of propositional revelation and that his later writings (beginning, perhaps, with vol. II.1 of the Dogmatics) modify the sharp disjunctions of his commentary on Romans and in the first volume of his Church Dogmatics.20 This is perhaps due, at least in part, to “the counterpressure of Bultmann’s view, which extended Barth’s early anticonceptual notions of revelation into an erosion of all supernatural truth, and instead interpreted the content of revelation anthropologically” (GRA, 3:466).21 Despite the more orthodox statements of the later Barth, the emphasis on personal revelation remains. Henry concludes that “there is no basis in the Scriptures for Barth’s theory that divine revelation is nonpropositional, personal truth” (3:468).

Evangelicals who have minimized propositional revelation in favor of an emphasis on personal revelation also receive Henry’s attention. Ladd, for example, has suggested that God reveals not only propositions, but also himself.22 Henry then asks what is revealed in this self-

19 Emil Brunner, The Christian Doctrine of God: Dogmatics, v. 1 (London: Lutterworth, 1949), 19, 27, 28; see also 32–34. Even more radically, Rudolph Bultmann, referring to the portrait of Jesus in John’s gospel asserts that the “Revealer” imparted no information about God during his earthly ministry; “He does not communicate anything, but calls men to himself” (Theology of the New Testament, transl. K. Grobel, 2 vols. [London: SCM, 1952–55], 2:41).

20 On this development, see GRA, 3:224–28.

21 Ramm has used these later statements in his attempt to make Barth more palatable to evangelicals. See his comments in After Fundamentalism (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983), esp. 88–100.

22 Henry refers to George Eldon Ladd, “The Search for Perspective,” Interpretation 25 (1971): 62. The quote from Ladd in its context reads as follows: “God has acted in the events of redemptive history to make himself known to men. I cannot assent to the older orthodox view, which still has its adherents, that “Revelation, in the biblical sense of the term, is the communication of information.”80 While I do not deny that revelation includes the disclosure of truth, this is too limited a definition. It is more accurate to say that “revelation moves in the dimension of personal encounter…. This is the end of all revelation, to see the face of God.”81 What God reveals is not only


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revelation of God that is not propositional? On what basis do we ascertain this nonrational self-revelation? “To render even the bare idea of revealed presence intelligibly defensible, one must correlate that view with a thoroughly cognitive content.” Such a proposal results, not in some form of superior, noncognitive revelation, but only in a great deal of unverifiable subjectivity. “Unless the divine ‘more’ is revelationally vouchsafed it is but sheer speculation. If it is revelationally meaningful and true, moreover, it is propositionally expressible” (GRA, 3:458, 459).

information about himself; he reveals himself.” [Notes: 80E. J. Young, Thy Word Is Truth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1957), 41. 81P. K. Jewett, “Special Revelation as Historical and Personal,” in Revelation and the Bible, ed. C. F. H. Henry (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1958), 52, 56.]

Henry does not reject personal revelation, but refuses to contrast it with propositional revelation. Revelation as personal (or the revelation of a personal God) does not require nor even suggest that the propositional character of the revelation be forfeited (cf. GRA, 3:431–32, 460). When he refers to personal revelation, he is referring to the source of revelation as a personal being, not to the recipient, the content, or the mode of revelation.23 Although the subject matter given by the personal God certainly includes the nature and character of God, “legitimate emphasis on divine self-revelation cannot compensate for illegitimate debarment from revelation of its truth-content” (GRA, 2:166, see also 157). God is certainly more than a set of propositions—an infinite, personal God is much more—but this does not require us to distinguish divine self-revelation from propositional revelation “inasmuch as he makes himself known through rational disclosure and intelligible truths” (GRA, 3:461–62).

Objections to Propositional Revelation

Among five major objections to a propositional view of revelation that Henry addresses, two are of particular relevance to the discussion within evangelicalism.24 Some suggest that

23 GRA, 2:151–66, where Henry works out his own view through a critique of Barth and Bultmann.

24 The other three are that, 1) “God is absolute Subject, and hence it is said, cannot be an object of human knowledge”; 2) “divine revelation conveys no cognitive information” (the neoorthodox position); and 3) “since


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“propositional truth depersonalizes revelation by turning it into abstract statements that dull the call for decision and obedience” (3:433). The fear of rationalism by “devotion” or pietism is an ongoing instance of misplaced anti-intellectualism. As Henry points out, if God’s commands and calls for obedience cannot be logically analyzed, “then no rational creature ought to be bound by such demands” (ibid.). There must be objective, cognitive content that can be understood and discussed if there is ever to be responsible obedience.

propositions involve the use of language, propositional truth is of necessity culturally conditioned” (GRA, 3:430–38 et passim).

Second, “doctrinal revelation is said to erode vital personal faith in Christ by confusing personal trust with doctrinal belief” (3:436). A false antithesis between personal and propositional revelation—between faith and doctrine—is inimical to biblical Christianity. It is true that the object of our faith is Christ, not a doctrinal statement, but unless we know who Jesus Christ is, we can never place our faith in him. “To lose intelligible revelation spells inescapable loss of any supernaturally authorized doctrinal assertions concerning God” and results in “the inevitable surrender of any claim for the decisive authority of the Bible” (3:436, 437).

The verb believe (pisteuō) does in fact have doctrinal truths or propositional statements as its object; it is therefore untrue to the Gospels and Epistles to say that the object of belief is properly only a person. While the linguistic construction “believe” or “believe in” Christ, or in his name, appears as a kind of literary shorthand in which the underlying propositions are implicit rather than expressly stated, it nonetheless involves a propositional truth-claim made by Jesus directly or in his behalf. Moreover, where the doctrinal proposition or truth-claim calls for mental assent, it appears in many instances in the immediate context of statements enjoining belief in Christ (3:438).25

Summary of Henry’s Views

Henry’s defense of propositional revelation is presented as a defense of “the historic Christian view…that divine revelation takes the form of propositionally given truths” (3:452). He views this as essential for truth. “Nonpropositional truth,” says Henry, is a meaningless phrase that cannot be defined or demonstrated (3:434). “Nothing can be literally true but a

25 There are many examples of the verb “believe” with specific doctrinal content as the object. As a ready example, note John 20:31, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.” This is a repeated Johannine theme (e.g., see John 8:24; 11:42; 14:10; 16:27, 30; 17:8; 1 John 5:1, 5), but is not unique to him (e.g., 1 Thess. 4:14).


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propositional statement” (3:430). The loss or de-emphasis of this vital doctrine is destructive of Christianity as a revealed religion.26 “In fleeing from propositional revelation the seriousness of truth may be trampled, and if this is the case, the concept of revelation loses all its seriousness.”27

Christianity’s very claim to truth collapses unless truth can be affirmed of certain core-propositions inherent in it and integral to it. If the logical-propositional truth of the Christian revelation is ignored, and is even to be disowned, on the pretext that the efficacy of personal faith can be preserved only in this way, we shall needlessly and disastrously sacrifice what superbly distinguishes Christianity from other religions, viz., the truth of certain specific propositions that cannot be affirmed by rival faiths…. Faith divorced from assent to propositions may for a season be exuberantly championed as Christian faith, but sooner or later it must become apparent that such mystical exercises are neither identifiably Christian nor akin to authentic belief.

The religion of redemptive revelation, for all its emphasis on personal trust in the living God, does not expound believing in God in isolation from believing about God. And, as Donald [M]. MacKinnon writes … The analysis of faith “in terms of self-commitment to a person … leaves unanswered (or even deliberately seeks to evade) the distinction between such commitment and that involved in a Führerprinzip.” The demand so frequently reiterated by Kierkegaard and his dialectical and existential successors for a faith [that] leaps into the dark, and is all the more approved for its total absence of intelligibility, can hardly commend itself to rational men. Even in the case of fire, one had best be sure of the direction in which he jumps; yet the unlettered evangelist who urges his audience simply to ‘take the plunge’ has found a twentieth-century counterpart in the theologian who exhorts divinity students to polevault into paradox. The costly consequence of this theology is that it neglects the very propositions that must be true if Christianity is to be true, and if faith is to be Christian.28

26 GRA, 3:464. Henry suggests that the origin of such positions may be traced to Kant who rejected the possibility of humans having factual knowledge of supernatural reality.

27 Bernard Ramm, Special Revelation and the Word of God (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961), 154. Henry cites this statement with approval (GRA, 3:464).

28 GRA, 3:486–87, citing in part Donald M. MacKinnon, “Borderlands of Theology,” in Borderlands of Theology and Other Essays, ed. G. Roberts and D. Smucker, 41–54 (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1969), 42. Führerprinzip = “leader principle”; in this context it refers to a blind allegiance to a leader without rational thought. A fuller quote from MacKinnon is as follows: “No serious philosopher [of religion] can hope to dodge the questions involved in the claim of religious credenda to truth.

“I shall mention only one among the various suggested contemporary devices for avoiding these questions [i.e., of truth]; the suggestion that they can be evaded by an analysis of faith in terms of self-commitment to a person leaves unanswered (or even deliberately seeks to evade) the distinction between such commitment and that involved in a Führerprinzip. Self-commitment is made validly to this person rather than to that because this person said and did certain things, thereby at once defining and authenticating, or at least effectively suggesting, certain claims.”


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Evangelical Challenges of Propositional Revelation

Evangelicalism29 today is undergoing something of an identity crisis. It is a very diverse movement that is not well-defined. The fact that this conference is focused on the theme, “Defining Evangelicalism’s Boundaries,” is indicative of some of the uncertainty. Professing evangelicals are riding off in all directions theologically, pursuing open theism on one hand and postmodernity on the other (to mention just two recent “attractions”). Although propositional revelation is not in the forefront of recent discussions, it is nevertheless a key issue that is being challenged, typically from a postmodern orientation. A number of evangelical scholars might be selected for comparison with Henry’s classic defense, but for purposes of this paper attention will be focused on Stanley Grenz, particularly the book in which he seeks to shape the future of evangelicalism: Revisioning Evangelical Theology.30 Although the discussion to follow will lap

29 I am using the term “evangelical” here in the broad sense of conservative Protestants who accept the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. As such those who trace their ecclesiastical heritage to the “neo-evangelical” movement are included, as are the heirs of the fundamentalist movement, and others who would claim neither of these ancestries. I am not using it in the European sense of Protestant (or Lutheran) in general or in the narrow sense of what has also been described as neo/new-evangelicalism.

30 Subtitled: A Fresh Agenda for the 21st Century (Downers Grove: IVP, 1993). Hereafter cited as RET. This programmatic work has been reiterated and/or developed in Grenz’s more recent works, including, e.g., Renewing the Center: Evangelical Theology in a Post-Theological Era (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000), but the substance of his approach has not changed. I had originally intended to interact with several writers, but the space required to do so in an adequate manner has prevented me from doing this. A brief sample of where other considerations might be directed includes the following. Although more cautious in some areas than Grenz, Alister McGrath also singles out Carl Henry as an illustration of what is wrong with traditional evangelicalism. His major criticism is that Henry affirms his belief that divine revelation is logically consistent, even claiming that “without noncontradiction and logical consistency, no knowledge whatever is possible” (McGrath, A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism [Downers Grove: IVP, 1996], 170, citing GRA 1:232). McGrath’s objection (“What logic is to be allowed this central role? Whose rationality provides the basis of scriptural authority?” [McGrath, Passion for Truth, 170]) seems to imply that there is more than one logic available in this world—an assertion that would warm the heart of any postmodernist. The result of following Henry on this point, says McGrath, is that we would inevitably allow “fallen human reason to judge God’s revelation” (ibid., 170; see similar statements in his “Evangelical Theological Method: The State of the Art,” in Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method, ed. J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 15–37 [Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000], 32–34). The statements by Henry which McGrath quotes are not passing statements, but are part of an extended discussion of the necessity of logical consistency as a test for truth in which Henry interacts with the many proposals for establishing truth that had been proposed at the time he wrote. Yet McGrath does not respond to any of these arguments. He simply says that “evangelicalism is free to avoid the false lure of foundationalism, and to maintain the integrity of divine revelation on its own terms and in its own categories” (Passion for Truth, 172). This is a dismissal by assertion, not logical argument (but perhaps that expects too much from someone who does not consider Christianity to be logically consistent). Henry would reply that without assuming logical consistency it is impossible even to challenge the


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into some related areas, this is not a critique of the entire book or of Grenz’s theological position in general.31 This summary focuses primarily on Grenz’s view of revelation, summarized roughly in the order of his discussion in the book.

claims of logic. Indeed, he says, renouncing “the importance of noncontradiction and logical consistency sponsors … the suicide of theology” (GRA, 1:233).

Clark Pinnock’s Tracking the Maze: Finding Our Way Through Modern Theology from an Evangelical Perspective (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990) evidences emphases similar to Grenz: “Christian theology, then, should not be primarily rational-propositional in form, even though it usually is, especially among evangelicals. Its primary task ought to be to explore and proclaim the Christian story, which is what gives meaning to doctrines in the first place. The job of theology is to expound the story and tell us what the meanings are. Doctrines that help us understand the story better are good and true; doctrines that ruin and distort the story are false and harmful…. We should redefine heresy as something that ruins the story and orthodoxy as theology that keeps the story alive and devises new ways to tell it. Within this kind of theology, there will be room for liberal Christians to relate contemporary stories and for conservative Christians to rehearse the mighty acts of God. Both will be telling stories, rather than arguing about abstractions” (183). But how do we know what it is that “ruins” the story? What is the objective means of evaluating this? Or is this just a subjective reaction that differs from hearer to hearer? Apart from propositional truth, there is no standard for evaluation. Are the deity of Jesus Christ and the trinity just “stories,” or do they express propositional truth about ontological reality? If they are only stories, then the liberal can tell a story regarding Jesus’ “deity” that merely serves to express the view of a great man, even though he believes that the ontological reality is that Jesus is only human. Another major problem with this is that to oppose story and theology is a false dichotomy. A story with no specific meaning is worthless. Can we tell the story of Jesus’ death which provides forgiveness of sin without clarifying who Jesus is, the purpose of his death, the nature of forgiveness, and the meaning and penalty of sin? All of these parts of the story must have content else we are left with a fairy tale. A similar tack is taken by Roger Olson who, along with Pinnock, raises the flag for narrative theology in which “truth-as-story,” with the “real world” being “created by the story,” produces “realistic history” (often “historylike but not likely to be historical” in Pinnock’s words—the fall is an example) replaces propositional revelation (“Whales and Elephants Both God’s Creatures But Can They Meet? Evangelicals and Liberals in Dialogue,” Pro Ecclesia 4.2 (1995): 165–89 (see esp. on narrative theology, 181–89). Olson desires to escape from “the poison of fundamentalism and … epistemological propositionalism” (176).

Likewise Bernard Ramm’s later work (his earlier work, Special Revelation and the Word of God, contains some excellent sections) also moves sharply away from propositional revelation to a view of Scripture heavily influenced by Barth (e.g., see his After Fundamentalism). Had I discovered it in time, I might have chosen to interact primarily with Kevin Vanhoozer’s article, “The Voice and the Actor: A Dramatic Proposal about the Ministry and Minstrelsy of Theology,” in Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method, ed. J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 61–106 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000) [hereafter cited as VVA], but I did not get to that volume early enough in this project. Vanhoozer’s approach is quite different from that of Grenz, primarily in that he has not (if I read him correctly) adopted a thorough-going postmodern framework as has Grenz, but raises some substantive issues related to propositional revelation, some of which I have noted in this paper. His work deserves significant interaction despite the obtuse writing style, overly-technical jargon, neologisms, and heavy dependence on analogy which makes the argument more opaque than necessary (and which also at times drives the argument rather than illustrates it).

Also note the recent dissertation by Glenn Galloway which argues that encounter with God is primary, theological propositions are not foundational, the cognitive holds no special place, and theological statements are second order, non-regulative affirmations (“The Efficacy of Propositionalism: The Challenge of Philosophical Linguistics and Literary Theory to Evangelical Theology,” Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1996), 253 (concluding summary).

31 A complete evaluation of Grenz’s system would certainly be helpful. At the least his systematic theology, Theology for the Community of God (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994; reprint, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000), ought to be incorporated, as well as his Renewing the Center (Grand Rapids; Baker, 2000) and Created for


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Community (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996). This paper, however, is deliberately limited in scope due to the time constraints of the ETS conference schedule. Only a few notes from the other volumes have been included. I have read from them, but have not been able to interact with them in detail.

Grenz proposes that the heart of modernity has been the authority of reason.32 We are now transitioning into postmodernity where this authority is now being challenged (RET, 15). Grenz blames evangelicalism’s preoccupation with propositional truth on their acceptance of the fundamentals that arose out of “the more intellectually oriented discussion” over liberalism’s antisupernatural approach—and this in contrast with the more personal orientation of earlier Protestant thought. A focus on “a person’s relationship with God” is said to be characteristic of 19th century theology in contrast to the propositional focus of fundamentalism and evangelicalism (26).

He is very much opposed to defining evangelicalism on the basis of doctrine. His proposal for revisioning evangelical theology involves moving beyond the “fixation with theology” (30). Instead the primary focus should be on experience, not on doctrinal formulations. Historically (and despite his previous assessment that evangelicals have been preoccupied with doctrine!) he argues that “because evangelicalism is not primarily constituted by a body of beliefs, the evangelical ethos is more readily ‘sensed’ than described theologically” (31).

Evangelical theology, according to Grenz, has been based on the conviction that the Bible is a deposit of cognitive revelation. Our duty is to learn that truth and be totally loyal to it. “As a result, many evangelicals view the task of theology primarily as systematizing and articulating the body of doctrine they assume to preexist implicitly or explicitly in Scripture” (62). But Grenz concludes that such an approach cannot serve to “revision” evangelical theology.

His specific discussion of propositional revelation begins with a four-page summary tracing the prominence of this doctrine from the 17th century Reformed scholasticism (his term) of Francis Turretin, through the 19th century work of the Princeton theologians, to the modern

32 I do not think that this is the right way to express this. It is not the authority of reason which lies at the heart of modernity, but the autonomy of unaided human reason exercised independently from and in defiance against God.


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defense of it in Carl F. H. Henry’s God, Revelation and Authority (RET, 66–69). The summary, though brief and quite selective, is fairly accurate of the issues included.

Grenz does acknowledge that a propositional view of revelation is correct in so far as “our faith is tied to the truth content of a divine revelation that has been objectively disclosed. God has communicated truth—himself—to us” (72).33 Grenz says that he does not object to a cognitive element in revelation. Rather, the deficiency of the traditional evangelical view of propositional revelation “is its often under-developed understanding of how the cognitive dimension functions within the larger whole of revelation” (73). This, of course, implies that there is a larger category of revelation that is not cognitive.34 His concern seems to be that benighted evangelicals have not adequately accounted for the social aspects of theological discourses. We have been captive to modernity in its focus on individualistic objective knowledge. In its place we must adopt a “profound community outlook” by recognizing the role of the community of faith in the theological task.

This community-based approach recognizes that “personal identity is formed within social structures” (73). Thus we can only understand and experience the world through a socially-mediated grid. Likewise our encounter with the divine is mediated through the conceptual framework of the religious community of which we are a part—and this corporate experience has priority over our individual encounter with divine reality (74).

How does this approach to theology work itself out? Grenz explains that the community recounts the biblical narrative of God’s work in our world to its members, thus creating the conceptual framework in which the community members view both themselves and their experience in the world. In turn, theology is the community’s reflection on this conceptual

33 This is not an adequate or an accurate statement of propositional revelation as it has traditionally been defined for it does not indicate that this objective truth content has been inscripturated in the Bible. It leaves open (and seems to imply) a personal view of revelation should someone claim that such is, indeed, objective. This may be merely a sloppy definition, or it could be a deliberate ambiguity.

34 Since cognition relates to the process of knowing or perceiving, how Grenz is aware of a noncognitive revelation or noncognitive aspects of revelation is unclear!


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framework and on their beliefs. As a result, theology has a very different function in Grenz’s system. It is no longer a study of the biblical revelation which instructs the community as to what they should believe (on the basis of propositional revelation), it is rather a “second-order” study of what they do believe—hopefully as a result of this vague recitation of the biblical narrative (which is propositional only in limited ways) (74–75).

The Bible is not equated with revelation, for revelation does not consist of propositional truth—it is rather “an event that has occurred in the community within which the believing individual stands” (76, emphasis added). The early church preserved the memory of the Christ event “together with the earliest responses to the revelation of God in Christ.” Later generations are then able to interact with this record of earlier responses to God’s revelation in such a way that they “become a continual source of revelation for the ongoing life of the community” (77).

The “truth” that we discover does not correspond directly with reality, but is a community-shaped understanding of it: “The ontological claims implicit in theological assertions arise as an outworking of the intent of the theologian to provide a model of reality, rather than to describe reality directly.” Or again, “By its very nature, the conceptual framework of a faith community claims to represent in some form the truth about the world and the divine reality its members have come to know and experience” (78–79). Truth is a social construct and what one community has come to “know and experience” may differ from the knowledge and experience of another community. Nor is this proposal subject to evaluation by rational, logical thought. Grenz argues elsewhere that,

The rational, scientific method is not the sole measure of truth, for aspects of truth lie beyond reason and cannot be fathomed by reason. As the old pietists declared, ‘the heart has reasons which the head cannot understand.’ … Our theology must give place to the concept of ‘mystery’—not as an irrational aspect alongside the rational, but as a reminder of the fundamentally nonrational or suprarational reality of God…. In the postmodern world we must reappropriate the older pietist discovery that a ‘right heart’ takes primacy over a ‘right head.’35

35 Stanley Grenz, “Star Trek and the Next Generation,” in The Challenge of Postmodernism, ed. David Dockery, 89–103 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995), 97, 99, 101.


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Grenz’s discussion of the sources of theology also reflects his challenge of propositional revelation. Although “twentieth-century postfundamentalist evangelical theology has tended to take a propositional approach…, the revisioned evangelical theology advocated in these chapters …. conceives theology as reflection on the faith commitment of the believing community” (RET, 87). Theology must therefore move beyond a “solely propositionalist paradigm” since its task is not “merely to discover divinely disclosed truth … lodged within the pages of the Bible.” This move requires “a revisioned understanding of the nature of the Bible’s authority [in which it functions] as the source for the symbols, stories, teachings and doctrines that form the cognitive framework for the worldview of the believing community” (88).

Three pillars are proposed as a tripartite source for theology: Scripture, tradition, and culture. The Bible (accepted fideistically: “we may simply assume the authority of the Bible”), is the primary norm.36 Based on this norm, a traditional body of teaching developed in the early church. This has been transmitted to subsequent generations and is now accepted by contemporary believing communities. Since theology is regarded as second-order discourse,37 “this body of beliefs likewise belongs to the faith of the church on which theology reflects” (95). Although creeds and confessions are “not binding in and of themselves,” they are still considered to be a source for theology (97). A holistic, inclusive analysis of the church’s social-historical-

36 Elsewhere Grenz says that inspired Scripture cannot be used as a premise for biblical authority, but instead the religious community senses this authority as a result of the Spirit’s illumination. The Bible is therefore viewed as authoritative and inspired “because believers in every age hear in them the voice of the Spirit as they seek to struggle with the issues they face in their unique and ever-changing context” (RET, 120). Bibliology is thus founded on a fideistic, existential base.

37 See the discussion of Lindbeck’s theological method later in the paper; Grenz explicitly bases his view of doctrine on Lindbeck’s model (e.g., RET, 77–78).


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cultural context forms the final source for theology.38 The goal is to “diligently draw these three sources into a creative, practical systematic theology” (100).39

Illumination becomes the umbrella term governing bibliology, including within it both inscripturation, inspiration, and canonization—as well as the community work in the “Scripture-forming process … as these people participated in the process of bringing Scripture into being” (122). Although this illumination of the Spirit is the same now as in the past, formative stage of Scripture, Grenz insists that the canon is complete. He also argues that we must move beyond “a one-to-one correspondence between the words of the Bible and the very Word of God” (130). That is, the “word of God” is not to be equated with Scripture, but is rather “the Holy Spirit announcing the good news about Jesus, which word the church speaks to us in the Spirit’s power and by the Spirit’s authority” (131).

In what appears to be a deliberate postmodern approach shunning “propositionalism,” Grenz never speaks in terms of biblical doctrine. He constantly refers to narrative illustrating or modeling or shaping appropriate action and appropriate responses by the faith community (e.g., 126–28). Rarely (ever?) does Grenz tell us that “the Bible teaches that….”

His focus on personal revelation (though that term is seldom used) and his resistance to propositional revelation can be seen in statements such as, “‘the revelation of God’ is the divine act of self-disclosure, which reveals nothing less than the essence of God, the ultimate truth which is God” (129).

38 The role of culture as a source for theology can be seen in Grenz’s discussion of church as community in which he argues on a philosophical (e.g., Charles Peirce and Josiah Royse) and (especially) on a sociological basis, appealing to the work of social scientists such as Emil Durkheim and George Herbert Meed (150–55). There is appeal to Scripture, but in the force of his discussion, cultural arguments carry (at least) equal weight.

39 One result of elevating these three to the level of sources is an insistence that all traditions within Christendom be counted as equal partners—including Roman Catholicism. This is said to be of value due to the broader perspective thus achieved while each maintains fidelity to their own confessional heritage and retains mutual respect of other groups (105–06).


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Excursus: Lindbeck, The Nature of Doctrine

Since a major component of Grenz’s view of revelation is explicitly based on Lindbeck’s Nature of Doctrine,40 it will be helpful to summarize the relevant portions of that proposal. Lindbeck, along with Hans Frei, David Kelsey, and Brevard Childs, represents the “New Yale School”—the “most influential postmodern experiment” in American biblical studies.41 Lindbeck argues that there is no basis upon which to establish truth in religion (11). His own approach is presented in contrast to both traditional propositional orthodoxy with its goal of objective truth and an accurate description of ontological reality, and to the symbolic, existential expressions of liberalism (16).

The older cognitive-propositional view was destroyed by Kant who demolished its epistemological foundations. Subsequent to Kant “most educated people” abandoned “literalistic propositional interpretations” of such things as creation on the basis of scientific developments. Instead, all doctrines came to be understood to be relative—conditioned by the historical context in which they emerge. In the place of this traditional cognitive view, Schleiermacher and his followers have proposed various theories of religion which “all locate ultimately significant contact with whatever is finally important to religion in the prereflective experiential depths of the self and regard the public or outer features of religion as expressive and evocative objectifications (i.e., nondiscursive symbols) of internal experience” (21).

40 George A. Lindbeck, The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1984).

41 Richard A. Mohler, “The Integrity of the Evangelical Tradition and the Challenge of the Postmodern Paradigm,” in The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement, ed. David S. Dockery, 67–88 (Wheaton: Victor, 1995), 76. Mohler summarizes the New Yale School’s approach as follows: “Foundational to this school is the claim that a new epistemological situation represents a new post-Enlightenment challenge to the Christian truth claim and to our understanding of Scripture and doctrine…. The main thrust of this movement is to shift the basis of Christian theology away from a propositional claim based upon an objective and universal revelation, to a self-consciously local and particular narrative claim rooted in a specific cultural-linguistic system. Thus, the universal truth claim of Christianity is reduced to a culture-specific system of shared meaning” (77). For a critique of issues related to historicity in relation to narrative theology, see my article “Realistic or Historical Narrative?” Journal of Ministry and Theology 4.1 (Spring 2000): 52–81.


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In place of these two approaches, Lindbeck proposes a regulative theory in which doctrines do not state propositional truths or serve as existential symbols, but rather function as communally authoritative rules which specify when, where, and how specific items apply. Thus both transubstantiation and those doctrines which would appear to contradict it may both be “true” because the doctrine only serves to specify rules of sacramental thought and practice that apply in specified historical and ecclesiastical contexts.

In contrast to a traditional, orthodox view of religion in which truth is determined by the correspondence of objective propositions to ontological reality, Lindbeck’s (admittedly novel) version of a cultural-linguistic view of religion defines truth in terms of categorical adequacy: i.e., does a religion have adequate categories “which can be made to apply to what is taken to be real” (48)—to make meaningful statements. As a result different religions may have “incommensurable notions of truth.” This is not a problem to Lindbeck, however, since these statements simply have different functions.

Lindbeck also defines the ontological truth of religious statements on a different basis than non religious ones. Here he insists that a propositional statement cannot be true—cannot correspond with reality—in and of itself. It can only be such when it is viewed as a function of constituting or regulating a particular way of life “which itself corresponds to the Most Important, the Ultimately Real.” He uses Austin’s terminology42 at this point to explain that a statement can only be elevated to propositional status by becoming a performative act (i.e., a deed that “helps create that correspondence,” 65). For example, the only way in which the statement “Jesus is Lord” can be viewed as propositionally true is for the speaker to commit himself to a way of life that reflects such a relationship (66). This declaration “becomes a first-order proposition capable … of making ontological truth claims only as it is used in the activities

42 J. L. Austin, How to Do Things with Words (The William James Lectures, Harvard Univ., 1955), ed. J. O. Urmson and Marina Sbisà, 2d ed. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press, 1975).


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of adoration, proclamation, obedience, promise-hearing, and promise-keeping which shape individuals and communities into conformity to the mind of Christ” (68).

This domesticates propositional truth to the point where one cannot make any objectively true statement about religious matters other than those which seem to enable a direct expression in conduct. By this standard the statement, “the personal, triune God of the Bible exists” would be false if stated by a non-believer—or if it appeared in print. At this level we are dealing with some form of existential truth (Lindbeck denies that this is so, but his disclaimer is not convincing) and we have dichotomized/bifurcated our world into two compartments—the physical (in which objective reality does exist apart from any personal act in relation to it) and the religious (in which there is only existential “reality”). Lindbeck explicitly acknowledges that we do not define truth or reality in the manner described above in relation to non-religious statements (65–66).

Propositional truth and falsity characterize ordinary religious language when it is used to mold lives through prayer, praise, preaching, and exhortation. It is only on this level that human beings linguistically exhibit their truth or falsity, their correspondence or lack of correspondence to the Ultimate Mystery. Technical theology and official doctrine, in contrast, are second-order discourse about the first-intentional uses of religious language. Here, in contrast to the common supposition, one rarely, if ever, succeeds in making affirmations with ontological import, but rather engages in explaining, defending, analyzing, and regulating the liturgical, kerygmatic, and ethical modes of speech and action within which such affirmations from time to time occur.…theology and doctrine, to the extent that they are second-order activities, assert nothing either true or false about God and his relation to creatures, but only speak about such assertions” (69).

This second-order discourse thus consists of rules which regulate and illustrate correct usage: “exemplary instantiations of paradigms” (81). New rules may be formulated, but there are no higher order directives which govern this process. The result is pluralistic diversity with no objective standards to govern communal life—even though “some crucial usages are beautifully


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right and others dangerously wrong. The experts must on occasion bow to the superior wisdom of the competent speaker who simply knows that such and such is right or wrong even though it violates the rules they have formulated” (82). Anything which might be stated in propositional form about God or the world is variable. The only continuity/unity in the diverse expressions of Christianity is that they are all molded by the biblical stories—doctrine and experience “may be fantastically different” (83–84).

How much of Lindbeck’s total system Grenz is willing to acknowledge is unclear. He does explicitly appeal to Lindbeck to justify his classification of doctrine as regulative, second-order discourse in a culturally-conditioned community setting (RET, 77–78). This appears to be the heart of both approaches. Grenz does disavow Lindbeck’s discounting of the “ontological intent of theological descriptions” (RET, 85), but theological declarations are still said not to describe reality directly; they are only a model of reality (RET, 78).

Evaluation

What are we to make of these proposals? Is Henry’s traditional, orthodox position still viable? Or is the radical new system proposed by Grenz to be adopted as a new and improved evangelical product?

Grenz

A number of things may be said about the revisioned evangelicalism that Grenz proposes. I would suggest that there are nine major problematic issues arising from Grenz’s material considered in this paper. First, Grenz rummages across the full range of Christendom and cites writers from a vast array of perspectives in support of his “revisionings.” This accords with his claim of tradition as a source for theology, but he makes no allowance for the radically different presuppositions of these writers. Wide reading and interaction is certainly legitimate in scholarly pursuits, but this reading must reflect a critical appropriation which is very much on the thin side in Grenz’s work. It seems that a wide convergence of non-evangelical scholars carries more


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weight than the ongoing consistency within the evangelical mainstream. Liberal critiques of conservative, evangelical positions are more persuasive to Grenz than capable, conservative discussions of orthodox doctrine. And throughout all of this there is, as Tom Nettles has pointed out,

precious little biblical exposition in his proposal…. He hardly even touches the surface of the biblical teaching concerning the relationship between revelation and inscripturation. It would seem, even casually, that a theological method which assigned Scripture a role different from that which it claims for itself cannot be a helpful model…. Without this kind of strong reasoning from Scripture, Grenz’s presentation remains theologically flaccid.43

Second, is it fair to suggest, as Grenz does, that evangelical theology has been based on the conviction that the Bible is a deposit of cognitive revelation to which we must be totally loyal? Certainly no evangelical will suggest that we should be disloyal, but Grenz’s argument implies that this is as far as evangelicalism often goes. Though some may be content at this point, that is not a fair representation of the heart of evangelicalism which has placed a great deal of emphasis on our duty to obey as well as to know. It is partly by such a caricature that Grenz sets the stage for rejecting or denigrating the importance of propositional revelation. As Groothuis affirms,

The purpose of divine revelation is not merely the enunciation of a set of true propositions. Nevertheless, without these true propositions, revelation vanishes as a conceptual category, for there remains no cognitive content to be revealed. Revelation is God’s effort to make himself known in ways that bear on every dimension of the human being—the mind, the emotions, the imagination and the will. The entire person must bow before the Creator and Redeemer in submission to the Holy Spirit. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength as our first priority; within that first-order theological affirmation, we then love our neighbor as ourselves (see Mt 22:37–39).44

Third, throughout his discussion Grenz reflects considerable misconception regarding cognition, logic, reason, rationality, etc. His thrust seems to be an attempt to do theology apart from such categories. Revelation includes cognitive elements and propositions, but this is only part of the picture according to Grenz. But what is cognition? If cognition, as the dictionary says,

43 Tom Nettles, “Review of Revisioning Evangelical Theology by Stanley Grenz,” Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (Spring 1994): 126.

44 Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity against the Challenges of Postmodernism (Downers Grove: IVP, 2000), 120.


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is the process of knowing or perceiving, how can there be revelation or theology on any basis other than the cognitive? If one cannot know or perceive something, it is not particularly suitable as a basis for theology and certainly cannot count as revelation in any meaningful sense of that term.45 If the point is simply that much of human action is not logical, is that particularly profound? A postmodern outlook was not needed to discover this. Many motivations are volitional, emotional, etc., rather than strictly logical. But as Henry points out, this “deflective role of dubious presuppositions and of aberrant desire in human decision are important emphases in Christian theology. But not for a moment do they obscure the important role of appropriate evidence and of logical consistency.”46

Likewise Grenz’s classification of truth as being in part “beyond reason” and the reality of God as “fundamentally nonrational or suprarational” are impossible constructs. Although he denies that this means that truth or God are “illogical,” what can nonrational mean? Is it legitimate to exclude considerations of rationality from any discussions of truth or of God? This attempt seems to view logic and rationality as somehow distinct from God and reality—a category that is sometimes relevant and sometimes not, as for example, electronics. This is a legitimate category of reality, but it is not always relevant. Some things are non-electronic. A carrot is non-electronic. That does not mean that carrots contradict electronics, only that the category of electronics is not relevant to a discussion of carrots. Grenz appears to suggest that this is the case with some aspects of truth and of God—logic and rationality are not always relevant categories. (I say, “appears to suggest,” since, if Grenz is correct, this logical conclusion may be irrelevant!) This “electronic carrots fallacy” casts serious doubts on the coherence of Grenz’s theological method and his view of biblical revelation. Rationality must be viewed as a

45 “If divine revelation is truly revelation it must reach the human race in a substantial form. It must come as speech or language and bearing a rich conceptual booty with it.” And again, “without conceptual elements ‘pure encounter’ becomes meaningless encounter. And with conceptual elements one must admit that revelation is not only encounter but also conceptual, i.e., it contains ‘truths’” (Ramm, Special Revelation, 151, 153 n. 20).

46 Carl F. H. Henry, “Postmodernism: The New Spectre?” in The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement, ed. David S. Dockery, 34–52 (Wheaton: BridgePoint/Victor Books, 1995), 50. It is possible that “deflective” is a typo for “defective,” but either reading communicates essentially the same point.


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reflection of God’s nature and relevant to all aspects of truth.47 Apart from the laws of logic, Grenz could not even raise his objection since apart from the law of noncontradiction language conveys no meaning.48

Fourth, equally objectionable is the role which Grenz assigns to the community. In his approach, corporate expression of the divine has priority over individual encounter with divine reality. This is also reflected in the weight that Grenz places on tradition as a source for theology. This denies sola Scriptura (that Scripture, not community, is the final authority for faith and life) and the priesthood of all believers. “Schleiermacher was right at least in this—the believer is not first related to the church which in turn relates her to Christ, but is instead first related to Christ who in turn relates her to the church.”49 Vanhoozer also points out that “we should resist locating interpretative authority in community consensus, for even believing communities, as we know from the Old Testament narratives, often get it badly wrong, and to locate authority in the community itself is to forgo the possibility of prophetic critique.”50

Fifth, this community focus leads to Grenz’s insistence, following Lindbeck, that doctrines are second-order beliefs, not first-order propositions. By making doctrine a second-order enterprise, Grenz has destroyed any possibility of objective truth in theology since that discipline is now excluded from attempting to discern the ontological nature of reality and has become a descriptive, sociological serf to what the community believes. Although referring to Lindbeck’s position, Vanhoozer’s evaluation is also true of Grenz:

47 See Henry’s rigorous discussion of this issue as summarized in the first part of this paper and Groothuis, Truth Decay, 175–79. McGrath’s statement implying multiple logics (see n. 28) encounters similar problems and reflects a confusion between logic and rationality on one hand and philosophical systems or world views on the other—i.e., how logic is used. Groothuis critiques McGrath at this point (ibid., 120–27).

48 Ramm once wrote that “it is not unusual to find the law of contradiction derided as if it prompted an arid intellectualism or revived the wooden methods of the scholastics. Theologians and religious writers who take such a cavalier attitude towards the law of contradiction had best check with logic. MacIntyre calls our attention to the fact in logic that if a contradiction is allowed in our system any proposition may follow” (Ramm, Special Revelation, 143 n. 6).

49 VVA, 86.

50 Ibid., 80.


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Lindbeck’s cultural-linguistic model, by seeing theology’s task as describing the grammar of the community’s culture and language, ultimately runs the risk of reducing theology to cultural anthropology, in which talk about God just is talk about the community. Such a reduction amounts to a failure to speak of God…, and hence to a failure to preserve the reality of God, together with his divine initiatives. Failure to refer to the divine initiatives results, in turn, in the loss of the central point of the good news, which is to say, in the loss of the gospel itself.51

Turning doctrines into rules (as Lindbeck does) enables a pluralist to hold that mutually contradictory beliefs (e.g., transubstantiation and, say, a memorial view of the Lord’s Table) are equally true. This is possible since doctrine is now only a rule which prescribes how one is to conduct oneself in a particular religious community. It is not a first-order statement, an absolute statement of ontological reality. It is difficult to see how Grenz can escape a similar debacle. If doctrines are only second-order descriptions of community belief, what precludes different communities from validly professing contradictory beliefs? On what basis is one community’s belief to be preferred to another’s? Or are we now to become genuine pluralists and accept such contradictions? This is “a massive concession fatal to any evangelical theology.”52

Sixth, to elevate tradition and culture to the level of sources for theology, in the same category as Scripture (as Grenz does), is a startling move in terms of theological method. That Grenz specifies Scripture as the most important of these sources is not particularly reassuring. The fact that they are categorical equals lowers Scripture from is proper sola Scriptura pedestal. Roman Catholicism has, of course, elevated tradition as a legitimate source for centuries, but only the more radical liberal scholars have ever dared accord culture such a place. Carson’s reaction to these moves is appropriate:

Grenz rejects the “propositionalism” in “modern evangelicalism’s” approach to Scripture. He does not fairly assess how affirmation of the Bible’s truthfulness has been characteristic of believers throughout church history until the modern and postmodern periods, or evaluate how numbers of contemporary evangelical scholars want to uphold the propositional truthfulness of Scripture where propositions are offered to us, while still recognizing other dimensions of truth…. He prefers the direction illumined by Schleiermacher, arguing that the three sources or norms for theology are Scripture, tradition, and culture. This is, to say the least, decidedly unhelpful. Quite apart from the

51 Ibid., 100.

52 Mohler, “Integrity of the Evangelical Tradition,” 81.


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extraordinary complexities of linking Scripture and tradition in this way, the addition of culture is astonishing. One might hazard a guess that Grenz has read enough to recognize that the interpreter cannot escape his or her own culture, and therefore has put down culture as a norm or source of theology, without recognizing the minefield he has created for himself…. With the best will in the world, I cannot see how Grenz’s approach to Scripture can be called “evangelical” in any useful sense.53

Seventh, there are disconcerting parallels in Grenz’s view of revelation with neo-orthodoxy. Although it is not precisely the same, his reticence to directly identify the Bible with revelation,54 viewing revelation rather as an event, the response to which by the believing community is preserved in the Bible, certainly has Barthian echoes.55 The Bible as the community’s “continual source of revelation” as each generation interacts with and confronts the record of these events in the biblical documents sounds very much like the existential, “break through” encounter with the divine—only now it is a community confrontation rather than an individual crisis.

In regards to Grenz’s claim that revelation is God’s “act of self-disclosure, which reveals nothing less than the essence of God” (129), defining “revelation” as an act is not the issue. It is the suggestion that this act reveals God’s essence. Although Moses, for example, may have seen God’s glory (certainly not his essence), he also heard God’s voice which interpreted the significance of that revelation in cognitive terms.56 In any case, the believer today has no direct access or recourse to this act of revelation, having only the inscripturated text of the biblical record which records in propositional form the knowledge of that event which we need.

53 D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), 481. Lest anyone conclude that Carson dismisses Grenz’s thesis by assertion, note that Carson references the entire first two parts of his book (over 350 pages) as his critique of such a move.

54 In his systematic theology, Theology for the Community of God, Grenz does say that “the Bible is God’s Word to us” (396) but this is only “on the basis of this understanding of revelation” that he has earlier summarized, including his statement that we are precluded “from making a simple one-to-one correspondence between the words of Scripture and the word of God” (395). (This section largely reproduces material from RET.)

55 Elsewhere he does suggest that we should resist Barth’s “inordinate emphasis on the event character of revelation” (Theology for the Community of God, 392).

56 This is not to suggest, as Grenz does, a neo-orthodox-type distinction between Historie and Geschichte (ibid., 394).


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Nor is the recognition of personal aspects of revelation in any way contrary to propositional revelation. One of the best explanations of the relationship between these two aspects of revelation is the clear statement of the earlier Ramm.

What does it mean to disclose a Person? … Real encounter in life between persons is always within the context of mutual knowledge. This mutual knowledge is not opposed to the encounter, but it is its indispensable instrument…. Therefore to speak of revelation of a Person and not of truths is to speak … nonsense. God is given in revelation as a Person, but along with truths of God. Encounter with God is meaningful because it is not ineffable; by virtue of the conceptual element of special revelation it is also a knowledge of God. Revelation is event and interpretation, encounter and truth, a Person and knowledge.57

Eighth, one of the most crucial faults in Grenz’s approach is the denial of any form of foundationalism and a denial of the correspondence view of truth—the loss of an overarching metanarrative that possesses universal validity. This is at the heart of postmodernity and is flaunted by the postconservatives as an assured conclusion. It is seldom argued. Modernity is dead, therefore foundationalism (in any form) is also passé.58 The assumption (sometimes stated explicitly, sometimes only implied) is that evangelicalism has been modern in its epistemology and since postmodernity has now dethroned modernity, the epistemology of evangelicalism must be jettisoned in favor of the new monarch. But is this premise accurate? Does evangelicalism wear modernity’s epistemological clothes? Or is there a biblical worldview and implicit epistemology that long predates the Enlightenment? Groothuis argues that “although the Bible does not present a carefully nuanced philosophical discussion of the nature of truth, it does offer a unified perspective on the matter of truth and falsity that flatly opposes the postmodernist orientation.”59 It is certainly not possible here to enter the complex discussions of truth and epistemology. Suffice it to say that these issues have been thoroughly explored by capable

57 Ramm, Special Revelation, 159–60. In a footnote to this statement, Ramm references Ronald Hepburn (Christianity and Paradox [London: Watts, 1958], 33ff) to the effect that “the concept of ‘pure encounter’ is simply a nest of logical problems and no way out can be found until knowledge about is admitted. As soon as we recognize this our thesis that revelation is meeting a Person, not assent to truths, crumbles.”

58 Olson is one of the most blatant in this regard (“Whales and Elephants,” 170–76).

59 Groothuis, Truth Decay, 60.


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evangelicals and there is no need to accept the postconservative, postmodernist conclusion that there are no universals—that all “truth” is community relative.60

The ninth and final area of Grenz’s system that deserves attention (at least in this paper!) is the structure of his theology. Although the specific categories and structure of systematic theology are not inspired and sacrosanct, nevertheless the way in which a theologian chooses to organize his system is often indicative of his views of the source, nature, and role of theology. Grenz’s system is novel in this regard. As was pointed out above, bibliology (including the issues of revelation and epistemology) is not the starting point for Grenz’s theology. These topics are instead included under pneumatology, specifically in terms of illumination (his systematic theology is structured this way also61). By the structure in and of itself, Grenz is teaching that our knowledge of God does not start in the objective realm of Scripture, but in the subjective realm of our apprehension of the Spirit. But how does one know that there is a Holy Spirit apart from Scripture? How does one determine that what he “senses” is from the Holy Spirit rather than from his own imagination or even from some other spirit? In light of the biblical warnings regarding the deceitfulness of the human heart and of the adversary (e.g., Jer. 17:9; 2 Cor. 11:3–5, 13–15), this opens the door to both mysticism and to other potentially nefarious influences.62 Grenz’s response to this objection is an appeal to the community versus the individual. But this is no great security given the community record of apostasy and false teaching in both testaments as well as throughout church history. Apart from an objective record there is no basis to confront a wayward individual or community. Yes, either may also misread

60 Two of the better discussions of these issues are D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God, and Groothuis, Truth Decay.

61 Grenz, Theology for the Community of God, 379–404.

62 Although addressed to the neo-orthodox, the warning by Reymond is relevant here—if from a slightly different perspective: “The human religious existent who would espouse the epistemological views of neoorthodoxy can never be sure that the nonverbal subjective religious encounter concerning which he boasts was with God and not with his own subjective consciousness, if not with Satan himself. How does he know it is a true and not a false religious experience? What reason can he offer to justify his verbal explication of his nonverbal religious experience? And why should anyone believe him?” (Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith [Nashville: Nelson, 1998], 16).


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Scripture, but in that case there remains an objective text to confront and correct the errant reader/s. When the appeal is first and primarily to illumination, there is no recourse, especially given Grenz’s view of doctrine as only descriptive of community belief.

Not only do we face these dangers, but if the Spirit’s work of illumination today is essentially the same as in the formative stages of Scripture,63 why stop with a completed canon in the first century? There is no reason not to see an on-going revelatory work of the Spirit extending the canon indefinitely. Grenz explicitly rejects this conclusion (RET, 132), but only by assertion; no logical grounds for such a conclusion are given—a glaring weakness in light of his previous arguments.

My conclusion regarding Grenz’s view of propositional revelation and his theological method is that, despite some interesting and even helpful discussions at times, I must join the ranks of those who conclude that this is not a legitimate form of evangelical theology. In the words of D. A. Carson, “With the best will in the world, I cannot see how Grenz’s approach to Scripture can be called “evangelical” in any useful sense.”64 Or, as Tom Nettles concludes his review, “following [Grenz’s] suggestions … would be devastating to evangelical Christianity and set it on a course of theological confusion…. His neutrality, if not negativism, toward propositional revelation, bibliological apologetics, and explicit commitment to inerrancy is both unnecessary and hurtful.”65

Henry

Does Henry fare any better? My conclusion is that, yes, this is the path that we must follow in terms of a biblical doctrine of revelation. It is not necessary to repeat the summary of Henry’s proposals at this point. There are some possible refinements and clarifications that could be

63 A related problem that I have not addressed is the role that Grenz assigns to the community in the formation of Scripture (not canonization, but inscripturation). This has been critiqued by Tom Nettles in his review of Grenz’s book: Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (1994): 126–27.

64 Carson, Gagging of God, 481.

65 Tom Nettles, “Review,” Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (1994): 130.


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helpful, but the essential position that Henry has delineated is clear and accurate. The following concluding remarks draw on the discussions of Ramm and Vanhoozer to suggest several complementary aspects of the discussion.

Grenz and others reject propositionalism because they insist that revelation is not just a collection of propositions (e.g., RET, 69–71). Others suggest that “what is of value in Scripture are the statements or truth conveyed by its language” (VVA, 75). But Henry would agree with both of these statements. Propositional revelation does not refer to a view which asserts that the Bible consists of a string of technical propositional statements. The terminology may not be ideal since, as Ramm points out, it prejudices the issue at the outset by picturing revelation as “God dictating Euclidean theological statements.” 66 The term is used in evangelical theology in a more general sense as a verbal statement conveying meaning. As Ramm goes on to explain,

the phrase intends that there is a valid conceptual side to revelation. The phrase intends that there is a knowledge of God in revelation. The phrase signifies that the writing of theology is not a futile task because God may be studied in his revelation. The expression means to say that when God comes to us he comes to us in truth. And whoever writes a theology at all admits the intention of the phrase, “propositional revelation.” For it is only under the intentions of this phrase that theology is possible at all. Deny the intentions of this phrase and theology could never be written.67

Nor does Henry disagree that what is of value is the truth conveyed. Propositional revelation is that view which argues that the Scriptures constitute an objective, rational, effable, verbal deposit of a wide range of information, couched in a wide range of literary forms that serve a variety of functions. Often the same literary form/verbal statement can function in multiple ways depending on how the author employs it in any given context.

Just because many portions of Scripture are couched in poem, parable, narrative, etc. does not in the least contradict the description of revelation as propositional, for that term does not require every part of the text to be in the form of a technical Euclidean proposition. Yet every part of Scripture conveys specific, conceptual content irrespective of genre. As Ramm puts it,

66 Ramm, Special Revelation, 154.

67 Ibid., 154–55.


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this content “does not reside in Scripture exclusively in terms of ‘propositions’ but lies buried there in literary, historical, and poetic forms; nevertheless, out of the process of mining and smelting the knowledge of God may be cast in a discursive form.”68

Vanhoozer’s discussion of theological method proposes that the “covenantal canon” must be understood as communicative action and thus “any and all attempts to reduce theology (and revelation) to something exclusively ‘propositional’ or exclusively ‘personal’” are to be resisted.69 He argues for a “phronetic,” canonical-linguistic theological method that is consciously postfoundationalist, postpropositionalist, and postconservative.70

Although they address the same issues of theological method and biblical authority, and both use Henry as their verbal sparring partner in regard to the nature of revelation, Grenz and Vanhoozer come to opposing conclusions. Grenz spars with Henry because they have very different views of revelation and biblical authority. Vanhoozer, on the other hand, challenges Henry due to a difference in emphasis. Despite Vanhoozer’s claim to be a postpropositionalist, I am not convinced that he really understands Henry. Perhaps my understanding of Vanhoozer is skewed, but despite the rhetoric and the terminological differences (caused mostly by Vanhoozer’s analogical neologisms), I think that Vanhoozer is much closer to Henry than he realizes. Henry focuses his attention on the nature of biblical revelation; his discussion of personal elements of revelation (both the personal Revealer and the appropriate personal response of the recipient/s) are not central. Vanhoozer, by contrast, focuses (at least in this article) primarily on the personal, relational aspects of revelation, almost exclusively on the Christian’s proper response to God’s revelation. Henry’s topic is revelation, Vanhoozer’s is

68 Ibid., 156.

69 VVA, 64 n. 8.

70 Ibid. These are his own terms, perhaps encouraged by the postconservative context in which he delivered the original paper? Vanhoozer has mined speech-act theory (Austin and Searle) for its contribution to the discussion, something that he has done more extensively in his Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, The Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998)—a book that I must confess to have not yet finished as of this writing. I have found the first half of the book very helpful.


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theology. As a result, a number of Vanhoozer’s proposals can be used to supplement Henry’s discussion.

Vanhoozer suggests that “God reveals himself by what he does” (VVA, 72), and Henry would surely agree (GRA, 2:151ff, 247ff). But can we accurately understand what it is that God does—what it is that God reveals/communicates apart from some verbal, cognitive content? Henry would say, no.71 One might observe, say, the exodus or the cross, but apart from a verbal interpretation of the event, might interpret it in many different ways. The event of the cross could be viewed as a failure, a hoax, a heroic martyrdom, or God’s provision of a sin-bearer. But in any event we must remember that “the most common of all the acts of God in history is the use of quotation marks”72—in other words, God has spoken. Frequently.

“Revelation” may refer to either God’s action or to the account of that action (either a verbal account by a prophet or an apostle, or the written account—the Bible). The word is used both ways in Scripture.73 Once written, “the Bible—the Word of God—is … an instrument of divine action” (VVA, 71). This is what Vanhoozer refers to in terms of communicative action—“God’s word does things” (72). In more traditional theological terms, this is the animation of the Word (Heb. 4:12). Revelation is not an ongoing act in this instance, but as people read and understand this verbal revelation it serves to instruct them—to challenge, rebuke, encourage, etc. The

71 Reymond would agree with Henry (New Systematic Theology, 5).

72 Nigel M. DE S. Cameron, “Revelation, Idea of,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. W. Elwell, 679–82 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 679.

73 The primary vocabulary in both the OT and NT (hlfg@f and ajpokaluvptw/ajpokavluyiV) are used most frequently of the act involved in God’s disclosure, but reference to the written record as revelation is not unknown. The OT does not express the concept of a written revelation by a noun form of hlfg@f (to reveal; there is no nominal form of this root that designates the content of the revelation), although the articular participle clearly has this meaning in Deut. 29:28 .t)&z@ha hrfw&t@ha yr"b:d@i-lk@f-t)e tw&#&(jla Mlfw&(-d(a w@nyn"bfl:w@ w@nlf t$lg:n@ihaw: (the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, in order that we may follow/obey all the words of the law [Eng. v. 29]). The preceding context refers not only to the tyrib@: (covenant, v. 24 [25]), but also to the rpes" (book, v. 26 [27]) in which the covenant was written. Also the purpose clause at the end of v. 28 [29] (l with the infinitive construct) makes it clear that the things revealed are t)&z@ha hrfw&t@ha yr"b:d@i-lk@f (all the words of this law). More often the OT refers to the written revelation as the word of the Lord (hwhy rbad@:) or as Torah (hrfw&t@). In the NT, ajpokavluyiV refers to the text of Scripture in Rom. 16:25–26 (ajpokavluyin musthrivou ... fanerwqevntoV de; nu:n diav te grafw:n profhtikw:n); note the parallel between the two phrases. Likewise in Rev. 1:1, ajpokavluyiV )Ihsou: Cristou: is parallel with tou;V lovgouV th:V profhteivaV.


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common statement (or its many variations), “God’s Word speaks to me…” does not (or should not be taken to!) imply a new act of revelation, but refers to the effect of the written Scriptures on the lives of the reader.

Authority in theology is based on the self-revelation of God through the Scriptures, which are the result of a human/divine concursus. Theology must respond appropriately to God’s self-revelation.74

“Theology is possible only as a word comes to us from beyond ourselves. There must be an effable … and transcendent … word if theology is to be truly the knowledge of God. There can be logia only as revelation is effable, and it can only be tou theou … only as it truly comes from God.”75

Bibliography

The following bibliography is by no means a complete bibliography on this subject, though it does include a substantial amount of material beyond that which has been cited in the paper. I include it here for the benefit of those interested in pursuing the topic further.

Austin, John L. How to Do Things with Words. Edited by J. Urmson and M. Sbisà. 2d ed. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1975.

Baillie, John. The Idea of Revelation in Recent Thought. London: Oxford University Press, 1956.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. Edited by G. W. Bromiley and T. F. Torrance. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1936–69.

Boice, James M. Witness and Revelation in the Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970.

Brunner, Emil. The Christian Doctrine of God: Dogmatics, v. 1. London: Lutterworth, 1949

Bultmann, Rudolph. Theology of the New Testament. Translated by K. Grobel, 2 vols. London: SCM, 1952–55.

74 VVA, 74. The above is my summary of Vanhoozer’s thesis, stripped of its jargon.

75 Ibid., 159.


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Cameron, Nigel M. DE S. “Revelation, Idea of.” In Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell, 679–82. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.

Carnell, Edward John. The Case for Orthodox Theology. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1959.

Carson, D. A. The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

Clark, Gordon H. Karl Barth’s Theological Method. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1963.

________. Logic. Jefferson, Maryland: Trinity Foundation, 1985.

Dockery, David S., ed. The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995.

Dulles, Avery. The Craft of Theology: From Symbol to System. New York: Crossroad, 1999.

Erickson, Millard J. Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

________. The Evangelical Left: Encountering Postconservative Evangelical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.

Fackre, Gabriel. The Doctrine of Revelation: A Narrative Interpretation. Edinburgh Studies in Constructive Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.

Galloway, Glenn Monroe. “The Efficacy of Propositionalism: The Challenge of Philosophical Linguistics and Literary Theory to Evangelical Theology.” Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1996.

Grenz, Stanley J. Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996.

________. Renewing the Center: Evangelical Theology in a Post-Theological Era. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

________. Revisioning Evangelical Theology: A Fresh Agenda for the 21st Century. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1993.

________. “Star Trek and the Next Generation.” In The Challenge of Postmodernism. Edited by David Dockery, 89–103. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995.

________. Theology for the Community of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

________. What Christians Really Believe and Why. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998.


36

Grenz, Stanley J. and Roger E. Olson. 20th Century Theology: God and the World in a Transitional Age. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1992.

________. Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

Groothuis, Douglas. Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2000.

Henry, Carl F. H. God, Revelation and Authority. 6 vols. Waco, TX: Word, 1976–83.

________. “Postmodernism: The New Spectre?” In The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Edited by David Dockery, 34–52. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995.

________. Toward a Recovery of Christian Belief: The Rutherford Lectures. Wheaton: Crossway, 1990.

Henry, Carl F. H., ed. Revelation and the Bible: Contemporary Evangelical Thought. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1958.

Hirsch, Jr., E. D. Validity in Interpretation. London: Yale University Press, 1967.

Kelsey, David H. Proving Doctrine: The Uses of Scripture in Modern Theology. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1999.

________. The Uses of Scripture in Recent Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1975.

Lewis, Donald and Alister McGrath, eds. Doing Theology for the People of God: Studies in Honor of J. I. Packer. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

Lindbeck, George A. The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1984.

Marty, Martin E. and Dean G. Peerman, eds. A Handbook of Christian Theologians. Nashville: Abingdon, 1984.

McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1994.

________. Evangelicalism and the Future of Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1995.

________. “Evangelical Theological Method: The State of the Art.” In Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Edited by J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 15–37. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

________. The Genesis of Doctrine: A Study in the Foundation of Doctrinal Criticism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.


37

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________. Understanding Doctrine: What It Is—And Why It Matters. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

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________. “Evangelical Theology and Karl Barth: Representative Models of Response.” Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1989.

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Pinnock, Clark H. Tracking the Maze: Finding Our Way Through Modern Theology from an Evangelical Perspective. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990.

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________. Special Revelation and the Word of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961.


38

________. The Christian View of Science and Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1954.

Stackhouse, Jr., John G., ed. Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1951–63.

Torrance, Thomas F. Theological Science. London: Oxford University Press, 1969.

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Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, The Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.

________. “The Voice and the Actor: A Dramatic Proposal about the Ministry and Minstrelsy of Theology.” In Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Edited by J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 61–106. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

White, James Emery. What is Truth? A Comparative Study of the Positions of Cornelius Van Til, Francis Schaeffer, Carl F. H. Henry, Donald Bloesch, Millard Erickson. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.

PHIL\4V21Z91mortificationfeb2010

wED, GAL 5 FLESH.    WED AM GRHV. [LATEST VERSION OF EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN [MOVED FROM SUN-WED AM. MORE LIKE THE MASTER; MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS, P 31-THE SOLID ROCK.  WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE; TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, O FOR 1000 TONGUES TO SING¼”].   I’M STILL JUMPING OFf FROM PHILIPPIANS 4:21 (KJV) WHICH SAYS, “21 SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS….”

          The last time I WAS WITH YOU I was TRYING TO PRESENT THE  PROPOSITION THAT THE SAINTS Being SALUTED WERE LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT IF WE ARE REAL CHRISTIANS WE ARE SAINTS BUT WE CAN  BECOME SAINTLIER. Then I MENTIONED THAT PART OF OUR IMPROVEMENT IN SAINTLINESS HAS TO DO WITH BECOMING MORE LIE THE SAVIOR & LESS LIKE THE SATAN BY

CRUCIFYING OR MORTIFYING OUR OLD SIN NATURE, SOMETIMES CALLED THE FLESH NATURE.

THIS PROCESS OR ACTIVITY OF  crucifYiING OR MORTIFYING OUR SIN NATURE OR FLESH REMINDED ME OF AN OLD TEACHING THAT IS NOT HEARD MUCH ANY MORE ABOUT [pRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY, Part 2: Progress in the Christian Life, Chapter 7,] THE DOCTRINE OF MORTIFICATION.

By MORTIFICATION I MEAN the practice of self  discipline to overcome desires for sin and to strengthen the will against sin, Satan, & the SATANIC WORLD SYSTEM.

WRITTEN & PREACHED ON MORTIFICATION & SAY THAT SANCTIFICATION & revival, AS AN 

OLD FASHIONED, MOVEMENT OF GOD EVIDENCED IN LIFE AS practical godliness, & A  fuller conformity to the holy image of Christ IN RENOUNCING & AVOIDING SIN ARE BOTH RELATED TO MORTIFICATION.

I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO [PINK] SUGGEST The "revival" we need is a deliverance from thE spiritual apathy and laxity IN HOLY LIVING which now characterizes TOO MANY CLAIMING TO BE Christian.

I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO CALL PROFESSING CHRISTIANS TO DEDICATION, self-denial, and A closer walk with God TO become More fruitful

in the CHRISTIAN LIFE  OF good WITNESSING & GOOD works.”

WHILE SOME ARE DOUBTING THAT There is a possibility of such a revival, I DO NOT, &

2 things are sure : whatever the future may hold for this world, THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION DEMONSTRATES THAT God will maintain a testimony unto Himself (?Ps. 145:4; Matt. 28:20) and EVEN IN THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME WILL RAISE UP & preserve a godly seed on earth, until the end of THIS EARTH’S history (?Ps. 72:5; Isa. 27:3; Matt. 16:18).

Second, that there must be a return OR RENEWAL  OF BIBLICAL doctrinal preaching before there will be any improvement in practice.

Both the teaching of God’s Word and the testimony of CHURCH history testify clearly to the deep importance and great value of doctrinal instruction FROM THE BIBLE & the DIRE consequences of a prolonged absence of Doctrinal preaching.

Doctrinal preaching WILL enlighten the understanding, to instruct the mind, & inform the WILL FOR GOOD DISCERNMENT, judgment, & CHOICES.

BIBLICAL-DOCTRINAL PREACHING

Will motivate to gratitude and furnish incentives unto good works. There can be no soundness in the Faith if the fundamental articles of the Faith be not known and, in some measure at least, understood.

In a sense The fundamental articles of the faith can be called "the first principles of the oracles of God" as Heb. 5:12 calls the basic truths of Scripture, and some of these are  absolutely necessary for salvation. E.g.,

is finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice , The doctrine of substitutionary atonement by God's grace grace (Hebrews 9) 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spotd to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity bee the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicatedf without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarletg wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

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. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

ALSO, WHAT MAY BE CALLED A FUNDAMENTAL OR BASIC PREMISE OF THE BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THAT THE ATONING WORK OF CHRIST IS APPROPRAITED OR PUT ON A PERSON’S ACCOUNT through  faith.

 PEOPLE ARE Saved by Faith IN THE PERSON & WORK OF CHRIST--not OUR Works OR THE WORKS OF ANY ONE ELSE. 

We are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. Not by any works we may do. No man can earn his way into heaven. We are not saved by keeping the 10 Commandments, we are not saved by being members of a church. We are not saved by being baptized. We are not saved by being charitable. We are not saved by giving to the poor, helping the sick, etc. All of those things are good, and commendable, but they will not save you. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Am I saying that works aren't important? No, works are important. Every believer should do all he is able or willing to do to help others. Salvation, however is not dependent on works.

PEOPLE are saved only

by believing OR PLACING FAITH IN the CHRIST OF THE Gospel.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1st Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:1616 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.

JON 6::47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

ACTS 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, …[2]

Believing the Gospel is salvation, works are not part of salvation (but a saved person should certainly do good works):

EPH.2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordainedb that we should walk in them. “

NOW ALL OF THIS INFO COMES FROM

The Divinely inspiration and THUS authoritative BIBLE, the Holy Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:16,

 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

SO, IN PROGRESSING IN SANCTIFIACTION WHICH=H INCLUDES MORTIFYING THE SIN NATURE OR THE FLESH, JOHN 17:17 SAYS CHRIST SAID IN HIS HI PRIESTLY PRAYER

“ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

[GET OM WITH WORD & SANCTIFICATION-MORTIFICATION}

SEE PART OF WHAT SANTIFICATION INVOLVES IS DELIVERANCE OR FREEDOM FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN & DELIVERANCE OR FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN.

IN John 8:32, JESUS MENTIONED THE FREEING ASPECT OF THE TRUTH OF GOD WHICH IS IN OF COURSE, THE WORD OF GOD, “…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. “

AS WE ARE BEING FREED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT & THE HOLY SCRIPTURE, THEN WE  ARE TO PROGRESS OR GROW AS PETER WAS MOVED TO WRITE ABOUT IN 2 Peter 3:18,

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

ACTUALLY, CHRIST & HIS WORD ARE THE EPITOME OR HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM.

1 COR. 1:30 & 31 IS ABOUT CHRIST, “…who of God

 is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That,

according as it is written, He that glorieth,

let him glory in the Lord. “

GOD GIVES WISDOM, BUT WE HAVE TO RECEIVE IT & PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. 

SOLOMON WAS THE WISEST MAN, APART FROM THE GOD MAN, & THO SOLOMON DID NOT ALWAYS LIVE ACCORDING TO WISDOM, HE DID WRITE IN

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

PROV.2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. “

KEEPING THE PATHS OF THE RIGHTOEUS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ABSOLUTE SATNDARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH ARE REVEALED IN THE BIBLE & FOR OVER 100 YRS

increasingly NOTICABLE Departure from BIBLICAL - doctrinal preaching ALONG WITH A DISREGARD FOR BIBLICAL TRUTH FOUND IN BIBLICAL Creeds and confessions of faith Which were full of biblical  theology FOR GUIDING HUMAN PRACTICE.  NOW, BIBLICAL WISDOM HAS BEEN TO A LARGE DEGREE displaced & REPLACED BY science FALSELY SO-CALLED, , psychology, sociology, AND CHRIST DENTING PHILOSOPHY.   COL. 2:3-8 IS ABOUT CHRIST “ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words…6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

COL 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

COL 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudimentsc of the world, and not after Christ.”

SEE, practical godliness OR WHAT PAULS CALLED IN ROM 16:26, THE ..the obedience of faith: “ DEMANDS TO A LARGE DEGREE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRINCIPLES & PRECEPTS OF the REAL Faith OR HOW CAN THE obedience of OR TO THE Faith be expected?

On the other hand, BIBLICAL doctrine without BEING PUT INTO practice IN LIFE CAN BECOME A mere theoretical and speculative knowledge of things, WHICH is To no avail IN SANCTIFICATION.

BIBLICAL  Doctrine and BIBLICAL practice should go together. CHRISTIANS ARE TO both know and  do the will of God, WHICH DEMANDS instruction in BIBLICAL Doctrine and BIBLICAL practice.

2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable [first] for doctrine, [and then] for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Thus Paul exhorted Timothy IN

1 Tim. 4:16, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” PAUL ALSO INSTRUCTED Titus IN 3:8 ,

 "This is a This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. “

WE CAN’T REALLY KNOW

THE ABSOLUTE GOOD

WITHOUT THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH

IN THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.

          Our preservation from error IN FACTS, VALUES, AND MORALS lies in THE WORD OF GOD.

BIBLICAL Doctrine is the mould into which the mind & MORALS ARE FORMED.  Romans 6:17 FF READS: “17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart  that form of doctrine to which you were 5delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were  slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

ROM. 6:21 -23, SAYS: What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For cthe end of those things is death. 22 But now dhaving been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit 7to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but  the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

SO, LIVING ACCORDING TO ETERANAL LIFE IN THE HEAR & NOW MEANS WE NEED TO HEAR & HEED THE WORDS OF THE ETERNAL LIFE GIVER &  LIVE HIS WAY.

FOR A LIFE OF purity, the piety, the zeal, that close walking with God and uprightness before men, which were so pronounced in Christendom during the preaching of the Reformers, Puritans & PILGRIMS,  WE NEED THE BIBLICAL & doctrinal

MINISTRY WHICH produced such a love FOR CHRIST & HIS TRUTH that thousands willingly suffered persecution and great privation, and hazarded their lives, rather than repudiate the doctrines and INSTRUCTIONS Of Christ.

ToDAY SOME SAY THAT it matters not what a man believes so long as his practice is good is utterly erroneous.

Indifference to the THE ULTIMATE Truth

ULTIMATELY  betrays a heart that is not right with THE TRUE  God.

I AM also reminded THAT MANY SOME OF THE men whose ministry was most owned and used of God during last 100 OR SO YEARS were those who followed in the steps of the  REFORMERS, THE Puritans, & THE PILGRIMS,  C. H. Spurgeon, Robert Murray MeCheyne, BILLY GRAHAM, D JAMES KENNEDY, gave a prominent place to BIBLICAL - doctrinal instruction in  their preaching.

An observant eye will soon perceive that there is a distinct spirit which attends different types of preaching, manifesting itself more or less plainly in the regular attenders thereof.

There is a solidity and soberness, a stability and godly fear seen in real BIBLICISTS HOLDING TO THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE & THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE FOR THE CONTENT & PRACTICE OF THE FAITH

which IS not found among THOSE HOLDING TO A LOW VIEW OF SCRIPTURE.  There is an uprightness of character in those who espouse the Truth which is lacking in those who HOLD TO error. Where the SCRPTURE & THE sovereignty of God ARE denied there will be A DEGRADATION IN THE holy awe of Him.

Where the BIBLICAL DOCTRINE ON THE total depravity Is not insisted INSTRUCTED, HUMAN pride and self-sufficiency will REAR ITS UGLY HEAD.

Where the impotence of the natural man is not stressed there will be LESS Dependence upon the POTENCY OF THE Holy Spirit.

Where the holy demands of God ARE not PRESENTED & maintained there will be the absence of The holy effects on the heart and life.

Thus we may judge and determine this about the Truth of biblical preaching: "Whatsoever doctrine demonstrates the depressing situation of humble

Humanity,  WILL OF NECESSITY advance the glory, THE MAJESTY, & SOVEREIGNTY of THE TRUE God.

the Gospel OF CHRIST, which centers in CHRIST, SHOWS HUMANITY Is Laid low, and God IS to be exalted.

BIBLICAL DOCTRINAL PREACHING EXPOSES THE FALLENESS & FOLLY OF HUmanITY &

and transfers all the glory man would TRY TO TAKE INTO The hands of God. BIBLICAL

DOCTRINAL PREACHING  lays Humanity in the dust at God’s footstool BEGGING FOR MERCY RATHER THAN OFFERING MERIT.

ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR MElet me hide myself in thee;             let the water and the blood,             from thy wounded side which flowed,             be of sin the double cure;             save from wrath and make me pure.  

3.         Nothing in my hand I bring,             simply to the cross I cling;             naked, come to thee for dress;             helpless, look to thee for grace;             foul, I to the fountain fly;             wash me, Savior, or I die.  THE Text: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
PUT TO MUSIC Music: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872

SO, ANY SO-CALLED doctrine which

encourages pride in HUMAN ABILITY is not a spark from heaven. No flesh must glory in God’s presence (1 Cor. 1:29).

Biblical DOCTINAL PREACHING & TEACHING EXPOSES THE FALSE doctrine of justification by works AS PUT down by the apostle with argument IN ROM 3:27, “ ‘Where is boasting then?

It is excluded. . .by the law of faith’ (Rom. 3:27), that

is by the BILCAL doctrine of JUSTIFICATION BY IN CHRIST.

Boasting would FINE IF regeneration COULD BE  IDENTIFYING AS HAVING WITH HUMAN nature & HUMAN ABILITY TO justify by HUMAN works.

A BIBLE TEACHER FROM LONG AGO PUT IT LIKE THIS:

“…TRULY GLORIying THE TRU God is AN evidence of truth In A person: ‘

(Charnock, 1660).

SO, THEN LET US PRESS ON TO GLORIFYING GOD ABOUT OUR SALVATION & COOPERATING WITH HIM IN OUR SANCTIFIACTION & DO OUR  duty of mortification WHICH pertains to the practical side of AS MENTIONED IN 1 TIM 6:3, “THE DOCTRine which is according to godliness" (1 Tim. 6:3).

SUCH DOCTRINE IS much more than a species of intellectual propositions  intended for

instructing our brains.

19

INSTRUCTING OUR BRAINS OR OUR COGNITION Is WHAT propositional revelation OR GOD’S SELF DISCLOSURE IN THE WRITTEN  biblical revelation DOES.

[Henry’s] God, Revelation and Authority

BY Propositional Revelation I MEAN A WRITTEN verbal revelation WHICH IS intelligible, factual, conceptual, cognitive, rational, valid and literally & OBJECTIVELY true (e.g., 1:68–69).  (3:455).7

ANOTHER WAY TO [[Henry’s formal] define

propositional revelation is “…revelation that God supernaturally communicated …to chosen spokesmen in the express form of cognitive truths, and that the…prophetic-apostolic proclamation OR WRITING reliably articulates these truths in sentences …”(3:457).

[Evangelical respondents like Gordon Clark, Cornelius Van Til, Edward J. Carnell, James I. Packer, Kenneth Kantzer, Ronald Nash and Francis Schaeffer, on the other hand, insisted, as had earlier Christian theologians, that God’s revelation is cognitive and propositional.”4

20

SO, divinely given information IS actually expressed or capable of being expressed in propositions. In brief, the Bible is a propositional revelation IN WRITING of the unchanging truth of God” (ibid.).8

IT CONTAINS figures of speech, rhetorical questions, parables, allegories, emotive phrases AND literary devices 8

WHICH  9 communicate God’s Word (3:457) IN AN UNDERSTANDABLE, LOGICAL 12   descriPTION OF God’s holy character AND HIS standard for holiness OR SANCTIFICATION.

16 TODAY THERE ARE MANY “Neo-Protestant, neo-Catholic and reform Jewish theologians today all share widely in repudiating the definition of revelation as a divine communication of cognitive information” (GRA, 3:469).

17 See the summary in GRA, 2:147–49.

The communication of GODS’ INFORMATION information ”80  10 callS for decision and obedience” (3:433),  “devotion” or

DEICATION.

God’s commands and calls for obedience ARE

logically PRESENTED IN THE WRITTTEN BIBLE & then can be understood and obeYED.

GOD EXPECTS US TO HEAR OR

READ HIS WORD & OBEY.

[Mark 7:9 mentions those who would set aside the
“the commandment of God,…[to] … keep [THEIR]… own tradition.”
[Luke 8:15 MENTIONS THOSE WITH A
good heart, having heard the word, keep it,…
IN,
John 14:15 JESUS SAID, “
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
IN John 15: ( 9 & 10, JESUS SAID,
“…continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; “

[26 GRA, 3:464. Henry suggests that the origin of such positions may be traced to Kant who rejected the possibility of humans having factual knowledge of supernatural reality.]

28 GRA, 3:486–87, citing in part Donald M. MacKinnon, “Borderlands of Theology,” in Borderlands of Theology and Other Essays, ed. G. Roberts and D. Smucker, 41–54 (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1969), 42. Führerprinzip = “leader principle”; in this context it refers to a blind allegiance to a leader without rational thought. A fuller quote from MacKinnon is as follows: “No serious philosopher [of religion] can hope to dodge the questions involved in the claim of religious credenda to truth.

“I shall mention only one among the various suggested contemporary devices for avoiding these questions [i.e., of truth]; the suggestion that they can be evaded by an analysis of faith in terms of self-commitment to a person leaves unanswered (or even deliberately seeks to evade) the distinction between such commitment and that involved in a Führerprinzip. Self-commitment is made validly to this person rather than to that because this person said and did certain things, thereby at once defining and authenticating, or at least effectively suggesting, certain claims.”12

Evangelical Challenges of Propositional Revelation

Evangelicalism29 today is undergoing something of an identity crisis. It is a very diverse movement that is not well-defined. The fact that this conference is focused on the theme, “Defining Evangelicalism’s Boundaries,” is indicative of some of the uncertainty. Professing evangelicals are riding off in all directions theologically, pursuing open theism on one hand and postmodernity on the other (to mention just two recent “attractions”). Although propositional revelation is not in the forefront of recent discussions, it is nevertheless a key issue that is being challenged, typically from a postmodern orientation. A number of evangelical scholars might be selected for comparison with Henry’s classic defense, but for purposes of this paper attention will be focused on Stanley Grenz, particularly the book in which he seeks to shape the future of evangelicalism: Revisioning Evangelical Theology.30 Although the discussion to follow will lap

29 I am using the term “evangelical” here in the broad sense of conservative Protestants who accept the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. As such those who trace their ecclesiastical heritage to the “neo-evangelical” movement are included, as are the heirs of the fundamentalist movement, and others who would claim neither of these ancestries. I am not using it in the European sense of Protestant (or Lutheran) in general or in the narrow sense of what has also been described as neo/new-evangelicalism.

30 Subtitled: A Fresh Agenda for the 21st Century (Downers Grove: IVP, 1993). Hereafter cited as RET. This programmatic work has been reiterated and/or developed in Grenz’s more recent works, including, e.g., Renewing the Center: Evangelical Theology in a Post-Theological Era (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000), but the substance of his approach has not changed. I had originally intended to interact with several writers, but the space required to do so in an adequate manner has prevented me from doing this. A brief sample of where other considerations might be directed includes the following. Although more cautious in some areas than Grenz, Alister McGrath also singles out Carl Henry as an illustration of what is wrong with traditional evangelicalism. His major criticism is that Henry affirms his belief that divine revelation is logically consistent, even claiming that “without noncontradiction and logical consistency, no knowledge whatever is possible” (McGrath, A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism [Downers Grove: IVP, 1996], 170, citing GRA 1:232). McGrath’s objection (“What logic is to be allowed this central role? Whose rationality provides the basis of scriptural authority?” [McGrath, Passion for Truth, 170]) seems to imply that there is more than one logic available in this world—an assertion that would warm the heart of any postmodernist. The result of following Henry on this point, says McGrath, is that we would inevitably allow “fallen human reason to judge God’s revelation” (ibid., 170; see similar statements in his “Evangelical Theological Method: The State of the Art,” in Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method, ed. J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 15–37 [Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000], 32–34). The statements by Henry which McGrath quotes are not passing statements, but are part of an extended discussion of the necessity of logical consistency as a test for truth in which Henry interacts with the many proposals for establishing truth that had been proposed at the time he wrote. Yet McGrath does not respond to any of these arguments. He simply says that “evangelicalism is free to avoid the false lure of foundationalism, and to maintain the integrity of divine revelation on its own terms and in its own categories” (Passion for Truth, 172). This is a dismissal by assertion, not logical argument (but perhaps that expects too much from someone who does not consider Christianity to be logically consistent). Henry would reply that without assuming logical consistency it is impossible even to challenge the


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into some related areas, this is not a critique of the entire book or of Grenz’s theological position in general.31 This summary focuses primarily on Grenz’s view of revelation, summarized roughly in the order of his discussion in the book.

claims of logic. Indeed, he says, renouncing “the importance of noncontradiction and logical consistency sponsors … the suicide of theology” (GRA, 1:233).

Clark Pinnock’s Tracking the Maze: Finding Our Way Through Modern Theology from an Evangelical Perspective (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990) evidences emphases similar to Grenz: “Christian theology, then, should not be primarily rational-propositional in form, even though it usually is, especially among evangelicals. Its primary task ought to be to explore and proclaim the Christian story, which is what gives meaning to doctrines in the first place. The job of theology is to expound the story and tell us what the meanings are. Doctrines that help us understand the story better are good and true; doctrines that ruin and distort the story are false and harmful…. We should redefine heresy as something that ruins the story and orthodoxy as theology that keeps the story alive and devises new ways to tell it. Within this kind of theology, there will be room for liberal Christians to relate contemporary stories and for conservative Christians to rehearse the mighty acts of God. Both will be telling stories, rather than arguing about abstractions” (183). But how do we know what it is that “ruins” the story? What is the objective means of evaluating this? Or is this just a subjective reaction that differs from hearer to hearer? Apart from propositional truth, there is no standard for evaluation. Are the deity of Jesus Christ and the trinity just “stories,” or do they express propositional truth about ontological reality? If they are only stories, then the liberal can tell a story regarding Jesus’ “deity” that merely serves to express the view of a great man, even though he believes that the ontological reality is that Jesus is only human. Another major problem with this is that to oppose story and theology is a false dichotomy. A story with no specific meaning is worthless. Can we tell the story of Jesus’ death which provides forgiveness of sin without clarifying who Jesus is, the purpose of his death, the nature of forgiveness, and the meaning and penalty of sin? All of these parts of the story must have content else we are left with a fairy tale. A similar tack is taken by Roger Olson who, along with Pinnock, raises the flag for narrative theology in which “truth-as-story,” with the “real world” being “created by the story,” produces “realistic history” (often “historylike but not likely to be historical” in Pinnock’s words—the fall is an example) replaces propositional revelation (“Whales and Elephants Both God’s Creatures But Can They Meet? Evangelicals and Liberals in Dialogue,” Pro Ecclesia 4.2 (1995): 165–89 (see esp. on narrative theology, 181–89). Olson desires to escape from “the poison of fundamentalism and … epistemological propositionalism” (176).

Likewise Bernard Ramm’s later work (his earlier work, Special Revelation and the Word of God, contains some excellent sections) also moves sharply away from propositional revelation to a view of Scripture heavily influenced by Barth (e.g., see his After Fundamentalism). Had I discovered it in time, I might have chosen to interact primarily with Kevin Vanhoozer’s article, “The Voice and the Actor: A Dramatic Proposal about the Ministry and Minstrelsy of Theology,” in Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method, ed. J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 61–106 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000) [hereafter cited as VVA], but I did not get to that volume early enough in this project. Vanhoozer’s approach is quite different from that of Grenz, primarily in that he has not (if I read him correctly) adopted a thorough-going postmodern framework as has Grenz, but raises some substantive issues related to propositional revelation, some of which I have noted in this paper. His work deserves significant interaction despite the obtuse writing style, overly-technical jargon, neologisms, and heavy dependence on analogy which makes the argument more opaque than necessary (and which also at times drives the argument rather than illustrates it).

Also note the recent dissertation by Glenn Galloway which argues that encounter with God is primary, theological propositions are not foundational, the cognitive holds no special place, and theological statements are second order, non-regulative affirmations (“The Efficacy of Propositionalism: The Challenge of Philosophical Linguistics and Literary Theory to Evangelical Theology,” Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1996), 253 (concluding summary).

31 A complete evaluation of Grenz’s system would certainly be helpful. At the least his systematic theology, Theology for the Community of God (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994; reprint, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000), ought to be incorporated, as well as his Renewing the Center (Grand Rapids; Baker, 2000) and Created for


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Community (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996). This paper, however, is deliberately limited in scope due to the time constraints of the ETS conference schedule. Only a few notes from the other volumes have been included. I have read from them, but have not been able to interact with them in detail.

Grenz proposes that the heart of modernity has been the authority of reason.32 We are now transitioning into postmodernity where this authority is now being challenged (RET, 15). Grenz blames evangelicalism’s preoccupation with propositional truth on their acceptance of the fundamentals that arose out of “the more intellectually oriented discussion” over liberalism’s antisupernatural approach—and this in contrast with the more personal orientation of earlier Protestant thought. A focus on “a person’s relationship with God” is said to be characteristic of 19th century theology in contrast to the propositional focus of fundamentalism and evangelicalism (26).

He is very much opposed to defining evangelicalism on the basis of doctrine. His proposal for revisioning evangelical theology involves moving beyond the “fixation with theology” (30). Instead the primary focus should be on experience, not on doctrinal formulations. Historically (and despite his previous assessment that evangelicals have been preoccupied with doctrine!) he argues that “because evangelicalism is not primarily constituted by a body of beliefs, the evangelical ethos is more readily ‘sensed’ than described theologically” (31).

Evangelical theology, according to Grenz, has been based on the conviction that the Bible is a deposit of cognitive revelation. Our duty is to learn that truth and be totally loyal to it. “As a result, many evangelicals view the task of theology primarily as systematizing and articulating the body of doctrine they assume to preexist implicitly or explicitly in Scripture” (62). But Grenz concludes that such an approach cannot serve to “revision” evangelical theology.

His specific discussion of propositional revelation begins with a four-page summary tracing the prominence of this doctrine from the 17th century Reformed scholasticism (his term) of Francis Turretin, through the 19th century work of the Princeton theologians, to the modern

32 I do not think that this is the right way to express this. It is not the authority of reason which lies at the heart of modernity, but the autonomy of unaided human reason exercised independently from and in defiance against God.


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defense of it in Carl F. H. Henry’s God, Revelation and Authority (RET, 66–69). The summary, though brief and quite selective, is fairly accurate of the issues included.

Grenz does acknowledge that a propositional view of revelation is correct in so far as “our faith is tied to the truth content of a divine revelation that has been objectively disclosed. God has communicated truth—himself—to us” (72).33 Grenz says that he does not object to a cognitive element in revelation. Rather, the deficiency of the traditional evangelical view of propositional revelation “is its often under-developed understanding of how the cognitive dimension functions within the larger whole of revelation” (73). This, of course, implies that there is a larger category of revelation that is not cognitive.34 His concern seems to be that benighted evangelicals have not adequately accounted for the social aspects of theological discourses. We have been captive to modernity in its focus on individualistic objective knowledge. In its place we must adopt a “profound community outlook” by recognizing the role of the community of faith in the theological task.

This community-based approach recognizes that “personal identity is formed within social structures” (73). Thus we can only understand and experience the world through a socially-mediated grid. Likewise our encounter with the divine is mediated through the conceptual framework of the religious community of which we are a part—and this corporate experience has priority over our individual encounter with divine reality (74).

How does this approach to theology work itself out? Grenz explains that the community recounts the biblical narrative of God’s work in our world to its members, thus creating the conceptual framework in which the community members view both themselves and their experience in the world. In turn, theology is the community’s reflection on this conceptual

33 This is not an adequate or an accurate statement of propositional revelation as it has traditionally been defined for it does not indicate that this objective truth content has been inscripturated in the Bible. It leaves open (and seems to imply) a personal view of revelation should someone claim that such is, indeed, objective. This may be merely a sloppy definition, or it could be a deliberate ambiguity.

34 Since cognition relates to the process of knowing or perceiving, how Grenz is aware of a noncognitive revelation or noncognitive aspects of revelation is unclear!


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framework and on their beliefs. As a result, theology has a very different function in Grenz’s system. It is no longer a study of the biblical revelation which instructs the community as to what they should believe (on the basis of propositional revelation), it is rather a “second-order” study of what they do believe—hopefully as a result of this vague recitation of the biblical narrative (which is propositional only in limited ways) (74–75).

The Bible is not equated with revelation, for revelation does not consist of propositional truth—it is rather “an event that has occurred in the community within which the believing individual stands” (76, emphasis added). The early church preserved the memory of the Christ event “together with the earliest responses to the revelation of God in Christ.” Later generations are then able to interact with this record of earlier responses to God’s revelation in such a way that they “become a continual source of revelation for the ongoing life of the community” (77).

The “truth” that we discover does not correspond directly with reality, but is a community-shaped understanding of it: “The ontological claims implicit in theological assertions arise as an outworking of the intent of the theologian to provide a model of reality, rather than to describe reality directly.” Or again, “By its very nature, the conceptual framework of a faith community claims to represent in some form the truth about the world and the divine reality its members have come to know and experience” (78–79). Truth is a social construct and what one community has come to “know and experience” may differ from the knowledge and experience of another community. Nor is this proposal subject to evaluation by rational, logical thought. Grenz argues elsewhere that,

The rational, scientific method is not the sole measure of truth, for aspects of truth lie beyond reason and cannot be fathomed by reason. As the old pietists declared, ‘the heart has reasons which the head cannot understand.’ … Our theology must give place to the concept of ‘mystery’—not as an irrational aspect alongside the rational, but as a reminder of the fundamentally nonrational or suprarational reality of God…. In the postmodern world we must reappropriate the older pietist discovery that a ‘right heart’ takes primacy over a ‘right head.’35

35 Stanley Grenz, “Star Trek and the Next Generation,” in The Challenge of Postmodernism, ed. David Dockery, 89–103 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995), 97, 99, 101.


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Grenz’s discussion of the sources of theology also reflects his challenge of propositional revelation. Although “twentieth-century postfundamentalist evangelical theology has tended to take a propositional approach…, the revisioned evangelical theology advocated in these chapters …. conceives theology as reflection on the faith commitment of the believing community” (RET, 87). Theology must therefore move beyond a “solely propositionalist paradigm” since its task is not “merely to discover divinely disclosed truth … lodged within the pages of the Bible.” This move requires “a revisioned understanding of the nature of the Bible’s authority [in which it functions] as the source for the symbols, stories, teachings and doctrines that form the cognitive framework for the worldview of the believing community” (88).

Three pillars are proposed as a tripartite source for theology: Scripture, tradition, and culture. The Bible (accepted fideistically: “we may simply assume the authority of the Bible”), is the primary norm.36 Based on this norm, a traditional body of teaching developed in the early church. This has been transmitted to subsequent generations and is now accepted by contemporary believing communities. Since theology is regarded as second-order discourse,37 “this body of beliefs likewise belongs to the faith of the church on which theology reflects” (95). Although creeds and confessions are “not binding in and of themselves,” they are still considered to be a source for theology (97). A holistic, inclusive analysis of the church’s social-historical-

36 Elsewhere Grenz says that inspired Scripture cannot be used as a premise for biblical authority, but instead the religious community senses this authority as a result of the Spirit’s illumination. The Bible is therefore viewed as authoritative and inspired “because believers in every age hear in them the voice of the Spirit as they seek to struggle with the issues they face in their unique and ever-changing context” (RET, 120). Bibliology is thus founded on a fideistic, existential base.

37 See the discussion of Lindbeck’s theological method later in the paper; Grenz explicitly bases his view of doctrine on Lindbeck’s model (e.g., RET, 77–78).


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cultural context forms the final source for theology.38 The goal is to “diligently draw these three sources into a creative, practical systematic theology” (100).39

Illumination becomes the umbrella term governing bibliology, including within it both inscripturation, inspiration, and canonization—as well as the community work in the “Scripture-forming process … as these people participated in the process of bringing Scripture into being” (122). Although this illumination of the Spirit is the same now as in the past, formative stage of Scripture, Grenz insists that the canon is complete. He also argues that we must move beyond “a one-to-one correspondence between the words of the Bible and the very Word of God” (130). That is, the “word of God” is not to be equated with Scripture, but is rather “the Holy Spirit announcing the good news about Jesus, which word the church speaks to us in the Spirit’s power and by the Spirit’s authority” (131).

In what appears to be a deliberate postmodern approach shunning “propositionalism,” Grenz never speaks in terms of biblical doctrine. He constantly refers to narrative illustrating or modeling or shaping appropriate action and appropriate responses by the faith community (e.g., 126–28). Rarely (ever?) does Grenz tell us that “the Bible teaches that….”

His focus on personal revelation (though that term is seldom used) and his resistance to propositional revelation can be seen in statements such as, “‘the revelation of God’ is the divine act of self-disclosure, which reveals nothing less than the essence of God, the ultimate truth which is God” (129).

38 The role of culture as a source for theology can be seen in Grenz’s discussion of church as community in which he argues on a philosophical (e.g., Charles Peirce and Josiah Royse) and (especially) on a sociological basis, appealing to the work of social scientists such as Emil Durkheim and George Herbert Meed (150–55). There is appeal to Scripture, but in the force of his discussion, cultural arguments carry (at least) equal weight.

39 One result of elevating these three to the level of sources is an insistence that all traditions within Christendom be counted as equal partners—including Roman Catholicism. This is said to be of value due to the broader perspective thus achieved while each maintains fidelity to their own confessional heritage and retains mutual respect of other groups (105–06).


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Excursus: Lindbeck, The Nature of Doctrine

Since a major component of Grenz’s view of revelation is explicitly based on Lindbeck’s Nature of Doctrine,40 it will be helpful to summarize the relevant portions of that proposal. Lindbeck, along with Hans Frei, David Kelsey, and Brevard Childs, represents the “New Yale School”—the “most influential postmodern experiment” in American biblical studies.41 Lindbeck argues that there is no basis upon which to establish truth in religion (11). His own approach is presented in contrast to both traditional propositional orthodoxy with its goal of objective truth and an accurate description of ontological reality, and to the symbolic, existential expressions of liberalism (16).

The older cognitive-propositional view was destroyed by Kant who demolished its epistemological foundations. Subsequent to Kant “most educated people” abandoned “literalistic propositional interpretations” of such things as creation on the basis of scientific developments. Instead, all doctrines came to be understood to be relative—conditioned by the historical context in which they emerge. In the place of this traditional cognitive view, Schleiermacher and his followers have proposed various theories of religion which “all locate ultimately significant contact with whatever is finally important to religion in the prereflective experiential depths of the self and regard the public or outer features of religion as expressive and evocative objectifications (i.e., nondiscursive symbols) of internal experience” (21).

40 George A. Lindbeck, The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1984).

41 Richard A. Mohler, “The Integrity of the Evangelical Tradition and the Challenge of the Postmodern Paradigm,” in The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement, ed. David S. Dockery, 67–88 (Wheaton: Victor, 1995), 76. Mohler summarizes the New Yale School’s approach as follows: “Foundational to this school is the claim that a new epistemological situation represents a new post-Enlightenment challenge to the Christian truth claim and to our understanding of Scripture and doctrine…. The main thrust of this movement is to shift the basis of Christian theology away from a propositional claim based upon an objective and universal revelation, to a self-consciously local and particular narrative claim rooted in a specific cultural-linguistic system. Thus, the universal truth claim of Christianity is reduced to a culture-specific system of shared meaning” (77). For a critique of issues related to historicity in relation to narrative theology, see my article “Realistic or Historical Narrative?” Journal of Ministry and Theology 4.1 (Spring 2000): 52–81.


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In place of these two approaches, Lindbeck proposes a regulative theory in which doctrines do not state propositional truths or serve as existential symbols, but rather function as communally authoritative rules which specify when, where, and how specific items apply. Thus both transubstantiation and those doctrines which would appear to contradict it may both be “true” because the doctrine only serves to specify rules of sacramental thought and practice that apply in specified historical and ecclesiastical contexts.

In contrast to a traditional, orthodox view of religion in which truth is determined by the correspondence of objective propositions to ontological reality, Lindbeck’s (admittedly novel) version of a cultural-linguistic view of religion defines truth in terms of categorical adequacy: i.e., does a religion have adequate categories “which can be made to apply to what is taken to be real” (48)—to make meaningful statements. As a result different religions may have “incommensurable notions of truth.” This is not a problem to Lindbeck, however, since these statements simply have different functions.

Lindbeck also defines the ontological truth of religious statements on a different basis than non religious ones. Here he insists that a propositional statement cannot be true—cannot correspond with reality—in and of itself. It can only be such when it is viewed as a function of constituting or regulating a particular way of life “which itself corresponds to the Most Important, the Ultimately Real.” He uses Austin’s terminology42 at this point to explain that a statement can only be elevated to propositional status by becoming a performative act (i.e., a deed that “helps create that correspondence,” 65). For example, the only way in which the statement “Jesus is Lord” can be viewed as propositionally true is for the speaker to commit himself to a way of life that reflects such a relationship (66). This declaration “becomes a first-order proposition capable … of making ontological truth claims only as it is used in the activities

42 J. L. Austin, How to Do Things with Words (The William James Lectures, Harvard Univ., 1955), ed. J. O. Urmson and Marina Sbisà, 2d ed. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press, 1975).


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of adoration, proclamation, obedience, promise-hearing, and promise-keeping which shape individuals and communities into conformity to the mind of Christ” (68).

This domesticates propositional truth to the point where one cannot make any objectively true statement about religious matters other than those which seem to enable a direct expression in conduct. By this standard the statement, “the personal, triune God of the Bible exists” would be false if stated by a non-believer—or if it appeared in print. At this level we are dealing with some form of existential truth (Lindbeck denies that this is so, but his disclaimer is not convincing) and we have dichotomized/bifurcated our world into two compartments—the physical (in which objective reality does exist apart from any personal act in relation to it) and the religious (in which there is only existential “reality”). Lindbeck explicitly acknowledges that we do not define truth or reality in the manner described above in relation to non-religious statements (65–66).

Propositional truth and falsity characterize ordinary religious language when it is used to mold lives through prayer, praise, preaching, and exhortation. It is only on this level that human beings linguistically exhibit their truth or falsity, their correspondence or lack of correspondence to the Ultimate Mystery. Technical theology and official doctrine, in contrast, are second-order discourse about the first-intentional uses of religious language. Here, in contrast to the common supposition, one rarely, if ever, succeeds in making affirmations with ontological import, but rather engages in explaining, defending, analyzing, and regulating the liturgical, kerygmatic, and ethical modes of speech and action within which such affirmations from time to time occur.…theology and doctrine, to the extent that they are second-order activities, assert nothing either true or false about God and his relation to creatures, but only speak about such assertions” (69).

This second-order discourse thus consists of rules which regulate and illustrate correct usage: “exemplary instantiations of paradigms” (81). New rules may be formulated, but there are no higher order directives which govern this process. The result is pluralistic diversity with no objective standards to govern communal life—even though “some crucial usages are beautifully


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right and others dangerously wrong. The experts must on occasion bow to the superior wisdom of the competent speaker who simply knows that such and such is right or wrong even though it violates the rules they have formulated” (82). Anything which might be stated in propositional form about God or the world is variable. The only continuity/unity in the diverse expressions of Christianity is that they are all molded by the biblical stories—doctrine and experience “may be fantastically different” (83–84).

How much of Lindbeck’s total system Grenz is willing to acknowledge is unclear. He does explicitly appeal to Lindbeck to justify his classification of doctrine as regulative, second-order discourse in a culturally-conditioned community setting (RET, 77–78). This appears to be the heart of both approaches. Grenz does disavow Lindbeck’s discounting of the “ontological intent of theological descriptions” (RET, 85), but theological declarations are still said not to describe reality directly; they are only a model of reality (RET, 78).

Evaluation

What are we to make of these proposals? Is Henry’s traditional, orthodox position still viable? Or is the radical new system proposed by Grenz to be adopted as a new and improved evangelical product?

Grenz

A number of things may be said about the revisioned evangelicalism that Grenz proposes. I would suggest that there are nine major problematic issues arising from Grenz’s material considered in this paper. First, Grenz rummages across the full range of Christendom and cites writers from a vast array of perspectives in support of his “revisionings.” This accords with his claim of tradition as a source for theology, but he makes no allowance for the radically different presuppositions of these writers. Wide reading and interaction is certainly legitimate in scholarly pursuits, but this reading must reflect a critical appropriation which is very much on the thin side in Grenz’s work. It seems that a wide convergence of non-evangelical scholars carries more


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weight than the ongoing consistency within the evangelical mainstream. Liberal critiques of conservative, evangelical positions are more persuasive to Grenz than capable, conservative discussions of orthodox doctrine. And throughout all of this there is, as Tom Nettles has pointed out,

precious little biblical exposition in his proposal…. He hardly even touches the surface of the biblical teaching concerning the relationship between revelation and inscripturation. It would seem, even casually, that a theological method which assigned Scripture a role different from that which it claims for itself cannot be a helpful model…. Without this kind of strong reasoning from Scripture, Grenz’s presentation remains theologically flaccid.43

Second, is it fair to suggest, as Grenz does, that evangelical theology has been based on the conviction that the Bible is a deposit of cognitive revelation to which we must be totally loyal? Certainly no evangelical will suggest that we should be disloyal, but Grenz’s argument implies that this is as far as evangelicalism often goes. Though some may be content at this point, that is not a fair representation of the heart of evangelicalism which has placed a great deal of emphasis on our duty to obey as well as to know. It is partly by such a caricature that Grenz sets the stage for rejecting or denigrating the importance of propositional revelation. As Groothuis affirms,

The purpose of divine revelation is not merely the enunciation of a set of true propositions. Nevertheless, without these true propositions, revelation vanishes as a conceptual category, for there remains no cognitive content to be revealed. Revelation is God’s effort to make himself known in ways that bear on every dimension of the human being—the mind, the emotions, the imagination and the will. The entire person must bow before the Creator and Redeemer in submission to the Holy Spirit. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength as our first priority; within that first-order theological affirmation, we then love our neighbor as ourselves (see Mt 22:37–39).44

Third, throughout his discussion Grenz reflects considerable misconception regarding cognition, logic, reason, rationality, etc. His thrust seems to be an attempt to do theology apart from such categories. Revelation includes cognitive elements and propositions, but this is only part of the picture according to Grenz. But what is cognition? If cognition, as the dictionary says,

43 Tom Nettles, “Review of Revisioning Evangelical Theology by Stanley Grenz,” Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (Spring 1994): 126.

44 Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity against the Challenges of Postmodernism (Downers Grove: IVP, 2000), 120.


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is the process of knowing or perceiving, how can there be revelation or theology on any basis other than the cognitive? If one cannot know or perceive something, it is not particularly suitable as a basis for theology and certainly cannot count as revelation in any meaningful sense of that term.45 If the point is simply that much of human action is not logical, is that particularly profound? A postmodern outlook was not needed to discover this. Many motivations are volitional, emotional, etc., rather than strictly logical. But as Henry points out, this “deflective role of dubious presuppositions and of aberrant desire in human decision are important emphases in Christian theology. But not for a moment do they obscure the important role of appropriate evidence and of logical consistency.”46

Likewise Grenz’s classification of truth as being in part “beyond reason” and the reality of God as “fundamentally nonrational or suprarational” are impossible constructs. Although he denies that this means that truth or God are “illogical,” what can nonrational mean? Is it legitimate to exclude considerations of rationality from any discussions of truth or of God? This attempt seems to view logic and rationality as somehow distinct from God and reality—a category that is sometimes relevant and sometimes not, as for example, electronics. This is a legitimate category of reality, but it is not always relevant. Some things are non-electronic. A carrot is non-electronic. That does not mean that carrots contradict electronics, only that the category of electronics is not relevant to a discussion of carrots. Grenz appears to suggest that this is the case with some aspects of truth and of God—logic and rationality are not always relevant categories. (I say, “appears to suggest,” since, if Grenz is correct, this logical conclusion may be irrelevant!) This “electronic carrots fallacy” casts serious doubts on the coherence of Grenz’s theological method and his view of biblical revelation. Rationality must be viewed as a

45 “If divine revelation is truly revelation it must reach the human race in a substantial form. It must come as speech or language and bearing a rich conceptual booty with it.” And again, “without conceptual elements ‘pure encounter’ becomes meaningless encounter. And with conceptual elements one must admit that revelation is not only encounter but also conceptual, i.e., it contains ‘truths’” (Ramm, Special Revelation, 151, 153 n. 20).

46 Carl F. H. Henry, “Postmodernism: The New Spectre?” in The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement, ed. David S. Dockery, 34–52 (Wheaton: BridgePoint/Victor Books, 1995), 50. It is possible that “deflective” is a typo for “defective,” but either reading communicates essentially the same point.


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reflection of God’s nature and relevant to all aspects of truth.47 Apart from the laws of logic, Grenz could not even raise his objection since apart from the law of noncontradiction language conveys no meaning.48

Fourth, equally objectionable is the role which Grenz assigns to the community. In his approach, corporate expression of the divine has priority over individual encounter with divine reality. This is also reflected in the weight that Grenz places on tradition as a source for theology. This denies sola Scriptura (that Scripture, not community, is the final authority for faith and life) and the priesthood of all believers. “Schleiermacher was right at least in this—the believer is not first related to the church which in turn relates her to Christ, but is instead first related to Christ who in turn relates her to the church.”49 Vanhoozer also points out that “we should resist locating interpretative authority in community consensus, for even believing communities, as we know from the Old Testament narratives, often get it badly wrong, and to locate authority in the community itself is to forgo the possibility of prophetic critique.”50

Fifth, this community focus leads to Grenz’s insistence, following Lindbeck, that doctrines are second-order beliefs, not first-order propositions. By making doctrine a second-order enterprise, Grenz has destroyed any possibility of objective truth in theology since that discipline is now excluded from attempting to discern the ontological nature of reality and has become a descriptive, sociological serf to what the community believes. Although referring to Lindbeck’s position, Vanhoozer’s evaluation is also true of Grenz:

47 See Henry’s rigorous discussion of this issue as summarized in the first part of this paper and Groothuis, Truth Decay, 175–79. McGrath’s statement implying multiple logics (see n. 28) encounters similar problems and reflects a confusion between logic and rationality on one hand and philosophical systems or world views on the other—i.e., how logic is used. Groothuis critiques McGrath at this point (ibid., 120–27).

48 Ramm once wrote that “it is not unusual to find the law of contradiction derided as if it prompted an arid intellectualism or revived the wooden methods of the scholastics. Theologians and religious writers who take such a cavalier attitude towards the law of contradiction had best check with logic. MacIntyre calls our attention to the fact in logic that if a contradiction is allowed in our system any proposition may follow” (Ramm, Special Revelation, 143 n. 6).

49 VVA, 86.

50 Ibid., 80.


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Lindbeck’s cultural-linguistic model, by seeing theology’s task as describing the grammar of the community’s culture and language, ultimately runs the risk of reducing theology to cultural anthropology, in which talk about God just is talk about the community. Such a reduction amounts to a failure to speak of God…, and hence to a failure to preserve the reality of God, together with his divine initiatives. Failure to refer to the divine initiatives results, in turn, in the loss of the central point of the good news, which is to say, in the loss of the gospel itself.51

Turning doctrines into rules (as Lindbeck does) enables a pluralist to hold that mutually contradictory beliefs (e.g., transubstantiation and, say, a memorial view of the Lord’s Table) are equally true. This is possible since doctrine is now only a rule which prescribes how one is to conduct oneself in a particular religious community. It is not a first-order statement, an absolute statement of ontological reality. It is difficult to see how Grenz can escape a similar debacle. If doctrines are only second-order descriptions of community belief, what precludes different communities from validly professing contradictory beliefs? On what basis is one community’s belief to be preferred to another’s? Or are we now to become genuine pluralists and accept such contradictions? This is “a massive concession fatal to any evangelical theology.”52

Sixth, to elevate tradition and culture to the level of sources for theology, in the same category as Scripture (as Grenz does), is a startling move in terms of theological method. That Grenz specifies Scripture as the most important of these sources is not particularly reassuring. The fact that they are categorical equals lowers Scripture from is proper sola Scriptura pedestal. Roman Catholicism has, of course, elevated tradition as a legitimate source for centuries, but only the more radical liberal scholars have ever dared accord culture such a place. Carson’s reaction to these moves is appropriate:

Grenz rejects the “propositionalism” in “modern evangelicalism’s” approach to Scripture. He does not fairly assess how affirmation of the Bible’s truthfulness has been characteristic of believers throughout church history until the modern and postmodern periods, or evaluate how numbers of contemporary evangelical scholars want to uphold the propositional truthfulness of Scripture where propositions are offered to us, while still recognizing other dimensions of truth…. He prefers the direction illumined by Schleiermacher, arguing that the three sources or norms for theology are Scripture, tradition, and culture. This is, to say the least, decidedly unhelpful. Quite apart from the

51 Ibid., 100.

52 Mohler, “Integrity of the Evangelical Tradition,” 81.


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extraordinary complexities of linking Scripture and tradition in this way, the addition of culture is astonishing. One might hazard a guess that Grenz has read enough to recognize that the interpreter cannot escape his or her own culture, and therefore has put down culture as a norm or source of theology, without recognizing the minefield he has created for himself…. With the best will in the world, I cannot see how Grenz’s approach to Scripture can be called “evangelical” in any useful sense.53

Seventh, there are disconcerting parallels in Grenz’s view of revelation with neo-orthodoxy. Although it is not precisely the same, his reticence to directly identify the Bible with revelation,54 viewing revelation rather as an event, the response to which by the believing community is preserved in the Bible, certainly has Barthian echoes.55 The Bible as the community’s “continual source of revelation” as each generation interacts with and confronts the record of these events in the biblical documents sounds very much like the existential, “break through” encounter with the divine—only now it is a community confrontation rather than an individual crisis.

In regards to Grenz’s claim that revelation is God’s “act of self-disclosure, which reveals nothing less than the essence of God” (129), defining “revelation” as an act is not the issue. It is the suggestion that this act reveals God’s essence. Although Moses, for example, may have seen God’s glory (certainly not his essence), he also heard God’s voice which interpreted the significance of that revelation in cognitive terms.56 In any case, the believer today has no direct access or recourse to this act of revelation, having only the inscripturated text of the biblical record which records in propositional form the knowledge of that event which we need.

53 D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), 481. Lest anyone conclude that Carson dismisses Grenz’s thesis by assertion, note that Carson references the entire first two parts of his book (over 350 pages) as his critique of such a move.

54 In his systematic theology, Theology for the Community of God, Grenz does say that “the Bible is God’s Word to us” (396) but this is only “on the basis of this understanding of revelation” that he has earlier summarized, including his statement that we are precluded “from making a simple one-to-one correspondence between the words of Scripture and the word of God” (395). (This section largely reproduces material from RET.)

55 Elsewhere he does suggest that we should resist Barth’s “inordinate emphasis on the event character of revelation” (Theology for the Community of God, 392).

56 This is not to suggest, as Grenz does, a neo-orthodox-type distinction between Historie and Geschichte (ibid., 394).


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Nor is the recognition of personal aspects of revelation in any way contrary to propositional revelation. One of the best explanations of the relationship between these two aspects of revelation is the clear statement of the earlier Ramm.

What does it mean to disclose a Person? … Real encounter in life between persons is always within the context of mutual knowledge. This mutual knowledge is not opposed to the encounter, but it is its indispensable instrument…. Therefore to speak of revelation of a Person and not of truths is to speak … nonsense. God is given in revelation as a Person, but along with truths of God. Encounter with God is meaningful because it is not ineffable; by virtue of the conceptual element of special revelation it is also a knowledge of God. Revelation is event and interpretation, encounter and truth, a Person and knowledge.57

Eighth, one of the most crucial faults in Grenz’s approach is the denial of any form of foundationalism and a denial of the correspondence view of truth—the loss of an overarching metanarrative that possesses universal validity. This is at the heart of postmodernity and is flaunted by the postconservatives as an assured conclusion. It is seldom argued. Modernity is dead, therefore foundationalism (in any form) is also passé.58 The assumption (sometimes stated explicitly, sometimes only implied) is that evangelicalism has been modern in its epistemology and since postmodernity has now dethroned modernity, the epistemology of evangelicalism must be jettisoned in favor of the new monarch. But is this premise accurate? Does evangelicalism wear modernity’s epistemological clothes? Or is there a biblical worldview and implicit epistemology that long predates the Enlightenment? Groothuis argues that “although the Bible does not present a carefully nuanced philosophical discussion of the nature of truth, it does offer a unified perspective on the matter of truth and falsity that flatly opposes the postmodernist orientation.”59 It is certainly not possible here to enter the complex discussions of truth and epistemology. Suffice it to say that these issues have been thoroughly explored by capable

57 Ramm, Special Revelation, 159–60. In a footnote to this statement, Ramm references Ronald Hepburn (Christianity and Paradox [London: Watts, 1958], 33ff) to the effect that “the concept of ‘pure encounter’ is simply a nest of logical problems and no way out can be found until knowledge about is admitted. As soon as we recognize this our thesis that revelation is meeting a Person, not assent to truths, crumbles.”

58 Olson is one of the most blatant in this regard (“Whales and Elephants,” 170–76).

59 Groothuis, Truth Decay, 60.


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evangelicals and there is no need to accept the postconservative, postmodernist conclusion that there are no universals—that all “truth” is community relative.60

The ninth and final area of Grenz’s system that deserves attention (at least in this paper!) is the structure of his theology. Although the specific categories and structure of systematic theology are not inspired and sacrosanct, nevertheless the way in which a theologian chooses to organize his system is often indicative of his views of the source, nature, and role of theology. Grenz’s system is novel in this regard. As was pointed out above, bibliology (including the issues of revelation and epistemology) is not the starting point for Grenz’s theology. These topics are instead included under pneumatology, specifically in terms of illumination (his systematic theology is structured this way also61). By the structure in and of itself, Grenz is teaching that our knowledge of God does not start in the objective realm of Scripture, but in the subjective realm of our apprehension of the Spirit. But how does one know that there is a Holy Spirit apart from Scripture? How does one determine that what he “senses” is from the Holy Spirit rather than from his own imagination or even from some other spirit? In light of the biblical warnings regarding the deceitfulness of the human heart and of the adversary (e.g., Jer. 17:9; 2 Cor. 11:3–5, 13–15), this opens the door to both mysticism and to other potentially nefarious influences.62 Grenz’s response to this objection is an appeal to the community versus the individual. But this is no great security given the community record of apostasy and false teaching in both testaments as well as throughout church history. Apart from an objective record there is no basis to confront a wayward individual or community. Yes, either may also misread

60 Two of the better discussions of these issues are D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God, and Groothuis, Truth Decay.

61 Grenz, Theology for the Community of God, 379–404.

62 Although addressed to the neo-orthodox, the warning by Reymond is relevant here—if from a slightly different perspective: “The human religious existent who would espouse the epistemological views of neoorthodoxy can never be sure that the nonverbal subjective religious encounter concerning which he boasts was with God and not with his own subjective consciousness, if not with Satan himself. How does he know it is a true and not a false religious experience? What reason can he offer to justify his verbal explication of his nonverbal religious experience? And why should anyone believe him?” (Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith [Nashville: Nelson, 1998], 16).


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Scripture, but in that case there remains an objective text to confront and correct the errant reader/s. When the appeal is first and primarily to illumination, there is no recourse, especially given Grenz’s view of doctrine as only descriptive of community belief.

Not only do we face these dangers, but if the Spirit’s work of illumination today is essentially the same as in the formative stages of Scripture,63 why stop with a completed canon in the first century? There is no reason not to see an on-going revelatory work of the Spirit extending the canon indefinitely. Grenz explicitly rejects this conclusion (RET, 132), but only by assertion; no logical grounds for such a conclusion are given—a glaring weakness in light of his previous arguments.

My conclusion regarding Grenz’s view of propositional revelation and his theological method is that, despite some interesting and even helpful discussions at times, I must join the ranks of those who conclude that this is not a legitimate form of evangelical theology. In the words of D. A. Carson, “With the best will in the world, I cannot see how Grenz’s approach to Scripture can be called “evangelical” in any useful sense.”64 Or, as Tom Nettles concludes his review, “following [Grenz’s] suggestions … would be devastating to evangelical Christianity and set it on a course of theological confusion…. His neutrality, if not negativism, toward propositional revelation, bibliological apologetics, and explicit commitment to inerrancy is both unnecessary and hurtful.”65

Henry

Does Henry fare any better? My conclusion is that, yes, this is the path that we must follow in terms of a biblical doctrine of revelation. It is not necessary to repeat the summary of Henry’s proposals at this point. There are some possible refinements and clarifications that could be

63 A related problem that I have not addressed is the role that Grenz assigns to the community in the formation of Scripture (not canonization, but inscripturation). This has been critiqued by Tom Nettles in his review of Grenz’s book: Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (1994): 126–27.

64 Carson, Gagging of God, 481.

65 Tom Nettles, “Review,” Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (1994): 130.


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helpful, but the essential position that Henry has delineated is clear and accurate. The following concluding remarks draw on the discussions of Ramm and Vanhoozer to suggest several complementary aspects of the discussion.

Grenz and others reject propositionalism because they insist that revelation is not just a collection of propositions (e.g., RET, 69–71). Others suggest that “what is of value in Scripture are the statements or truth conveyed by its language” (VVA, 75). But Henry would agree with both of these statements. Propositional revelation does not refer to a view which asserts that the Bible consists of a string of technical propositional statements. The terminology may not be ideal since, as Ramm points out, it prejudices the issue at the outset by picturing revelation as “God dictating Euclidean theological statements.” 66 The term is used in evangelical theology in a more general sense as a verbal statement conveying meaning. As Ramm goes on to explain,

the phrase intends that there is a valid conceptual side to revelation. The phrase intends that there is a knowledge of God in revelation. The phrase signifies that the writing of theology is not a futile task because God may be studied in his revelation. The expression means to say that when God comes to us he comes to us in truth. And whoever writes a theology at all admits the intention of the phrase, “propositional revelation.” For it is only under the intentions of this phrase that theology is possible at all. Deny the intentions of this phrase and theology could never be written.67

TRUST AND OBEY.  TRUST & OBEY.

Nor does Henry disagree that what is of value is the truth conveyed. Propositional revelation is that view which argues that the Scriptures constitute an objective, rational, effable, verbal deposit of a wide range of information, couched in a wide range of literary forms that serve a variety of functions. Often the same literary form/verbal statement can function in multiple ways depending on how the author employs it in any given context.

Just because many portions of Scripture are couched in poem, parable, narrative, etc. does not in the least contradict the description of revelation as propositional, for that term does not require every part of the text to be in the form of a technical Euclidean proposition. Yet every part of Scripture conveys specific, conceptual content irrespective of genre. As Ramm puts it,

66 Ramm, Special Revelation, 154.

67 Ibid., 154–55.


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this content “does not reside in Scripture exclusively in terms of ‘propositions’ but lies buried there in literary, historical, and poetic forms; nevertheless, out of the process of mining and smelting the knowledge of God may be cast in a discursive form.”68

Vanhoozer’s discussion of theological method proposes that the “covenantal canon” must be understood as communicative action and thus “any and all attempts to reduce theology (and revelation) to something exclusively ‘propositional’ or exclusively ‘personal’” are to be resisted.69 He argues for a “phronetic,” canonical-linguistic theological method that is consciously postfoundationalist, postpropositionalist, and postconservative.70

Although they address the same issues of theological method and biblical authority, and both use Henry as their verbal sparring partner in regard to the nature of revelation, Grenz and Vanhoozer come to opposing conclusions. Grenz spars with Henry because they have very different views of revelation and biblical authority. Vanhoozer, on the other hand, challenges Henry due to a difference in emphasis. Despite Vanhoozer’s claim to be a postpropositionalist, I am not convinced that he really understands Henry. Perhaps my understanding of Vanhoozer is skewed, but despite the rhetoric and the terminological differences (caused mostly by Vanhoozer’s analogical neologisms), I think that Vanhoozer is much closer to Henry than he realizes. Henry focuses his attention on the nature of biblical revelation; his discussion of personal elements of revelation (both the personal Revealer and the appropriate personal response of the recipient/s) are not central. Vanhoozer, by contrast, focuses (at least in this article) primarily on the personal, relational aspects of revelation, almost exclusively on the Christian’s proper response to God’s revelation. Henry’s topic is revelation, Vanhoozer’s is

68 Ibid., 156.

69 VVA, 64 n. 8.

70 Ibid. These are his own terms, perhaps encouraged by the postconservative context in which he delivered the original paper? Vanhoozer has mined speech-act theory (Austin and Searle) for its contribution to the discussion, something that he has done more extensively in his Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, The Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998)—a book that I must confess to have not yet finished as of this writing. I have found the first half of the book very helpful.


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theology. As a result, a number of Vanhoozer’s proposals can be used to supplement Henry’s discussion.

Vanhoozer suggests that “God reveals himself by what he does” (VVA, 72), and Henry would surely agree (GRA, 2:151ff, 247ff). But can we accurately understand what it is that God does—what it is that God reveals/communicates apart from some verbal, cognitive content? Henry would say, no.71 One might observe, say, the exodus or the cross, but apart from a verbal interpretation of the event, might interpret it in many different ways. The event of the cross could be viewed as a failure, a hoax, a heroic martyrdom, or God’s provision of a sin-bearer. But in any event we must remember that “the most common of all the acts of God in history is the use of quotation marks”72—in other words, God has spoken. Frequently.

“Revelation” may refer to either God’s action or to the account of that action (either a verbal account by a prophet or an apostle, or the written account—the Bible). The word is used both ways in Scripture.73 Once written, “the Bible—the Word of God—is … an instrument of divine action” (VVA, 71). This is what Vanhoozer refers to in terms of communicative action—“God’s word does things” (72). In more traditional theological terms, this is the animation of the Word (Heb. 4:12). Revelation is not an ongoing act in this instance, but as people read and understand this verbal revelation it serves to instruct them—to challenge, rebuke, encourage, etc. The

71 Reymond would agree with Henry (New Systematic Theology, 5).

72 Nigel M. DE S. Cameron, “Revelation, Idea of,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. W. Elwell, 679–82 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 679.

73 The primary vocabulary in both the OT and NT (hlfg@f and ajpokaluvptw/ajpokavluyiV) are used most frequently of the act involved in God’s disclosure, but reference to the written record as revelation is not unknown. The OT does not express the concept of a written revelation by a noun form of hlfg@f (to reveal; there is no nominal form of this root that designates the content of the revelation), although the articular participle clearly has this meaning in Deut. 29:28 .t)&z@ha hrfw&t@ha yr"b:d@i-lk@f-t)e tw&#&(jla Mlfw&(-d(a w@nyn"bfl:w@ w@nlf t$lg:n@ihaw: (the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, in order that we may follow/obey all the words of the law [Eng. v. 29]). The preceding context refers not only to the tyrib@: (covenant, v. 24 [25]), but also to the rpes" (book, v. 26 [27]) in which the covenant was written. Also the purpose clause at the end of v. 28 [29] (l with the infinitive construct) makes it clear that the things revealed are t)&z@ha hrfw&t@ha yr"b:d@i-lk@f (all the words of this law). More often the OT refers to the written revelation as the word of the Lord (hwhy rbad@:) or as Torah (hrfw&t@). In the NT, ajpokavluyiV refers to the text of Scripture in Rom. 16:25–26 (ajpokavluyin musthrivou ... fanerwqevntoV de; nu:n diav te grafw:n profhtikw:n); note the parallel between the two phrases. Likewise in Rev. 1:1, ajpokavluyiV )Ihsou: Cristou: is parallel with tou;V lovgouV th:V profhteivaV. 34

trust & obey

IN Deut. 29:28-29 Deuteronomy 29:28-29 (KJV), “… the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day. 29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. “[3]

THE PHRASE, “that we may do all the words of this law…”  MEANS THAT “we may Obey all the words of the law [Eng. v. 29]).’

common statement (or its many variations), “God’s Word speaks to me…” does not (or should not be taken to!) imply a new act of revelation, but refers to the effect of the written Scriptures on the lives of the reader.

Authority in theology is based on the self-revelation of God through the Scriptures, which are the result of a human/divine concursus. Theology must respond appropriately to God’s self-revelation.74

“Theology is possible only as a word comes to us from beyond ourselves. There must be an effable … and transcendent … word if theology is to be truly the knowledge of God. There can be logia only as revelation is effable, and it can only be tou theou … only as it truly comes from God.”75

Bibliography

The following bibliography is by no means a complete bibliography on this subject, though it does include a substantial amount of material beyond that which has been cited in the paper. I include it here for the benefit of those interested in pursuing the topic further.

Austin, John L. How to Do Things with Words. Edited by J. Urmson and M. Sbisà. 2d ed. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1975.

Baillie, John. The Idea of Revelation in Recent Thought. London: Oxford University Press, 1956.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. Edited by G. W. Bromiley and T. F. Torrance. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1936–69.

Boice, James M. Witness and Revelation in the Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970.

Brunner, Emil. The Christian Doctrine of God: Dogmatics, v. 1. London: Lutterworth, 1949

Bultmann, Rudolph. Theology of the New Testament. Translated by K. Grobel, 2 vols. London: SCM, 1952–55.

74 VVA, 74. The above is my summary of Vanhoozer’s thesis, stripped of its jargon.

75 Ibid., 159.


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Cameron, Nigel M. DE S. “Revelation, Idea of.” In Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell, 679–82. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.

Carnell, Edward John. The Case for Orthodox Theology. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1959.

Carson, D. A. The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

Clark, Gordon H. Karl Barth’s Theological Method. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1963.

________. Logic. Jefferson, Maryland: Trinity Foundation, 1985.

Dockery, David S., ed. The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995.

Dulles, Avery. The Craft of Theology: From Symbol to System. New York: Crossroad, 1999.

Erickson, Millard J. Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

________. The Evangelical Left: Encountering Postconservative Evangelical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.

Fackre, Gabriel. The Doctrine of Revelation: A Narrative Interpretation. Edinburgh Studies in Constructive Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.

Galloway, Glenn Monroe. “The Efficacy of Propositionalism: The Challenge of Philosophical Linguistics and Literary Theory to Evangelical Theology.” Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1996.

Grenz, Stanley J. Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996.

________. Renewing the Center: Evangelical Theology in a Post-Theological Era. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

________. Revisioning Evangelical Theology: A Fresh Agenda for the 21st Century. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1993.

________. “Star Trek and the Next Generation.” In The Challenge of Postmodernism. Edited by David Dockery, 89–103. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995.

________. Theology for the Community of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

________. What Christians Really Believe and Why. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998.


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Grenz, Stanley J. and Roger E. Olson. 20th Century Theology: God and the World in a Transitional Age. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1992.

________. Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

Groothuis, Douglas. Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2000.

Henry, Carl F. H. God, Revelation and Authority. 6 vols. Waco, TX: Word, 1976–83.

________. “Postmodernism: The New Spectre?” In The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Edited by David Dockery, 34–52. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995.

________. Toward a Recovery of Christian Belief: The Rutherford Lectures. Wheaton: Crossway, 1990.

Henry, Carl F. H., ed. Revelation and the Bible: Contemporary Evangelical Thought. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1958.

Hirsch, Jr., E. D. Validity in Interpretation. London: Yale University Press, 1967.

Kelsey, David H. Proving Doctrine: The Uses of Scripture in Modern Theology. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1999.

________. The Uses of Scripture in Recent Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1975.

Lewis, Donald and Alister McGrath, eds. Doing Theology for the People of God: Studies in Honor of J. I. Packer. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

Lindbeck, George A. The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1984.

Marty, Martin E. and Dean G. Peerman, eds. A Handbook of Christian Theologians. Nashville: Abingdon, 1984.

McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1994.

________. Evangelicalism and the Future of Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1995.

________. “Evangelical Theological Method: The State of the Art.” In Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Edited by J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 15–37. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

________. The Genesis of Doctrine: A Study in the Foundation of Doctrinal Criticism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.


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________. A Passion for Truth: The Intellectual Coherence of Evangelicalism. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

________. Understanding Doctrine: What It Is—And Why It Matters. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

MacKinnon, Donald M. “Borderlands of Theology.” In Borderlands of Theology and Other Essays. Edited by G. Roberts and D. Smucker, 41–54. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1969.

Mohler, Richard Albert J. “Carl F. H. Henry.” In Baptist Theologians. Edited by Timothy George and David Dockery, 518–38. Nashville: Broadman, 1990.

________. “Evangelical Theology and Karl Barth: Representative Models of Response.” Ph.D. diss., Southern Baptist Seminary, 1989.

________. “The Integrity of the Evangelical Tradition and the Challenge of the Postmodern Paradigm.” In The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Edited by David Dockery, 67–88. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995.

Nash, Ronald H. The Word of God and the Mind of Man: The Crisis of Revealed Truth in Contemporary Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.

Tom Nettles. “Review of Revisioning Evangelical Theology by Stanley Grenz,” Trinity Journal 15 ns 1 (Spring 1994): 123–30.

Noll, Mark A. The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nashville: Nelson, 1998.

Roger Olson. “Whales and Elephants Both God’s Creatures But Can They Meet? Evangelicals and Liberals in Dialogue,” Pro Ecclesia 4.2 (1995): 165–89.

Patterson, Bob E., ed. Carl F. H. Henry. Makers of the Modern Theological Mind. Waco, TX: Word, 1983.

Phillips, Timothy R. and Dennis L. Okholm. The Nature of Confession: Evangelicals and Postliberals in Conversation. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

Pinnock, Clark H. Tracking the Maze: Finding Our Way Through Modern Theology from an Evangelical Perspective. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990.

Ramm, Bernard L. After Fundamentalism: The Future of Evangelical Theology. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

________. The Evangelical Heritage. Waco, TX. Word, 1973.

________. Special Revelation and the Word of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961.


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________. The Christian View of Science and Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1954.

Stackhouse, Jr., John G., ed. Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1951–63.

Torrance, Thomas F. Theological Science. London: Oxford University Press, 1969.

Van Til, Cornelius. The New Modernism: An Appraisal of the Theology of Barth and Brunner. 3d ed. Nutley, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1973.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, The Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.

________. “The Voice and the Actor: A Dramatic Proposal about the Ministry and Minstrelsy of Theology.” In Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Edited by J. G. Stackhouse, Jr., 61–106. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

White, James Emery. What is Truth? A Comparative Study of the Positions of Cornelius Van Til, Francis Schaeffer, Carl F. H. Henry, Donald Bloesch, Millard Erickson. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.

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IN Deut. 29:28-29 Deuteronomy 29:28-29

(KJV), “… the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day. 29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. “[4]

THE PHRASE, “that we may do all the words of this law…”  MEANS THAT “we may Obey all the words of the law [Eng. v. 29]).’

PREVIOUSLY I HADE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW DOCTRINAL – BIBLICAL PREACHING  enunciates spiritual facts and hOly principles, foR regulating our ENTIRE liFE-- FROM THOUGHT, ATITUDE, FEELINGS, CHOICES,AND  BEHAVIORS.. IN 1 TIM. 5:3 THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS MOVED BY GO D TO MENTION WITHDRAWING FROM ANY “not [CONSENTING] to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [5]”

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"The doctrine which is according to godliness"

defines the nature of Divine doctrine AND  intimatES OR POINTS TO ITS design or end WHICH is to inculcate a right temperMENT, A RIGHT mind,  and A RIGHT life Godwards.

SUCH DOCTINE is pure and purifying.

The revealed faith IS not A bare abstraction which IS TO BE MERELY INTELLECTUALLY accepted as true, nor  IS IT A SIMPLY sublime and lofty concept to be admired.  BIBLICAL DOCTRINE IS to have a powerful effect upon our daily walk. T

T Here is no doctrine revealed in Scripture for a merely speculative knowledge, but all is to exert a powerful influence upon conduct. God’s design in all that He has revealed to us is to the purifying of our ENTIRE BEING & the transforming of our characters.

Titus 2:11, 12) TEACHES US THAT SUCH doctrine teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

By far,  the greater part of the doctrine taught by Christ consisted not IN the expliNation of mysteries, but rather that which corrected men’s lusts and reformed their lives.

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Scripture has in view

the promotion of holiness AND MORE & MORE CONFORMITY TO OUR HOLY GOD WHO SAYS IN

1 Pet 1:15         But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16         Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

It IS absurd to affirm that

If my creed be sound it matters little how I act.

I SUGGEST THAT RIGHT IN THE GREATER GRAND RAPIDS AREA CHRISTIAN WITNESS IS SUFFERING FROM PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY BELIEVE THE RIGHT THINGS

BUT DON’T BEHAVE THE RIGHT WAY.

it is possible to deny the Faith by conduct

 as well as by creed.

A neglect of performing our christian duty is as real a repudiation of the Truth as is an open

renunciation of it,-- for the Gospel, equally with the Law, requires character, conduct & creed

to be in accord with sound doctrine" & not opposed to the conduct which God commands.

Observe too how that the spirit of covetousness or love of money is designated an erring "from the faith" (1 Tim. 6:10): it is a species of heresy, a departure from the doctrine which is according to godliness—an awful example of which we have in the case of Judas. Mortification, then, is clearly one of the practical doctrines of Holy Writ, as we hope to show abundantly in what follows.

2. An Outline

Romans 8:13 supplies the most comprehensive description of our subject to be found in any single verse of the Bible, setting forth as it does the greatest number of its principal features: "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." This is a most solemn and searching verse, and one which has little place in modern ministry, be it oral or written. If Arminians have sadly wrested it, many Calvinists have refused to face its plain affirmations and implications. Five things in it claim our best attention. First, the persons addressed. Second, the awful warning here set before them. Third, the duty enjoined upon them. Fourth, the effectual Helper provided. Fifth, the promise made to them. The better to focus our minds, and to enable us to grapple with the difficulties which not a few have found in the verse, ere seeking to fill in our outline we will ask a number of pertinent questions.

What is the relation between our text and the context? Why are both of its members in the hypothetical form—"if"? Does the "ye" in each half of the verse have reference to the same persons, or are there two entirely different classes in view? If the latter be the case, then by what valid principle of exegesis can we account for such? Why not change one of them to "any" or ‘ ‘they"? What is meant by "live after the flesh"? Is it possible for a real Christian to do so? If not, and it is unregenerate persons who are mentioned, then why say they "shall die," seeing that they are dead already spiritually? Are the terms "die" and "live" here used figuratively and relatively, or literally and absolutely? What is imported by "mortify" and why "the deeds of the body" rather than "the lusts of the flesh"? If the "ye" perform that task, then how "through the Spirit"? If He be the prime Worker, then why is the mortifying predicated of them? If there be conjoint action, then how are the two factors to be adjusted? In what manner will the promise "ye shall live" be made good, seeing they already be alive spiritually? We know of no commentator who has made any real attempt to grapple with these problems.

The whole context makes it quite evident what particular classes of people are here addressed. First, it is those who are in Christ Jesus, upon whom there is now no condemnation (verse 1). Second, it is those who have been made free from the law of sin and death, and had the righteousness of Christ imputed to them (verses 2-4). Third, it is those who give proof that they are the beneficiaries of Christ, by walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit (verse 4). In what immediately follows a description is given of two radically different classes: they who are after the flesh, carnally minded; they whose legal standing is not in the flesh, but in the spirit, who are spiritually minded because indwelt by the Spirit of God (verses 5-11). Fourth, concerning the latter—"we" as opposed to the "they" of verse 8—the apostle draws a plain and practical conclusion: "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (verse 12)—the endearing appellation there used by Paul leaves us in no doubt as to the particular type of characters he was addressing. Manton had a most able sermon on this verse, and we will, mostly in our own language, epitomize his exposition.

Man would fain be at his own disposal. The language of his heart is "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" (Ps. 12:4). He affects supremacy and claims the right of dominion over his own actions. But his claim is invalid, He was made by Another and for Another, and therefore he is a "debtor." Negatively, not to the flesh, which is mentioned because that corrupt principle is ever demanding subjection to it. Positively, he is debtor to the One who gave him being. Christians are debtors both as creatures and as new creatures, being entirely dependent upon God alike for their being and their well-being, for their existence and preservation. As our Maker, God is our Owner, and being our Owner He is therefore our Governor, and by consequence our Judge. He has an absolute propriety in us, an unchallengeable power over us, to command and dispose of us as He pleases. We have nothing but what we receive from Him. We are accountable to Him for our time and our talents. Every benefit we receive increases our obligation to Him. We have no right to please ourselves in anything. This debt is indissoluble: as long as we are dependent upon God for being and support, so long as we are bound to Him. Sin has in no wise cancelled our obligation, for though fallen man has lost his power to obey, the Lord has not lost His power to command.

By virtue of his spiritual being, the saint is still more a debtor to God. First, because of his redemption by Christ, for he is not his own, but bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:9). The state from which he was redeemed was one of woeful bondage, for he was a slave of Satan. Now when a captive was ransomed he became the absolute property of the purchaser (Lev. 25:45,46). The end which Christ had in view proves the same thing: He has "redeemed us to God" (Rev. 5:9). Second, because of his regeneration. The new nature then received inclines to God: we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Eph. 2:10). Having brought us from death unto life, renewed us in His image, bestowed upon us the status and privileges of sonship, we owe ourselves, our strength and our service unto God as His beneficiaries. The new creature is diverted from its proper use if we live after the flesh. Third, because of our own dedication (Rom. 12:1). A genuine conversion involves the renunciation of the world, the flesh and the devil, and the giving up of ourselves unto the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5). Since our obedience to God is a debt, there can be no merit in it (Luke 17:10); but if we pay it not, we incur the debt of punishment (Matt. 6:12,15). Since the flesh has no right to command, the gratification of it is the yielding to a tyrannous usurper (Rom. 6:12,14). When solicited by the flesh, the believer should reply, "I am the Lord’s."

"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." Here are two sharply contrasted propositions, each one being expressed conditionally. Two eventualities are plainly set forth. Two suppositions are mentioned, and the inevitable outcome of each clearly stated. Both parts of the verse affirm that if a certain course of conduct be steadily followed (for it is far from being isolated actions which are referred to) a certain result would inevitably follow. This hypothetical form of presenting the Truth is quite a common one in the Scriptures. Servants of Christ are informed that "If any man’s [literally "any one’s," i.e. of the "ministers" of verse 5, the "laborers" of verse 9] work abide which he hath built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s ["one’s," "minister’s"] work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss" (1 Cor. 3:14, 15). Other well-known examples are, "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ," and "For if I build again the things which I destroyed [renounced], I make myself a transgressor" (Gal. 1:10; 2:18). "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3, and cf. 10:26). Our text, then, is parallel with, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:8).

There are two things which the people of God are ever in need of: faithful warnings, kindly encouragement—the one to curb their sinful propensities, the other to animate their spiritual graces to the performing of duty, especially when they be cast down by the difficulties of the way or are mourning over their failures. Here too a balance needs to be carefully preserved. Inexperienced believers have little realization of the difficulties and perils before them, and the hearts of older ones are so deceitful that each alike needs to be plainly and frequently corrected, and exhorted to pay attention to the danger-signals which God has set up along our way. It is both striking and solemn to note how often the Saviour sounded the note of warning, not only unto the wicked, but more especially unto His disciples. He bade them, "Take heed what ye hear" (Mark 4:24); "Beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15); "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness" (Luke 11:35); "Remember Lot’s wife" (Luke 17:32); "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life" (Luke 21:34). To one He had healed, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14).

The word "flesh" is used in Scripture in a number of senses, but throughout Romans 8 it signifies that corrupt and depraved nature which is in us when we enter this world. That evil nature or principle is variously designated. It is termed sin (Rom. 7:8), "warring against the law of my mind" (verse 23). In James 4:5, "the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy," to indicate that it is not a tangible or material entity. But more commonly it is called "the flesh" (John 3:6; Rom. 7:25; Gal. 5:17). It is so termed because it is transmitted from parent to child as the body is, because it is propagated by natural generation, because it is strengthened and drawn forth by carnal objects, because of its base character and degeneracy. It was not in man when he left the hand of his Creator and was pronounced by Him "very good." Rather was it something that he acquired by the fall. The principle of sin as a foreign element, as a thing ab extra, as an invading agent, entered into him, vitiating the whole of his natural being—as frost enters into and ruins vegetables, and as blight seizes and mars fruit.

The "flesh" is the open, implacable, inveterate, irreconcilable enemy of holiness, yea, it is "enmity against God" (Romans 8:7)—an "enemy" may be reconciled, not so "enmity" itself. Then what an evil and abominable thing is the flesh: at variance with the Holy One, a rebel against His Law! It is therefore our enemy, yea, it is far and away the worst one the believer has. The Devil and the world without do all their mischief to the souls of men by the flesh within them. "The flesh is the womb where all sin is conceived and formed, the anvil upon which all is wrought, the false Judas that betrays us, the secret enemy within that is ready on all occasions to open the gates to the besiegers" (Thomas Jacomb, 1622-87). We must distinguish sharply between being in the flesh and living after the flesh. Thus, "For when we were in the flesh" (Rom. 7:5) has reference to Christians in their unregenerate condition, as "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" speaks of the unsaved; whereas "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit" (8:8,9) is predicated of believers. "In the flesh" imports a person’s standing and state before God; living after the flesh describes his course and conversation. The one inevitably follows and corresponds to the other: a person’s character and conduct agree with his condition and case.

The flesh is radically and wholly evil: as Romans 7:18, declares, there is "no good thing" in it. It is beyond reclamation, being incapable of any improvement. It may indeed put on a religious garb, as did the Pharisees, but beneath is nothing but rottenness. Fire may as soon be struck Out of ice as holy dispositions and motions be produced by indwelling sin. As the "flesh" continually opposes that which is good, so it ever disposes the soul unto what is evil. To "walk after" or to "live after the flesh" (both terms have the same force) is for a person to conduct himself as do all the unregenerate, who are dominated, motivated and actuated by nothing but their fallen nature. To "live after the flesh" refers not to a single act, nor even to a habit or a series of acts in one direction; but rather to the whole man being governed and guided by this vile principle. That is the case with all who are out of Christ: their desires, thoughts, speech and deeds all proceed from this corrupt fount. It is by the flesh that the whole of their souls are set in motion and their entire course steered. All is directed by some fleshly consideration. They act from self, or base principle; they act for self, or base end. The glory of God is nothing to them, the flesh is all in all.

The flesh is a dynamical, active, ambitious principle, and therefore it is spoken of as a lusting thing. Thus we read of "the lusts of the flesh," yea, of "the wills of the flesh" (Eph. 2:3—margin) for its desires are vehement and imperious. "But [indwelling] sin, taking occasion [being aggravated] by the commandment ["thou shalt not covet"], wrought in me all manner of concupiscence" [or "lust"] (Rom. 7:8). Education and culture may result in a refined exterior; family training and other influences may lead to an espousal of religion, as is the case with the great majority of the heathen; selfish considerations may even issue in voluntarily undergoing great austerities and deprivations, as the Buddhist to attain unto Nirvana, the Mohammedan to gain paradise, the Romanist to merit heaven—but the love of God prompts none of them, nor is His glory their aim. Though the Christian be "not in the flesh" as to his status and state, yet the flesh as an evil principle (unchanged) is still in him, and it "lusteth against the spirit" (Gal. 5:17) or new nature, and therefore are we exhorted, "Let not sin [i.e. the flesh] therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Rom. 6:12).

It requires to be pointed out that there is a twofold walking or living after the flesh: the one more gross and manifest, the other more indiscernible. The first breaks forth into open and bodily lusts and acts, such as gluttony, drunkenness, moral uncleanness: this is "the filthiness of the flesh." The second is when the flesh exerts itself in internal heart lusts, which are more or less concealed from our fellows, which lie smouldering and festering within our soul, such as pride, unbelief, self-love, envy, covetousness; this is the filthiness "of the spirit" (2 Cor. 7:1). In Galatians 5:18,19, the apostle gives a catalogue of the lustings of the flesh in both of these respects. He does so to expose a common fallacy. It is generally assumed that walking or living "according to the flesh" is limited to the first form mentioned, and the second one is little considered or regarded. So long as men abstain from gross intemperance, open profanity, brutish sensuality, they think that all is well with them, whereas they may be quite free from all gross practices and still be guilty of living after the flesh. Yea, such is the case with all in whose hearts there are inordinate affections after the world, a spirit of self-exaltation, covetousness, malice, hatred, uncharitableness, and many other reprehensible lusts.

Our text makes crystal clear to us the fundamental and vital importance of the duty here enjoined, for our performance or non-performance thereof is literally a matter of life and death. Mortification is not optional, but imperative. The solemn alternatives are plainly stated: neglect ensures everlasting misery, compliance therewith is assured eternal felicity. The whole verse is manifestly addressed unto saints, and they are faithfully warned, "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die": that is, die eternally, for as in 5:12, 21; 7:23; 8:6, "death" includes all the penal consequences of sin both here and hereafter; so in our text "die" manifestly signifies "shall suffer the second death," which is "the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8). The express reason is here advanced why Christians should not live after the flesh: they are not debtors to it to do so (verse 12): if they surrender to its dominion, the wages of sin will most certainly be paid them. "The flesh belongs to the world, and the man who is yielding to its promptings is in the world, living like the world, and must perish with the world" (J. Stifler).

It was by yielding to the lusts of the flesh that Adam brought death upon himself and all his posterity. And if I live after the flesh, that is, am governed and guided by my old nature, acting habitually according to its inclinations—for it is a persistent and continuous course of conduct which is here mentioned—then, no matter what be my profession, I shall perish in my sin. It is the gratifying and serving of the flesh, instead of the will of God, which eternally ruins souls. "It may be asked whether one who has received the grace of God in truth can live after the flesh. To live in a continued course of sin is contrary to the grace of God; but flesh may prevail and greatly influence the life and conversation for a while. How long this may be the case of a true believer under backsliding, through the power of corruptions and temptations, cannot be known; but certain it is that it shall not be always thus with him" (John Gill).

The whole of our verse pertains to professing Christians, and at the present moment. The Apostle did not simply say, "If ye have lived after the flesh," for that is the case with every unregenerate soul. But if ye now live after the flesh, "ye shall die"—in the full meaning of that word. It is a general statement of a universal truth. We fully agree with the explanation furnished by B.W. Newton, who was a decided Calvinist. "An expression of this kind is addressed to us for two reasons. First, because in the professing church the apostle knew there were and would be false professors. So whenever collective bodies are addressed, he always uses words implying uncertainty and doubt, for tares will be among the wheat. And second, true believers themselves (though grace can preserve them) have now nevertheless always a tendency in them to the same paths. Therefore descriptions like this, which are true to the full of those who merely profess, may yet be rightly applied to all who are wandering into those paths." Examples of the one are found in such passages as Galatians 4:20, and 6:8; Ephesians 5:5-7; Colossians 3:5, 6. Of the second it must be borne in mind that a backsliding Christian had turned aside from the narrow way of denying self, and that if he follows the course of self-pleasing to the bitter end, destruction awaits him."

See here the faithfulness of God in so plainly warning of the terrible doom awaiting all who live after the flesh. Instead of thinking hardly of God for His threatenings, we should be grateful for them. See the justice of God. To be pleasing self is to continue in the apostasy of mankind, and therefore the original sentence (Gen. 2:17) is in force against them. It is contempt of God, and the heinousness of the sin is measured by the greatness of Him who is affronted (1 Sam. 2:25). Moreover, they refuse the remedy, and therefore are doubly guilty. See here the wisdom of God in appointing the greater punishment to curb the greatness of the temptation. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, but the paths of sin are for evermore: if the latter were soundly believed and seriously considered, the former would not so easily prevail with us. Behold the holiness of God: a unmortified soul is unfit for His presence. Vessels of glory must first be seasoned with grace. Conformity to Christ fits for heaven, and where that be lacking there can be no entrance.

"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" (Rom. 8:13). The whole of this verse pertains and belongs to believers, who are "debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (verse 12); but, instead, debtors to Christ who redeemed them, and therefore to live unto His glory; debtors to the Holy Spirit who regenerated and indwells them, and therefore to live in subjection to His absolute control.

On this occasion we will state very briefly what is signified by "mortify," leaving till later a fuller explanation of the precise nature of this duty. First, from its being here placed in apposition with "live after the flesh," its negative sense is more or less obvious. To "live after the flesh" is to be completely controlled by indwelling sin, to be thoroughly under the dominion of our inbred corruptions. Hence, mortification consists in a course of conduct which is just the reverse. It imports: Comply not with the demands of your old nature, but rather subdue them. Serve not, cherish not your lusts, but starve them: "make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14). The natural desires and appetites of the physical body require to be disciplined, so that they are our servants and not our masters; it is our responsibility to moderate, regulate and subordinate them unto the higher parts of our being. But the cravings of the body of sin are to be promptly refused and sternly denied. The spiritual life is retarded just in proportion as we yield subservience to our evil passions.

The imperative necessity for this work of mortification arises from the continued presence of the evil nature in the Christian. Upon his believing in Christ unto salvation he was at once delivered from the condemnation of the Divine law, and freed from the reigning power of sin; but "the flesh" was not eradicated from his being, nor were its vile propensities purged or even modified. That fount of filthiness still remains unchanged unto the end of his earthly career. Not only so, but it is ever active in its hostility to God and holiness: "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit [or new nature] , and the Spirit against the flesh" (Gal. 5:17). Thus there is a ceaseless conflict in the saint between indwelling sin and inherent grace. Consequently there is a perpetual need for him to mortify or put to death not only the actings of indwelling corruption but also the principle itself. He is called upon to engage in ceaseless warfare and not suffer temptation to bring him into captivity to his lusts. The Divine prohibition is "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [enter into no truce, form no alliance with], but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). Say with Ephraim of old, "What have Ito do any more with idols?" (Hosea 14:8).

No real communion with God is possible while sinful lusts remain unmortified. Allowed evil draws the heart away from God, and tangles the affections, discomposes the soul, and provokes the Holy One to close His ears against our prayers: "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?" (Ezek. 14:3). God cannot in any wise delight in an unmortified soul: for Him to do so would be denying Himself or acting contrary to His own nature. He has no pleasure in wickedness, and cannot look with the slightest approval on evil. Sin is a mire, and the more miry we are the less fit for His eyes (Ps. 40:2). Sin is leprosy (Isa. 1:6), and the more it spreads the less converse will the Lord have with us. Deliberately to keep sin alive is to defend it against the will of God, and to challenge combat with the Most High. Unmortified sin is against the whole design of the Gospel—as though Christ’s sacrifice was intended to indulge us in sin, rather than redeem us from it. The very end of Christ’s dying was the death of sin: rather than sin should not die, He laid down His life.

Though risen with Christ, their life hid with Him in God, and they certain to appear with Christ in glory, the saints are nevertheless exhorted to mortify their members which are upon the earth (Col. 3:1-5). It may appear strange when we note what particular members the apostle specified. It was not vain thoughts, coldness of heart, unwary walking, but the visible and most repulsive members of the old man: "fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence"; and in verse 8 he bids them again, "put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication" and lying. Startling and solemn it is to find that believers require calling upon to mortify such gross and foul sins as those: yet it is no more than is necessary. The best Christians on earth have so much corruption within them, which habitually disposes them unto these iniquities (great and heinous as they are), and the Devil will so suit his temptations as will certainly draw their corruptions into open acts, unless they keep a tight hand and close watch over themselves in the constant exercise of mortification. None but the Holy One of God could truthfully aver, "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30) which could be enkindled by his fiery darts.

As the servants of God urge upon the wicked that they slight not any sin because in their judgment it is but a trivial matter, saying, "Is it not a little one? and my soul shall live" (Gen. 19:20); so the faithful minister will press it upon all of God’s people that they must not disregard any sin because it is great and grievous, and say within themselves, "Is it not a great one? and my soul shall never commit it." As we presume upon the pardoning mercy of God in the preserve us from the committing of great and crying sins. It is because of their self-confidence and carelessness that sometimes the most gracious and experienced suddenly find themselves surprised by the most awful lapses. When the preacher bids his hearers beware that they murder not, blaspheme not, turn not apostates from their profession of the faith, none but the self-righteous will say with Hazael, "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" (2 Kings 8:13). There is no crime, however enormous, no abomination, however vile, but what any of us are capable of committing, if we do not bring the cross of Christ into our hearts by a daily mortification.

But why "mortify the deeds of the body"? In view of the studied balancing of the several clauses in this antithetical sentence, we had expected it to read "mortify the flesh." In the seventh chapter and the opening verses of the eighth the apostle had treated of indwelling sin as the fount of all evil actions; and here he insists on the mortifying of both the root and the branches of corruption, referring to the duty under the name of the fruits it bears. The "deeds of the body" must not be restricted to mere outward works, but be understood as including also the springs from which they issue. As Owen rightly said, "The axe must be laid to the root of the tree." In our judgment "the body" here has a twofold reference. First, to the evil nature or indwelling sin, which in Romans 6:6, and 7:24, is likened unto a body, namely "the body of the sins of the flesh" (Col. 2:11). It is a body of corruption which compasses the soul: hence we read of "your members which are upon the earth" (Col. 3:5). The "deeds of the body" are the works which corrupt nature produces, namely our sins. Thus the "body" is here used objectively of "the flesh."

Second, the "body" here includes the house in which the soul now dwells. It is specified to denote the degrading malignity which there is in sin, reducing its slaves to live as though they had no souls. It is mentioned to import the tendency of indwelling sin, namely to please and pamper the baser part of our being, the soul being made the drudge of the outward man. The body is here referred to for the purpose of informing us that though the soul be the original abode of "the flesh" the physical frame is the main instrument of its actions. Our corruptions are principally manifested in our external members: it is there that indwelling sin is chiefly found and felt. Sins are denominated "the deeds of the body" not only because they are what the lusts of the flesh tend to produce, but also because they are executed by the body (Romans 6:12). Our task then is not to transform and transmute "the flesh," but to slay it: to refuse its impulses, to deny its aspirations, to put to death its appetites.

But who is sufficient for such a task—a task which is not a work of nature but wholly a spiritual one? It is far beyond the unaided powers of the believer. Means and ordinances cannot of themselves effect it. It is beyond the province and ability of the preacher: omnipotence must have the main share in the work. "If ye through the Spirit do mortify," that is "the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ" of Romans 8:9—the Holy Spirit; for He is not only the Spirit of holiness in His nature, but in His operations too. He is the principal efficient cause of mortification. Let us marvel at and adore the Divine grace which has provided such a Helper for us! Let us recognize and realize that we are as truly indebted to and dependent upon the Spirit’s operations as we are upon the Father’s electing and the Son’s redeeming us. Though grace be wrought in the hearts of the regenerate, yet it lies not in their power to act it. He who imparted the grace must renew, excite, and direct it.

Believers may employ the aids of inward discipline and rigor, and practice outward moderation and abstinence, and while they may for a time check and suppress their evil habits, unless the Spirit puts forth His power in them there will be no true mortification. And how does He operate in this particular work? In many different ways. First, at the new birth He gives us a new nature. Then by nourishing and preserving that nature. In strengthening us with His might in the inner man. In granting fresh supplies of grace from day to day. By working in us a loathing of sin, a mourning over it, a turning from it. By pressing upon us the claims of Christ, making us willing to take up our cross and follow Him. By bringing some precept or warning to our mind. By sealing a promise upon the heart. By moving us to pray.

Yet let it be carefully noted that our text does not say, "If the Spirit do mortify," or even "If the Spirit through you do mortify," but, instead, "If ye through the Spirit": the believer is not passive in this work, but active. It must not be supposed that the Spirit will help us without our concurrence, as well while we are asleep as waking, whether or not we maintain a close watch over our thoughts and works, and exercise nothing but a slight wish or sluggish prayer for the mortification of our sins. Believers are required to set themselves seriously to the task. If on the one hand we cannot discharge this duty without the Spirit’s enablement, on the other hand He will not assist if we be too indolent to put forth earnest endeavors. Then let not the lazy Christian imagine he will ever get the victory over his lusts.

The Spirit’s grace and power afford no license to idleness, but rather call upon us to the diligent use of means and looking to Him for His blessing upon the same. We are expressly exhorted, "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1), and that makes it plain that the believer is not a cipher in this work. The gracious operations of the Spirit were never designed to be a substitute for the Christian’s discharge of duty. Though His help be indispensable, yet it releases us not from our obligations. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (John 5:21) emphasizes our accountability and evinces that God requires much more than our waiting upon Him to stir us unto action. Our hearts are terribly deceitful, and we need to be much upon our guard against cloaking a spirit of apathy under an apparent jealous regard for the glory of the Spirit. Is no self-effort required to escape the snares of Satan by refusing to walk in those paths which God has prohibited? Is no self-effort called for in separating ourselves from the companionship of the wicked?

Mortification is a task to which every Christian must apply himself with prayerful diligence and resolute earnestness. The regenerate have a spiritual nature within that fits them for holy action, otherwise there would be no difference between them and the unregenerate. They are required to improve the death of Christ, to embitter sin to them by His sufferings. They are to use the grace received in bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. Nevertheless, it is a task which far transcends our feeble powers. It is only "through the Spirit" that any of us can acceptably or effectually (in any degree) "mortify the deeds of the body." He it is who presses upon us the claims of Christ: reminding us that inasmuch as He died for sin, we must spare no efforts in dying to sin—striving against it (Heb. 11:4), confessing it (1 John 1:9), forsaking it (Prov. 28:13). He it is who preserves us from giving way to despair, and encourages us to renew the conflict. He it is who deepens our longings after holiness, and moves us to cry, "Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Ps. 51:10).

"If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body." Mark, my reader, the lovely balance of truth which is here so carefully preserved: while the Christian’s responsibility is strictly enforced, the honour of the Spirit is as definitely maintained and Divine grace is magnified. Believers are the agents in this work, yet they perform it by the strength of Another. The duty is theirs, but the success and the glory are His. The Spirit’s operations are carried on in accordance with the constitution which God has given us, working within and upon us as moral agents. The same work is, in one point of view, God’s; and in another ours. He illumines the understanding, and makes us more sensible of indwelling sin. He makes the conscience more sensitive. He deepens our yearnings after purity. He works in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure. Our business is to heed His convictions, to respond to His holy impulses, to implore His aid, to count upon His grace.

"If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Here is the encouraging promise set before the sorely tried contestant. God will be no man’s debtor: yea, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). If then, by grace, we concur with the Spirit, denying the flesh, striving after holiness, richly shall we be recompensed. The promise unto this duty is opposed unto the death threatened in the clause foregoing: as "die" there includes all the penal consequences of sin, so "shall live" comprehends all the spiritual blessings of grace. If by the Spirit’s enablement and our diligent use of the Divinely appointed means we sincerely and constantly oppose and refuse the solicitations of indwelling sin, then—but only then—we shall live a life of grace and comfort here, and a life of eternal glory and bliss hereafter. We have shown elsewhere that "eternal life" (1 John 2:25) is the believer’s present possession (John 3:36; 10:28) and also his future goal (Mark 10:30; Gal. 6:8; Titus 1:2). He now has a title and right to it; he has it by faith, and in hope; he has the seed of it in his new nature. But he has it not yet in full possession and fruition.

"The promises of the Gospel are not made to the work, but to the worker; and to the worker not for his work, but according to his work, for the sake of Christ’s work. The promise of life, then, is not made to the work of mortification, but to him that mortifies his flesh; and that not for his mortification, but because he is in Christ, of which this mortification is the evidence. That they who mortify the flesh shall live is quite consistent with the truth that eternal life is the free gift of God; and in the giving of it, there is no respect to the merit of the receiver. This describes the character of all who receive eternal life; and it is of great importance. It takes away all ground of hope from those who profess to know God and in works deny Him" (Robert Haldane). The conditionality of the promise, then, is neither that of causation nor uncertainty, but of coherence and connection. A life of glory proceeds not from mortification as the effect from the cause, but follows merely upon it as the end does the use of means. The highway of holiness is the only path which leads to heaven.

d and the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in our lives!

          LISTEN TO ROM 8 V 30.  ROMANS 8:30 (KJV), “MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.”

          ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR OF THAT VERSE, IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, WE SEE THAT THOSE GOD HAS DETERMINED TO BE LIKE CHRIST ARE ASSURED OF THAT GOAL JUST AS IF IT HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.  GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE BEGINS.  PHIL. 1:6 PHILIPPIANS 1:6 (KJV) “BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST: “

          THE LORD WILL BRING US TO COMPLETION—TO TOTAL SAINTLINESS OR TO TOTAL SANCTIFICATION TO TOTAL GLORIFICATION.  I KNOW WE'RE NOT THEIR YET, BUT SOMEONE WROTE THIS & I AGREE;

I AM NOT WHAT I OUGHT TO BE , TO MY DISGRACE.

""""""""""""""””””””””"'WANT """""""""""""""”””””””””DISMAY.

"""""""""""""""””””””””” WILL BE BY GOD'S GRACE,

& BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE,

I AM NOT WHAT I ONCE WAS.”

  SEE, GOD THE FATHER IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION

& TOTAL SAINTLY SANCTIFICATION--(ROM.8:28-30)--EVEN THO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK THAT WAY, OR FEEL THAT WAY.  GOD THE FATHER IS ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.  HE IS ALWAYS FOR US & NOT AGAINST US.  ROM.8:31 SAYS, ROMANS 8:31 (KJV), “WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?”

          & IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS AGAINST US BECAUSE NO FORCE CAN BEAT US.  CHRISTIANS WILL EVENTUALLY WIN!  WE ARE ON THE VICTOR'S SIDE.  "THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS. 

          & SINCE GOD THE FATHER HAS SECURED THE ULTIMATE END OF SALVATION—TOTAL SAINTLY SANCTIFICATION & GLORIFICATION, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE LESSER BENEFITS OF SALVATION? ROM. 8:32 SAYS, ROMANS 8:32 (KJV)” HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS? “

NOW OF COURSE I THINK THE “ALL THINGS” DEALS  WITH THINGS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES FOR HOLY, SANCTIFIED LIVING.  2 PET. 1:3 SAYS, “ACCORDING AS HIS DIVINE POWER HATH GIVEN UNTO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN UNTO LIFE AND GODLINESS, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM THAT HATH CALLED US TO GLORY AND VIRTUE:”

I ALSO THINK THAT FITS IN WITH PHIL. 4:13,. “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME. “

YES, BELIEVERS CAN DO ALL THINGS THAT GOD WANTS US TO DO THROUGH GOD HIMSELF WHO STRENGTHENS US SO WE CAN STAND UP AGAINST ALL CHARGES AGAINST US BECAUSE GOD HAS JUSTIFIED OR DECLARED US RIGHTEOUS. ROM. 8:33 SAYS, “WHO SHALL LAY ANY THING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD’S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH.”.

          & THOSE JUSTIFIED BY GOD WILL NEVER BE CONDEMNED BY GOD BECAUSE OF CHRIST. ROM.8:34. “WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.”

THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DRUNK WHO JUMPED OF A BRIDGE TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.  BUT WHEN HE HIT THE COLD WATER IN THE RIVER IT SOBERED HIM UP A BIT & HE HAD 2D THOUGHTS.  HE YELLED FOR HELP & PASSING MOTORIST JUMPED IN A SAVED HIM.

 HOWEVER, THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM FOR BEING DRUNK & DISORDERLY & DISTURBING THE PEACE.  LOW & BEHOLD HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT & THE MAN WHO SAVED HIM WAS THE JUDGE.  WHILE THE JUDGE WAS GIVING HIM A STIFF SENTENCE THE DRUNK RECOGNIZED THE JUDGE & SAID,

"HEY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SAVED ME FROM DROWNING."  & THE JUDGE SAID,"WHY YES I DID.  THAT DAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOR BUT TODAY I"M YOUR JUDGE & YOU ARE CONDEMNED & MUST HAVE THIS SENTENCE." 

WELL, THOSE SAVED BY JESUS WILL NEVER HAVE A SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION.

BUT ONCE WE HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR WE CAN ASK LIKE IN THAT OLD HYMN, Amazing Love (And Can It Be)
by Charles Wesley

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou,

my God, should die for me?

No condemnation now I dread.

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,

and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

           

                                                                       16  BUT ROM. 8:1 SAYS, “THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.”  SEE, IF WE REALLY HAVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR, THERE IS A DEGREE TO WHICH WE WILL WALK BY THE SPIRIT—OR IF WE QUENCH & GRIEVE THE SPIRIT, WE MAY GET AN EARLY TRIP HOME.

                                    a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!

   A:\1JOHN\5V12 11 MAR 98  WED, TURN TO HYMN 58 "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"  INTRO.   ATTN - LAST WED I LEFT OFF WITH 1 JOHN 5:11-12.   I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW TRUE FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON guarantees  a HOME IN heaven, PARDON &^ FORGIVENESS OF SIN." MOTIVATION- A MESSAGE LIKE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR CONFUSED & SOMETIMES CONFUSING AGE.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE BIBLE TRUTHS TO US SO THAT WE MAY MATURE IN OUR FAITH & PRESENT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO NEED HIM. 

            NOW BACK TO 1JOHN 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12  He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."  WHILE I MADE A POINT ABOUT THOSE WITHOUT CHRIST BEING LOST, I WANT THOSE OF WITH CHRIST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BY BELIEVING ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD. 1 JOHN 5:13 SAYS, 

"THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." (1 JOHN 5:13)

            FOR RIGHT NOW I WANT TO MAJOR ON THE FACT THAT HE THAT  BELIEVETH ON THE SON, THE DIVE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR HAS EVERLASTING, ETERNAL LIFE..." SEE, ACCORDING TO 1 JOHN 5:11 -12, WHICH WE READ LAST WEEK, "...GOD HAS  GIVEN TO THOSE ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR, ETERNAL LIFE.  ETERNAL LIFE, SALVATION, PARDON, FORGIVENESS AND SUCH THINGS ARE ALL IN THE SON."      

            LAST WEEK WE WERE WORKING ON THE FACT THAT [F.]  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR [IV.] INSURES ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS OR GUARANTEES, ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

            OF COURSE ETERNAL LIFE CANNOT BE TEMPORARY. 

IF WE HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR, WE HAVE A SURE SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNAL INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

            WHILE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD &  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGH THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES, WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE NOW IS THAT THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.         AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS. 

LAST WEEK WE SAW THAT THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON OUR TRIUNE GOD:  WE WENT OVER SOME OF THE VERSES SHOWING US THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER GUARANTEEING ETERNAL SECURITY. [JOHN 10:27-29,JOHN 17:1-6,ROMANS 8:31-39;EPH. 1:3-7;JUDE 24 &25].  WE ALSO LOOKED AT GOD THE SON KEEPING TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,ROM. 8:34].  NOW I WANT TO PICK UP WITH

HEB. 7:25,  WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM."

1 JOHN 2:1-2, 1  MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS WRITE I UNTO YOU, THAT YE SIN NOT. AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS: 2  AND HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS: AND NOT FOR OURS ONLY, BUT ALSO FOR [THE SINS OF] THE WHOLE WORLD."

           

SO REAL BELIEVERS ARE KEPT SAVED BY GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, & GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHO REGENERATES. JOHN 3:3-7,  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. 4  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? 5  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. 6  THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH; AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT."JOHN TITUS 3:5, "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST;"

-INDWELLS, 1 COR. 6:19, 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?"

- BAPTIZES, 1 COR. 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."

-SEALS, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:22, "WHO HATH ALSO SEALED US, AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS." [macS study bible, p.1804 ] IN THE TIME OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, SEALING REFERRED TO AN OFFICIAL MARK OF ID PLACED UPON A LETTER, CONTRACT, COVENANT, OR DOCUMENT.  WHATEVER WAS SEALED, WAS OFFICIALLY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PERSON WHOSE STAMP WAS UPON THE SEAL. SOME PRIMARY TRUTHS SIGNIFIED BY THE SEAL ARE:1. SECURITY-(DAN.6:17;MAT.27:62-66); [2. AUTHENTICITY (1 KINGS 21:6-16);] 3. OWNERSHIP (JER.32:10) & 4. AUTHORITY (ESTHER 8:8-12)

EPH. 1:13, "IN WHOM YE ALSO [TRUSTED], AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION:

IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE," 

            THE HS IS ALSO THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST OR DOWNPAYMENT WHICH GUARANTEES MORE TO COME. EPH. 1:14, "WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY."

2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; "NOW HE THAT HATH WROUGHT US FOR THE SELFSAME THING [IS] GOD, WHO ALSO HATH GIVEN UNTO US THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT."  [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULLY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

           

THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & BEING LIKE CHRIST.  WE WILL HAVE NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, IMMORTAL BODY. 

            HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE--THEY WILL END IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

            WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13, "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD."(1 JOHN 5:13)

   V.  A SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON,

THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  SEE, IF THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS NOT REALLY BELIEVED, THEN ANY SO-CALLED FAITH IS VOID--THAT MEANS EMPTY.  SEE, ANY SO-CALLED FAITH THAT IS NOT REALLY IN THE REAL CHRIST AS SAVIOR IS NULL & VOID & ACTUALLY VIOLATES THE SALVATION OFFERED THROUGH THE SAVIOR.

            WELL, ON TO THE LAST CLAUSE IN 1 JO 5:13.  "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD."             THE LAST CLAUSE IS DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THE GREEK FROM WHICH WE GET THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION, BUT I THINK IT MEANS "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF,

 MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST. 

            THAT CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT GUARANTEES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY TRUE SAVIOR.  CONVERSELY OR FOR THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRUTH WE HAVE IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE: AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE; BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM."

            LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN.

            SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[THE NEXT PASSAGE IS FROM NEWPAPER PRINT]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IN PRISON AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE AND PERHAPS HAVE SOME DOUBT.

            ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME. 

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                                                a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN     

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!WE ENDED UP THE TIME TALKING ABOUT WITNESSES TO THE TRUY\UTH ABPUT JEASUS CHRIST BEING GOD IN THGE FLESH, THE SAVIOR.  MOTIVATION- A MESSAGE ABOUT

HEY SEE IF THEY ARE LOVING CORRECTLY & CHECK THEMSELVES AGAINST THE COMMANDS OF GOD THEY DON'T KNOW?

            ALSO,  ANY ONE CLAIMING DIVINE LOVE FOR THE BIBLICAL LORD JESUS CHRIST THEN REFUSING TO FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS DISTORTS DIVINE LOVE.   WE NEED TO CHECK AND SEE IF WE ARE KEEPING HIS COMMANDS  TO RIGHTLY LOVE HIM AND OTHERS.  1 JOHN 5:3 [IV.  DIVINE LOVE (DEFINED)]. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

A.  TRUE DIVINE LOVE TO THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS DEFINED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING. 

            LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT fulfilling of the law OF LOVE BY ADHERING TO THOSE COMMANDS WHICH DEAL WITH PROPERLY LOVING GOD.  THIS WEEK, WE'LL SEE HOW WE NEED LINE UP WITH WHAT GOD SAYS IS LOVING TOWARD PERSONS OTHER THAN GOD.  SO, HOW LOVING ARE WE IN OUR  INTERPERSONAL, HUMAN RELATIONS? THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS START IN THE HOME.

EX. 20:12, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)

1.   []  ?MOTHER, FATHER LOVE - RESPECT?

[]  ?THE BIBLICAL ROLES IN THE HOME?  THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE & A BIBLICAL ORDER FOR THE HOME & FAMILY.  NEEDS TO BE LOVING REEMPHASIZED IN OUR DAY.

             Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)

THE GENUINE LOVE OF GOD BEING MADE MANIFEST IN A PERSON'S LIFE WILL PREVENT A PERSON FROM

v.13   MURDER OF THE UNBORN, ELDERLY, HANDICAPPED, SELF & OTHERS. 

TRUE LOVE WON'T TAKE A PERSON'S LIFE OR

v.14                            WIFE OR        HUSBAND.  Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

v.15   OR PROPERTY. V 15 IS ANTI-COMMUNISM & SOCIALISM. "Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15"

 IF EVERYTHING BELONGED TO EVERYONE IN COMMON, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE STEALING TO TAKE IT. 

EXOD. 20:16 IN THE LAW OF DIVINE LOVE SAYS DON'T LIE ABOUT A PERSON OR STATE 1/2 TRUTHS OR MAKE INSINUATIONS, INNUENDOS (DEROGATORY REMARKS)  RUMORS OR SNIDE REMARKS, CUTS, BARBS, PUT DOWNS, OR GOSSIP. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Ex 20:16.

 EXOD. 20:17 IN THE LAW OF DIVINE LOVE SAYS DON'T COVET.  "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's." COVETEOUSNESS IS HARD TO DETECT BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH JEALOUSY, ENVY ETC.: 

 []  ?ARE YOU JEALOUS OR ENVIOUS OF SOMEONE'S

 []  ?POSSESSIONS?             

[]  ?POSITION?

[]  ?POWER?

[]  ?PROPERTY?

[]  ?PRESTIGE?

[]  ?HEALTH? LET US NOT BEGRUDGE PEOPLE WHAT GOD GIVES ALLOWS THEM!

            SO OCCASIONALLY WE NEED TO CHECK OURSELVES & SEE IF WE ARE FULFILLING THE DUTIES OF LOVE.

            NOW BACK TO 1 JN. 5:3 cont."For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 

IV.  DIVINE LOVE DEMONSTRATED                       A.  "   "       "  BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING       B.  "   "       "  W/O CUMBERSOMENESS

KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDS IS NOT CUMBERSOME TO THE ONE WHO TRULY LOVES GOD.  IT'S LIFE THE LITTLE GIRL THAT WAS CARRYING A BIG FAT HEAVY BABY - & A LITTLE ELDERLY LADY SAID ?ISN'T HE TOO HEAVY FOR YOU?" "NO, HE AIN'T'S HEAVY - HE'S MY BROTHER"!  SHE LOVED THAT FAT BABY BROTHER.

            DIVINE LOVE IS NOT TO BE A BURDEN.  DIVINE LOVE IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE KEEPING GOD'S LAWS A DELIGHT AND DELIGHTFUL. 

HOWEVER, I FOUND A QUOTE ABOUT THE BURDENSOME NATURE OF RELIGION.

            [BEGINNING OF QUOTE]

THE BURDEN OF RELIGION (MAN TRYING TO PLEASE GOD IN HIS OWN STRENGTH) IS A GRIEVOUS ONE (cf. MATT. 23:4, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers."

            BUT THE YOKE THAT CHRIST PUT ON US IS NOT BURDENSOME AT ALL. MATT. 11:28-30, "28  Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11)"

            SEE, LOVE LIGHTENS BURDENS.  JACOB HAD TO WORK FOR SEVEN YEARS TO WIN THE WOMAN HE LOVED, BUT THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT "THEY SEEMED UNTO HIM A FEW DAYS, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD FOR HER" (GEN. 29:20).  PERFECT LOVE PRODUCES JOYFUL OBEDIENCE. & reveals the BIG LIE: WHICH SAYS CHRISTIANS HAVE NO FUN."

            FRIENDS, DIVINE LOVE IS DEMANDED, BUT IT IS BEING DISTORTED, IT CAN BE DISCERNED & IT CAN BE DEFINED BY GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION.  LET'S DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO GOD & OTHERS PROPERLY BY CHRIST'S ENABLEMENT IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD - TO WHOM IS GLORY & HONOR FOREVER. 

            WELL, ON TO 1 JOHN 5:4-13 TALKING ABOUT "FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON."  [14 OCT 84 PM  FAITH, FAIRVIEW]

  [MAY 87  1000 MVF CHAPEL  SUN AM]

            MY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND UPON THIS THEME IN THIS CONTEXT AND TRUST THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY IT TO OUR HEARTS & HEADS THAT WE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MAY MATURE IN IT & PRESENT IT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE FAITH, OR NEED TO GROW IN IT UNTO MATURITY. 

1 JOHN 5:4-13 TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:4,5,  1.  ...IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE WORLD.  JESUS SAID THE WORLD WOULD GIVE US TROUBLE.  JOHN 16:33,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

            SEE, FAITH IS THE VICTORY!  IT IS A SPIRITUAL FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, NOT A CARNAL FITE!  WE ARE NOT TO FITE IN OR BY OR EVEN WITH THE FLESH IN THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  2 Corinthians 10:3_5, "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,

and every high thing that exalteth

itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every

thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Corinthians 10)

FAITH IS ONE OF OUR WEAPONS & OUR SHIELD. CF EPH. 6:10- 18, "10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  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]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph.6). 

FAITH IS NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHATEVER GOD SAYS IS TRUE, IT IS ACTING ON THOSE FACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE.  IN THIS CASE FAITH NAMES & CLAIMS THE VICTORY. 

            v. 5., "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  FROM V5 WE COULD SAY THAT WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD OR WORLDLINESS REIGNS SUPREME OR IS THE VICTOR FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THERE MAY BE MORE THAN AN INDICATION OF CARNALITY - IT MAY BE AN INDICATION OF LOSTNESS.  FOR UNLESS ONE BELIEVES & RECEIVES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION - THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS, ITS INTENTIONS - AND ITS PRINCE HAS POWER OVER THE LOST SOUL. 

            LET ME PUT THAT ANOTHER WAY.  UNLESS WE HAVE A TRUST THAT OBEYS GOD'S WORD, THEN THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS - ITS INTENTIONS - & ITS PRINCE - CAN HAVE POWER OVER EVEN OUR CHRISTIAN SOUL!, AT LEAST ON A MOMENTARY BASIS.

                        NOW, TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS AS GOD THE SON, 1 JN. 5:6,  II.  ...IS VIOLENTLY, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HERESY. "This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6 PROBABLY REFERS TO THE THE CERENTHIAN GNOSTIC HERESY, A POPULAR HERESY PROMOTED BY CERENTHUS TO WHICH JOHN'S CONTEMPORARIES WERE EXPOSED.  CERRNTHUS  PORTRAYED JESUS AS A MERE MAN ON WHOM 'THE CHRIST' HAD COME WHEN JESUS WAS WATER BAPTIZED & THEN CLAIMED THE CHRIST SPIRIT LEFT THE MAN JESUS ON THE CROSS SO THAT HE DIED LIKE ANY OTHER MERE MAN - INSTEAD OF AS GOD IN THE FLESH BEING A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR A FALLEN RACE. 

            SEE, IF CHRIST HAD DIED AS A MERE MAN, HIS DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE INFINITE VALUE NEEDED TO PAY THE PENALYY FOR SIN AGAINST AN INFINITLEY HOLY & INFINITE GOD.

            SEE, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN.  GOD WAS BORN AS A MAN - HE WAS BORN THRU WATER & BLOOD, HE WAS ALREADY GOD THE SON AT HIS WATER BAPTISM, I.e. THE HOLY SPIRIRT DID NOT DEIFY CHRIST AT HIS WATER BAPTISM.  THE THE GOD-MAN DIED AS A MAN & ISSUED FORTH WATER & BLOOD.  (JOHN 19:33-36, "33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35  And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." 

 & IF WE'RE SAVED ITS THRU THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (TITUS 3:5). W/ THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLYING THE WATER OF THE WORD & THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE GOD MAN TO US. 

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON 1 JOHN 5: 7-10,   III.  ...IS VALIDATED/VERIFIED BY TESTIMONY

1 JOHN 5:7   A.  THE HEAVENLY TESTIMONY. 

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."-

JOHN 1:1-3, "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:14;"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  

                 DUET. 19:19, JOHN 8:17 & 18  - STILL I THINK WITNESSING TO HIS PERSON AS TRUE GOD/TRUE MAN.

1 JOHN 5:8   B.  THE EARTHLY TESTIMONY -

TO HIS PERSON AS GOD IN THE FLESH.

I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN WITH 1 JOHN ch. 5.  I LEFT 1 JOHN FOR A WHILE TO SEE THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LAST WORDS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS & THEN I DID A FEW LENTEN TYPE MESSAGES & LAST SUNDAY WAS RESURRECTION SUNDAY -

LORD WILLING , I WANT TO FINISH 1 JOHN ch. 5 SOMETIME SOON.

THE LAST TIMEN I WAS IN 1 JOHN, I HAD LOOKED AT vv. 7-10 AND SAW THAT TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE SAVIOR IS VALIDATED OR VERIFIFED BY

HEAVENLY TESTIMONY -

HUMAN TESTIMONY

  THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD &

[noW IN

v. 10??]   

  THE SUBJECTIVE, INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD OR

THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

            TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:7-10  cont.,  iii.  ...IS VALIDATED BY TESTIMONY VERIFIED

1 JOHN 5:9a,  C.  THE HUMAN TESTIMONY

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE OR TRUST, OR PLACE FAITH IN SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PILOTS, COOKS, BOOKS, NEWPAPERS, DRIVERS - WHY NOT TRUST GOD & HIS WORD? 

            MEN CAN BE DECEIVED OR DECEIVE, GOD CAN'T.  MAN'S TESTIMONY IS FINITE & LIMITED IN POWERS OF OBSERVATIONS & RECALL,

GOD'S IS NOT!

WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF HUMAN TESTIMONY, WE CAN ONLY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN & ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF DIVINE TESTIMONY & THAT WHICH IS RECORDED AS THE RECORD IN THIS BOOK!

1 JOHN 5:10a.  E.  THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY.

THE BELIEVER HAS AN INTERNAL WITNESS (ROM. 8:16 & COL. 4:6).  THIS INTERNAL WITNESS DOES NOT DENY THE FACT THAT THERE IS VALID EXTERNAL EVIDENCE - BUT IT IS ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CAN CAUSE ONE TO INTERNALIZE THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE (MATT. 16:16-18).

OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL EVIDENCE IS USELESS FOR SALVATION UNLESS IT BECOMES AN INTERNAL SUBJECTUVE CONVICTION ... MUST BE IN THE HEART & NOT JUST THE HEAD (JAMES 2:19) ... AND ONE CAN'T HAVE THE INTERNAL SUBJECTIVE CONVICTION UNTIL THE OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED & THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL IVIDENCE CAN'T BE ACEPTED UNLESS THERE IS THE INTERNAL, SUBJECTIVE, CONVICTION, i.e. THE HOLY SPIRIT & HIS WORD & ANOTHER THEOLOGICAL ANTINOMY OR PARADOX. 

[READ 1 JOHN 5:12] 

            F.  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR

            IV.  IS VOWED TO INSURE ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

THIS PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS TH THOSE TRUSTING CHRIST - NOT IN CHURCHIANITY OR RELIGIOSITY OR IN A CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE, A DENOMINATIONAL RITUAL OR RITE.  [SEE MESSAGE ON GOOD WORKS.]

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SUN, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

v. 12  NO CHRIST = NO ETERNAL LIFE.  ONE CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION, AND A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & STILL NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION & A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & NOT HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

            THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFEBOAT - HE'S THE LIFELINE.  ?ARE YOU TRUSTING HIM ONLY FOR SALVATION & IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOTHING CAN SHAKE YOUR FAITH IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE??  ?IF NOT - THEN YOUR FAITH IS SHAKEY!  "ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND -- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"

LET'S FORGET ABOUT CHRISTIANITY & RELIGIOSITY & PREACH CHRIST ?DO YOU HAVE CHRIST?  IF YOU HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR - YOU HAVE AN ASSURED SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNA INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

           

            ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGHT THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES.  THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.  AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS.  THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON:  THE FATHER (JOHN 10:27,[OR-]29, [17:1ff;] ROMANS 8:31, 38, 39; EPH. 1:3-7; JUDE 24 &25), THE SON KEEPS TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,]  ROM. 8:34, 2 TIM. 1:10-12, HEB. 7:25, 1 JOHN 2:1?) AND HOLY SPIRIT WHO REGENERATES (JOHN 3:3, TITUS 3:5), INDWELLS

(1 COR. 6:19), BAPTIZES (1 COR. 12:13), SEALS (2 COR. 1:22, EPH. 1:13) AND IS THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST (EPH. 1:14, 2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENET EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CLIMAX OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

            THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & LIKE CHRIST -- NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, INNORTAL BODY.  [SOME,]  HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THAT ENDS IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13   V.  SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  VOID - NULL & VOID &

VIOLATED

THE LAST CLAUSE ID DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THEGREEK, BUT I THIND IT MEANS THE "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF, MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST). [?end quote?] 

THIS CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT ASSURES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS SAVIOR .. [CONVERSELY (JOHN 3:36)]

[LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN -

TURN TO HYMN 58 - "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"]

SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[the next passage is from newpaper print]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            [THE ___________] JOHN IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IMPRISONED; AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE.  [NOW THERE ARE SOME RESULTS FROM DOUBT.]

***      ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME. 

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                                                a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!

SO , DON'T RAISE ANY HANDS OR RESPOND OUTWARDLY.  BUT AS WE RAN A KIND OF  SELF- INSPECTION CHECKLIST ON  COL.3:12-23 , A12?Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13?Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel?b against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 3:14 A?And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15?And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

COL. 3:16? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17?And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

   18?Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19?Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20?Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21?Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22?Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23?And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men@

.  ? DID YOU PASS OR DID YOU FAIL?  ? IF YOU WERE PUT ON TRIAL FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN, WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU IN A COURT OF LAW?   IF NOT, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE SURE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD TODAY.   JOHN 1:12 SAYS, AJohn 1:12 (KJV)

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: A

              THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US LIVE A PRACTICAL & PROGRESSIVE HS ENABLED SANCTIFICATION TO OVERCOME SIN STILL IN US & AROUND US. E.G.:

-RELIGIOUS SINS

-SEXUAL SINS

-RELIGIOUS SINS

 - INTERPERSONAL & SOCIAL SINS. 

-ANY & ALL KINDS OF SINS;  BUT BEFORE I GO ON I WANT MAKE AN INTERJECTION.  WE ARE TO HATE SIN.  BUT, PLEASE REMEMBER, WE ARE TO LOVE SINNERS.  GOD DOES -JOHN 3:16, A16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.@ SEE, GOD IS LOVE & WHEN WE ACCEPT THE GOD OF LOVE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SUPPOSED TO BE SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS, LISTEN TO ROM. 5:1-5, A?Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2?By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3?And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4?And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5?And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

            See, this LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS SHED ABROAD IN THE HEART OF A BELIEVER BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS ACTUALLY A FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT--IT IS SOMETHING PRODUCED IN A BELIEVER ONCE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN US & IF WE DON'T QUENCH OR GRIEVE THE H.S.

SEE, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRT OR THE FRIUT PRODUCED IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ALLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LOVE.  [1 OF 3]

           


A:\LOVE.  21 FEB 96 WPBC.  THE FRIUT PRODUCES BY THE HS IS LOVE.  BUT WHEN AMERICANS  CELEBRATE LOVE, IT REMINDS ME OF A  SECULAR SONG WHICH SAID, THEY ARE "LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES."  ANOTHER SECULAR SONG POPULAR BACK IN THE EARLY 70s WAS , "WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, SWEET LOVE."  THAT IS TRUE, HOWEVER, AMERICANS & THE REST OF THE WORLD SHOW LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL LOVE.  ONE OF THE FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTERS ON LOVE IS 1 COR. 13.  THIS CHAPTER IS PROBABLY MOSTLY ABOUT LOVE DESCRIBED.  LOVE IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE OR DEFINE APART FROM GOD'S SPECIAL REVELATION IN THE BIBLE.  E.G., "LOVE IS A FEELING YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GET A FEELING YOU'VE NEVER FELT BEFORE."  "LOVE IS A PERPETUAL STATE OF ANESTHESIA."  "LOVE IS A      THE WORLD IN GENERAL HAS A HARD TIME DISCERNING, DEFINING, OR DESCRIBING LOVE.  SO, TONIGHT, 1 WEEK AFTER VALENTINE'S DAY, I WANT TO LOOK AT "LOVE  ACTION," FROM 1 COR.13.

            I SENSE THAT THE APOSTLE PAUL IS DOING SOMETHING IN THE BOOK OF 1 CORINTHIANS THAT THE CHARISMATICS & PENTECOSTALS MISS.  THEY THINK PAUL IS COMMENDING THEM WHEN HE IS ACTUALLY CORRECTING THEM.  THEY THINK PAUL IS ADMIRING THE CORINTHIANS WHEN HE IS ACTUALLY ADMONISHING THEM. 

AS I READ 1 COR. 13, I SENSE THAT THE CORINTHIANS, THO HIGHLY GIFTED, DID NOT OFTEN APPEAR TO BE LOVING GOD & LOVE THEIR FELLOW MAN & WOMAN.

            AT TIMES IT SEEMS AS IF THE CORINTHIANS WERE TRYING TO SHOW OFF, OUTDO ONE ANOTHER,  OR PERFORM FOR PUBLIC ACCLAIM OR APPLAUSE. 

            WITH THAT THOUGHT IN MIND FOR OUR TIME &  SITUATION, LET'S RUN A SELF-INSPECTION SELF-TEST ON OURSELVES & SEE HOW WE COME OUT.

1 COR. 13:4 READ, Charity suffereth long..."

THE WORD FOR CHARITY HERE, IS AGAPE LOVE, THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE.  THIS WORD FOR LOVE IS NOT THE SELF-SEEKING & SELF-SATISFYING LOVE OF THE WORLD, BUT RATHER THE OTHER-SEEKING, & GIVING LOVE EXEMPLIFIED BY GOD HIMSELF. 

THIS WORD IS USED OF THE VERY NATURE OF GOD IN 1 JOHN 4:8, "...God is love." THIS WORD FOR LOVE IS USED IN JOHN 3:16, " 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."  THIS IS A LOVE THE THAT GIVES, NOT LIKE THE WORLD'S LOVE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET.

            SO, TO SEE HOW WE ARE DOING,

1.  ? ARE WE LONGSUFFERING AND PATIENT EVEN WHEN ENDURING THE UNJUST INSULTS & INJURIES FROM OTHERS?  COL. 3:12-14, 12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14  And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

            IF WE ARE LOVING IN THE HIGHEST FORM, WE'LL PUT UP WITH ALL KINDS OF UNGODLINESS DIRECTED AT US IN ORDER TO TRY TO MINISTER TO THOSE DOING UNLOVING THINGS TO US.  TRUE GODLY LOVE PERSEVERES.  THIS COULD RESOLVE SO- CALLED INCOMPATIBILTY AS A REASON FOR DIVORCE.

2.  1 COR 13:4 CONT. Charity [and] is kind;" ARE WE KIND WHILE SUFFERING FROM WRONGS, HURTS, AND ILL-TREATMENT?  IT'S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP WITH MISTREATMENT--BUT IT DEMONSTRATES A HIGHER LEVEL OF GODLY LOVE WHEN WE ENDURE W/ KINDNESS.  AN EMPLOYEE AT THE VETS' HOME THOUGHT THE LAYOFF WAS UNJUST BECAUSE OF LEGITIMATE JOB RIGHTS & SENIORITY.  YET TOLD ME OF STAYING KIND  EVEN THO MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION ALMOST 200 MILES AWAY.             NOW THRU THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS THE EMPLOYEE IS GETTING THE OLD JOB BACK & GETTING BACK WITH THE FAMILY. 

            THE EMPLOYEE TOLD ME THAT THE KINDNESS DISPLAYED IN THE FACE OF WRONG DOING MAY LEAD TO WITNESS FOR CHRIST. KINDNESS IS A MARK OF THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE.

  ON pp. 10 & 11, IN AN OLD BOOKLET BY RICHARD DeHAAN, "LOVE:  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS!" HAS A SECTION CALLED, LOVE IS KIND

"TO BE KIND IS THE ACTIVE OUTWORKING OF LOVE.  TO SUFFER LONG IS THE PASSIVE OUTWORKING OF LOVE.  TO SUFFER LONG IS THE PASSIVE SIDE.  YOU SEE, IT'S ONE THING TO ENDURE WRONGS, HURTS, AND ILL-TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF OUR ENEMIES, BUT IT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO RESPOND BY SHOWING KINDNESS TO THOSE WHO HAVE "SLAPPED US IN THE FACE" WITH THEIR RUDE COMMENTS AND REBUFFS. 

IN HIS BOOK THE GREAT THEMES OF THE BIBLE, LOUIS ALBERT BANKS EMPHASIZED THE TREMENDOUS NEED FOR KINDNESS WITH THIS BIT IF VERSE:

LET US BE KIND;

THE WAY IS LONG AND LONELY,

AND HUMAN HEARTS ARE ASKING FOR THIS BLESSING ONLY -

                                THAT WE BE KIND.

WE CANNOT KNOW THE GRIEF THAT MAN MAY BORROW,

WE CANNOT SEE THE SOULS STORM-SWEPT BE SORROW,

BUT LOVE CAN SHINE UPON THE WAY, TODAY, TOMORROW -

                                LET US BE KIND.

TO AGE AND YOUTH LET GRACIOUS WORDS BE SPOKEN,

UPON THE WHEEL OF PAIN SO MANY WEARY LIVES ARE    BROKEN,

WE LIVE IN VAIN WHO GIVE NO TENDER TOKEN -                  LET US BE KIND.

                LET US BE KIND;

THE SETTING SUN WILL SOON BE IN THE WEST,

TOO LATE THE FLOWERS ARE LAID UPON THE QUIET BREAST -

                                LET US BE KIND.'

            IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT LOVES SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND, VERSE 4 GOES ON TO REMIND US THAT LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

3.   "Charity envieth not." ? ARE WE ENVIOUS & JEALOUS?  IF WE ARE JEALOUS, ENVIOUS, & BEGRUDGING OTHERS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SUCCESSES, POSSESSIONS, POSITIONS, OR ANYTHING -- THEN THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS LACKING.

            IF WE GLOAT OVER ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNES, FAILURES, TRAGEDIES, & DISAPPOINTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY DISPLAYING JEALOUSY, COVETOUSNESS, ENVY, & A LACK OF LOVE.

4.  1 COR. 13:4 cont,  Charity vaunteth not itself."  ? ARE WE EVER VAINGLORIOUS BRAGGARTS?  TRUE, GODLY LOVE IS NEVER OUT TO GLORIFY SELF--BUT RATHER TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD.  TRUE GODLY LOVE DOESN'T WANT THE SPOTLIGHT ON SELF BUT RATHER ON GOD.  TRUE GODLY LOVE DOES NOT SEEK TO BE A PRIMADONNA, BUT RATHER SEEKS TO PRIME DONS AND DONNAS FOR THE LORD'S WORK. 

            SOMETIMES WE MUST SEE IF WE ARE DISPLAYING OURSELVES IN A SELF-EXALTING WAY, AND SIMILAR TO THAT IS OUR NEXT PT,

5. 1 COR.  13:4 cont,  Charity IS NOT puffed up."  ?ARE WE PUFFED UP?  BEING PUFFED UP HAS TO DO W/ ARROGANCE, EGOTISM, CONCEIT, AND A PERVERTED SELF-LOVE, ALONG WITH AN INFLATED IDEA OF SELF-IMPORTANCE.  

            IN AN ARTICLE [FROM "ASPIRATION,1991, FEB. 9 & 10."], IT SAID BEING PUFFED UP HAS TO DO WITH SIN OF PRIDE. "Pride destroys the very reason for which we exercise it. [FOR] INSTEAD OF BUILDING [US]UP, PRIDE TEARS [US] DOWN.  WE WANT TO ELEVATE OURSELVES IN THE EYES OF OTHERS TO BE A PART OF A SOCIAL BODY WHICH ACCEPTS US.  PRIDE WORKS AGAINST THAT VERY DESIRE.  IT ALIENATES US FROM OTHERS AND DESTROYS OUR ABILITY TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.  THAT IS WHY THE LORD RESISTS THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

           

            ONLY THROUGH HUMBLING YOURSELF AND LIFTING UP OTHERS WILL THEY ACCEPT AND LOVE YOU AND GIVE YOU THE LONGING OF YOUR HEART:  ACCEPTANCE, BELONGING, AND A FEELING OF WORTH."  THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS NOT PROUD & PUFFED UP.  TRUE GODLY LOVE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANY TENDENCY TO PUFF OURSELVES UP--ESPECIALLY AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.  SOME PEOPLE TRY TO PUSH THEMSELVES UP BY PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE DOWN!  SOME TEAR DOWN BY SARCASM, PUT DOWNS, AND OTHER VERBAL OR NON-VERBAL CUTS. THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE AVOIDS PRIDE & AS 1 COR. 13:5 READS,

6. Doth not behave itself unseemly..." ?DO WE BEHAVE UNSEEMLY? UNSEEMLY MEANS INDECENTLY, DISGRACEFULLY, SHAMEFULLY.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WOULD ELIMINATE INDECENT,  DISGRACEFUL, & SHAMEFUL ACTIVITIES & BEHAVIORS.  A MASSIVE DOSE OF BIBLICAL LOVE WOULD ELIMINATE THE OBSCENE & PORNOGRAPHIC ACTS & SO- CALLED ADULT ARTS IN OUR SOCIETY. 

            UNSEEMLY ALSO MEANS "RUDE."  OUR SOCIETY HAS TAKEN A TERRIBLE TURN TOWARD ILL-MANNERED RUDENESS.  I FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF THE BLAME MUST BE PLACED ON THE MEDIA--THOSE PRODUCING IT, THOSE FUNDING IT, THOSE PERMITTING IT IN THEIR FAMILIES, THOSE BEING UNCONSCIOUSLY DEGRADED BY IT, AND THOSE WILLFULLY PARTAKING OF IT.  SHOCK JOCKS, TV SHOWS, GANGSTA-RAP, AND OTHER INFLUENCES ENCOURAGE RUDENESS & WORSE.  1 ASPECT OF RUDENESS IS THAT IT DISREGARDS & DISRESPECTS CIVILITY AND SEEKS TO DO ITS OWN THING.  HOWEVER, AS  

7.  1 COR. 13:5, AGAPE LOVE seeketh not her own..." ?DO WE ALWAYS SEEK OUR OWN?

?DO WE SAY "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?"

?ARE WE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR #1?"

TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE IS SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS, WANTS, WISHES, AND INTERESTS OF OTHERS--  ESPECIALLY GOD'S INTERESTS, WISHES, & WANTS.      IT IS BIBLICAL TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AS MUCH AS WE CAN -- BUT LET US NOT LOOSE SIGHT OF CARING FOR OTHERS. 

            IF WE ARE ALWAYS SEEKING OUR OWN, WE MAY BE EASILY PROVOKED. 

8.  1 COR. 13:5 cont, "AGAPE LOVE is not easily provoked.." ?ARE WE EASILY PROVOKED?

?ARE WE TOUCHY, IRRITABLE, QUICK TEMPERED?  ?DO WE FLY OFF THE HANDLE EASILY?  ?ARE WE SHORT FUSED?  ?DO WE GET ANGRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT?  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE STAYS CALM, COOL, & COLLECTED IN & DURING TRYING TIMES & WITH TRYING PEOPLE -- FOR A LONG TIME.  THIS VERSE DOES NOT SAY NEVER PROVOKED -- BUT RATHER NOT EASILY PROVOKED.  THERE ARE SOME SINFUL & EVIL THINGS THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD GET PROVOKED ABOUT.  THE WICKED WRONG OF SIN SHOULD PROVOKE US, BUT 1 COR. 13:5 ALSO TELLS US, "AGAPE LOVE thinketh no evil." DO WE KEEP A RECORD OF WRONGS?  THAT IS WHAT "THINKETH EVIL DEALS WITH."  IT IS ACTUALLY A TERM USED BY BOOKKEEPERS OF THE GRECO-ROMAN TIMES & CARRIES THE IDEA OF KEEPING A LEDGER. 

IN OTHER WORDS, THE TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE DOESN'T KEEP A LEDGER OR LIST OF EACH & EVERY OFFENSE OR WRONG DONE TO THEM.  IT DOESN'T KEEP THE SCORE AS IT WERE & THEN TRY TO SETTLE THE SCORE.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVER FORGIVES, PARDONS, & DOESN'T KEEP RECORDS OF WRONGS & WAIT FOR PAYBACK TIME.  VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD!  ROM.12:19, "... Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

           


Now back to 1 COR 13:6 WHERE THE AGAPE LOVE WE ARE CALLED TO PRACTICE  says, “10. Rejoiceth not in iniquity." OR rather TAKE PLEASURE IN  UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OR WRONGDOING, & WRONG THINKING.  IF WE WERE SAVED LATER IN LIFE, WE MAY REMEMBER A TIME WHEN WE TOOK PLEASURE IN UNGODLINESS OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

THE PSALMS SAY SOME VERY STRONG WORDS.  PLEASE LISTEN TO

PS. 5:4-5,  “For thou art not a God`

that hath pleasure in wickedness:

neither shall evil dwell with thee.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:

thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”

Psalm 6:8, “Depart from me,

all ye workers of iniquity;

for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.”

Psalm 7:11, “God judgetH  the righteous,

and God is angry with the wicked every day.

 BUT I AM REMINDED OF 1 PET 4:2-5 & THIS IS A paraphrase OF gnt 1 pet 4:2-5,

“From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. 3You have spent enough time in the past doing what the LOST eathen like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and EVEN FALSE RELIGION & worship of SOME ONE OR SOME THING OTHER THAN THE ONLY TRUE GOD.   4And now the LOST heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless life STYLE YOU USED TO LIVE IN --so they insult you. 5But they will have to give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.[6] & I ADD FORGIVE PEOPLE IF THEY WILL ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOR.

SO, ?DO WE REJOICE OR HAVE PLEASURE IN IN INIQUITY OR WRONGDOING? 

          TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE DOES NOT TAKE DELIGHT OR PLEASURE IN unrighteousness or WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL OR WICKED.

YET WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT TAKES PLEASURE IN WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL & WICKED.  EVEN TOO MUCH OF OUR SO-CALLED ENTERTAINMENT IS ABOUT WHAT GOD CALLS  WICKED & EVIL—LIKE MURDER, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL SINS, AND SUCH THINGS.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WON'T BE AMUSED BY IMMORALITY BUT RATHER SADDENED & PERHAPS SICKENED & BY IT.

7 & 8

1 THES. 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.”  TOO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TAKE PLEASURE IN  THINKING ABOUT &

         

 

 

          WELL, Kindness is a characteristic of God WHICH, AS WE BECOME MORE GODLY, SHOULD BE SHOWING IN OUR LIVES.

[BAKEer's Evangelical Dictionary
of Biblical Theology]
 

SAYS Kindness AS An attribute of God Is presupposed or taught throughout Scripture. IN THIS AREA OF THE STATE, MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT what is called "common grace." COMMON GRACE INCLUDES God BEING kind to all he has made.

Matthew 5
45 … He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
 

PS 145:8 & 9 SAYS:  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.“ 

21

GOD IS GOOD & KIND

ROM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

Old Testament commentator Franz Delitzsch said, "The author passes from the sin of uncleanness [vv. 26-28 warn about the harlot and the adulteress] to that of drunkenness; they are nearly related, for drunkenness excites fleshly lust; and to wallow with delight in the mire of sensuality, a man, created in the image of God, must first brutalize himself by intoxication" (Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon, vol. 2 [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970 reprint], p. 120).

It is proud, self-indulgent, and pleasure-mad, hence filled with guilt, anxiety, and depression. People try both to live it up and forget it all by drinking. Strangely however, many Christians, who by definition are supposed to be meek, selfless, and filled with the joy of the Lord, seek their comfort from a liquor bottle. Some Christians go to dinner and wouldn't think of ordering wine while others order wine first and think about dinner later.

I've met certain missionaries who have instructed me to stay in a particular place because the wine is better there. I've also met others missionaries who have never consumed any alcohol. There is much concern about whether drinking is an emblem of your spirituality, but spirituality isn't a matter of what you drink-- it's who you are! What you do in your life is simply a manifestation of who you really are inside.

PROV. 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

I HAVE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MOCKED BY WINE, STRONG DRINK & BOOZE IN GENERAL.

          Some of the people I have met REMINDED ME OF Romans 1:22, “22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…”

 ROM 1:22 [1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7].      The MESSAGE IN ISA 56:9-12 SAYS, “…

        For Israel’s watchmen are blind,

     the whole lot of them.

     They have no idea what’s going on.

     They’re dogs without sense enough to bark,

     lazy dogs, dreaming in the sun—

     But hungry dogs, they do know how to eat,

     voracious dogs, with never enough.

     And these are Israel’s shepherds!

     They know nothing, understand nothing.

     They all look after themselves,

     grabbing whatever’s not nailed down.

     “Come,” they say, “let’s have a party.

     Let’s go out and get drunk!”

     And tomorrow, more of the same:

     “Let’s live it up!”

 

mat 10: 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 luke 6:22 & 23, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

James 5:10 tells us to consider the “… prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

mat 12;34-37 JESUS SAID: “out of the abundance

Of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure

of the heart bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and

by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Since drunkenness is prohibited, the question comes up, is all drinking of alcohol prohibited?

Some say Bible indicates believers drank wine.

WELL, THE BIBLE FIRMLY condemns  drunkenness & Drunkenness is forbidden in Scripture. It is a sin. & IT Is disallowed

I tim 5:23, “23     No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine

for the sake of your stomach

and your frequent ailments. “

& while it is fairly plain to see the bible forbids LOOSING CONTROL TO ALCOHOL as it violates God's standard of being  self-controlled & controlled by the Spirit of God, however, some say “WELL,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wine today IS NOT the same as in Bible times.

If drinking THE WINE MENTIONED IN biblical times is to be used as the basis for drinking today, the wine today should be the same as the wine used then. This deserves careful analysis.

A. The Biblical Words for Wine

1. Oinos/Yayin

The most common word in the New Testament for wine is the Greek word oinos. It is a general word that simply refers to the fermented juice of the grape. The Old Testament equivalent to the Greek word oinos is yayin, the root of which means to "bubble up" or "boil up." The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia (vol. 12, p. 533) states that yayin, at least in the rabbinic period, was diluted with water.

2. Gleukos/Tirosh

The Greek word gleukos--from which we get the English word glucose, means "new wine." It is used in Acts 2:13 to refer to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. It says they were "full of new wine." Although it was comparatively fresh and not yet fully aged, it was potentially intoxicating. The mockers in in Acts 2:13 were accusing the apostles of being drunk.

The Old Testament word for new wine is tirosh. Hosea 4:11 says "wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the heart." Drunkenness is the result of drinking this new wine.

3. Sikera/Shakar

The Old Testament word for strong drink is shakar, a term that eventually became restricted to intoxicants other than wine. According to the 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia, it refers to unmixed wine. The New Testament equivalent is the Greek word sikera.

B. The Historical Data Regarding Wine

1. THERE WAS Unfermented wine

Because of refrigeration problems in ancient times, wine was often boiled until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind a thick, unintoxicating paste that stored well. It was somewhat similar to modern grape jelly. The people would spread it on bread like a jam, OR MIX IT WITH WATER LIKE A CONCENTRATE, and some still do today in the Middle East.

a) Pliny the Elder--This Roman historian in his Natural Histories said such wine could last as long as ten years. He wrote of wine that had the consistency of honey.

b) Horace--This Latin poet wrote in his Odes of unintoxicating wine, that he recommended quaffing under the shade (I:18).

c) Plutarch--This Greek essayist wrote in his Moralia that filtered wine neither inflames the brain nor infects the mind and the passions, and is much more pleasant to drink. He liked the kind of wine with no alcoholic content.

d) Aristotle--This Greek philosopher spoke of wine that was so thick, it was necessary to scrape it from the skins it was stored in and to dissolve the scrapings in water."

e) Virgil--This Latin writer spoke of the necessity of boiling down wine.

f) Homer--The celebrated bard, in the ninth book of The Odyssey tells of Ulysses, who took with him in his visit to the Cyclops a goatskin of sweet, black wine that needed to be diluted with twenty parts of water before being consumed as a beverage.

g) Columella--This Latin agronomist, a contemporary of the apostles, wrote that it was common in Italy and Greece to boil wine. That would not have been done if they had wanted to preserve the alcoholic content.

h) Archbishop Potter--Archbishop Potter, born in 1674, wrote in his Grecian Antiquities wrote to boil down their wines and then drink them four years later (Edinburg, 1813, vol. 2, p. 360). He also refers to Democritus, a celebrated philosopher, and Palladius, a Greek physician, as making similar statements concerning wine at that time.

These ancient authorities referred to the boiled juice of the grape as wine.

i) Professor Donovan--Donovan in his Bible Commentary said, "In order to preserve their wines ... the Romans concentrated the must or grape juice, of which they were made, by evaporation, either spontaneous in the air or over a fire, so as to render them thick and syrupy" (p. 295).

j) The Talmud--The Talmud, the codification of Jewish law, mentions repeatedly that the Jews were in the habit of using boiled wine (e.g., 'Erabin 29a).

k) W. G. Brown--Brown, who traveled extensively in Africa, Egypt, and Asia from 1792 to 1798 said that the wines of Syria are mostly prepared by boiling immediately after they are pressed from the grape until they are considerably reduced in quantity, when they are then put into bottles and preserved for use.

l) DR. Caspar Neumann Professor of Chemistry in Berlin, 1795, said, "It is observable that when sweet juices are boiled down to a thick consistency, they not only do not ferment in that state, but are not easily brought into fermentation when diluted with as much water as they had lost in the evaporation, or even with the very individual water that exhaled from them" (Nott, London edition, p. 81). The wine evidently lost much of its intoxicating properties after being reconstituted.

m) Dr. A. Russell in his Natural History of Aleppo (London: G.G. and J. Robinson, 1794), said that the concentrated wine juice, called "dibbs," was brought to the city in skins and sold in the public markets. He said it had the appearance of a coarse honey.

The wine that was consumed in biblical times was not what we know as wine today. It was more of a concentrated grape juice with its intoxicating properties basically removed. You cannot defend wine-drinking today on the basis of wine-drinking in Bible times because the two are totally different.

ALSO, THERE WAS UNFERMENTED WINE OR JUICE & THERE WAS  Fermented wine

Wine stored as a liquid, would ferment. Professor Robert Stein, in his "Wine-drinking in New Testament Times" (Christianity Today, 20 June 1975: 9-11), tells us liquid wine was stored in large jugs called amphorae. The pure, unmixed wine would be drawn out of these jugs and poured into large bowls called kraters, where it was mixed with water. From these kraters, it would then be poured into kylix, or cups. Wine would never be served directly from the amphora without first being mixed. And according to other historical data on this period, the mixture could be as high as a 20:1 ratio [or lower than 1:1].

Drinking unmixed wine was looked upon by JEWS & EVEN SOME GreekS as barbaric.

Stein quotes Mnesitheus of Athens as saying, "The gods have revealed wine to mortals, to be the greatest blessing for those who use it aright, but for those who use it without measure, the reverse. For it gives food to them that take it and strength in mind and body. In medicine it is most beneficial; it can be mixed with liquid and drugs and it brings aid to the wounded. In daily intercourse, to those who mix and drink it moderately, it gives good cheer; but if you overstep the bounds, it brings violence. Mix it half and half, and you get madness; unmixed, bodily collapse."

As a beverage, wine was always thought of as a mixed drink in Greek culture. The ratio of water might have varied but only barbarians drank it unmixed. Stein cites patristic writings that show the early church served mixed wine.

IN OUR TIME:

Beer has approximately 4% alcohol, REGULAR wine 9-11%, brandy 15- 20%, and hard liquor 40-50% (80-100 proof).

TOADY’S WINES ARE ARTIFICALLY ENHANCED TO INCRESE THE ALCOHOL CONTENT BUT

unmixed FERMENTED wine in biblical times WOULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING ABOUT LIKE HARD CIDER .

Mixed FERMENTED WINE wine, at a 3:1 ratio, would therefore be By today's standards NON-ALCHOLIC AS  a drink has to exceed 3.2% to be considered an alcoholic beverage. The wine consumed BY NON-BARBARIANS was either completely non-alcoholic or sub- alcoholic by today's standards. To become drunk with wine in those days you would have to drink all day &

(1 Tim. 3:3) purpose to become drunk.

So, is drinking wine today the same as in Bible times? No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question #2: Is drinking wine necessary?

Because of the lack of fresh water, it was often necessary to drink wine in biblical times. That is sometimes the case today. If you were in a country and wine was all there was and you were dying of thirst, you would take whatever was available.

A. The Past Necessity

In the New Testament, the Lord produced wine and spoke about drinking wine (John 2:1-11; Matt. 26:26-29). In the Old Testament as in the New, wine was used out of necessity. This was in a day and age when all they had to drink apart from wine was fruit juice, milk, and water. Due to a lack of refrigeration, even wine mixed from the syrup base, if left standing long enough, could ferment. These people had little choice in deciding what to drink.

B. The Present Preference

Today you can go to a supermarket and the variety of non- alcoholic beverages is seemingly endless. Many parts of the world have an almost unlimited access to running water. Drinking wine is rarely a necessity today. It is a preference, not a necessity. Perhaps you're afraid your host would be offended if you refused their wine. But if a group of your friends got together at a party and all decided to scratch behind the left ear, would you scratch behind your left ear because you wanted to feel a part of the group? If everyone on your block decided not to use deodorant, would you join in? That is essentially the same kind of reasoning.

If for some reason you were in a situation and where wine was all you had available, you would have little choice but to drink it. You would deal with it as a necessity. But in our society, drinking alcohol is simply and only a preference.

Focusing on the Facts

1. Ephesians 5:18 describes the topic of _________________ and ___________________ (see p. 1).

2.True or False: Many Christians, who by definition are supposed to be meek, selfless, and filled with the joy of the Lord, seek their comfort from a liquor bottle (see p. 1).

3.What should your spirituality be based on (see p. 1)?

4.Is drunkenness forbidden in Scripture? Support your answer (see pp. 1-2).

5.What is the definition of drunkenness (see p. 2)?

6.Any act of ________________, no matter how minimal, violates God's standard of being controlled by the Spirit of God (see p. 4).

7.True or False: Drunkenness is directly forbidden by God, but drinking wine is commended in Scripture (see p. 4).

8.How is the subject of drinking seen in Scripture (see p. 5)?

9.What criterion must be met if drinking in biblical times is to be sufficient reason for drinking today (see pp. 5-6)?

10.List the different words used for wine in the Bible and explain each (see p. 6).

11.What is the difference between mixed and unmixed wine (see p. 7)?

12.What was the difference between wine stored as a solid and wine stored as a liquid (see p. 8)?

13.How was drinking unmixed wine looked upon in Greek culture? In the early church (see p. 9)?

14.What was the approximate alcoholic content of wine during biblical times (see p. 9)?

15.Is drinking wine necessary today (see p. 10)?

16.In our society, drinking alcohol is _____________ and _______ a preference (see p. 10).

Pondering the Principles

1.The wine spoken of in Bible times is the not the same as the wine of today. Wine today is not mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely unintoxicating. Have you considered those principles in deciding whether to drink alcoholic beverages? The Bible gives examples of people in positions of spiritual responsibility who abstained from alcohol. Study the following passages and ask God to make it clear to you whether you should abstain from alcoholic beverages: Leviticus 10:8-11, Judges 13:3-4, and Luke 1:14-15.

11.What is the difference between mixed and unmixed wine (see p. 7)?

12.What was the difference between wine stored as a solid and wine stored as a liquid (see p. 8)?

13.How was drinking unmixed wine looked upon in Greek culture? In the early church (see p. 9)?

14.What was the approximate alcoholic content of wine during biblical times (see p. 9)?

15.Is drinking wine necessary today (see p. 10)?

16.In our society, drinking alcohol is _____________ and _______ a preference (see p. 10).

Pondering the Principles

1.The wine spoken of in Bible times is the not the same as the wine of today. Wine today is not mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely unintoxicating. Have you considered those principles in deciding whether to drink alcoholic beverages? The Bible gives examples of people in positions of spiritual responsibility who abstained from alcohol. Study the following passages and ask God to make it clear to you whether you should abstain from alcoholic beverages: Leviticus 10:8-11, Judges 13:3-4, and Luke 1:14-15.

2.The Bible condemns drunkenness but also commends the occasional use of wine. However, there is one instance apart from drunkenness when Added to the John MacArthur "Study Guide" Collection by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 314
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986

SEE, Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

Imagine a man who is happily married to a woman whose physical and emotional companionship he values and cherishes. He is successful in his profession. His children are well behaved and accomplished. He is satisfied with his life until he attends his twentieth college reunion. This is where he makes a crucial mistake. He tells himself that many of his former classmates have achieved a higher social and professional status than he. He also mistakenly believes that they are married to more educated and attractive wives, and they seem to have more money and have traveled more often than he has. A sense of failure begins to grow in his heart. Once a happy man, he is now wrongly focused on his circumstances. He loses his peace and contentment to envy and jealousy.

Proverbs 14:30 states, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” King Ahab of Israel had everything. But he wanted a vineyard that was close to his palace. When Naboth refused to sell, Ahab pouted and sulked until his wicked wife, Jezebel, plotted to kill Naboth and take his field to satisfy the envy of King Ahab.  There are people who have everything and are envious for more. Even a godly man like King David coveted what another man had. As a result of his actions, he committed adultery and murder, and lost his peace by harming his fellowship with God. Envy always leads to strife and a loss of peace.  Are you longing for what you cannot have? Look to Jesus. Only He can satisfy the desires of your heart. He alone brings peace and contentment to your life.May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.  Part 2 of Peace from Leading The Way, a daily devotional

PEACEPART 2 OF 31

Martha and Mary were sisters, and they both loved and wanted to please the Lord. However, they were very different in their actions. Martha was preoccupied with the cooking and housecleaning, while Mary sought to spend time with Jesus. The Bible tells us that she sat at His feet, listening to all that He said.

We need to be aware of the danger of anything that crowds the Lord out of our lives. Jesus chided Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

In the end, the only thing that matters or has meaning is God’s Word in our lives. Martha was anxious about things that pertain to this life. She did not have a genuine sense of peace—one that comes as a result of spending time with the Savior.

Anxiety is the result of preoccupation with the things in life that do not have eternal value. It is a signal that we are seeking to derive security or peace from something other than from the Lord. C.S. Lewis writes, “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about Him.”

We may be sincerely doing what we think will please the Lord, but all the while we may be stressing over unnecessary events, feelings, and emotions. Like Martha, we need to learn to recognize what is important. When God is the center of our lives, our priorities will be focused on Him, and it is there that He will fill us with His peace, assurance, and hope.

The God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9.

PEACEPART 3 OF 32

Some people believe if they have a certain level of wealth then they will have peace, or if they marry the right people, they will know contentment. Others mistakenly believe that if they can just live in some ideal location or receive a certain recognition at work, they will have all they could ever hope to achieve. However, none of these are capable of providing the peace and contentment that we long to experience.

True peace only comes as a result of living a life that is filled with the Spirit of God. It is eternal and has only one source—Jesus Christ. Charles Spurgeon writes, “The God of peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are fixed upon Him.”

We can try to achieve peace through accomplishments and hard work. We may look for peace everywhere—thinking that new experiences, buying things, or stashing money away will deliver peace. However, apart from God, we never find lasting peace.

In order to experience the peace of God, we first must have peace with God, which comes as the result of a complete surrender to Christ as our Lord and Savior. Once we are saved, God’s peace is available to us.

A famous actress once lamented that she had everything she could possibly want, but she still did not have a sense of peace. There are some things that money cannot buy, and peace is one of them.

Before His death, Jesus comforted His disciples with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). We, too, can find the peace and comfort we need within His eternal care.

 

NOW LORD, PLEASE DISMISS US

WITH THE BLESSING OF YOUR peace

 which transcends all understanding, & 

guard your hearts and our minds

BY THE POWER OF Christ Jesus TO PROCLAIM HIM AS SAVIOR. IN HIS NAME, AMEN!. Philippians 4:7

 

Go Back To Part 2 of Peace

PATIENCEPART 1 OF 23

Have you ever been described as an impatient person? It is easy to feel impatient. Maybe traffic isn’t moving fast enough and you are going to be late for your meeting. Or you can’t get through the checkout lane quickly enough to pick up your children from the babysitter. It is these trying things of life that can zap your strength and cause you to lose sight of what really matters.

The source of true patience is the Spirit of God. His patience towards us allows us the opportunity to grow and become more like Him. He does not give up on us. When we are stubborn and fail to learn what God wants to teach us, He continues to demonstrate His patience. Many times we grow impatient with a colleague, friend, child, or spouse and forget that God is patient with us and requires us to do the same with others.

One of the causes of impatience is ignorance and shortsightedness. Our view is limited. Therefore, many times we only see what has a direct impact on our lives. We become impatient because we can’t see life from God’s perspective! He has a greater plan. While He does not always show us the details, we can know the big picture—we are in His loving hands.

Oswald Chambers writes, “Patience is more than endurance. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of the archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand any more.’ God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God’s hands.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Patience

This article is from Leading The Way, a daily devotional publication, which is

PATIENCEPART 2 OF 24

Have you ever noticed how children are so impatient and demanding, especially a baby whose world revolves around him? For the believer, patience is built upon the absolute, unshakable belief that God is sovereign. We can be patient because we know that we are not forgotten nor forsaken by our heavenly Father. Patience is the result of knowing that God has every detail of our lives under control. Nothing escapes His eternal care. One day your loving Savior is coming back for you.

Remember, your ultimate destination is heaven. Therefore, don’t get hooked by Satan’s bait and begin treating this world as your real home. If you do, you will find that you are becoming more impatient with the aggravations of life.

James gives us three examples that spur us on to patience. First, we must understand some of the basic rules of farming. (5:7) A farmer does not continually dig up the seed he has planted in order to check its growth, or he will never have a harvest. Likewise, we must trust God’s timing in our lives. Just as the farmer waits for His crop, we must wait on God to complete His work in our lives. This takes patience!

James reminds us that the righteous will suffer for their righteousness. (v. 10) There will be times when we feel like we are in a holding pattern in our lives. We long to move away from the difficulty but God wants us to wait and to learn how to be patient.

James goes on to tell us that even Job had to endure a fierce trial. However, he knew that God had a wonderful plan for his life, and he refused to deny the Lord. If you find yourself feeling impatient with your circumstances, look up into the glorious face of the Savior who loves you and has a great reward for you.

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. James 5:7.

Go Back to Part 1 of Patience

KINDNESS-GEBTLENSS PART 1 OF 25

While traveling from one city to the next, a man was overtaken by robbers. Taking his clothes and possessions, they left him badly beaten. Not long after the attack, a priest traveled the same road. He passed by without stopping. Then another traveler saw the man but did not offer to help. Finally, someone stopped—a Samaritan. He put bandages on the man’s wounds and took him to an inn for the night. The next day he gave the innkeeper money and instructions to take care of the wounded man.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a wonderful example of godly kindness. It also demonstrates that kindness often requires something of us—time, plans, privacy, and desires. The Good Samaritan interrupted his travel plans to help a stranger. What better example to follow than that of Christ? He gave us the ultimate gift of kindness — He died that we might live.

However, we cannot learn to be kind simply by disciplining ourselves. Kindness can be hard work, and from time to time, this may mean that we have to face difficult situations that drain us emotionally and physically. Often kindness cannot grow apart from conflict and strife. We learn to be kind through the kindness of others but we also learn a greater kindness when we are called to be kind and caring in difficult situations.

A disagreement with a co-worker, spouse, friend, or family member can tempt us to be abrupt or uncaring. Circumstances appear out of focus and God’s fruit of kindness becomes lost in the battle. However, through the power of Christ we are able to act in kindness even toward those who hurt us. Is there someone who needs your kindness today?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be [kindhearted] and humble. 1 Peter 3:8.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 OF KINDNESS – GENTLENESS  KINDNESSPART 2 OF 26

Kindness is a characteristic of God. Out of His kindness He made a covenant with the nation of Israel. And out of kindness, He kept His side of this covenant while they rebelled and disobeyed. It is out of kindness that Jesus left the splendor of heaven to become a man. It is out of kindness that He hung on a cross to die and pay the wages of our sin. Out of eternal love and kindness, He offers to us His precious gift of salvation.

But God’s kindness did not stop at the Cross. It continues today in the lives of those who accept His Son as their Savior. The more we allow Him to work in us, the more His fruit becomes evident to those whose lives we touch each day. As we continue to live and grow spiritually, there are several things we need to know about kindness. Sometimes, kindness requires us being able to put ourselves in another person’s place. We need to view others as Christ does.

There are those of us who continually show kindness to others and yet seem to be incapable of showing kindness to themselves. They allow past failures and sins to prevent them from growing. However, God’s forgiveness is complete. When we pray and seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves, too. Kindness gives birth to kindness. Love extended leads to more love.

As you begin to show kindness to others, you will be set free from feelings of self condemnation. You will find yourself being empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise more kindness more often.

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised . . . yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7.

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM LEADING THE WAY, A GOODNESSPART 1 OF 37

Early in the nineteenth century, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a difficult situation. His country was involved in a very expensive war. At the same time, he was seeking to transform his country into a great nation. However, the country was financially crippled. The thought of surrendering to the enemy was unthinkable. Therefore, the king came up with a plan to replenish the country’s financial wealth. He approached the women of Prussia and asked them if they would be willing to donate their gold and silver jewelry.

He explained that for each piece of jewelry they gave, he would give them an ornament of bronze in return as a token of his gratitude. The inscription imprinted into these ornaments read, “I gave gold and silver for iron, 1813.” To the king’s amazement, the response was overwhelming. The women prized his tokens of gratitude more highly than their former jewelry. The reason: the emblems were the mark of true sacrifice. It even became unfashionable for women to wear jewelry.

Generosity and sacrifice for country and king became the mark of true citizenship in Prussia. Goodness and sacrifice became the badge of honor for all Prussians.

In Galatians 5:22, the apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit—those characteristics that are most like Christ in us. Goodness is one of those listed—goodness without thought given to personal sacrifice. On the Cross, God displayed His eternal goodness to each one of us. This is the same goodness we are to have for one another. The next time you experience the rebuke of another, ask God to give you the ability to demonstrate His goodness instead of anger.

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, [goodness] and patience. Colossians 3:12.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Goodness

This article is from Leading The Way, a daily devotional publication

GOODNESSPART 2 OF 3It is easy to be good to those who are good to us. It is much harder to be good to those who harm us. However, this is exactly what Christ commands us to do. In fact, He took this thought a step further by commanding us to love those who are our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

FAITHFULNESSPART 1 OF 28

George McDonald once said, “Being trusted is a greater compliment that being loved.” Take a moment to think through this statement. You can love a person, but do you trust that person with your life, your heart, and all that is included in your life? Many times, we are careful to say the right things and not allow those around us to see who we really are. We don’t want people to see our flaws or to know about our failures because we think they may not love or approve of us.

Faithfulness is an even deeper issue because it requires being faithful even when we may not agree with the popular view. It also means being loyal to Christ and following His precepts even when the world’s view is anything but His.

Today, faithfulness is viewed as an old fashioned word. Many times, we find that words like team player, champion, leadership potential, and high energy have replaced words like faithful as an important factor in the employment world. If you step into a marketing meeting of a large corporation, more than likely faithful will not be a buzzword used for a new campaign.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond—when trustworthiness was more important than wealth, fame, or popularity. It seems that the days are gone when promises were kept and friends were faithful. Yet, God calls each one of us to be faithful to Him and to one another. Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.

Are you seeking to be faithful to God first and then to what He has given you here on earth? Learn to be faithful and His love and goodness will also flow from your life.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Faithfulness

FAITHFULNESS FAITHPART 2 OF 29

Whether we realize it or not, faithfulness is at the heart of all relationships. It is the very thing that prevents families and societies from falling apart. And it is the one element that has the ability to encourage us to persevere in times of failure and heartache.

The psalmist writes, “The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full” (Psalm 31:23). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the apostle Paul lists faithfulness as one of the fruits of the Spirit. In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and we know that He does. No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, it is infinite, and it is faithful.

This fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence that we need to repent and accept God’s love for our lives. There is nothing you can do to make yourself more acceptable to the Lord. He accepts you just as you are, and He loves you fully and completely. His love and faithfulness never change; they are yours for eternity. When it becomes difficult for another, are you the type of friend who “sticks closer than a brother”? (Proverbs 18:24)

Jesus is this type of friend. He remains at our sides even when others abandon us, and the same should be true of us. Far too often, we walk away when a friend needs us the most. At the end of his life, Paul writes and asks Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy.

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

FAITHFULNESSPART 1 OF 210

George McDonald once said, “Being trusted is a greater compliment that being loved.” Take a moment to think through this statement. You can love a person, but do you trust that person with your life, your heart, and all that is included in your life? Many times, we are careful to say the right things and not allow those around us to see who we really are. We don’t want people to see our flaws or to know about our failures because we think they may not love or approve of us.

Faithfulness is an even deeper issue because it requires being faithful even when we may not agree with the popular view. It also means being loyal to Christ and following His precepts even when the world’s view is anything but His.

Today, faithfulness is viewed as an old fashioned word. Many times, we find that words like team player, champion, leadership potential, and high energy have replaced words like faithful as an important factor in the employment world. If you step into a marketing meeting of a large corporation, more than likely faithful will not be a buzzword used for a new campaign.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond—when trustworthiness was more important than wealth, fame, or popularity. It seems that the days are gone when promises were kept and friends were faithful. Yet, God calls each one of us to be faithful to Him and to one another. Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.

Are you seeking to be faithful to God first and then to what He has given you here on earth? Learn to be faithful and His love and goodness will also flow from your life.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Faithfulness

PART 1 OF 311

We often think that perception is reality, but many times it is not. The enemy is swift to tempt us to believe something about another person that is not true. Remember, God created us for fellowship—first with Himself and then with others.

Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, the enemy knows that he can no longer capture our souls. We are saved by the grace of God. However, he never backs away from a challenge and sets a new goal to disrupt and, if possible, to destroy our fellowship with God and those we love. When conflict arises, it is extremely important for us to listen only to the voice of God. While there is benefit that can be gained from the counsel of godly friends, there is also a great danger of missing what God wants us to see and learn on our own.

Therefore, before you react to a situation, ask the Lord to make His truth apparent to your heart. Set a goal to be meek and forgiving. He has given us the Holy Spirit, who is committed to leading and guiding us at every turn in life. Wrong perceptions have been the cause of many misunderstandings. This is one of the reasons we view meekness as a weakness. In actuality, a meek person is not weak or timid. In fact, biblical meekness or gentleness is synonymous with courage, confidence, and strength under control.

God wants us to enjoy meekness as a fruit of the Spirit. When we learn how to rest in Him and allow Him to work through us, His meekness will rise to the surface of our lives. The inner need to be noticed professionally or socially will fade, and we will find that the glory of the Lord is ours to enjoy.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Meekness AS OF 21 FEB 03

ove but the love of God. Most of us have sung James Rowe’s hymn, “Love Lifted Me.”

The first verse contains these words: “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me.”

Sometimes nothing can lift our hearts like the love of God. Friends abandon us. Colleagues try to bypass us. Even our families may fail to understand us. But God’s love for us never changes.

Even when we act unlovable, God continues to love us. When we are undesirable, He embraces us. When it seems that the world has turned against us, God’s love remains. He has promised never to leave us hopeless.

Many times, disappointments come in order to teach us more about the depths of God’s love. How can this be? Difficulty can leave us feeling broken and confused. In desperation we turn to God. This is when we discover that only His love can truly lift us up and restore our sense of hope.

We may struggle to find another way around our problems, hoping that someone or something will bring relief, but nothing can help us outside the love of God. Only His love has the ability to satisfy our every need.

Maybe you are wondering if God really loves you. Have you yielded to sin? Or have you allowed the world and its trappings to come between you and your Savior? Cry out to Him and He will restore the joy of your salvation. When nothing else can help, love will lift you.

HARBOR, WA: LOGOS RESEARCH SYSTEMS, INC]

SAYS,  THE “FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD — ACTS 2:23; ROM. 8:29; 11:2; 1 PET. 1:2), IS ONE OF THOSE HIGH ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIALLY APPERTAINING TO HIM THE FULL IMPORT OF WHICH WE CANNOT COMPREHEND  [ BECAUSE HIS KNOWLEDGE & HE HIMSELF ARE INFINITE & WE ARE FINITE, FALLEN, FALLIBLE, & FEEBLE].[i]”

            THIS IS VERY HARD TO FOR ME TO SORT OUT & SOMEHOW THESE NEXT 2 VV DO NOT SEEM AS HARD TO ME.

JOHN 15:16 “ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you¼”

1 JOHN 4:19  “We love him, because he first loved us.”

ALSO, IS THIS NOT CONFIRMED BY EPH 1:3-11 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

EPH 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

EPH 4:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,? 6 ?To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.? 7 ?In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;? 8 ?Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;? 9 ?Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:? 10 ?That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven?a?, and which are on earth; even in him: ? 11 ?In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:?”

  

  

ALSO, ACCORDING ROM 11:2? GOD HAS NOT & WE CAN ADD WILL NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHOM ?HE FOREKNEW. ROM. 11:1FF “ ?I SAY THEN, HATH GOD CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE? GOD FORBID. FOR I ALSO AM AN ISRAELITE, OF THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN.? 2 ?GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHICH HE FOREKNEW. WOT YE NOT WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAITH OF ELIAS?A?? HOW HE MAKETH INTERCESSION TO GOD AGAINST ISRAEL, SAYING, ? 3 ?LORD, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, AND DIGGED DOWN THINE ALTARS; AND I AM LEFT ALONE, AND THEY SEEK MY LIFE.? 4 ?BUT WHAT SAITH THE ANSWER OF GOD UNTO HIM? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BAAL.? 5 ?EVEN SO THEN AT THIS PRESENT TIME ALSO THERE IS A REMNANT ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION OF GRACE.? 6 ?AND IF BY GRACE, THEN IS IT NO MORE OF WORKS: OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE. BUT IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IS IT NO MORE GRACE: OTHERWISE WORK IS NO MORE WORK.?

ROM. 11:7 “ ?WHAT THEN? ISRAEL HATH NOT OBTAINED THAT WHICH HE SEEKETH FOR; BUT THE ELECTION HATH OBTAINED IT, AND THE REST WERE BLINDED?B? ? 8 ?(ACCORDING AS IT IS WRITTEN, GOD HATH GIVEN THEM THE SPIRIT OF SLUMBER?C?, EYES THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SEE, AND EARS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR;) UNTO THIS DAY.”

            NOW AS I SAY, I AM STILL STUDYING THIS, BUT I LEAN THE WAY I JUST DESCRIBED & IF THAT WAY IS THE CORRECT WAY, THEN  WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE? BUT EVEN WAY BACK IN THE TIME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S YEARS ON EARTH, THEY NEEDED A FULLER APPLICATION OF LAW CONCERNING ADULTERY.  [READ MATT. 5:27 & 28  & PERHAPS INJECT ROM 7:12 & 14]

          ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF GOD'S LAW IS TO UPHOLD THE SANCTIFY OF LIFE, ANOTHER PURPOSE OF GOD’S LAW IS TO UPHOLD THE SANCTIFY OF SEX WITHIN THE BAND OF HOLY MATRIMONY BETWEEN A MALE AND A FEMALE (HEB. 13:4).  GOD CREATED ADAM AND EVE --- ADAM & STEVE.  GOD'S CREATIVE ARRANGEMENT HAS A REVELATION IN IT.

                                                                         19 GOD’S CREATIVE DESIGN REVEALS GOD'S WILL TO A DEGREE -- NATURAL REVELATION.      

          AS I MENTIONED, ADULTERY IS COMMONLY DEFINED AS AN UNBIBLICAL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH ONE OF THE PARTIES IS MARRIED.  THAT IS THE DEED. 

AND THAT DEED IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY.  NOT ONLY DO PEOPLE PRACTICE IT, THEY PREVIEW IT IN THE SOAP OPERAS, THE MOVIES, THE VIDEOS, THE ADVERTISEMENTS, AND SMUT MAGAZINES!  NOT ONLY IS THE DEED OF ADULTERY SIN, SO IS THE DESIRE FOR ADULTERY.  ACCORDING TO MATT 5:28 THE ACT OF ADULTERY IS SIN

AND THE APPETITE FOR ADULTERY IS SIN.

                                                                        20    Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

MATT. 5:28 THIS IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE INCIDENTAL, INVOLUNTARY, OR CASUAL GLANCE.  ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR IN THIS V, WHICH DENOTES A PURPOSE, GOAL, OR INTENTION, THIS V IS TALKING ABOUT LOOKING WITH THE GOAL OR PURPOSE TO FULFILL ONES LUSTFUL DESIRE THAT IS ALREADY IN THE HEART.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE ADULTEROUS HEART CAUSES THE LUSTFUL LOOK. 

                                                                     21  THE LUSTFUL LOOKING IS BUT AN EXPRESSION OF THE HEART THAT IS ALREADY ADULTEROUS AT LEAST IN DESIRE IF NOT YET IN DEED.

          I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS WHY SOME PEOPLE CONSUME PORN.  THEIR ADULTEROUS AND LUSTFUL HEART DRIVES THEM TO LOOK AT THE PORN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THEIR LUSTFUL LOOKING TURNS TO LUSTFUL ACTION. 

          I RECENTLY HEARD A REPORT THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SEX CRIMES ARE COMMITTED EITHER RIGHT OFTEN THE CRIMINAL INDULGES IN PORN OR THE CRIMINAL USES PORN DURING THE ASSAULT.  SOME EVEN COPY WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN IN THE PORN.

         

                                                                               22  YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO FIGHT THE FLESH—NOT FEED IT OR GIVE IN TO IT. THE BIBLE GIVES US PRECEPTS & PRINCIPLES TO DEFEAT THE FLESH & BE DELIVERED FROM IT.  ROM 13:14 SAYS, ““MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH TO FULFILL THE LUSTS Thereof. “

         

WAY BACK IN THE OT, JOB MADE A COVENANT WITH HIS EYES—PERHAPS YOU SHOULD.  “ Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? “ THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM OUT NOW CALLED COVENANT EYES.

TO BE SAFE OR TO BE DELIVERED – WE MAY NEED TO BE SEVERE WITH OUR EYES.

                                                                                20  MAT. 5:29, “ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

         

[FLEE (EXTERNAL - INTERNAL]

          NOW I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE QUOTE V 29 OUT OF CONTEXT, BUT NOTICE, THE FOLLOWS THE VV DEALING WITH ADULTERY.

          MAT 5:29 IS NOT CALLING FOR LITERAL SELF-MUTILATION, FOR EVEN BLIND PEOPLE AND EUNUCHS ARE ABLE TO LUST.  THE MAIN POINT IS THAT SIN IS SERIOUS AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH SERIOUSLY AND WE SHOULD BE SERIOUS ABOUT AVOIDING & PREVENTING PERSONAL SIN. 

                                                                           21  GOD CAN HELP US PREVENT SIN OR AVOID IT OR BE DELIVERED FROM IT.                                         SO, REGARDING ADULTERY – THERE IS THE DEED, THE DESIRE, AND THE DELIVERANCE.

          MAT 5:29 – TELLS US DELIVERANCE CAN INVOLVE THE EYE.  LET ME HASTEN TO SAY THAT LITERALLY PLUCKING OUT THE EYE IS NOT WHAT IS MEANT HERE FOR THE BLIND CAN STILL LUST.  BUT IF PLUCKING THE EYE OUT COULD KEEP ON OUT OF SIN AND HELL, IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE, BUT SINCE SELF MUTILATION CAN'T KEEP FROM LUST AS SOME MONASTICS & MONKS AND EVEN ORIGIN FOUND OUT --- IT MEANS TAKE RADICAL ACTION. 

          NOW, INSTEAD OF PLUCKING OUT THE EYE, HOW ABOUT PLUCKING OUT THE PORN THAT GOES IN THE EYE.

                                                                                19  WHICH CAN HAVE USE FOR US EVEN THOUGH SOME SUGGEST HE may have drawn too much on Plato.

Aquinas HAD A VIEW OF TRUTH WHICH HAS SOME USE FOR US, EVEN THOUGH SOME  CLAIM HE MAY HAVE DRAWN too much on Aristotle.  SEE, BY GOD’S COMMON GRACE, the GREEK PHILOSOPHERS discovered

SOME THINGS ABOUT GOD’S TRUTH. 

   

FOR INSTANCE, Socrates WAS CONDEMNED TO DIE & GIVEN hemlock TO DRINK IN 399 BC BECAUSE HE REJECTED the mythological worldview OF POLYTHEISTIC PAGANISM & reasoned that there must be one supreme God behind all of history.

        Plato FOLLOWED SOCRATES & developed A classical idealism, WHICH ASSERTED THAT The ALL THE world’s particulars come from the transcendent ideals in the mind of God.         Aristotle WAS A STUDENT OF PLATO’S  & argued for first causes and that all causes must be traced back to one supreme First Cause.

Though this era OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY fell far short of BIBLICAL THEOLOGY & Christian belief, it allowed the HUMAN mind to investigate the world WITH THE IDEA OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH & without ruling out the possibility of God. 

IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, On Mars Hill, Paul began at this point and introduced them to the truth about God that only divine revelation could MAKE KNOW.

NOW WITH all of its faults, EVEN NON-BIBLICAL OR NON-CHRISTIAN THOUGHT carried with it certain assumptions that were rarely challenged:

1.     There is a God OR GODS OR AT LEAST GOD OR GODS ARE POSSIBLE.

2.     ABSOLUTE TRUTH ABSOLUTELY EXISTS.

NOW, IN OUR ERA, post-modernS

DENY ABSOLUTE TRUTH, THUS THEY believe that All lifestyles, religions, and worldviews are equal & THUS THE only real sin FOR THEN is criticizing someone else's view or morals OR RELIGION.

          THAT IS ONE REASON THEY CALL CHRISTIANS BIGOTS.   ONE REASON THEY CALL CHRISTIANS BIGOTS IS BECAUSE REAL CHRISTIANS USUALLY MAINTAIN THAT THERE IS A GOD OF TRUTH WHO ALSO REVEALED A TRUE CODE OF MORALITY & EXPECTS HIS HUMAN CREATURES TO LINE UP WITH IT INSTEAD OF DOING THEIR OWN THING. 

A WRITER NAMED David Dockery explains THAT:

Postmodernists would critique Christianity by claiming that Christians think they have the only truth.  The claims of Christianity are rejected because of the appeal to absolute truth.  Absolute truth claims will be dismissed by the postmodernist for being “intolerant” –trying to force one’s beliefs [BY WHICH THEY ALSO MEAN MORAL CODES OF CONDUCT] onto other people. 

“Postmodernists have genuinely given up on the idea of absolute truth[7] & AN ABSOLUTE MORAL CODE.”

Of course, the age-old response to such skewed thinking is, “How can you say absolutely that there is no absolute truth?”  ISN’T THAT AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT?  

BUT, Postmodernists do not care about the apparent contradiction.  EVIDENTLY  THIS Typical statement by a “Repressed Memory Therapist” reveals thE BENT OF POSTMODERNS, “I don’t care if it’s true.  What actually happened is irrelevant to me.”[8] 

          One wonders how such “therapy” could ever help anyone. 

THAT IS ONE REASON TODAY THAT FICTION IS TOO OFTEN ACCEPTED AS A TYPE OF TRUTH EVEN IF SO-CALLED FACTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT IT.

THE POSTMODERN VIEW ENDS UP SAYING:

- “WHAT IS ACTUAL OR WHAT IS REAL OR WHAT IS TRUE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS.  WHAT MATTERS IS ONE’S Opinion.   OPINION matterS as much as evidence OR MORE SO.

- Reality is in the mind of the beholder—NOT SOMETHING EXTERNAL TO ANY BEHOLDER.  THE EXTREME OF THIS IS SO-FAR IT SOUNDS CRAZY.  IT’S CALLED “SOLIPSISM.” Solipsism is a philosophical theory that all activity takes place within ONE’S mind, and therefore, WHAT WE THINK is reality outside OUR MIND, ARE REALLY JUST PROJECTION FORM OUR own mind.”

 THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE NEW AGERS WHO CLAIM TO CREATE THEIR OWN REALITY. 

POSTMODERNISTS ALSO MAKE Political correctness, EXTREME permissiveness, extreme tolerance, & THE IDEA OF “NO ABSOLUTES” IN ANY AREA OF  knowledge OR ETHICS aS THE KEY IDEAS OF THE DAY.

          WELL, What should be the response of the Christian in the face of SUCH a philosophical attack?”[9]  

         

The Christian IS ChallengeD TO use ANY & ALL mediA available to reach the lost world Whether BY radio, television, PRINT, or the computer, to proclaim a message THAT Christianity IS based on something that really happened.  CHRIST’S INCARNATION, SINLESS LIFE, SUBSTiTutIONARY DEATH, & RESURRECTION DECLARING THAT JUSTIFICATION & RECONCILIATION TO THE TRUE GOD IS NEEDED & IS TRULY POSSIBLE .  

“we must PROCLAIM THAT Christianity depends  upon THE TRUTH THAT something REALLY happened IN THE EXTERNAL WORLD, NOT JUST IN SOMEONE’S MIND, OR IN SOME MYTHOLOGY.

& THAT since that IS THE TRUTH, THEN CHRISTIANITY must not be abandoned AS THE TRUTH of christ IS SUPPORTED IN NUMEROUS WAYS.  at a definite point in REAL history, Jesus CAME & died as a propitiation for the sins of men & WOMEN WHO WILL ACCEPT HIM AS SAVIOR..  Christianity MUST BE PROCLAIMED AS  dependent upon REAL history—not just a fable or myth.”[10]

          ALSO, We cannot present Christ and His atoning work as if it HE were one of many POSSIBLE TRUTHS OR an option. 

see,  The postmodernist can “accept” Christianity or reject it without ever considering its “reality.”

christians MUST PRESENT THE REALITY OF CHRIST AS THE ONLY SAVIOR. & NOT AS If it is acceptable to personally ascribe to more than one, perhaps many religions.  Today, we hear of many “faiths” any one of which becomes truth for the one who accept it. 

          THIS will take a willingness on our part to present the gospel OF CHRIST as true, regardless of how that disturbs a comfortable, unrealistic, TRUTH DENYING, MORALITY DECRYING  world. 

         

16

SEE, The challenge  FOR Christians living in postmodern times is enormous.

If ever we faced the danger of the frog in the slowly boiling pot, it is today.  NEVERTHELESS, THIS CRISIS ALSO PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY.

WRITER Gene Veith SAID, “ThIS ….era opens up genuine opportunities for Biblical Christianity….this … age is more accessible than ever before.  With people demanding technological marvelS making it easier than ever before for the church to deliver TRUTH…

…But as we look ….FORWARD, … we must ask ourselves if we are holding ON TO our link in the historical chain of our faith.  SEE, REAL CHRISTIANITY Is A Life-changing message ROOTED IN HISTORY & REALITY NOT MYTHOLOGY.

Os Guinness Said this,

“…Followers of Christ are custodians of the faith passed on down thROUGH THE centuries.  Never must we allow anyone outside or inside the church…TO DENY THE truth and meaning of this priceless heritage of faith WHICH AS JUDE V3 SAYS was …delivered unto the saints  & NEEDED TO BE earnestly contended EVEN WAY BACK IN THE EARLY CHURCH.

SOME, AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY,

To proclaim the truth of Christ. OF GOD, OF THE BIBLE,  is like letting a lion loose, A LION will defend itself.”

1 thes. 2:1-Now, brethren, aconcerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 cnot to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of 1Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come dunless the falling away comes first, and ethe man of 2sin is revealed, fthe son of perdition, 4 who opposes and gexalts himself habove all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits 3as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For ithe 4mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only 5He who now restrains will do so until 5He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, jwhom the Lord will consume kwith the breath of His mouth and destroy lwith the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is maccording to the working of Satan, with all power, nsigns, and lying wonders,

1 thes 2:10-  and with all unrighteous deception among othose who perish, because they did not receive pthe love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And qfor this reason God will send them strong delusion, rthat they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but shad pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Fast

13 But we are 6bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God tfrom the beginning uchose you for salvation vthrough 7sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for wthe obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, xstand fast and hold ythe traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our 8epistle.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.” [11]

ro. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

(P. Anka, J. Revaux, G. Thibault, C. Frankois)
[Recorded December 30, 1968, Hollywod]

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way
     And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
      Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
        Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
       I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
     For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
[instrumental]  Yes, it was my way



2 cor 5:14 -15, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that  if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all,  that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

heb 11:24-29, “ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christd greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”

2 tim. 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobatea concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. “

         

 

 

ruthb; [1]

b in the truth: or, with the truth

[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

& the phrase, ““agape love…

THEN, 

 [“Classical Apologetics: It Stands to Reason.”

[Internal Weaknesses ON SERMONS

]@13 FEB 08]

 

I MADE IT TO A POINT WHERE I WAS SAYING THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS MAINTAINED (& RIGHTLY SO)  THAT THERE IS TRUTH OT TRUE TRUTH & THAT PART OF OUR JOB AS GOD’S CREATURE IS TO DISCOVER TRUTH & TO THINK & BEHAVE IN ACCORD WITH TRUTH & PASS IT ON & DEFEND IT WITH AS MUCH EVIDENCE AS WE CAN GATHER & WITH ALL THE MEANS AVAILABLE IN WHAT MANY CALL OUR ERA OF POST MODERNITY WHICH

I DON’T SEE WILL Survive LONG, Because IT IS Empty of  anything upon which to build a philosophy of life.

          & instead of being constructive, IT DESTROYS TRUTH & LEAVES PEOPLE JUST TO CHOOSE ANY THING, WHETHER TRUE OR UNTRUE, RIGHT OR WRONG.    

                   ALSO, DEEP DOWN IN OUR SOULS BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, WE HAVE A SENSE OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH & ABSOLUTE MORALS SO we want others to treat us in keeping with universal IDEAS ABOUT truth and morality.

          Eph. 5:9 SAYS, “9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;”

SO, BACK TO 1 COR 13:5 WHERE WE HEARD AGAPE LOVE  “thinketh no evil;”

     WHEN WE ARE TOLD TO NOT THINK SOMETHING, WHAT IS ELIMINATED MUST BE REPLACED & WE ARE TO REPLACE WHAT NOT TO THINK WITH WHAT TO THINK & I AM BACK AT THE PRACTICE OF POSITIVE Pondering.  WE ARE TO PONDER THE

A.      Truth & THAN AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS,  whatsoever things are honest¼”

 WE ARE TO

          B. Ponder honest things  & don't dwell on dishonest things or dishonest people such as some in business or government OR OTHER PLACES.  THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO WANT TO ALWAYS TELL ME ABOUT THE BEEF THEY HAVE WITH SOME CROOKED AGENCY OR SOME CROOK & THAT IS ALL THEY SEEM TO THINK OR TALK ABOUT.  . 

I THINK THAT THINKING ON HONEST T

HINGS ALSO INCLUDES things that are honorable & Excludes THE Dishonorable. 

WE ARE TO PONDER THINGS worthy of respect & NOT PAY RESPECT TO DISRESPECTFUL THINGS. 

          WE ARE TO PONDER C.  PHIL 4:8. “whatsoever things are just,…”

             Just things INCLUDES THINGS SUCH AS GOD’S JUSTICE, GOD’S Righteous One & Righteousness.  In the Bible, sometimes 'just' is a synonym for right.  Let us think about and promote THAT WHICH IS 'right', RIGHTEOUS, & JUST. 

         

WE ARE TO PONDER D.  Pure things AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, “…Whatsoever things are pure,” - impurity must be purged from our thoughts because the impure filth of the world constantly bombards our senses with pollutants - Reject impurities by guarding what you see & hear.  Think on clean things & don't indulge in dirt & filthiness[PORN Movies, BOOKS, MAGS] .

 WE ARE TO PONDER OR THINK ON AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, :  whatsoever things are lovely,”

E.     Lovely things - things of beauty as opposed to ugliness & distortion & perversion.  Ponder the pleasing & pleasant, don't dwell on unpleasant things.

F.       

G.     "Slasher videos" { this example, may not need to be mentioned since the mere mention may detract from the sermon, & bring up ugly thoughts.} 

          & AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, PONDER OR THINK ON WHATsoever things are of good report..

LET’S PONDER & THINK ABOUT F.  Good reports - not bad reports or slander, libel, gossip & lies –

& AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, “if there be any virtue, and

if there be any praise, think on these things.”

 G.  Virtuous things ARE things Holy & Wholesome & THINGS rejecting the vile, foul, depraved & damning influence of base & perverted & depraved things. 

H.      Praise worthy things ARE things worthy of praise and applause.  SO, We must think correctly & guard our minds.

[The following is from Charles Swindoll]

Sow a thought reap an action

Sow an action, reap a habit,

Sow a habit, reap a character,

Sow a character, reap a destiny”

          SO WE ARE TO PROPER PONDERING OR positive thinking in a Biblical way [J. Vernon McGee says this is all contemplation of Christ]

         

NOW BACK TO 1 COR 13: 6 AGAPE LOVE Rejoiceth not in,”

SO FROM Phil. 4:4-8, I’VE PRESENTED PROPER PRAISE, PROPER, PRAYER, PROPER PONDERING, & NOW IN V9, I WANT TO STRESS THAT The Joyful Christian Life at Its Best Can Overcome the problems of life by Proper practice.  Philippians 4:9, “9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” [James 1:22] In the book of Philippians, CH 4 so far, HAS TOLD US TO Practice Unity & Harmony, practice rejoicing in the Lord, practice prayer, practice positive thinking, & ACTUALLY IT APPEARS WE ARE BEING TOLD TO practice everything Paul preached & everything The Bible TELLS us TO DO.

 James 1:22 TELLS US TO “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Our life should be a living object lesson -- Christians need to practice what they preach & the best testimony is both practice with the life & proclamation with the lip.  (E.g., practice this for worry & depression  Stop - Phil. 4:4-9.) 

[a good place to stop]

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Phil. 4:10

V.  A Proper Perspective about A Proper Providence -- helps us overcome & live the joyful & thankful life. 

The joyful Christian life at its best Rejoices & Thanks God for the Proper Providential Provisions of Life.  Simply stated Providence means that God cares for His creatures & His creation in His own way (Matt. 6:33 & Phil. 4:19).

He provides:

Phil. 4:10  A.  Shekels (v.18)  - God will provide what he thinks we need not necessary what we want - don't blame him for our own mismanagement should that be the case. 

4:11           B.  Satisfaction - Only God can grant us the grace to be satisfied in this unequal & unjust world of woe.  Maybe some of you need to pray for God to help you be satisfied with His will, See, too often people compare themselves with others & become discontent, possibly jealous & envious. 

[a place to stop and restate] 

See. God says we are not to compare ourselves with others, humans, either spiritually, materially, mentally, physically or emotionally. When we do --- it can lead to jealousy, ency, hatred, strife, discouragement, bitterness, depression & discontentment --- 2 Cor. 10:12  It is univus?? to compare ourselves among ourselves --- God wants us to be content (1 Tim. 6:6-8).

A discontented & ungrateful Spirit grieves the heart of God & depresses & discourages the hearts of humans.  We need to act life the Optomistic Pilgrim who upon hearing a dismayed & disheartening Report about the needs of the Puritan community reminded his pilgrim friend to yet enjoy and thank God for what they did have and not to become overly concerned with what they did not have.  Evidently, contentment must be learned since it does not appear to be an unnate or inherent characteristic of human nature. 

If we have been griping against God or to God

[the following is a paraphased {by JRP} quote]

and bemoaning our terrible conditions, the following suggestions will help us conquer an attitude of discontent,

          1.  Let us constantly review our blessings every day and give thannksgiving and praise to God for all of His benefits.  Look for small manifestations of God's power as well as the large blessings. 

          2.  Give instead of collecting things.  Get in the habit of giving part of all you get. 

          3.  Do not compare yourself with those you consider to have things better than you do --, but instead make your comparisons to those less fortunate, the hungery, the homeless, the destitute, derelut.

          4.  Let us concentrate on the spiritual, family, and love benefits that we have rather than on the  material, mental, or physical benefits which you may feel you lack. 

          5.  Let us learn how to praise the Lord seven times a day as David did (Psalm 119:164).  Here he was persecuted (verse 161), and yet he rejoiced in the Word of God and knew how to give thanksgiving and praise to God. 

          As we consider these helps in our study of The Word of God, we begin to see the real benefits that God gives us, and love, hope, and faith begin to be manifested in our life [or lives].  The reality of the thanksgiving and praise attitude begins to develop, and the peace of God will flood your soul (Philippians 4:6,7).      [end of article]

Proper Providence helps us overcome by supplying -

4:12   III. Security

Remember -- much so-called security in this world is an illusion.  We don't know absolutely how secure our future, our finances, our health or any such thing is.  Ultimately the bottom line is this -- Real security is only in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many things on which people base security here can be lost - the depression is a good example.  Employment, etc. - Retirement, Earthly possessions, positions & prosperty are not abiding & can be lost. 

But Christ can soothe the saint in poverty - this is against that prosperity truth - (the great apostle "Abased!")

* Christ can shower the Saint with Plenty -- if He wants to.

One secret is to avoid trusting in security in this world's things & be satisfied with whatever Christ gives (or withholds).

God forbid - but some of us may need a little struggle & trial to conform ourselves to the image of Christ to develop as God desires.

The joyful Christian life at its best can be lived in spite of problems -

by proper Praise-

"        "        Perspective

"        "        Prayer

"        "        Pondering

"        "        Practicing & last time I

looked at a Proper Perception about God's Providential Provisions -

God can provide

     shekels

     satisfaction

     security

          Strength & later if not today we'll pick up with sustenance in  v.19.

          The Lord Jesus Christ provides [IV]. STRENGTH: PHIL.4:13,  [PUT IN

passage by Spurgeon   p.916 ON P 11B]

               Isa. 41:10  I will strengthen thee.

WHEN called to serve or suffer, we take stock of our strength, and we find it to be less than we thought, and less than we need.  But let not our heart sink within us while we have such a word as this to fall back upon, for it guarantees us all that we can possibly need.  God has strength omnipotent; that strength He can communicate to us; and His promise is that He sill do so.  He will be the food of our souls, and the health of our hearts; and thus He will give us strength.  There is no telling how much power God can put into a man.  Whren divine strength comes, human weakness is no more a hindrance. 

          Do we not remember seasons of labor and trial in which we received such special strength that we wondered at ourselves?  In the midst of danger we were calm, under bereavement we were resigned, in slander we were self-contained, and in sickness we were patient.  The fact is, that God gives unexpected strength when ususal trials come upon us.  We rise out of our feeble selves.  Cowards play the man, foolish ones have wisdom given them, and the silent receive in the self-same hour what they shall speak.  My own weakness makes me shrink, but God's promise makes me brave.  Lord, strengthen me "according to they word."  C. H. Spurgeon

4:13   IV.  Strength

The Lord Jesus Christ grants the gracious strength to do what He demands.  He gives the resources for His requirements.  No task is too much for the Divine Taskmaster:  He will help us through or deliver us from (1 Cor. 10:13).

This doesn't mean you can go jump over your house or go lift up this building or grow new limbs - but in context it means you can do by God's grace & only by God's grace - whatever God's will for your life includes or permits.

The Christian can handle anything that hapens because of God's strength - Also, because of God's providential provisions -- (See Spurgeon & Isa. 41:10).

Phil. 4  v.13 cont. 

This might mean taking risks.  The Joyful Christian life at its best can take risks resting on the promises of God.  I don't mean being risky as in a poor business investment, but I mean risking worldly security, safety, comfort, etc. for Christ & my risk may not be yours & your risk may not be mine. 

And remember our sufficiency is from the Lord Jesus Christ - our God  2 Cor. 3:5 & 12:9.

[The??] Jesus Christ Provides

4:14   V.  Substance - contributions v.12 people

The word for communicate means to share with & they shared their substance with Paul by way of contribution -

4:15-18   VI.  Support - This church helped support Paul as a missionary.  Is God calling you to be a missionary?  Is God calling you to be a missionary or some other aspect of fulltime service - He'll provide the support _____means - God's genuine call is accompanied by genuine enablement.

v.17&18  Our contributions to the Lord's work, His legitimate ministers & ministries, puts fruit on our account.  Some oof the best return on your money - is investing it in God's Work. 

The Joyful Christian life at its Best

Realizes God's Providential Provisions & Remembers to Thank, Praise & Bless God.  So far in Chapter 4 we have seen God providentially provide

1.  Sheckels

2.  Satisfaction

3.  Security

4.  Strength

5.  Substance

6.  Support

& today we pick up with 7. Sustenance

4:19  VII.  Sustenance - That is what it takes to sustain needs - not greeds.  Some say this verse has some conditions.  Of course,

#1  It is for Christians only -- those who are declared right by God because of their acceptance of God the Son as their payment for sin &

#2  Some say this verse is a promise to those Christians who do waht the Phillipians did -- help God's work by helping one of His legitimate ministers.  Just because religion has its share of crooks, husksters, [Phil. 4:16] shysters, frauto, 13 quacks, and charlations .. let us not think all minsters are wrong .. but let us discern the right ones ..

The Lord God Almighty providential by provides sustenance - (Phil. 4:19 conditions = Saved & doing what the Phillipians were doing (2 Cor. 8:1-12 & 2 Cor. (:1-8).

          A.  The Source of the Sustenance

           - God the Father  

     B.  The Steward of the Sustenance

           - Christ the Son

          C.  The Scope/Spectrum of the Sustenance

                    - All legitimate needs.

          D.  The Standard of the Sustenance

                     - His riches - not out of His riches - His resources will never be depleted.  Eph. 1:7;2:7

v. 20  Paul gets excited listing how God provides Sheckels, Satisfaction, Security, Strength, Substance, Support, Sustenance & ends on a doxological, praise to God. e.g. Rev. 4:8, 11; 5:13

vv. 20 ff -

phil. 4:21 & 22 Saints= Christians, v. 22

 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [12]

Caesars household = probably soldier's that guarded & not necessarily if to empirial family, but from Imperial household of government workers, slaves, etc.

v. 23 - remember we need mercy - not justice, & God's grace (GRACE) undeserved, unearned, unmertited, free favor - & that should give us all confidence, conviction, & courage to commit ourselves to seeking & doing God's will -- regardless!  of the consequences or circumstances we may surmise of actually encounter. 

Hymn _______  Is Your All On The Alter?

 

 

 & "   practice

IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Cor. 15:51,52 [w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.  1 Thess. 4:16,17

next the mid Trib Angelic Trump

but until then we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings (2 Cor. 5:17-20).  We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  As aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

Now this Hope of the imminent return of Christ to take us home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes up home at our death or by rapture.  He'll change these humiliating bodies like unto His glorified body - This body is a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place.  It is mortal, it is corruptible (1Cor. 15: 53,54).  Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury -- how frail we are (2Cor. 4:14-5:4).  Boise, pp. 256 & 257.    

But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into your life that He can't help you handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD. 

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ our help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). BHebrews 4:15-16, A15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.@

 Sometimes no one or no/thing helps - except Jesus.  Too many people today look to the government for help - I never see government in the Bible given the responsibility or the authority to be The Messiah. 

Some look to family or friendsY"your girl friend may let you down..."

& In Phil 3:21 III.  We need to discern our hope.

Philippians 3:21 is about Christ & says, AY[he] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.@

          SEE, our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture. 

John 14:1-6; ALet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father=s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.@  [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, A51 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.@  [ w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.@ [next the mid Trib Angelic Trump]

          NOW, Until WE GO TO BE WITH LORD,  we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires,  or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings .   2 Corinthians 5:17-20 SAYS, A17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2 COR.5:18 & 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.@

           We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  WE ARE aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

          Now this Hope ABOUT [of the imminent return of Christ to take us] OUR home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes home at our death or by rapture, He=ll change these MORTAL Bodies like unto His glorified body.  SEE, This body WE HAVE NOW IS a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place. 

OUR PRESENT BODY  is mortal, it is corruptible .

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 SAYS, A53 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.@   Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury WHICH TELLS US  how frail we are. 2 Cor. 4:14-5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:4, A14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 COR. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 COR. 5:1, AFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 COR.5: 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.@ Boise, p, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed p. 256 & 257.  But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into our life that He can't help uS handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

IN EPHESIANS 6, I WENT THROUGH V 17, & WE WERE STILL ON THE TOPIC OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE WHEN I LEFT OFF IN EPH 6:18 WHICH SAYS, 6: 8 SAYS WE ARE TO BE A18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;@

   SEE, WITH SPIRITUAL WARFARE ALWAYS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES, WE ARE TO BE Praying ALWAYS-AT LEAST WITH AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER & KEEPING OURSELVES IN A WAY SO GOD IS PLEASED TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

          I SHARED A SPIRITUAL WARFARE PRAYER AS AN

SAMPLE PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN WARRIORS.

ALSO, I WANTED TO REMIND US THAT JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY MEDIATOR!  1 Timothy 2:5 A5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;@

          JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR SELVES TO THE FATHER IS HEAVEN & HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR PRAYERS TO THE FATHER IN HEAVEN.  IN John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  A  THAT IS WHY WE MUST MAKE SURE WE SAVED BY CHRIST & LIVING FOR CHRIST.         

         

Now I want to address a problem we are to overcome which is hinted at in Phil 4:1-2, A1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord."  I think these 2 vv. are speaking to

Disunity & Disharmony.  In the body of Christ, OR IN A LOCAL GROUP OF BELIEVERS OR INA A LOCAL CHURCH, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable.  SOMEONE SAID, AIN ESSTIALS-UNITY,

IN NON-ESSENTIALS-LIBERTY,

IN ALL THINGS-CHARITY, I.E., LOVE@ 

          Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is diveRting & destructive & should be avoided. 

          NOW IN PHIL 4:VV3-7, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OVERCOMING [III].  Depression & Discouragement.  Philippians 4:3-7 SAYS, A3 Philippians 4:3

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.  [13]A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.@  One way Christians can overcome Depression & Discouragement.  Is by I.  Proper Praise.  LISTEN TO V 4 AGAIN, A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.@

          Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many PERCEIVED Problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude. Ps. 119:164,165 SAYS, A164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.@

          I THINK ONE WAY THIS aidS to overcoming our problem is by GIVING US A

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective. Philippians

4:5, ALet your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.@ Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.@

          THE ASV OF PHIL 4:5 SAYS, ALet your forbearance be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.@

          THE NEW AM STANDARD SAYS, A5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.@

          THE NIV SAYS, A5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.@

          SO, Let us be FORBEARING, GENTLE, SWEET & REASONABLE & listen to others= opinions & Disagreements & issues.  THIS doesn=t mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

         

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon.  Remember, PHIL 4:5 SAYS, "the Lord is at hand."  HE COULD COME today-- Before the service is over.  & remember if we need help--The Lord is at hand-- He is near to us always & w/ us & in us as believers. 

          YES, HIS COMING IS AT HAND & HE IS AT HANDCavailable RIGHT now. In that regard B LET US NOT mess AROUND with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait FOR THE LORD=S RETURN."  NO WE NEED TO BE LIVING FOR HIM & WORKING FOR HIM AS WE WAIT FOR HIM.  END OF PHIL 4:5.  

NOW ON TO Phil 4:4-19 WHERE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT how WE can overcome the negativity OF LIFE THAT COMES OUR WAY.

          Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

          SEE THERE ARE Many things THAT can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & rejoice!  [Joyful - with

Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude. Philippians 4:4 SAYs,"

          A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway:

           And again I say, rejoice.@

TO ME, REJOICING IN THE LORD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH Proper Praise.

          SEE, Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE OF GOD

CAN BUT lesser THINGS IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

         

WELL, ANOTHER REASON Believers need to Praise God IS THAT Praise aids us in pleasing God & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity. Heb. 13:15 & 16 SAYS, AYtherefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. A

          We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord. Ps. 119:164,165,

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee

Because of thy righteous judgments. 

Psalm 119:165 AGreat peace have they which

Love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.@

            So, PROPER PRAISE CAN GIVE US A PROPER PERSPECTIVE, which is a weapon in our battle against problems.

WELL, ON TO Philippians 4:5, A Let youR Moderation be known unto all men. 

The Lord is at hand.

     II.  I THINK WE CAN PICK OUT SOME MORE ABOUT A Proper Perspective.

IN V. 5 WHEN IT MENTIONS THE WORD, AModeration.@  MODERATION here means a sweet reasonableness, A mild manneredness, forbearance, and yieldingness.          

Now, never yield to the devil=s deceptions, doctrines or disciples,

but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity--

and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness, A bullheaded &

belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

NOW ON TO Philippians 4:6 WHICH SAYS, A6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.@

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

          AS I HAVE BEEN MENTIONING, Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  I SUGGEST A

Proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.

          I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best AS WE GO ON with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

GOD=S ADMONITION TO US IN PHIL.4:6 SAYS, ABe careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.@

          ONE OF THE MAIN INGREDIENTS OF THE JOYFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE IS PRAYER.  IN PHIL 4, Paul has SAID, Arejoice in the Lord and to be patient,@  he ALSO SAID TO take OUR needs to the Lord. A literal translation V 6 "Be anxious about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication... let your requests be made known unto God"  TO TELL US THAT ONE  ingredient WE must get IN PRACTICED in order to receive God's peace is faithful prayer. Instead of worrying, Paul encourages the Philippians to find peace of heart by turning to God and seeking fellowship with him IN PRAYER.

         

WE ALL NEED A PRAYER SHIELD [ September 12, 2001]

      America Needs Prayer Shield,

[ Observers Say By Charles R. MiVille, Washington, D.C., correspondent ]

      As WE continue to recover from 11 SEP 01's catastrophic terrorist attack, [

on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon], the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., has targeted the United States with prayer.

TH E World Prayer Center Pastor Wesley Tullis talked about his mission during the nation's time of crisis.

      "Right now, even as we're asked to pray at the World Prayer Center, our goal is to coordinate strategic prayer for objectives around the world, for the nations, and to mobilize local churches to pray," Tullis said.

      Mel Winger, director of church relations for the World Prayer Center, said America needs  prayer right now.

      "We need to go back to the great defense of this nation, and that's a life that honors God," Winger said. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PS 33:12 ABlessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;

    Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church, which helped give birth to the Prayer Center, said Christians need to pray for their national leaders, their country and the Church.

      "We need to pray that this process will make America stronger and brighter and freer, and our churches more wonderful than ever before, " Haggard said.

      In the New Life Church sanctuary, Ted Shumaker joined others in the prayer watch.

      "We're calling as a Christian nation upon you, Lord Jesus, to heal our land * to bring us back from our idolatry into your worship, Lord," Shumaker prayed. "We just thank You and we praise You now, Lord."

      Pastor Tullis added that "unless we mobilize the Church of America to be prayer‑based, we're going to continue to see ongoing challenges that aren't met by any wisdom of government alone, or any wisdom of the military."

The word "supplication" has to do with specific needs. Paul doesn't want them to talk with God in general terms like, "Lord help me to be better." He asks them to bring their specific needs and desires to God. Paul may be suggesting that the present disorder is an indication that they need to pray. In any event, he wants their requests "in everything" to be brought to God. There is not a greater need in modern Christianity than a more serious approach to prayer. I realize that statement is strong, but so is the evidence for its proof. We too often pray that the Lord will "bless all that it is our duty to pray for." We ask him to "help us to do what we ought to." I believe that if Euodias had prayed by name for Syntyche, there would have been a dramatic change in their relationship. Surely, if Syntyche would have prayed specifically, "Lord, give me the strength to go see Euodias tomorrow and work out our difficulty," it would have helped. And this is exactly our need. When is the last time you have prayed specifically for your needs? Yes, we rattle off the words we've been saying for twelve years, but that misses the boat. When have we prayed "Lord help me to apologize to Sally," or, "Lord, rid me of the habit of sensitive feelings," or, "Lord, chase that grudge from me," or, "Lord, help me to be more friendly with Frank"? If we really want God's peace, we are going to have to speak our true needs to the Father. In so, doing- we will have his help in dissolving or preventing disturbances. A friend of mine in a college pastorate called on one of his deacons to pray the offertory prayer one Sunday morning and suffered through "Lord, accept the gratitude of our hearts for the table you have set before us. Now, bless the food to the nourishment of our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen." That deacon used the wrong prayer because the real needs of his life and church seldom entered his prayer life. We had better stop criticizing those who read their prayer from paper as long as we read our prayers from antiquity and memory. The prayer should change with the needs of each new day. And let us not neglect the element of thanksgiving in our prayers. ".... with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God,," Paul says (Phil. 4:6). Before prayer can become helpful, it must come from a thankful heart. Paul knows that the thankful heart is seldom disturbed, but is one which enjoys God's peace. It may be significant that Paul begins this recipe with "rejoice" and ends it with "thanksgiving." It begins and ends with a sense of joy. If we would stop each day to pray out of a heart of gratitude for God's incalculable blessings, perhaps we would not be tempted to be cross and impatient. The heart that is thankful is not hateful. The same heart cannot dwell on thankfulness and revenge simultaneously. When you are tempted to be other than your Christian best, hesitate a moment, and begin thanking God for each thing that he has done or meant to you. Then when you are finished, see if that heart torn by conflict hasn't found peace again. Izaak Walton said profoundly, "God has two dwelling places: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart." Let me challenge you to commit you life to joy, patience, and prayer. You will then discover God's peace. It will enrich your church, strengthen your happiness, and help your friends. COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this database is protected by copyright and International Law, and is solely owned by it's authors. The reproduction, or distribution of this product, or any portion of it, without the expressed written authorization from the contributing authors is forbidden. Remember, this database is to inspire the development of new messages to further the kingdom's work.

SO, I HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING THAT to overcome SOME OF our problems WHICH CAN ROB US OF JOY, we NEED TO HAVE 

proper praise

   "   perspective &

A@@@   perception

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

 & "   practice

IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Cor. 15:51,52 [w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.  1 Thess. 4:16,17

next the mid Trib Angelic Trump

but until then we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings (2 Cor. 5:17-20).  We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  As aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

Now this Hope of the imminent return of Christ to take us home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes up home at our death or by rapture.  He'll change these humiliating bodies like unto His glorified body - This body is a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place.  It is mortal, it is corruptible (1Cor. 15: 53,54).  Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury -- how frail we are (2Cor. 4:14-5:4).  Boise, pp. 256 & 257.     

But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into your life that He can't help you handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD. 

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ our help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). BHebrews 4:15-16, A15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.@

 Sometimes no one or no/thing helps - except Jesus.  Too many people today look to the government for help - I never see government in the Bible given the responsibility or the authority to be The Messiah. 

Some look to family or friendsY"your girl friend may let you down..."

& In Phil 3:21 III.  We need to discern our hope.

Philippians 3:21 is about Christ & says, AY[he] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.@

          SEE, our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture. 

John 14:1-6; ALet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father=s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.@  [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, A51 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.@  [ w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.@ [next the mid Trib Angelic Trump]

          NOW, Until WE GO TO BE WITH LORD,  we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires,  or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings .   2 Corinthians 5:17-20 SAYS, A17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2 COR.5:18 & 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.@

           We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  WE ARE aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

          Now this Hope ABOUT [of the imminent return of Christ to take us] OUR home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes home at our death or by rapture, He=ll change these MORTAL Bodies like unto His glorified body.  SEE, This body WE HAVE NOW IS a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place. 

OUR PRESENT BODY  is mortal, it is corruptible .

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 SAYS, A53 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.@   Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury WHICH TELLS US  how frail we are. 2 Cor. 4:14-5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:4, A14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 COR. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 COR. 5:1, AFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 COR.5: 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.@ Boise, p, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed p. 256 & 257.  But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into our life that He can't help uS handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

VENGENCE [is] mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord."

          THE AGAPE LOVE THE HUSBAND IS CALLED TO EXHIBIT “Beareth all things."  (1 COR. 13:70.  THE HUSBAND IS TO BEAR THINGS TO PROTECT THE WIFE. THE WORD "BEARETH" ACTUALLY MEANS A TYPE OF ROOFING THAT PROTECTED THE INHABITANTS.  THIS IDEA GOES ALONG WITH 1 PET. 4:8, " And above all things have fervent charity [AGAPE LOVE] among yourselves: for charity [AGAPE LOVE] shall cover the multitude of sins." 

22

AGAPE LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS & DOES NOT UNNECESSARILY EXPOSE THE SINNING ONE TO SHAME, RIDICULE, OR HARM.  PROV.17:9, " He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;…"

 SO, THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR AGAPE LOVE USUALLY COVERS ALL THINGS, AND, AS 1 COR. 13:7 SAYS, “believeth all things."  The husband is not to be PARANOID, OVERLY SUSPICIOUS, JUDGMENTAL, OR CRITICAL, and is to be Believing THE BEST ABOUT the wife—trusting HER.  I AM NOT SUGGESTING THROWING OUT reality, BUT rather to GIVE THE wife the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.  I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT BEING GULLIBLE, THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST THAT--BUT I AM SUGGESTING that agape LOVE HELPS US HAVE A DEGREE OF TRUST IN OUR WIFE -- ESPECIALLY A CHRISTIAN WIFE.

THERE IS A DEGREE OF TRUTH IN TRYING TO FOLLOW AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE IN ASSUMING ONE INNOCENT ‘TIL PROVEN GUILTY.  WE SHOULD ACTUALLY HOPE FOR THE BEST AS 1 COR. 13:7 SAYS, AGAPE LOVE hopeth all things."  THE HUSBAND IS RESPONSIBLE TO HOPE & PRAY FOR THE BEST AND LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THINGS.

AGAPE LOVE, THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY,  WILL HOLD ON TO HOPE AND NOT BECOME HOPELESS FOR AGAPE LOVE "ENDURETH ALL THINGS"

          THE HUSBAND IS RESONSIBLE TO  PERSEVERE EVEN WHEN THINGS LOOK OR FEEL HOPELESS.  AGAPE LOVE HOLDS UP EVEN WHEN THE ODDS SEEM TO BE INSURMOUNTABLE BECAUSE WITH CHRIST, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE REASONABLE! 

HUSBANDS ARE TO PERSEVERE IN THE LOVE OF GOD AS 2 COR. 5:14 SAYS," For the love

of Christ constraineth us..." 

          SO, HUSBANDS, AS CALLED THE “HEAD OF THE WIFE” IN EPH. 5:23, ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF LOVE.

          IN ADDITION TO 2 COR. 6:14, THIS IS ANOTHER REASON A CHRISTIAN FEMALE NEEDS A CHRISTINA MAN.  NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND OR DO AGAPE LOVE UNTIL THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN THE HEART.  ONLY CHRISTIANS HAVE AGAPE LOVE FOR IT COMES FROM GOD.  ROM. 5:5, "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

          (THE PRIORITY & EVERLASTING PERMANENCE

OF LOVE).

1 COR. 13:8

TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WILL PERPETUALLY SURVIVE AND OUTLAST ALL THE TEMPORARY & TEMPORAL GIFTS, GRACES, & VIRTUES.

THE APOSTLE CONTINUES ON ABOUT THE ENDURING NATURE OF LOVE & ITS SUPERIORITY WHEN COMPARED TO THE TEMPORARY GIFTS, GRACES, & VIRTUES. 

1 COR. 13:13

FOR OUR PRESENT DAY & AGE IN THE MIDST OF A TIME WHEN TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING & LONGING FOR A SPECTACULAR SHOW BOAR RELIGION MORE AKIN TO A SIDE SHOW OR CIRCUS THEN A CHURCH, LET US BE CHALLENGED TO THE 3 PRESENTLY ABIDING ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY.

THE 3 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY ARE FAITH , HOPE, & LOVE.

- W/O TRUE FAITH ONE CAN NOT BE A CHRISTIAN TO BEGIN W/  JOHN 3:16; 6:47; ACTS 10:43; 16:31; EPH. 2:8 & 9,

SO TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH IS AN ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF TRUE BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY. 

-W/O HOPE, EVEN THE CHRISTIAN ___ CAN GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE WORLD'S SLOUGH OF DESPONDENCY & DESPAIR.  TRUE BIBLICAL HOPE IS NOT JUST POSITIVE OR WISHFUL THINKING.  TRUE BIBLICAL HOPE CLINGS TO THE GUARANTEE THAT SOMETHING BETTER IS COMING FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN (1 PET. 1:3 & 4).  FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS -- NOTHING IS HOPELESS. 

1 COR. 13:13

NOW THE GREATEST OF THESE 3 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS LOVE:

1.  YOU COULD NOT BECOME A TRUE CHRISTIAN W/O LOVE -- THE LOVE OF GOD.  ___ ETERNAL LOVE OF THE ETERNAL GOD WAS MOST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED ON CALVARY'S CROSS (ROM. 5:8).

2.  AND WHEN WE RECEIVE THE TRUE GOD'S LOVE GIFT - THE SACRIFICIAL SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THEN HIS LOVE IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS (ROM. 5:5).  WHOSE HEART?  (ROM. 1:6 & 7).  WE ARE WE ARE EITHER SAINTS OR AINTS.  PARDON THE GRAMMAR - BUT IT MAKES THE POINT.  WE ARE EITHER A SAINT OR WE AIN'T (ROMANS 8:8 & 9). 

SAINTS, THOSE TRULY IN CHRIST, WE Are still ABLE TO QUENCH & GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT & BE UNLOVING - BUT I SUGGEST

LOVE IS

 THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE,

THE GREATEST COMMAND OF GOD, AND

SOME SUGGEST

THE GREATEST ATTRIBUTE OF GOD FOR GOD IS LOVE ( 1 JOHN 4:8).

          I THINK one question we can ask OUR SELVES OCCASIONALLY IS ?WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION.  ? WHAT MOTIVATES US OR MOVES US? 

          I FEEL THAT IS WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH PAUL IS GETTING AT 1 Corinthians 13:1, :”Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become

as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

-WHAT IS MY MOTIVATION?

IN MOTIVATION.  """""2D  """"""""""""""""""""""""

JUST AS LOVE IS CONFUSED IN OUR TIME, IT WAS CONFUSED IT PAUL'S TIME ALSO.

? WHAT IS OUR MOTIVIATION?  ? WHY DO WE DO THE THINGS WE DO?  ESPECIALLY SO-CALLED RELIGIOUS THINGS OR SPIRITUAL THINGS.

DO WE DO WHAT WE DO TO IMPRESS SOMEONE, SHOW OFF, OR LOVE GOD & HIS CREATURES?

13:1

I THINK PAUL IS SAYING THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S GIFTS, ELOQUENCE, RHETORICAL & ORATORICAL SKILLS, ETC., IF THEIR MOTIVATION S NOT OUT OF LOVING SERVICE TO THE TRUE GOD & THE CREATURES OF GOD, THEN THEIR ELOQUENCE IS LIKE BANGING ON POTS & PANS -- JUST NOISE!

SO, LET'S MAKE SURE OUR MOTIVATION FOR USING GOD'S GIFTS IS RIGHT, THEN LET US GO ON & SERVE HIM, MAKING SURE WE ARE PROGRESSING IN HOLINESS & MAKING SURE 1ST OF ALL THAT WE ARE REALLY SAVED! 

13:2

I THINK PAUL IS SAYING THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S GIFT OF RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE FROM GOD, IF WE ARE NOT MOTIVATED BY LOVING SERVICE TO GOD & THE CREATURES OF GOD, IT'S VALUE IS DIMINISHED. 

PAUL IS SAYING THAT THIS{?} HE UNDERSTOOD, THE MYSTERIES OF GOD & WISELY APPLIED GODLY INFORMATION -- THAT IF IT WERE NOT DONE TO LOVINGLY SERVE GOD & HIS CREATURES, IT'S VALUE IS GREATLY DIMINISHED.

PAUL IS SAYING THAT EVEN IF ONE HAD SO MUCH FAITH THAT HE COULD TURN MOUNTAINS INTO MOLEHILLS AS IT WERE, IF THAT FAITH IS NOT MOTIVATED BY A LOVING DESIRE TO SERVE GOD & HIS CREATURES, ITS VALUE IS 0, EMPTY, IN VAIN.  W/O TRUE LOVE AS THE MOTIVATION, THE SO-CALLED FAITH HERO OR GIANT IN THE FAITH IS A ZERO -- A NOBODY.  SOME OF THE SO-CALLED FAITH MINISTRIES REMIND ME MORE OF A CIRCUS THAT A WORSHIP SERVICE. 

13:3

THE APOSTLE PAUL IS SAYING THAT THE GREATEST PHILANTHROPY OR CHARITABLE GIVING W/O THE REAL MOTIVATION OF LOVE TO GOD & HIS CREATURES IS OF NO REAL SPIRITUAL PROFIT.  I IMAGINE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BRAG ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY GIVE OR GAVE.  GOD CHECKS MOTIVES.  REMEMBER THE WIDOW'S MITES?  (MARK 12:41-44).        

* THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GIVE TO SOOTH THEIR CONSCIENCE OR TO TRY TO BUY THEIR WAY INTO GOD'S GOOD GRACES!

1 COR. 13:4 cont.

EVEN IF ONE WERE TO GIVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF ONE'S OWN LIFE, IF IT WERE NOT DONE OUT OF LOVING MOTIVATION TO GOD & HIS CREATURES IT HAS NO REAL SPIRITUAL PROFIT.

e.g.  I TALKED W/ AN AIRBORNE PARAMEDIC ONCE & HE TOLD ME ...

I HOPE WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN SAY WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID ABOUT DOING SO-CALLED SPIRITUAL THINGS OR RELIGIOUS THINGS (2 COR. 5:14).

`        SO FAR WE'VE LOOKED AT THE MOTIVIATION OF LOVE NOW IN vv. 4 & ff. WE HAVE WHAT I'VE CALLED

"SELF INSPECTION CHECKLIST TO EXAMINE OUR LEVEL?? OF LOVE IN ACTION."

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

          Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE?

We ARE TO reciprocate His love, and yet He doesn’t coerce us into loving Him back… or EVEN acknowledging His presence.

God owns everything… even our hearts. The concession He gave is free will to return to the intimate relationship that each one of us is called to with Him.

PART OF THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS THAT AS long as WE ARE REBELLING AGAINST GOD,  there is no way We can ever imagine how satisfying such an intimate relationship with OUR LOVING LORD can be.

So, it boils down to His grace that people actually receive Him into their lives. Ironic… but as I looked at my own life… I wouldn’t have realised this on the day I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. But now… I really can see how that was very much His act of GOD’S grace entirely.

IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT LOVES SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND, VERSE 4 GOES ON TO REMIND US THAT LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

3.   "Charity envieth not." ? ARE WE ENVIOUS & JEALOUS?  IF WE ARE JEALOUS, ENVIOUS, & BEGRUDGING OTHERS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SUCCESSES, POSSESSIONS, POSITIONS, OR ANYTHING -- THEN THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS LACKING.

          IF WE GLOAT OVER ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNES, FAILURES, TRAGEDIES, & DISAPPOINTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY DISPLAYING JEALOUSY, COVETOUSNESS, ENVY, & A LACK OF LOVE.

 - TO WHOM IS GLORY & HONOR FOREVER. 

          WELL, ON TO 1 JOHN 5:4-13 TALKING ABOUT "FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON."  [14 OCT 84 PM  FAITH, FAIRVIEW]

  [MAY 87  1000 MVF CHAPEL  SUN AM]

          MY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND UPON THIS THEME IN THIS CONTEXT AND TRUST THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY IT TO OUR HEARTS & HEADS THAT WE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MAY MATURE IN IT & PRESENT IT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE FAITH, OR NEED TO GROW IN IT UNTO MATURITY. 

1 JOHN 5:4-13 TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:4,5,  1.  ...IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE WORLD.  JESUS SAID THE WORLD WOULD GIVE US TROUBLE.  JOHN 16:33,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

          SEE, FAITH IS THE VICTORY!  IT IS A SPIRITUAL FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, NOT A CARNAL FITE!  WE ARE NOT TO FITE IN OR BY OR EVEN WITH THE FLESH IN THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  2 Corinthians 10:3_5, "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,

and every high thing that exalteth

itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every

thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Corinthians 10)

FAITH IS ONE OF OUR WEAPONS & OUR SHIELD. CF EPH. 6:10- 18, "10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  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]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph.6). 

FAITH IS NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHATEVER GOD SAYS IS TRUE, IT IS ACTING ON THOSE FACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE.  IN THIS CASE FAITH NAMES & CLAIMS THE VICTORY. 

            v. 5., "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  FROM V5 WE COULD SAY THAT WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD OR WORLDLINESS REIGNS SUPREME OR IS THE VICTOR FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THERE MAY BE MORE THAN AN INDICATION OF CARNALITY - IT MAY BE AN INDICATION OF LOSTNESS.  FOR UNLESS ONE BELIEVES & RECEIVES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION - THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS, ITS INTENTIONS - AND ITS PRINCE HAS POWER OVER THE LOST SOUL. 

            LET ME PUT THAT ANOTHER WAY.  UNLESS WE HAVE A TRUST THAT OBEYS GOD'S WORD, THEN THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS - ITS INTENTIONS - & ITS PRINCE - CAN HAVE POWER OVER EVEN OUR CHRISTIAN SOUL!, AT LEAST ON A MOMENTARY BASIS.

                        NOW, TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS AS GOD THE SON, 1 JN. 5:6,  II.  ...IS VIOLENTLY, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HERESY. "This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6 PROBABLY REFERS TO THE THE CERENTHIAN GNOSTIC HERESY, A POPULAR HERESY PROMOTED BY CERENTHUS TO WHICH JOHN'S CONTEMPORARIES WERE EXPOSED.  CERRNTHUS  PORTRAYED JESUS AS A MERE MAN ON WHOM 'THE CHRIST' HAD COME WHEN JESUS WAS WATER BAPTIZED & THEN CLAIMED THE CHRIST SPIRIT LEFT THE MAN JESUS ON THE CROSS SO THAT HE DIED LIKE ANY OTHER MERE MAN - INSTEAD OF AS GOD IN THE FLESH BEING A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR A FALLEN RACE. 

            SEE, IF CHRIST HAD DIED AS A MERE MAN, HIS DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE INFINITE VALUE NEEDED TO PAY THE PENALYY FOR SIN AGAINST AN INFINITLEY HOLY & INFINITE GOD.

            SEE, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN.  GOD WAS BORN AS A MAN - HE WAS BORN THRU WATER & BLOOD, HE WAS ALREADY GOD THE SON AT HIS WATER BAPTISM, I.e. THE HOLY SPIRIRT DID NOT DEIFY CHRIST AT HIS WATER BAPTISM.  THE THE GOD-MAN DIED AS A MAN & ISSUED FORTH WATER & BLOOD.  (JOHN 19:33-36, "33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35  And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." 

 & IF WE'RE SAVED ITS THRU THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (TITUS 3:5). W/ THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLYING THE WATER OF THE WORD & THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE GOD MAN TO US. 

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON 1 JOHN 5: 7-10,   III.  ...IS VALIDATED/VERIFIED BY TESTIMONY

1 JOHN 5:7   A.  THE HEAVENLY TESTIMONY. 

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."-

JOHN 1:1-3, "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:14;"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  

                 DUET. 19:19, JOHN 8:17 & 18  - STILL I THINK WITNESSING TO HIS PERSON AS TRUE GOD/TRUE MAN.

1 JOHN 5:8   B.  THE EARTHLY TESTIMONY -

TO HIS PERSON AS GOD IN THE FLESH.

I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN WITH 1 JOHN ch. 5.  I LEFT 1 JOHN FOR A WHILE TO SEE THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LAST WORDS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS & THEN I DID A FEW LENTEN TYPE MESSAGES & LAST SUNDAY WAS RESURRECTION SUNDAY -

LORD WILLING , I WANT TO FINISH 1 JOHN ch. 5 SOMETIME SOON.

THE LAST TIMEN I WAS IN 1 JOHN, I HAD LOOKED AT vv. 7-10 AND SAW THAT TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE SAVIOR IS VALIDATED OR VERIFIFED BY

HEAVENLY TESTIMONY -

HUMAN TESTIMONY

  THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD &

[noW IN

v. 10??]   

  THE SUBJECTIVE, INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD OR

THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

            TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:7-10  cont.,  iii.  ...IS VALIDATED BY TESTIMONY VERIFIED

1 JOHN 5:9a,  C.  THE HUMAN TESTIMONY

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE OR TRUST, OR PLACE FAITH IN SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PILOTS, COOKS, BOOKS, NEWPAPERS, DRIVERS - WHY NOT TRUST GOD & HIS WORD?  

            MEN CAN BE DECEIVED OR DECEIVE, GOD CAN'T.  MAN'S TESTIMONY IS FINITE & LIMITED IN POWERS OF OBSERVATIONS & RECALL,

GOD'S IS NOT!

WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF HUMAN TESTIMONY, WE CAN ONLY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN & ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF DIVINE TESTIMONY & THAT WHICH IS RECORDED AS THE RECORD IN THIS BOOK!

1 JOHN 5:10a.  E.  THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY.

THE BELIEVER HAS AN INTERNAL WITNESS (ROM. 8:16 & COL. 4:6).  THIS INTERNAL WITNESS DOES NOT DENY THE FACT THAT THERE IS VALID EXTERNAL EVIDENCE - BUT IT IS ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CAN CAUSE ONE TO INTERNALIZE THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE (MATT. 16:16-18).

OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL EVIDENCE IS USELESS FOR SALVATION UNLESS IT BECOMES AN INTERNAL SUBJECTUVE CONVICTION ... MUST BE IN THE HEART & NOT JUST THE HEAD (JAMES 2:19) ... AND ONE CAN'T HAVE THE INTERNAL SUBJECTIVE CONVICTION UNTIL THE OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED & THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL IVIDENCE CAN'T BE ACEPTED UNLESS THERE IS THE INTERNAL, SUBJECTIVE, CONVICTION, i.e. THE HOLY SPIRIT & HIS WORD & ANOTHER THEOLOGICAL ANTINOMY OR PARADOX. 

[READ 1 JOHN 5:12] 

            F.  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR

            IV.  IS VOWED TO INSURE ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

THIS PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS TH THOSE TRUSTING CHRIST - NOT IN CHURCHIANITY OR RELIGIOSITY OR IN A CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE, A DENOMINATIONAL RITUAL OR RITE.  [SEE MESSAGE ON GOOD WORKS.]

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SUN, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

v. 12  NO CHRIST = NO ETERNAL LIFE.  ONE CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION, AND A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & STILL NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION & A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & NOT HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

            THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFEBOAT - HE'S THE LIFELINE.  ?ARE YOU TRUSTING HIM ONLY FOR SALVATION & IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOTHING CAN SHAKE YOUR FAITH IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE??  ?IF NOT - THEN YOUR FAITH IS SHAKEY!  "ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND -- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"

LET'S FORGET ABOUT CHRISTIANITY & RELIGIOSITY & PREACH CHRIST ?DO YOU HAVE CHRIST?  IF YOU HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR - YOU HAVE AN ASSURED SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNA INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

           

            ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGHT THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES.  THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.  AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS.  THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON:  THE FATHER (JOHN 10:27,[OR-]29, [17:1ff;] ROMANS 8:31, 38, 39; EPH. 1:3-7; JUDE 24 &25), THE SON KEEPS TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,]  ROM. 8:34, 2 TIM. 1:10-12, HEB. 7:25, 1 JOHN 2:1?) AND HOLY SPIRIT WHO REGENERATES (JOHN 3:3, TITUS 3:5), INDWELLS

(1 COR. 6:19), BAPTIZES (1 COR. 12:13), SEALS (2 COR. 1:22, EPH. 1:13) AND IS THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST (EPH. 1:14, 2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENET EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CLIMAX OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

            THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & LIKE CHRIST -- NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, INNORTAL BODY.  [SOME,]  HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THAT ENDS IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13   V.  SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  VOID - NULL & VOID &

VIOLATED

THE LAST CLAUSE ID DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THEGREEK, BUT I THIND IT MEANS THE "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF, MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST). [?end quote?] 

THIS CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT ASSURES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS SAVIOR .. [CONVERSELY (JOHN 3:36)]

[LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN -

TURN TO HYMN 58 - "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"]

SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[the next passage is from newpaper print]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            [THE ___________] JOHN IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IMPRISONED; AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE.  [NOW THERE ARE SOME RESULTS FROM DOUBT.]

***      ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.  

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

     

LE SEEM TO BE FEARFUL OF ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  

            [4]

[4] ACT 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1CO 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. EPH 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

GOD “takes away the HARD heart of stone, and gives AN heart of flesh;[5]

[5] EZE 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

GOD “renewS the FALLEN will, and, by His almighty power, determines & DIRECTS them to that which is good,[6]

[6] EZE 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. PHI 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. DEU 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. EZE 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

GOD “effectually draws To Jesus Christ:[7]

[7] EPH 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

JOH 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. “

God DOES THIS IN SUCH A WAY THAT PEOPLE come  freely, being made willing by His grace.[8]

[8] PSA 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,…”

JOH 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

ROM 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

II. GOD’S effectual call is of HIS free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man,[9]

2TI 1:9 IS ABOUT GOD “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

 TIT 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

EPH 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). 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.

ROM 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

THIS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND BUT IT IS AS IF HUMANS, “…ARE passive until quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,[10]

[10] 1CO 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. EPH 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”

 GOD enables PEOPLE to answer His call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.[11]

 [11] JOH 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

EZE 36:37 Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING, IT IS LIKE JOH 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

SO IN REVIEW, CHAP X “OF EFFECTUAL CALLING,” THE WESTMINSTER CATHECHISM.

I. ALL THOSE WHOM GOD HATH PREDESTINATED UNTO LIFE, AND THOSE ONLY, HE IS PLEASED, IN HIS APPOINTED AND ACCEPTED TIME, EFFECTUALLY TO CALL, BY HIS WORD AND SPIRIT, OUT OF THAT STATE OF SIN AND DEATH IN WHICH THEY ARE BY NATURE, TO GRACE AND SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST: ENLIGHTENING THEIR MINDS, SPIRITUALLY AND SAVINGLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS OF GOD, TAKING AWAY THEIR HEART OF STONE, AND GIVING UNTO THEM AN HEART OF FLESH; RENEWING THEIR WILLS, AND BY HIS ALMIGHTY POWER DETERMINING THEM TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND EFFECTUALLY DRAWING THEM TO JESUS CHRIST; YET SO AS THEY COME MOST FREELY, BEING MADE WILLING BY HIS GRACE.

II. THIS EFFECTUAL CALL IS OF GOD'S FREE AND SPECIAL GRACE ALONE, NOT FROM ANY THING AT ALL FORESEEN IN MAN, WHO IS ALTOGETHER PASSIVE THEREIN, UNTIL, BEING QUICKENED AND RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS THEREBY ENABLED TO ANSWER THIS CALL, AND TO EMBRACE THE GRACE OFFERED AND CONVEYED IN IT.

 

SO, I SEE, A PAST WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SALVATION, & I SEE A PRESENT WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR BELIEVERS AS AN AREA OF REVEALED TRUTH THAT COULD SUPPORT THE BELIEVER’S SECURITY ALL BY ITSELF. IN EPH. 1:13–14 THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED AS A SEAL SIGNIFYING THAT OUR DESTINATION IS HEAVEN AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. & TO BREAK AS IT WERE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S SEAL, I THINK IS IMPOSSIBLE.  Ephesians 1:13 & 14 SAYS ABOUT CHRIST  (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, vyou were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:14 (NKJV),who 4is the 5guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of ythe purchased possession, zto the praise of His glory. Eph 4:(NKJV)30 And ldo not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST IS DESCRIBED IN BOTH HEB. 7:25 AND ROM. 8:34.

          IT IS ESPECIALLY CLEAR IN THE FIRST PASSAGE THAT HE IS PRESENTLY ACTIVE TO BRING BEFORE THE FATHER HIS PERFECT COMPLETED WORK AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ELECT. HIS INTERCESSION WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF IT DIDN’T KEEP ITS OBJECTS WITH GOD; IT COULD BE SAID THAT CHRIST FAILED. THREE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT PASSAGES THAT TEACH SECURITY FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS ARE

ROM. 5:1–11, WHERE PAUL UNDERSCORES THE FACT THAT TRIALS CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM GOD; ROM. 8:28–39, WHERE GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE AND THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN THE CHAIN (SEE ABOVE IN THIS CHAPTER ON ELECTION) GUARANTEE THAT WE CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM CHRIST (V. 39);

JN. 10:28–29, WHERE THE FATHER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHEEP, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED (V. 15), TO BE LOST. THE READER SHOULD NOTICE THAT IN THIS PARAGRAPH WE HAVE INCLUDED ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY AS ACTIVE IN KEEPING THE BELIEVER SECURE. ONCE AGAIN, IF A BELIEVER WERE TO BE LOST, THEN THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT THE BIBLE PROMISES THEY WILL DO.

   SPACE DOES NOT PERMIT A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ALL THE PASSAGES THAT ARE ADDUCED IN SUPPORT OF “INSECURITY.” HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT GOD WILL NOT FAIL TO BRING THE ELECT INTO HIS PRESENCE, THE BIBLE STUDENT IS OBLIGATED TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF SUCH SCRIPTURES. FOR EXAMPLE, IN CONTEXT, 1 COR. 9:27 REFERS NOT TO LOSS OF SALVATION, BUT TO FAILING TO GAIN REWARD FOR SERVICE. JOHN 15:1–8, OFTEN USED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD TO SECURITY, IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FRUIT BEARING AND FELLOWSHIP, NOT SALVATION.

SOME WHO HOLD THAT VIEW USE HEB. 6:4–6.  HOWEVER, AS WITH ALL BIBLE INTERPRETATION, A VERSE MUST BE TAKEN IN IT’S CONTEXT OF THE CHAPTER, & THEN THE BOOK IT IS IN, & THE COVENANT IT BELONGS TO.  I SUGGEST THAT WE SEE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE BOOK OF HEBREWS, A REFERENCE TO APPARENT BUT NOT REAL BELIEVERS ARE GIVING UP THE  PRETENSE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST AND ARE TURNING BACK TO EITHER THEIR OWN RELIGION OR SIMPLY TO THEIR OWN UNGODLINESS OR WAY THAT THEY THINK WOULD MAKE THEM LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS OF THAT DAY. 

HEBREWS 6:4-6, “4FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.”

. IT IS “IMPOSSIBLE” TO BRING THESE APOSTATES BACK EVEN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY (HAVING SOME INTEREST IN SPIRITUAL THINGS), SINCE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEMSELVES TO THE THINGS OF GOD. THIS ADMITTEDLY DIFFICULT PASSAGE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS.

LIFE AS POSSESSORS OF SALVATION: SANCTIFICATION

[14]

STRONG, J. (1996). ENHANCED STRONG'S LEXICON. ONTARIO: WOODSIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

 

4267 [PROGINOSKO /PROG·IN·OCE·KO/] V. FROM 4253 AND 1097; TDNT 1:715; TDNTA 119; GK 4589;

FIVE OCCURRENCES; AV TRANSLATES AS “FOREKNOW” TWICE, “FOREORDAIN” ONCE, “KNOW” ONCE, AND “KNOW BEFORE” ONCE. 1 TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE BEFORE HAND. 2 TO FOREKNOW. 2A OF THOSE WHOM GOD ELECTED TO SALVATION. 3 TO PREDESTINATE.[15]

          SO, THE MULTIFACETED WORKS OF GRACE THAT GOD PERFORMS IN HISTORY TO SECURE FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE, A GREAT COMPANY OF INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER, WITH WHOM HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE CAN BE FULFILLED. AND THE WRITERS INSIST THAT AS GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY IN CONTROL IN BRINGING HIS PLAN TO THE POINT IT HAS REACHED AS THEY WRITE, SO HE WILL CONTINUE IN TOTAL CONTROL, WORKING OUT EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL AND SO COMPLETING HIS REDEMPTIVE PROJECT.

IT IS WITHIN THIS FRAME OF REFERENCE (EPH. 1:9-14; 2:4-10; 3:8-11; 4:11-16) THAT QUESTIONS ABOUT PREDESTINATION BELONG.

   PREDESTINATION IS A WORD OFTEN USED TO SIGNIFY GOD’S FOREORDAINING OF ALL THE EVENTS OF WORLD HISTORY, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND THIS USAGE IS QUITE APPROPRIATE. IN SCRIPTURE AND MAINSTREAM THEOLOGY, HOWEVER, PREDESTINATION MEANS SPECIFICALLY GOD’S DECISION, MADE IN ETERNITY BEFORE THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS EXISTED, REGARDING THE FINAL DESTINY OF INDIVIDUAL SINNERS. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORDS PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION (THE TWO ARE ONE), ONLY OF GOD’S CHOICE OF PARTICULAR SINNERS FOR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE (ROM. 8:29; EPH. 1:4-5, 11). MANY HAVE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO ASCRIBES TO GOD AN ADVANCE DECISION ABOUT THOSE WHO FINALLY ARE NOT SAVED (ROM. 9:6-29; 1 PET. 2:8; JUDE 4), AND SO IT HAS BECOME USUAL IN PROTESTANT THEOLOGY TO DEFINE GOD’S PREDESTINATION AS INCLUDING BOTH HIS DECISION TO SAVE SOME FROM SIN (ELECTION) AND HIS DECISION TO CONDEMN THE REST FOR THEIR SIN (REPROBATION), SIDE BY SIDE.

   TO THE QUESTION, “ON WHAT BASIS DID GOD CHOOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION?” IT IS SOMETIMES REPLIED: ON THE BASIS OF HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE GOSPEL THEY WOULD CHOOSE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. IN THAT REPLY, FOREKNOWLEDGE MEANS PASSIVE FORESIGHT ON GOD’S PART OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO DO, WITHOUT HIS PREDETERMINING THEIR ACTION. BUT

TRUE BELIEVERS ARE BEING MOLDED & MADE MORE LIKE CHRIST. 

          NOW I KNOW THAT THESE VV ARE NOT A CURE-ALL OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO ESCAPE REALITY.  THESE VV HELP BELIEVERS FACE HARSH REALITIES.  REMEMBER,

II. GOD [THE FATHER] IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION(ROM.8:28-30)

GOD KNOWS IN ADVANCE WHO WILL REALLY ACCEPT JESUS & THOSE THAT DO MUST BECOME LIKE CHRIST & EVENTUALLY GLORIFIED.  THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. 

IN V 30 WE SEE THAT THOSE GOD HAS DETERMINED TO BE LIKE CHRIST ARE ASSURED OF THAT GOAL JUST AS IF IT HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.  GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE BEGINS(PHIL. 1:6).

  Steve Green. Song: He Who Began A Good Work.
He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you're facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you

 See, GOD STARTED THE PROCESS & HE WILL BRING US TO COMPLETION--GLORIFICATION.

 I KNOW WE'RE NOT THEIR YET, BUT SOMEONE WROTE THIS & I AGREE;

I AM NOT WHAT I OUGHT TO BE , TO MY DISGRACE.

"""""""""""""""'WANT """""""""""""""DISMAY.

""""""""""""""" WILL BE BY GOD'S GRACE,

& BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE,

I AM NOT WHAT I ONCE WAS. & GOD THE FATHER IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION(R8:28-30)

& EVEN THO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK THAT WAY, GOD THE FATHER IS ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.  HE IS ALWAYS FOR US & NOT AGAINST US(ROM.8:31).  & IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS AGAINST US BECAUSE NO FORCE CAN BEAT US.  CHRISTIANS WILL EVENTUALLY WIN!  WE ARE ON THE VICTOR'S SIDE.  "THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS. 

& SINCE GOD THE FATHER HAS SECURED THE ULTIMATE END OF SALVATION--GLORIFICATION, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE LESSER BENEFITS OF SALVATION?(ROM. 8:32).  NOW OF COURSE I THINK THE ALL THINGS DEALS  WITH THINGS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES FOR HOLY, SANCTIFIED LIVING(2 PET. 1:3, & PHIL. 4:13). 

YES, BELIEVERS CAN DO ALL THINGS GOD REQUIRES THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US & WE CAN STAND UP AGAINST ALL CHARGES BECAUSE GOD HAS JUSTIFIED US(ROM. 8:33).

SEE, I.  GOD THE FATHER IS SECURINT THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION,

&  II.  GOD THE SON IS ALSO SECURING THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICFATION.

          SEE, THOSE JUSTIFIED BY GOD THE FATHER WILL NEVER BE CONDEMNED BY GOD BECAUSE OF GOD THE SON, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST.(ROM.8:34).  THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DRUNK WHO JUMPED OF A BRIDGE TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.  BUT WHEN HE HIT THE COLD WATER IN THE RIVER IT SOBERED HIM UP A BIT & HE HAD 2D THOUGHTS. 

HE YELLED FOR HELP & PASSING MOTORIST JUMPED IN A SAVED HIM.

 HOWEVER, THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM FOR BEING DRUNK & DISORDERLY & DISTURBING THE PEACE.  LOW & BEHOLD HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT & THE MAN WHO SAVED HIM WAS THE JUDGE.  WHILE THE JUDGE WAS GIVING HIM A STIFF SENTENCE THE DRUNK RECOGNIZED THE JUDGE & SAID, " HEY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SAVED ME FROM DROWNING."  & THE JUDGE SAID ,"WHY YES I DID.  THAT DAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOR BUT TODAY I"M YOUR JUDGE & YOU ARE CONDEMNED & MUST HAVE THIS SENTENCE."  WELL , THOSE SAVED BY JESUS WILL NEVER HAVE A SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION(  ROM.                                                                            17 SEE, JESUS PAID IT ALL , BUT WE MUST HAVE THE RECEIPT "PAID IN FULL” STAMPED ON OUR HEART.   ? DO YOU?  YOU CAN IF YOU WILL REALLY BELIEVE & RECEIVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  & IF YOU DO,

A. THE PARDON OF CHRIST SECURES THE EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION OF BELIEVERS FROM CONDEMNATION.  CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CONDEMN TO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT. IN JOHN 5:22-27, JESUS SAID,

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

                                                                          18  JOHN 5:27, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”  BUT INSTEAD OF JUDGEMENT & PUNISHMENT, CHRIST GIVES REAL CHRISTIANS EVERLASTING LIFE.

JOHN 3:16 - 19 SAYS,”16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

          WELL, REGARDLESS OF HOW EVIL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IF THEY ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR THEY WILL BE PARDONED, THEN

B.  THE PARDON OF CHRIST ENSURES THE BELIEVERS EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION (ROM. 8 & D.  THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ENSURES THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION. 

                                                                     19 ROM.4:25 SAYS OF CHRIST THAT HE

“25 …was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

          THIS IN UNBREAKABLE CHAIN WHERBY   ONCE A PERSON IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN

CHRIST, I. E., DECLARED RIGHTEOUS BY CHRIST, THEY WILL BE EVENTUALLY AS RIGHTEOUS AS CHRIST & GLORIFIED WITH A BODY LIKE CHRIST’S GLORIFIED RESURRECTED BODY!

          AS I CAME TO THIS POINT IN THE STUDY, IT STRUCK ME THAT PERHAPS A REVIEW OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH WOULD BE IN ORDER.

          ROM. 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"  THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, JUSTIFICATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN BY FAITH & NOT BY WORKS.  BY JUSTIFICATION I MEAN THAT   REAL BELIEVERS ARE DECLARED "JUSTIFIED OR RIGHTEOUS” AND TREATED AS SUCH BY GOD BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH.  

                                                                  20   JUSTIFICATION ALSO INCLUDES THE IMPUTATION OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS WHAT SOME THEOLOGIANS CALL A JUDICIAL ACT BY WHICH A CONDEMNED SINNER, LIKE A CRIMINAL IN A COURT OF LAW IS PARDONED, FREED FROM THE PENALTY DUE TO A LAW BREAKER, THEN TREATED AS NOT GUILTY, AND ALLOWED TO GO FREE.  SIMILAR TO THAT COURT ROOM SCENARIO, A REAL BELIEVER IN CHRIST IS DECLARED FREE FROM THE PENALTY OF THE LAW BEFORE A HOLY GOD, THE JUST JUDGE, BECAUSE THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST TOOK THE SINNER'S PUNISHMENT AND SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOD AS A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE. 

THE 1ST PART OF GAL.3:13 SAYS,  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: "

                                                                       21

ALSO,  THOUGH JUSTIFICATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRACTICAL & PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION OF BECOMING HOLIER & SAINTLIER, JUSTIFICATION IN ITSELF IT IS NOT AN EXPERIENCE OF BEING MADE TOTALLY HOLY & righteous BUT A FACT OF DIVINE RECKONING WHEREBY  BELIEVERS ARE DECLARED "JUSTIFIED OR RIGHTEOUS AND TREATED AS SUCH BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST, THE JUST ONE." 

                   WELL, IT SHOULD A REAL COMFORT & ENCOURAGEMENT TO US TO KNOW THAT GOD  IS CONCERNED FOR US & LABORING BEHALF.

          BUT HE IS ONLY SECURING EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR. ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE BORN AGAIN?  BORN OF THE SPIRIT?  IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, WHY NOT MAKE SURE TODAY?  PLACE YOUR FAITH THE SAME PLACE GOD PUT YOUR SIN--ON THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  BELIEVE & RECEIVE HIM TODAY.

           EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EVERY EYE CLOSED - IF YOU WANT TO BE SAVED, BORN AGAIN, BECOME A CHRISTIAN, I WANT YOU TO PRAY IN YOUR HEART SILENTLY RIGHT NOW-

                                                                             22  "DEAR GOD, I KNOW THERE IS NO WAY I CAN SAVE MY SELF FROM MY SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE, RIGHT NOW I WANT TO ACCEPT THE PAYMENT MADE BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SIN GUILT.  I PUT MY FAITH IN THE PERSON OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIM ALONE RIGHT NOW FOR A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU."  IN JESUS’ NAME: AMEN”

HEADS STILL BOWED AND EYES STILL CLOSED- IF YOU PRAYED THAT PRAYER AND MEANT IT ( YOU CAN FOOL ME BUT YOU CAN'T FOOL GOD) SLIP IT UP, AND TAKE IT BACK DOWN- I WANT YOU TO COME BACK RIGHT HERE WED.  AM AT 10:30.

LET'S PRAY-

HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

PHILE 25

GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE IS RELATED TO CHRISTLIKENESS.

ROMANS 8:29 “ 29 FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.”

          VERSE 29 LITERALLY MEANS THAT WE ARE ONE DAY GOING TO BE “INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY” LIKE JESUS CHRIST!

          THIS IS REALLY THE GREATEST THING GOD COULD DO FOR US. , ROM 8:29 SAYS GOD THE FATHER “¼DID PREDESTINATE BELIEVERS TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.”

GOD PREDESTINES AND PLANS & WORKS THIS  OUT.

          THE GREEK WORD TRANSLATED “PREDESTINE,” WHEN FOUND WITHOUT THE PREFIX EQUIVALENT TO PRE, CAN MEAN “TO MARK A BOUNDARY AROUND SOMETHING.” SO WE ARE MARKED OUT, WITH A BOUNDARY, KEPT AND GUARDED FOR GOD’S PURPOSE. YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW ARE PART OF GOD’S PLAN TO BRING THE BELIEVER TO THE PLACE OF BEING LIKE CHRIST. TO ME, FOR THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT SOME DOCTRINE HAS NO PRACTICAL APPLICATION--THIS OBVIOUSLY ESTABLISHES FOREKNOWLEDGE AND PREDESTINATION AS VERY  PRACTICAL DOCTRINES THAT CAN AFFECT OUR ATTITUDES, THOUGHTS, & ACTIVITIES, EVERY DAY!.

          SEE, REAL CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF THE KING & ONE DAY WE'LL BE LIKE KING JESUS, GOD, THE BELOVED SON.  SO, LET US THINK, SPEAK, & ACT IN A CHRISTLIKE WAY TODAY & EVERYDAY!

         

THIRD, GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WORD CALLED IN V. 30 MEANS  MORE THAN JUST “INVITE.”

THERE IS A GENERAL CALL TO ELECT AND NONELECT ALIKE, AS SEEN IN MT. 22:14 . ?FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN” 

THROUGH A SPECIAL CALL TO THE ELECT, THOSE FOREKNOWN BY GOD IN A SPECIAL WAY ARE CHOSEN (CF. 1 COR. 1:24.) OR . CALLED BY A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT MOVES A PERSON TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR. THAT IS CALLED BY SOME “THE EFFECTUAL CALL.”  

IN CHAPTER 10 OF –THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH SAYS, “OF EFFECTUAL CALLING

I. ALL THOSE WHOM GOD HATH PREDESTINATED UNTO LIFE, AND THOSE ONLY, HE IS PLEASED, IN HIS APPOINTED AND ACCEPTED TIME, EFFECTUALLY TO CALL, BY HIS WORD AND SPIRIT, OUT OF THAT STATE OF SIN AND DEATH IN WHICH THEY ARE BY NATURE, TO GRACE AND SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST: ENLIGHTENING THEIR MINDS, SPIRITUALLY AND SAVINGLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS OF GOD, TAKING AWAY THEIR HEART OF STONE, AND GIVING UNTO THEM AN HEART OF FLESH; RENEWING THEIR WILLS, AND BY HIS ALMIGHTY POWER DETERMINING THEM TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND EFFECTUALLY DRAWING THEM TO JESUS CHRIST; YET SO AS THEY COME MOST FREELY, BEING MADE WILLING BY HIS GRACE.

II. THIS EFFECTUAL CALL IS OF GOD'S FREE AND SPECIAL GRACE ALONE, NOT FROM ANY THING AT ALL FORESEEN IN MAN, WHO IS ALTOGETHER PASSIVE THEREIN, UNTIL, BEING QUICKENED AND RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS THEREBY ENABLED TO ANSWER THIS CALL, AND TO EMBRACE THE GRACE OFFERED AND CONVEYED IN IT.

[III. ELECT INFANTS, DYING IN INFANCY,  ARE REGENERATED AND SAVED BY CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT, WHO WORKETH WHEN, AND WHERE, AND HOW HE PLEASETH. SO ALSO ARE ALL OTHER ELECT PERSONS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING OUTWARDLY CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.]

IV. OTHERS, NOT ELECTED, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, AND MAY HAVE SOME COMMON OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, YET THEY NEVER TRULY COME TO CHRIST, AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAVED: MUCH LESS CAN MEN, NOT PROFESSING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BE SAVED IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER, BE THEY NEVER SO DILIGENT TO FRAME THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OF NATURE, AND THE LAW OF THAT RELIGION THEY DO PROFESS; AND TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THAT THEY MAY IS WITHOUT WARRANT OF THE WORD OF GOD.

          SO SALVATION IS GOD’S GIFT TO US.

     NOW THE FOURTH, ASPECT I WANT TO PRESENT ABOUT GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE IS THAT IS MORE THAN JUST KNOWING WHO WILL BELIEVE.

 IT IS ACTUALLY INVOLVED WITH GUARANTYING BELIEF IN THE SAVIOR & KEEPING BELIEVERS SECURE.  ROM 8:29 “ 29?FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.

ROM 8:30 “?MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.

31?WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 32?HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS? 33?WHO SHALL LAY ANY THING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD’S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH. 34?WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. 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.”

I THINK WE MUST REMEMBER THAT PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION ARE BIBLICAL CONCEPTS.  OUR SALVATION IS BASED ON JESUS & ACTS 16:31 SAYS BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST & THOU SHALT BE SAVED..”

WITH THAT IN MIND, WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER THAT WHAT WE  BELIEVE ABOUT PREDESTINATION AND/OR ELECTION DOES NOT EFFECT OUR SALVATION.  THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD BE GRACIOUS TO OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO DIFFER WITH YOU ON THIS SUBJECT.

NOW AS FOR THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE REAL BELIEVER,  THE ISSUE IS THIS: ?IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME WHO HAVE GENUINELY BELIEVED IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR TO LOSE THEIR SALVATION THROUGH THEIR OWN SIN OR THE PERHAPS THE ACT OF SOMEONE ELSE (SATAN, FOR EXAMPLE)?

          NOW HERE IS WHAT I THINK IS CORRECT RIGHT NOW, “GOD SAW AHEAD OF TIME WHO WOULD BELIEVE BECAUSE HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE KNOWS BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS  PLANNED IN THE GOLDEN & UNBREAKABLE  CHAIN OF ROM *8VV. 29–30, THEN THE BLESSINGS OF VV. 31–39 ARE CERTAIN.

          IN OTHER WORDS, TO A DEGREE, ONE’S VIEW OF ETERNAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON ONE’S VIEW OF ELECTION,

WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ONE’S VIEW OF GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE, & GOD’S PREDESTINING OF EVENTS, & PEOPLE. 

SO, IF WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING IS CORRECT, ?CAN A PERSON WHO HAS REALLY BELIEVED BE LOST? NO

?WILL GOD EVER LET A REAL BELIEVER GO TO HELL?  “NO!”

   HOWEVER, WE MUST STATE THAT THE ISSUE IS NOT A QUESTION OF THOSE WHO OUTWARDLY APPEAR TO BE BELIEVERS AND SAVED, BUT ARE NOT, AND LATER TURN FROM ANY INTEREST IN THE FAITH. THOSE PEOPLE ARE APOSTATES.

  

IF THERE ARE PASSAGES THAT CLEARLY TEACH SECURITY, THEN THE PASSAGES THAT THOSE WHO FAVOR NONSECURITY CITE AS SUPPORT FOR THEIR VIEW MUST BE CAREFULLY INTERPRETED.

IN OTHER WORDS, SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF. IF IT IS CLEAR IN TEACHING SECURITY, THEN THOSE PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO PRESENT NONSECURITY MUST REFER TO SOMETHING ELSE.

   THE BEST UNDERSTANDING OF SECURITY COMES THROUGH SEEING WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN PROVIDING FOR SALVATION AND HOW HE APPLIES IT. THE BELIEVER IS SECURE BECAUSE OF THE WAY GOD SAVES, WHAT HE DOES WHEN HE SAVES, AND WHAT HE DOES FOR BELIEVERS AFTER THEY ARE SAVED.

   TO BEGIN WITH, THE PROVISION AND APPLICATION OF SALVATION ARE COMPLETELY FREE BY THE GRACE OF GOD & PROVIDED BY GOD’S  SUBSTITUTE, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,

          THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS TO ALL WITH FAITH IN CHRIST (PHIL. 1:29).

SECOND, GOD MAKES EACH REAL BELIEVER A “NEW CREATION IN CHRIST, ” 2 COR. 5:17 “?THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.”

                THIS INCLUDES A  NEW LIFE PRINCIPLE—ACTUALLY THE LIFE OF CHRIST BY REGENERATION.

          IF A PERSON WERE TO LOSE HIS SALVATION, THEN HE WOULD NEED TO BECOME UNREGEREATED & UN NEW LIFED OR RATHER MADE SPIRITUALLY DEAD AGAIN.

          HOWEVER, THE VERY PRESENCE OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST REGENERATION SEEMS TO DISALLOW THE POSSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL DEATH TO EVER TAKE US AGAIN.

          NOW I KNOW SOME VIEW SALVATION AS A REPEATABLE EXPERIENCE. ONE CAN BE SAVED, THEN LOST, THEN SAVED AGAIN, ETC.

IF THAT WERE TRUE, THEN THE CREATION OF A NEW PERSON IN CHRIST, AND REGENERATION WITH ITS INFUSION OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST, WOULD HAVE TO BE UNDONE, THEN REDONE, THEORETICALLY MANY TIMES.

          TO ME, TAKING THE WORDS & WORKS OF GOD IN SALVATION SERIOUSLY SHOWS HOW CONTRADICTORY THE NONSECURITY POSITION IS.

          TO ME, THE PRESENT WORK OF GOD FOR BELIEVERS IS AN AREA OF REVEALED TRUTH THAT COULD SUPPORT SECURITY ALL BY ITSELF.

E.G, EPH. 1:13–14, IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, 14WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. “

ACCORDING TO EPH 1:13, ONCE WE REALLY believe ON CHRIST, WE ARE  sealed with the Holy (Spirit).” The word “sealed” is sphragizō (σφραγιζω).  The Scofield Bible footnote SAYS, “The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a sea signifies (1) A finished transaction (Jer. 32:9, 10; John 17:4, 19:30), (2) Ownership (Jer. 32:11, 12; II Tim. 2:19), (3) Security (Esth. 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30).” Thus, God places the Holy Spirit in us permanently IN THE NEW COVENANT, AT LEAST FROM THE DAY OF PENTECOST ON.

”God’s holy Spirit is described IN EPH 1:14 as The earnest of our inheritance.” The word “earnest” is arrabōn (ἀρραβων). A GREEK SCHOLAR, Vincent, defines it as “caution-money deposited by a purchaser in pledge of full payment.” The papyri OF THE GREEK FROM BIBLE TIMES gives us examples that confirm the n.t. sense of An ‘earnest’ is a part given in advance of what will be bestowed fully afterwards.”

The bestowal of the Holy Spirit is God’s EARNEST DOWN PAYMENT OR part payment in the salvation He gives the believing sinner.  IT IS A partial payment guaranteeing the full delivery of all parts.  Salvation is in 3 parts justification, the removal of the guilt and penalty of sin and the declaration of righteousness even the righteousness of Christ, given at the moment the sinner puts his faith in the Lord Jesus as Savior;


ANOTHER PART OF THE SALVATION PACKAGE IS sanctification, a progressive work of the Spirit in the life of the believer, in which The HS works at eliminating sin from the believer and producing  the fruit of the Spirit; glorification, is the act of God transforming the present bodies of believers into perfect, sinless, deathless bodies. The real believer is indwelled with The Holy Spirit as God’s earnest money, guaranteeing the future glorification of his body.”[16]

          S0, WHEN WE REALLY ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR, GOD SETS US APART, SEALS US WITH HIS OWN HOLY SPIRIT all the way through the process that gets us a redeemed glorified body. EPH.4:30 says, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

This all starts in our experience after that we believe & receive CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  EPH. 1:3-14 SAYS, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

EPH 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heavena, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trustedb in Christ.  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, [italics added]  ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

         

& NOTHING CAN EVER ALTER THAT POSITIONAL  GODLINESS/SANCTIFICATION(ROM.8:38&39) & WE HAVE POWER AVAILABLE TO LIVE A SANCTIFIED LIFE--.HALLELUJAH!  BECAUSE ONCE WE ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR WE POSSESS GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT. 

ROM. 8:9 SAYS, “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.”

ONE ASPECT OF THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO ENABLE US TO LIVE A REAL BIBLICAL-SPIRITUAL LIFE, & ACTUALLY PRODUCE A RIGHTEOUS LIFE BY DOING & BEING WHAT GOD DESIRES BY REFUSING THE SINFULNESS OF THE FLESH. 

          SEE, THOUGH WE ARE NOT SAVED BY ANY OF OUR WORKS, SAVED PEOPLE SHOULD SHOW FORTH SALVATION WITH GOOD WORKS OF OBEDIENCE IN LOVE TO GOD.

James 2:18 SYAS, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

THEN JAMES 2:20 SAYS, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

          THE APOSTLE PETER WAS MOVED BY GOD TO WRITE, IN 2 PET.1:-4, . “Simon  Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

2 PET. 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”

          AND ALL THIS BLESSEDNESS STARTS IN US WHEN ON THE HUMAN SIDE OF THINGS, WE ARE SAVED BY ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  THEN SALVATION, WHICH IS A REAL FAITH IN THE REAL CHRIST WILL SHOW ITSELF TO A DEGREE IN WORKS & IN OBEDIENCE—NOT FULLY BUT TO A DEGREE SINCE SERVING THE LORD BY FAITH OR IN FAITH IS A WAY TO SHOW OR DEMONSTRATE SALVATION.

  THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED AS A SEAL SIGNIFYING THAT OUR DESTINATION IS TO HEAVEN AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. IF LOSS OF SALVATION WERE POSSIBLE, THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD BE DEFEATED (HE WOULD HAVE FAILED AS A SEAL), WHICH OF COURSE IS IMPOSSIBLE.

SEE, WE ARE NOT SAVED BY ANY OF OUR WORKS, BUT A SAVED PERSON SHOULD SHOW IT WORKS OF LOVE & OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

FOR INSTANCE, IN HEB 11 WE READ OF FAITH BEING SHOWN, DEMONSTRATED OR WORKED OUT. HEB. 11:4-6 SAYS, “BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED UNTO GOD A MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE THAN CAIN, BY WHICH HE OBTAINED WITNESS THAT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS, GOD TESTIFYING OF HIS GIFTS: AND BY IT HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.

5 BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH; AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TRANSLATED HIM: FOR BEFORE HIS TRANSLATION HE HAD THIS TESTIMONY, THAT HE PLEASED GOD.

6 BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”  SEE, WE MUST COME TO GO IN FAITH BELIEVING:  HEB 4:1-2 SAYS,

LET US THEREFORE FEAR, LEST, A PROMISE BEING LEFT US OF ENTERING INTO HIS REST, ANY OF YOU SHOULD SEEM TO COME SHORT OF IT. 2 FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM: BUT THE WORDA PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH IN THEM THAT HEARD IT. “

          SEE WE NEED TO MIX WHAT GOD SAYS WITH AN OBEDIENT FAITH.

 

Heb. 4:3 FOR WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED DO ENTER INTO REST, AS HE SAID, AS I HAVE SWORN IN MY WRATH, IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST: ALTHOUGH THE WORKS WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. 4 FOR HE SPAKE IN A CERTAIN PLACE OF THE SEVENTH DAY ON THIS WISE, AND GOD DID REST THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS. 5 AND IN THIS PLACE AGAIN, IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST. 6 SEEING THEREFORE IT REMAINETH THAT SOME MUST ENTER THEREIN, AND THEY TO WHOM IT WAS FIRST PREACHED ENTERED NOT IN BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF: [17]

 

A:\PHIL\4V21Z24 – FOR PROBABLY AFTER thanksgiving  O5 WED AM GRHV. [KEEP AS LATEST RENDITION OF A -EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN [MOVED FROM SUN-WED AM. MORE LIKE THE MASTER; MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS, P 31-THE SOLID ROCK.  WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE; TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, O FOR 1000 TONGUES TO SING¼”].

            THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU IN PHILIPPIANS WE WERE WORKING ON CH 4 21, “SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS."  I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THOSE SAINTS IN THAT V WERE LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS & ARE TO BECOME SAINTLIER OR HOLIER & THEY CAN BY GOD’S OWN HOLY SPIRIT GRANTING POWER TO RESIST SIN STILL IN US & THE POWER OF SIN ALL AROUND US, & AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM THE SINS OF THE OLD, SIN  NATURE.         

            I HAVE PRESENTED THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE ON AN INEVITABLE MARCH TO FULL REDEMPTION ENDING IN GLORIFICATION WITH A TOTALLY HEALED, RESURRECTION BODY & WILL STAY SAVED IF THEY WERE EVER REALLY SAVED TO BE BEGIN WITH.

 

            I PRESENTED THAT THE TRULY SAVED CAME TO BE SAVED BY THE WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, & GOD THE SON WHO SAID IN JOHN 6:44, “NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM:”

            THOSE WORDS OF JESUS SEEM CLEAR TO ME,. & IN ADDITION TO THE WORDS OF JESUS, I CLAIM THE PRESENT WORK OF JESUS WILL KEEP A REALLY SAVED PERSON SAVED. 

SEE, AFTER A PERSON IS SAVED WE HAVE THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST  IN HEB. 7:25 WHICH  MAKES IT CLEAR TO ME THAT CHRIST IS PRESENTLY ACTIVE TO BRING BEFORE THE FATHER HIS PERFECT COMPLETED WORK AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ELECT. HIS INTERCESSION WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF CHRIST DIDN’T KEEP HIS PEOPLE SAVED.   CHRIST NEVER FAILS HEB  7:25, “25WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM. “

[18] Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1988). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Previously published as: Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster SAYS, “uttermost HAS WORDS THAT MEAN THE SAME THIG LISTED AS “extreme , farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, utmost. [19]

[20] Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Heb 7:24). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, SAYS “The word “uttermost” is the translation of panteles (παντελες) which is made up of pas (πας) “all,” and telos (τελος) “end, termination.” Thus, we have a two-dimensional salvation spoken of here. By reason of Messiah’s eternal ministry as High Priest, He is able to save the believer in his totality of being, body, soul, and spirit, and do all that to the point of termination, an unending state of salvation in eternity.[21]

NEW REVISED STANDARD HEB 7:25 “ Consequently he is able for all time to savee those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

YOUNG’S LITERAL TRANSLATION: 25 whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God—ever living to make intercession for them. [22]

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION 25 Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completely  those who come to God through him. [23]

THEN ROMANS 8:34 SAYS, “34WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. “

            BESIDES THE ROM. 8:28–39 PASSAGE WHICH I SEE AS TEACHING ETERNAL SECURITY, THERE ARE 2 MORE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT PASSAGES THAT TEACH SECURITY FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

            ROMANS 5:1-11, SAYS,  1THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: 2BY WHOM ALSO WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND, AND REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. 3AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO: KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE; 4AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE; AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE: 5AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED; BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.

ROM 5: 6 “FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. 7FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE: YET PERADVENTURE FOR A GOOD MAN SOME WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE. 8BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. 9MUCH MORE THEN, BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. 10FOR IF, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, MUCH MORE, BEING RECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. 11AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE ALSO JOY IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.”

             JN. 10:28–29, THE FATHER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHEEP, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED  TO BE LOST.

IN  JOHN 10:27-29 JESUS SAID, “27?My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND. 29MY FATHER, WHICH GAVE THEM ME, IS GREATER THAN ALL; AND NO MAN IS ABLE TO PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER’S HAND.”

THE VV WE HAVE HEARD HAVE INCLUDED ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY AS ACTIVE IN KEEPING THE BELIEVER SECURE. ONCE AGAIN, IF A BELIEVER WERE TO BE LOST, THEN THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT THE BIBLE PROMISES THEY WILL DO.

  GOD NEVER FAILS.  TIME REALLY DOES NOT PERMIT A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ALL THE PASSAGES THAT SUPPORT OF “SECURITY.”  HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT GOD WILL NOT FAIL TO BRING THE SAVED ALL THE WAY TO GLORIFICATION,  BIBLE STUDENTS ARE  OBLIGATED TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF SOME SCRIPTURES SOME SAY SHOW BELIEVERS MAY BE LOST.

            FOR EXAMPLE, 1 COR. 9:27 SAYS,  “BUT I KEEP UNDER MY BODY, AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION: LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. “

            THIS MUST REFER NOT TO LOSS OF SALVATION, BUT TO BEING REMOVED FROM  SERVICE TO THE LORD BECAUSE OF SOME DISQUALIFICATION.

            JOHN 15:1–8, IS OFTEN USED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD TO SECURITY. 

 

JOHN 15:1-8, “1I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN. 2EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT BEARETH NOT FRUIT HE TAKETH AWAY: AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARETH FRUIT, HE PURGETH IT, THAT IT MAY BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT. 3NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU. 4ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME. 5I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING. 6IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED; AND MEN GATHER THEM, AND CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED. 7IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU. 8HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED, THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT; SO SHALL YE BE MY DISCIPLES.”

            THESE VV ARE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FRUIT BEARING AND FELLOWSHIP,--NOT SALVATION.        FINALLY, HEB. 6:4–6 IS OFTEN PROMOTED BY THOSE SAYING SALVATION CAN BE LOST. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITH THAT VIEW IN MIND, PLEASE LISTEN TO HEBREWS 6:4-6, “4FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.”

 

I AM SUGGESTING THAT IF THIS  REFERS TO APPARENT BELIEVERS WHO GIVE UP THE PRETENSE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST AFTER FAKING IT, ARE NOT CALLED IMPOSSIBLE.  NOW I DON’T KNOW WHO IS IMPOSSIBEL TO BRING TO CHRIST, SO I SUGGEST TRY CHRIST ON EVERYONE.  NEVERTHELESS, IT IS THEN “IMPOSSIBLE” TO BRING APOSTATES BACK EVEN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY (HAVING SOME INTEREST IN THE SPIRITUAL THINGS OF THE REAL CHRIST –BECAUSE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEMSELVES TO THE BIBLICAL REALITIES OF THE REAL THINGS OF CHRIST.  SO, I SUGGEST  THIS ADMITTEDLY DIFFICULT PASSAGE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE WHOLE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS & THEN ELSEWHERE.

.

           

SO, I AM BACK TO THE WORD FOREKNOW. 4267 PROGINOSKO /PROG·IN·OCE·KO/] V. FROM 4253 AND 1097; TDNT 1:715; TDNTA 119; GK 4589; FIVE CCURRENCES IN THE AV TRANSLATES AS “FOREKNOW” TWICE;

“FOREORDAIN” ONCE;

“KNOW” ONCE, AND

“KNOW BEFORE” ONCE.

            I AM SUGGESTING THAT GOD’S  KNOWLEDGE HAS TO DO WITH HIS PREDESTINATING, [ii] & THE  MANY WORKS OF GRACE THAT GOD PERFORMS TO SECURE FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE,  TO WHOM HIS PURPOSE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE CAN BE FULFILLED.  AND I THINK THAT GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY IN CONTROL &  COMPLETING HIS REDEMPTIVE PLAN.

(EPH. 1:9-14; 2:4-10; 3:8-11; 4:11-16).

            SO  PREDESTINATION IS A WORD OFTEN USED TO SIGNIFY GOD’S FOREORDAINING OF ALL THE EVENTS OF WORLD HISTORY, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND THIS USAGE IS QUITE APPROPRIATE. IN SCRIPTURE AND MAINSTREAM THEOLOGY, HOWEVER, PREDESTINATION MEANS SPECIFICALLY GOD’S DECISION, MADE IN ETERNITY BEFORE THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS EXISTED, REGARDING THE FINAL DESTINY OF INDIVIDUAL SINNERS. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORDS PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION (THE TWO ARE ONE), ONLY OF GOD’S CHOICE OF PARTICULAR SINNERS FOR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE (ROM. 8:29; EPH. 1:4-5, 11). MANY HAVE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO ASCRIBES TO GOD AN ADVANCE DECISION ABOUT THOSE WHO FINALLY ARE NOT SAVED (ROM. 9:6-29; 1 PET. 2:8; JUDE 4), AND SO IT HAS BECOME USUAL IN PROTESTANT THEOLOGY TO DEFINE GOD’S PREDESTINATION AS INCLUDING BOTH HIS DECISION TO SAVE SOME FROM SIN (ELECTION) AND HIS DECISION TO CONDEMN THE REST FOR THEIR SIN (REPROBATION), SIDE BY SIDE.

   TO THE QUESTION, “ON WHAT BASIS DID GOD CHOOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION?” IT IS SOMETIMES REPLIED: ON THE BASIS OF HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE GOSPEL THEY WOULD CHOOSE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. IN THAT REPLY, FOREKNOWLEDGE MEANS PASSIVE FORESIGHT ON GOD’S PART OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO DO, WITHOUT HIS PREDETERMINING THEIR ACTION. BUT

KEEP AS LATEST RENDION OF A

-EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD SELF UP.  THIS IS SEEN IN BACKBITING, BACKSTABBING, GOSSIPPING, SLANDERING, LIBELING, NEGATIVE CAMPAIGHNING, & MUDSLINGING. 

-WRATH=THUMOI=THIS HUMAN SIN IS AN EXPLOSIVE & DANGEROUS ANGER.  A PERSON LIKE THIS IS PROBABLY VOLATILE & COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE WHAT CRIMINOLOGISTS CALL"CRIMES OF PASSION." 

-STRIFE=ERITHEIA=FACTIONALISM & DISCORD USUALLY SEEN IN CONTENTIOUS DEBATES WHICH WHICH HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP TO TRUE FACT. 

PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS SIN LIKE TO ARGUE--EVEN IF THEY NO THEY

ARE WRONG OR IF THEY KNOW THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. 

-SEDITIONS=DICHOSTASIA=SEDITIOUS DIVISIONS OR SPLITS. E.G., CHURCH SPLITS OR DENOMINATIONALISM, OR IN A SECULAR SENSE, SPLIITING UP COUNTRIES LIKE YUGOSLAVIA OR CHEKKOSLOVAKIA.

-HERESIES= AIREISEIS= IN THIS CONTEXT, THE THINKING OR MINDSET BEHIND SCHISMS OR DIVIDING OVER THINGS THAT HAVE NO BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE BUT RATHER OVER PERSONAL PREFERENCES OR OPINIONS.  IN THEOLOGY, USUALLY HERESY MEANS A TEACHING OR THEORY THAT IS NOT IN ACCORD WITH THE BIBLE.

-GAL. 5:21, ENVYINGS=PHTHONOI=FEELINGS OF ILL-WILL BECAUSE OF AN EVIL DESIRE TO POSSESS WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS.  THIS IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY & PROBABLY STARTED THE GULF WAR & THE BOSNIAN WAR. 

-MURDER=PHONOI=KILLING PEOPLE. 

the ever-blessed Trinity in unity (John 17:3), the two natures united in the one person of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 2:22, and 4:3),

is finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice (Heb. 5:14), the fall, resulting in our lost condition (Luke 19:10), regeneration (John 3:3), gratuitous justification (Gal. 5:4)—these are some of the principal pillars which support the temple of Truth, and without which it cannot stand. Of old God complained, "My people are destroyed [cut off] for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6), and declared, "Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst" (Isaiah 5:13). When He promised "I will give you pastors according to Mine heart," He described the same as those "which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15), and that knowledge is communicated first and foremost by a setting forth of the glorious doctrines of Divine revelation. Doctrinal Christianity is both the ground and the motive of practical Christianity, for it is principle and not emotion or impulse which is the dynamic of the spiritual life. It is by the Truth that men are illuminated and directed: "0 send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles" (Ps. 43:3). We are saved by a knowledge of the Truth (John 17:3; 1 Tim. 2:4), and by faith therein (2 Thess. 2:13). Pertinently is the inquiry made, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). The Hebrew word for "foundations" occurs only once more in the Old Testament, namely in Isaiah 19:10, where it is rendered "and they shall be broken in the purposes thereof." As it is from our purposes that our plans and actions proceed, so it is from the "first principles" of the Word that its secondary truths are derived; and upon them both, precepts are based. "The principles of religion are the foundations on which the faith and hope of the righteous are built" (Matthew Henry). While those foundations cannot be totally and finally removed, yet God may suffer them to be so relatively and temporarily. In such case the righteous should not give way to despair, but instead betake themselves unto prayer. "Some thing the righteous ones may do, and should do, when men are attempting to undermine and sap the foundation articles of religion: they should go to the throne of grace, to God in His holy temple, who knows what is doing, and plead with Him to put a stop to the designs and attempts of such subverters of foundations; and they should endeavour to build one another up on their most holy faith" (J. Gill).

The cry was raised, "Give us Christ, and not Christianity," and many superficial minds concluded that such a demand was both a spiritual and a pertinent one. In reality it was an absurdity, an imaginary distinction without any vital difference. A scriptural concept of Christ in His theanthropic person, His mediatorial character, His official relations to God’s elect, His redemptive work for them, can be formed only as He is contemplated in His essential Godhead, His unique humanity, His covenant headship, and as the Prophet, Priest and King of His Church. Sufficient attention has not been given to that repeated expression "the doctrine of Christ" (2 John, 9), which comprehends the whole teaching of Scripture concerning His wondrous person and His so-great salvation. Nor has due weight been given to those words "the mystery of Christ" (Col. 4:3), which refer to the deep things revealed of Him in the Word of Truth.

The most conclusive evidences for the Divine origin of Christianity, as well as the chief glory, appear in its doctrines, for they cannot be of human invention. The ineffable and incomprehensible Trinity in unity, the incarnation of the Son of God, the death of the Prince of life, that His obedience and sufferings satisfied Divine justice and expiated our offences, the Holy Spirit making the believer His temple, and our union with Christ, are sublime and lofty truths, holy and mysterious, which far surpass the highest flight of finite reason. There is perfect harmony in all the parts of the doctrine of Christ. Therein a full discovery is made of the manifold wisdom of God, the duties required of us, the motives which prompt thereto. It is in perceiving the distinct parts and aspects of Truth, their relation to one another, their furtherance of a common cause, their magnifying of the Lord of glory, that the excellence and beauty of the whole are apparent. It is because many apprehend only detached fragments of the same that some things in it appear to be inconsistent to them. What is so much needed is a view and grasp of the whole—acquired only by diligent and persevering application.

There is much preaching, but sadly little teaching. It is the task of the teacher to declare all the counsel of God, to show the relation of one part of it to another, to present the whole range of Truth: thereby will the hearer’s mental horizon be widened, his sense of proportion promoted, and the beautiful harmony of the whole be demonstrated. It is his business not only to avow but to evince, not simply to affirm but to establish what he affirms. Of the apostle we read that he "reasoned with them Out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead" (Acts 17:2, 3). He was eminently qualified for such a task both by nature and by grace. He was not only a man of God, but a man of genius and learning. He made considerable use of his reasoning faculty. He did not ask his hearers to believe anything that he averred without evidence, but furnished proof of what he taught. He usually preached on the basic and essential doctrines of the Gospel, which he felt ought to be verified by plain and conclusive reasoning.

"And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks" (Acts 18:4, 19). Because such reasoning may be abused, it does not follow that it should have no place in the pulpit. To reason fairly is to draw correct consequences from right principles, or to adduce clear and convincing arguments in support thereof. In order to reason lucidly and effectively upon the truth of a proposition, it is usually necessary to explain it, then to produce arguments in support of it, and finally to answer objections against it. That is the plan Paul generally follows, as is evident from both the Acts and his Epistles. When he preached upon the existence of God, the first and fundamental truth of all religion, he reasoned simply yet impressively: "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device" (Acts 17:29); "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen" (Rom. 1:20). When he enforced the doctrine of human depravity, he proved it first by a lengthy description of the character and conduct of the whole heathen world, and then by quotations from the Old Testament, and concluded "we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin" (Rom. 3:19).

It is the teacher’s task to explain, to prove, and then to apply, for hearts are reached through the understanding and conscience. When he appeared before Felix, the apostle "reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come" so powerfully that the Roman governor "trembled" (Acts 24:25). But alas, solid reasoning, exposition of Scripture, doctrinal preaching, are now largely things of the past. Many were (and still are) all for what they term experience, rather than a knowledge of doctrine. And today we behold the deplorable effects of the same, for our generation lacks even a theoretical knowledge of the Truth. That which was termed experimental and practical preaching displaced theological instruction, and thus the grand fundamentals of the Gospel were brought into contempt. No wonder that popery has made such headway in the countries once Protestant. It may be that that satanic system may yet prevail more awfully. If it does, none will be able to overthrow it by any experiences of their own. Nothing but sound doctrinal preaching will be of any use.

No wonder, either, that

PHIL\4V21Z91mortificationfeb2010

wED, GAL 5 FLESH.    WED AM GRHV. [LATEST VERSION OF EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN [MOVED FROM SUN-WED AM. MORE LIKE THE MASTER; MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS, P 31-THE SOLID ROCK.  WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE; TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, O FOR 1000 TONGUES TO SING¼”].   I’M STILL JUMPING OFf FROM PHILIPPIANS 4:21 (KJV) WHICH SAYS, “21 SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS….”

          The last time I WAS WITH YOU I was TRYING TO PRESENT THE  PROPOSITION THAT THE SAINTS Being SALUTED WERE LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT IF WE ARE REAL CHRISTIANS WE ARE SAINTS BUT WE CAN  BECOME SAINTLIER. Then I MENTIONED THAT PART OF OUR IMPROVEMENT IN SAINTLINESS HAS TO DO WITH BECOMING MORE LIE THE SAVIOR & LESS LIKE THE SATAN BY

CRUCIFYING OR MORTIFYING OUR OLD SIN NATURE, SOMETIMES CALLED THE FLESH NATURE.

THIS PROCESS OR ACTIVITY OF  crucifYiING OR MORTIFYING OUR SIN NATURE OR FLESH REMINDED ME OF AN OLD TEACHING THAT IS NOT HEARD MUCH ANY MORE ABOUT [pRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY, Part 2: Progress in the Christian Life, Chapter 7,] THE DOCTRINE OF MORTIFICATION.

By MORTIFICATION I MEAN the practice of self  discipline to overcome desires for sin and to strengthen the will against sin, Satan, & the SATANIC WORLD SYSTEM.

WRITTEN & PREACHED ON MORTIFICATION & SAY THAT SANCTIFICATION & revival, AS AN 

OLD FASHIONED, MOVEMENT OF GOD EVIDENCED IN LIFE AS practical godliness, & A  fuller conformity to the holy image of Christ IN RENOUNCING & AVOIDING SIN ARE BOTH RELATED TO MORTIFICATION.

I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO [PINK] SUGGEST The "revival" we need is a deliverance from thE spiritual apathy and laxity IN HOLY LIVING which now characterizes TOO MANY CLAIMING TO BE Christian.

I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO CALL PROFESSING CHRISTIANS TO DEDICATION, self-denial, and A closer walk with God TO become More fruitful

in the CHRISTIAN LIFE  OF good WITNESSING & GOOD works.”

WHILE SOME ARE DOUBTING THAT There is a possibility of such a revival, I DO NOT, &

2 things are sure : whatever the future may hold for this world, THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION DEMONSTRATES THAT God will maintain a testimony unto Himself (?Ps. 145:4; Matt. 28:20) and EVEN IN THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME WILL RAISE UP & preserve a godly seed on earth, until the end of THIS EARTH’S history (?Ps. 72:5; Isa. 27:3; Matt. 16:18).

Second, that there must be a return OR RENEWAL  OF BIBLICAL doctrinal preaching before there will be any improvement in practice.

Both the teaching of God’s Word and the testimony of CHURCH history testify clearly to the deep importance and great value of doctrinal instruction FROM THE BIBLE & the DIRE consequences of a prolonged absence of Doctrinal preaching.

Doctrinal preaching WILL enlighten the understanding, to instruct the mind, & inform the WILL FOR GOOD DISCERNMENT, judgment, & CHOICES.

BIBLICAL-DOCTRINAL PREACHING

Will motivate to gratitude and furnish incentives unto good works. There can be no soundness in the Faith if the fundamental articles of the Faith be not known and, in some measure at least, understood.

In a sense The fundamental articles of the faith can be called "the first principles of the oracles of God" as Heb. 5:12 calls the basic truths of Scripture, and some of these are  absolutely necessary for salvation. E.g.,

is finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice , The doctrine of substitutionary atonement by God's grace grace (Hebrews 9) 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spotd to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity bee the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicatedf without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarletg wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

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. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

ALSO, WHAT MAY BE CALLED A FUNDAMENTAL OR BASIC PREMISE OF THE BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THAT THE ATONING WORK OF CHRIST IS APPROPRAITED OR PUT ON A PERSON’S ACCOUNT through  faith.

 PEOPLE ARE Saved by Faith IN THE PERSON & WORK OF CHRIST--not OUR Works OR THE WORKS OF ANY ONE ELSE. 

We are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. Not by any works we may do. No man can earn his way into heaven. We are not saved by keeping the 10 Commandments, we are not saved by being members of a church. We are not saved by being baptized. We are not saved by being charitable. We are not saved by giving to the poor, helping the sick, etc. All of those things are good, and commendable, but they will not save you. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Am I saying that works aren't important? No, works are important. Every believer should do all he is able or willing to do to help others. Salvation, however is not dependent on works.

PEOPLE are saved only

by believing OR PLACING FAITH IN the CHRIST OF THE Gospel.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1st Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:1616 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.

JON 6::47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

ACTS 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, …[24]

Believing the Gospel is salvation, works are not part of salvation (but a saved person should certainly do good works):

EPH.2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordainedb that we should walk in them. “

NOW ALL OF THIS INFO COMES FROM

The Divinely inspiration and THUS authoritative BIBLE, the Holy Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:16,

 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

SO, IN PROGRESSING IN SANCTIFIACTION WHICH=H INCLUDES MORTIFYING THE SIN NATURE OR THE FLESH, JOHN 17:17 SAYS CHRIST SAID IN HIS HI PRIESTLY PRAYER

“ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

[GET OM WITH WORD & SANCTIFICATION-MORTIFICATION}

SEE PART OF WHAT SANTIFICATION INVOLVES IS DELIVERANCE OR FREEDOM FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN & DELIVERANCE OR FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN.

IN John 8:32, JESUS MENTIONED THE FREEING ASPECT OF THE TRUTH OF GOD WHICH IS IN OF COURSE, THE WORD OF GOD, “…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. “

AS WE ARE BEING FREED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT & THE HOLY SCRIPTURE, THEN WE  ARE TO PROGRESS OR GROW AS PETER WAS MOVED TO WRITE ABOUT IN 2 Peter 3:18,

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

ACTUALLY, CHRIST & HIS WORD ARE THE EPITOME OR HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM.

1 COR. 1:30 & 31 IS ABOUT CHRIST, “…who of God

 is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That,

according as it is written, He that glorieth,

let him glory in the Lord. “

GOD GIVES WISDOM, BUT WE HAVE TO RECEIVE IT & PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. 

SOLOMON WAS THE WISEST MAN, APART FROM THE GOD MAN, & THO SOLOMON DID NOT ALWAYS LIVE ACCORDING TO WISDOM, HE DID WRITE IN

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

PROV.2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. “

KEEPING THE PATHS OF THE RIGHTOEUS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ABSOLUTE SATNDARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH ARE REVEALED IN THE BIBLE & FOR OVER 100 YRS

increasingly NOTICABLE Departure from BIBLICAL - doctrinal preaching ALONG WITH A DISREGARD FOR BIBLICAL TRUTH FOUND IN BIBLICAL Creeds and confessions of faith Which were full of biblical  theology FOR GUIDING HUMAN PRACTICE.  NOW, BIBLICAL WISDOM HAS BEEN TO A LARGE DEGREE displaced & REPLACED BY science FALSELY SO-CALLED, , psychology, sociology, AND CHRIST DENTING PHILOSOPHY.   COL. 2:3-8 IS ABOUT CHRIST “ In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words…6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

COL 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

COL 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudimentsc of the world, and not after Christ.”

SEE, practical godliness OR WHAT PAULS CALLED IN ROM 16:26, THE ..the obedience of faith: “ DEMANDS TO A LARGE DEGREE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRINCIPLES & PRECEPTS OF the REAL Faith OR HOW CAN THE obedience of OR TO THE Faith be expected?

On the other hand, BIBLICAL doctrine without BEING PUT INTO practice IN LIFE CAN BECOME A mere theoretical and speculative knowledge of things, WHICH is To no avail IN SANCTIFICATION.

BIBLICAL  Doctrine and BIBLICAL practice should go together. CHRISTIANS ARE TO both know and  do the will of God, WHICH DEMANDS instruction in BIBLICAL Doctrine and BIBLICAL practice.

2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable [first] for doctrine, [and then] for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Thus Paul exhorted Timothy IN

1 Tim. 4:16, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” PAUL ALSO INSTRUCTED Titus IN 3:8 ,

 "This is a This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. “

WE CAN’T REALLY KNOW

THE ABSOLUTE GOOD

WITHOUT THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH

IN THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.

          Our preservation from error IN FACTS, VALUES, AND MORALS lies in THE WORD OF GOD.

BIBLICAL Doctrine is the mould into which the mind & MORALS ARE FORMED.  Romans 6:17 FF READS: “17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart  that form of doctrine to which you were 5delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were  slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

ROM. 6:21 -23, SAYS: What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For cthe end of those things is death. 22 But now dhaving been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit 7to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but  the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

SO, LIVING ACCORDING TO ETERANAL LIFE IN THE HEAR & NOW MEANS WE NEED TO HEAR & HEED THE WORDS OF THE ETERNAL LIFE GIVER &  LIVE HIS WAY.

FOR A LIFE OF purity, the piety, the zeal, that close walking with God and uprightness before men, which were so pronounced in Christendom during the preaching of the Reformers, Puritans & PILGRIMS,  WE NEED THE BIBLICAL & doctrinal

MINISTRY WHICH produced such a love FOR CHRIST & HIS TRUTH that thousands willingly suffered persecution and great privation, and hazarded their lives, rather than repudiate the doctrines and INSTRUCTIONS Of Christ.

ToDAY SOME SAY THAT it matters not what a man believes so long as his practice is good is utterly erroneous.

Indifference to the THE ULTIMATE Truth

ULTIMATELY  betrays a heart that is not right with THE TRUE  God.

I AM also reminded THAT MANY SOME OF THE men whose ministry was most owned and used of God during last 100 OR SO YEARS were those who followed in the steps of the  REFORMERS, THE Puritans, & THE PILGRIMS,  C. H. Spurgeon, Robert Murray MeCheyne, BILLY GRAHAM, D JAMES KENNEDY, gave a prominent place to BIBLICAL - doctrinal instruction in  their preaching.

An observant eye will soon perceive that there is a distinct spirit which attends different types of preaching, manifesting itself more or less plainly in the regular attenders thereof.

There is a solidity and soberness, a stability and godly fear seen in real BIBLICISTS HOLDING TO THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE & THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE FOR THE CONTENT & PRACTICE OF THE FAITH

which IS not found among THOSE HOLDING TO A LOW VIEW OF SCRIPTURE.  There is an uprightness of character in those who espouse the Truth which is lacking in those who HOLD TO error. Where the SCRPTURE & THE sovereignty of God ARE denied there will be A DEGRADATION IN THE holy awe of Him.

Where the BIBLICAL DOCTRINE ON THE total depravity Is not insisted INSTRUCTED, HUMAN pride and self-sufficiency will REAR ITS UGLY HEAD.

Where the impotence of the natural man is not stressed there will be LESS Dependence upon the POTENCY OF THE Holy Spirit.

Where the holy demands of God ARE not PRESENTED & maintained there will be the absence of The holy effects on the heart and life.

Thus we may judge and determine this about the Truth of biblical preaching: "Whatsoever doctrine demonstrates the depressing situation of humble

Humanity,  WILL OF NECESSITY advance the glory, THE MAJESTY, & SOVEREIGNTY of THE TRUE God.

the Gospel OF CHRIST, which centers in CHRIST, SHOWS HUMANITY Is Laid low, and God IS to be exalted.

BIBLICAL DOCTRINAL PREACHING EXPOSES THE FALLENESS & FOLLY OF HUmanITY &

and transfers all the glory man would TRY TO TAKE INTO The hands of God. BIBLICAL

DOCTRINAL PREACHING  lays Humanity in the dust at God’s footstool BEGGING FOR MERCY RATHER THAN OFFERING MERIT.

ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR MElet me hide myself in thee;             let the water and the blood,             from thy wounded side which flowed,             be of sin the double cure;             save from wrath and make me pure.  

3.         Nothing in my hand I bring,             simply to the cross I cling;             naked, come to thee for dress;             helpless, look to thee for grace;             foul, I to the fountain fly;             wash me, Savior, or I die.  THE Text: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
PUT TO MUSIC Music: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872

SO, ANY SO-CALLED doctrine which

encourages pride in HUMAN ABILITY is not a spark from heaven. No flesh must glory in God’s presence (1 Cor. 1:29).

Biblical DOCTINAL PREACHING & TEACHING EXPOSES THE FALSE doctrine of justification by works AS PUT down by the apostle with argument IN ROM 3:27, “ ‘Where is boasting then?

It is excluded. . .by the law of faith’ (Rom. 3:27), that

is by the BILCAL doctrine of JUSTIFICATION BY IN CHRIST.

Boasting would FINE IF regeneration COULD BE  IDENTIFYING AS HAVING WITH HUMAN nature & HUMAN ABILITY TO justify by HUMAN works.

A BIBLE TEACHER FROM LONG AGO PUT IT LIKE THIS:

“…TRULY GLORIying THE TRU God is AN evidence of truth In A person: ‘

(Charnock, 1660).

SO, THEN LET US PRESS ON TO GLORIFYING GOD ABOUT OUR SALVATION & COOPERATING WITH HIM IN OUR SANCTIFIACTION & DO OUR  duty of mortification WHICH pertains to the practical side of AS MENTIONED IN 1 TIM 6:3, “THE DOCTRine which is according to godliness" (1 Tim. 6:3).

SUCH DOCTRINE IS much more than a species of intellectual propositions  intended for

instructing our brains. 

SUCH DOCTRINE enunciates spiritual facts and hOly principles, foR e regulating our ENTIRE liFEFROM THOUGHT, ATITUDE, FEELINGS, CHOICES, BEHAVIORS..

"The doctrine which is according to godliness" at once defines the nature of Divine doctrine, intimating as it does that its design or end is to inculcate a right temper of mind and deportment of life Godwards: it is pure and purifying. The objects which are revealed to faith are not bare abstractions which are to be accepted as true, nor even sublime and lofty concepts to be admired: they are to have a powerful effect upon our daily walk. There is no doctrine revealed in Scripture for a merely speculative knowledge, but all is to exert a powerful influence upon conduct. God’s design in all that He has revealed to us is to the purifying of our affections and the transforming of our characters. The doctrine of grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11, 12). By far the greater part of the doctrine (John 7:16) taught by Christ consisted not of the explication of mysteries, but rather that which corrected men’s lusts and reformed their lives. Everything in Scripture has in view the promotion of holiness.

If it be an absurdity to affirm that it matters not what a man believes so long as he does that which is right, equally erroneous is it to conclude that if my creed be sound it matters little how I act. "If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8), for he shows himself to be devoid of natural affection. Thus it is possible to deny the Faith by conduct as well as by words. A neglect of performing our duty is as real a repudiation of the Truth as is an open renunciation of it, for the Gospel, equally with the Law, requires children to honour their parents. Observe how that awful list of reprehensible characters mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:9,10, are said to be "contrary to sound doctrine"—opposed to its salutary nature and spiritual tendency: i.e. that conduct which the standard of God enjoins. Observe too how that the spirit of covetousness or love of money is designated an erring "from the faith" (1 Tim. 6:10): it is a species of heresy, a departure from the doctrine which is according to godliness—an awful example of which we have in the case of Judas. Mortification, then, is clearly one of the practical doctrines of Holy Writ, as we hope to show abundantly in what follows.

2. An Outline

Romans 8:13 supplies the most comprehensive description of our subject to be found in any single verse of the Bible, setting forth as it does the greatest number of its principal features: "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." This is a most solemn and searching verse, and one which has little place in modern ministry, be it oral or written. If Arminians have sadly wrested it, many Calvinists have refused to face its plain affirmations and implications. Five things in it claim our best attention. First, the persons addressed. Second, the awful warning here set before them. Third, the duty enjoined upon them. Fourth, the effectual Helper provided. Fifth, the promise made to them. The better to focus our minds, and to enable us to grapple with the difficulties which not a few have found in the verse, ere seeking to fill in our outline we will ask a number of pertinent questions.

What is the relation between our text and the context? Why are both of its members in the hypothetical form—"if"? Does the "ye" in each half of the verse have reference to the same persons, or are there two entirely different classes in view? If the latter be the case, then by what valid principle of exegesis can we account for such? Why not change one of them to "any" or ‘ ‘they"? What is meant by "live after the flesh"? Is it possible for a real Christian to do so? If not, and it is unregenerate persons who are mentioned, then why say they "shall die," seeing that they are dead already spiritually? Are the terms "die" and "live" here used figuratively and relatively, or literally and absolutely? What is imported by "mortify" and why "the deeds of the body" rather than "the lusts of the flesh"? If the "ye" perform that task, then how "through the Spirit"? If He be the prime Worker, then why is the mortifying predicated of them? If there be conjoint action, then how are the two factors to be adjusted? In what manner will the promise "ye shall live" be made good, seeing they already be alive spiritually? We know of no commentator who has made any real attempt to grapple with these problems.

The whole context makes it quite evident what particular classes of people are here addressed. First, it is those who are in Christ Jesus, upon whom there is now no condemnation (verse 1). Second, it is those who have been made free from the law of sin and death, and had the righteousness of Christ imputed to them (verses 2-4). Third, it is those who give proof that they are the beneficiaries of Christ, by walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit (verse 4). In what immediately follows a description is given of two radically different classes: they who are after the flesh, carnally minded; they whose legal standing is not in the flesh, but in the spirit, who are spiritually minded because indwelt by the Spirit of God (verses 5-11). Fourth, concerning the latter—"we" as opposed to the "they" of verse 8—the apostle draws a plain and practical conclusion: "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (verse 12)—the endearing appellation there used by Paul leaves us in no doubt as to the particular type of characters he was addressing. Manton had a most able sermon on this verse, and we will, mostly in our own language, epitomize his exposition.

Man would fain be at his own disposal. The language of his heart is "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" (Ps. 12:4). He affects supremacy and claims the right of dominion over his own actions. But his claim is invalid, He was made by Another and for Another, and therefore he is a "debtor." Negatively, not to the flesh, which is mentioned because that corrupt principle is ever demanding subjection to it. Positively, he is debtor to the One who gave him being. Christians are debtors both as creatures and as new creatures, being entirely dependent upon God alike for their being and their well-being, for their existence and preservation. As our Maker, God is our Owner, and being our Owner He is therefore our Governor, and by consequence our Judge. He has an absolute propriety in us, an unchallengeable power over us, to command and dispose of us as He pleases. We have nothing but what we receive from Him. We are accountable to Him for our time and our talents. Every benefit we receive increases our obligation to Him. We have no right to please ourselves in anything. This debt is indissoluble: as long as we are dependent upon God for being and support, so long as we are bound to Him. Sin has in no wise cancelled our obligation, for though fallen man has lost his power to obey, the Lord has not lost His power to command.

By virtue of his spiritual being, the saint is still more a debtor to God. First, because of his redemption by Christ, for he is not his own, but bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:9). The state from which he was redeemed was one of woeful bondage, for he was a slave of Satan. Now when a captive was ransomed he became the absolute property of the purchaser (Lev. 25:45,46). The end which Christ had in view proves the same thing: He has "redeemed us to God" (Rev. 5:9). Second, because of his regeneration. The new nature then received inclines to God: we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Eph. 2:10). Having brought us from death unto life, renewed us in His image, bestowed upon us the status and privileges of sonship, we owe ourselves, our strength and our service unto God as His beneficiaries. The new creature is diverted from its proper use if we live after the flesh. Third, because of our own dedication (Rom. 12:1). A genuine conversion involves the renunciation of the world, the flesh and the devil, and the giving up of ourselves unto the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5). Since our obedience to God is a debt, there can be no merit in it (Luke 17:10); but if we pay it not, we incur the debt of punishment (Matt. 6:12,15). Since the flesh has no right to command, the gratification of it is the yielding to a tyrannous usurper (Rom. 6:12,14). When solicited by the flesh, the believer should reply, "I am the Lord’s."

"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." Here are two sharply contrasted propositions, each one being expressed conditionally. Two eventualities are plainly set forth. Two suppositions are mentioned, and the inevitable outcome of each clearly stated. Both parts of the verse affirm that if a certain course of conduct be steadily followed (for it is far from being isolated actions which are referred to) a certain result would inevitably follow. This hypothetical form of presenting the Truth is quite a common one in the Scriptures. Servants of Christ are informed that "If any man’s [literally "any one’s," i.e. of the "ministers" of verse 5, the "laborers" of verse 9] work abide which he hath built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s ["one’s," "minister’s"] work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss" (1 Cor. 3:14, 15). Other well-known examples are, "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ," and "For if I build again the things which I destroyed [renounced], I make myself a transgressor" (Gal. 1:10; 2:18). "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3, and cf. 10:26). Our text, then, is parallel with, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:8).

There are two things which the people of God are ever in need of: faithful warnings, kindly encouragement—the one to curb their sinful propensities, the other to animate their spiritual graces to the performing of duty, especially when they be cast down by the difficulties of the way or are mourning over their failures. Here too a balance needs to be carefully preserved. Inexperienced believers have little realization of the difficulties and perils before them, and the hearts of older ones are so deceitful that each alike needs to be plainly and frequently corrected, and exhorted to pay attention to the danger-signals which God has set up along our way. It is both striking and solemn to note how often the Saviour sounded the note of warning, not only unto the wicked, but more especially unto His disciples. He bade them, "Take heed what ye hear" (Mark 4:24); "Beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15); "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness" (Luke 11:35); "Remember Lot’s wife" (Luke 17:32); "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life" (Luke 21:34). To one He had healed, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14).

The word "flesh" is used in Scripture in a number of senses, but throughout Romans 8 it signifies that corrupt and depraved nature which is in us when we enter this world. That evil nature or principle is variously designated. It is termed sin (Rom. 7:8), "warring against the law of my mind" (verse 23). In James 4:5, "the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy," to indicate that it is not a tangible or material entity. But more commonly it is called "the flesh" (John 3:6; Rom. 7:25; Gal. 5:17). It is so termed because it is transmitted from parent to child as the body is, because it is propagated by natural generation, because it is strengthened and drawn forth by carnal objects, because of its base character and degeneracy. It was not in man when he left the hand of his Creator and was pronounced by Him "very good." Rather was it something that he acquired by the fall. The principle of sin as a foreign element, as a thing ab extra, as an invading agent, entered into him, vitiating the whole of his natural being—as frost enters into and ruins vegetables, and as blight seizes and mars fruit.

The "flesh" is the open, implacable, inveterate, irreconcilable enemy of holiness, yea, it is "enmity against God" (Romans 8:7)—an "enemy" may be reconciled, not so "enmity" itself. Then what an evil and abominable thing is the flesh: at variance with the Holy One, a rebel against His Law! It is therefore our enemy, yea, it is far and away the worst one the believer has. The Devil and the world without do all their mischief to the souls of men by the flesh within them. "The flesh is the womb where all sin is conceived and formed, the anvil upon which all is wrought, the false Judas that betrays us, the secret enemy within that is ready on all occasions to open the gates to the besiegers" (Thomas Jacomb, 1622-87). We must distinguish sharply between being in the flesh and living after the flesh. Thus, "For when we were in the flesh" (Rom. 7:5) has reference to Christians in their unregenerate condition, as "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" speaks of the unsaved; whereas "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit" (8:8,9) is predicated of believers. "In the flesh" imports a person’s standing and state before God; living after the flesh describes his course and conversation. The one inevitably follows and corresponds to the other: a person’s character and conduct agree with his condition and case.

The flesh is radically and wholly evil: as Romans 7:18, declares, there is "no good thing" in it. It is beyond reclamation, being incapable of any improvement. It may indeed put on a religious garb, as did the Pharisees, but beneath is nothing but rottenness. Fire may as soon be struck Out of ice as holy dispositions and motions be produced by indwelling sin. As the "flesh" continually opposes that which is good, so it ever disposes the soul unto what is evil. To "walk after" or to "live after the flesh" (both terms have the same force) is for a person to conduct himself as do all the unregenerate, who are dominated, motivated and actuated by nothing but their fallen nature. To "live after the flesh" refers not to a single act, nor even to a habit or a series of acts in one direction; but rather to the whole man being governed and guided by this vile principle. That is the case with all who are out of Christ: their desires, thoughts, speech and deeds all proceed from this corrupt fount. It is by the flesh that the whole of their souls are set in motion and their entire course steered. All is directed by some fleshly consideration. They act from self, or base principle; they act for self, or base end. The glory of God is nothing to them, the flesh is all in all.

The flesh is a dynamical, active, ambitious principle, and therefore it is spoken of as a lusting thing. Thus we read of "the lusts of the flesh," yea, of "the wills of the flesh" (Eph. 2:3—margin) for its desires are vehement and imperious. "But [indwelling] sin, taking occasion [being aggravated] by the commandment ["thou shalt not covet"], wrought in me all manner of concupiscence" [or "lust"] (Rom. 7:8). Education and culture may result in a refined exterior; family training and other influences may lead to an espousal of religion, as is the case with the great majority of the heathen; selfish considerations may even issue in voluntarily undergoing great austerities and deprivations, as the Buddhist to attain unto Nirvana, the Mohammedan to gain paradise, the Romanist to merit heaven—but the love of God prompts none of them, nor is His glory their aim. Though the Christian be "not in the flesh" as to his status and state, yet the flesh as an evil principle (unchanged) is still in him, and it "lusteth against the spirit" (Gal. 5:17) or new nature, and therefore are we exhorted, "Let not sin [i.e. the flesh] therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Rom. 6:12).

It requires to be pointed out that there is a twofold walking or living after the flesh: the one more gross and manifest, the other more indiscernible. The first breaks forth into open and bodily lusts and acts, such as gluttony, drunkenness, moral uncleanness: this is "the filthiness of the flesh." The second is when the flesh exerts itself in internal heart lusts, which are more or less concealed from our fellows, which lie smouldering and festering within our soul, such as pride, unbelief, self-love, envy, covetousness; this is the filthiness "of the spirit" (2 Cor. 7:1). In Galatians 5:18,19, the apostle gives a catalogue of the lustings of the flesh in both of these respects. He does so to expose a common fallacy. It is generally assumed that walking or living "according to the flesh" is limited to the first form mentioned, and the second one is little considered or regarded. So long as men abstain from gross intemperance, open profanity, brutish sensuality, they think that all is well with them, whereas they may be quite free from all gross practices and still be guilty of living after the flesh. Yea, such is the case with all in whose hearts there are inordinate affections after the world, a spirit of self-exaltation, covetousness, malice, hatred, uncharitableness, and many other reprehensible lusts.

Our text makes crystal clear to us the fundamental and vital importance of the duty here enjoined, for our performance or non-performance thereof is literally a matter of life and death. Mortification is not optional, but imperative. The solemn alternatives are plainly stated: neglect ensures everlasting misery, compliance therewith is assured eternal felicity. The whole verse is manifestly addressed unto saints, and they are faithfully warned, "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die": that is, die eternally, for as in 5:12, 21; 7:23; 8:6, "death" includes all the penal consequences of sin both here and hereafter; so in our text "die" manifestly signifies "shall suffer the second death," which is "the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8). The express reason is here advanced why Christians should not live after the flesh: they are not debtors to it to do so (verse 12): if they surrender to its dominion, the wages of sin will most certainly be paid them. "The flesh belongs to the world, and the man who is yielding to its promptings is in the world, living like the world, and must perish with the world" (J. Stifler).

It was by yielding to the lusts of the flesh that Adam brought death upon himself and all his posterity. And if I live after the flesh, that is, am governed and guided by my old nature, acting habitually according to its inclinations—for it is a persistent and continuous course of conduct which is here mentioned—then, no matter what be my profession, I shall perish in my sin. It is the gratifying and serving of the flesh, instead of the will of God, which eternally ruins souls. "It may be asked whether one who has received the grace of God in truth can live after the flesh. To live in a continued course of sin is contrary to the grace of God; but flesh may prevail and greatly influence the life and conversation for a while. How long this may be the case of a true believer under backsliding, through the power of corruptions and temptations, cannot be known; but certain it is that it shall not be always thus with him" (John Gill).

The whole of our verse pertains to professing Christians, and at the present moment. The Apostle did not simply say, "If ye have lived after the flesh," for that is the case with every unregenerate soul. But if ye now live after the flesh, "ye shall die"—in the full meaning of that word. It is a general statement of a universal truth. We fully agree with the explanation furnished by B.W. Newton, who was a decided Calvinist. "An expression of this kind is addressed to us for two reasons. First, because in the professing church the apostle knew there were and would be false professors. So whenever collective bodies are addressed, he always uses words implying uncertainty and doubt, for tares will be among the wheat. And second, true believers themselves (though grace can preserve them) have now nevertheless always a tendency in them to the same paths. Therefore descriptions like this, which are true to the full of those who merely profess, may yet be rightly applied to all who are wandering into those paths." Examples of the one are found in such passages as Galatians 4:20, and 6:8; Ephesians 5:5-7; Colossians 3:5, 6. Of the second it must be borne in mind that a backsliding Christian had turned aside from the narrow way of denying self, and that if he follows the course of self-pleasing to the bitter end, destruction awaits him."

See here the faithfulness of God in so plainly warning of the terrible doom awaiting all who live after the flesh. Instead of thinking hardly of God for His threatenings, we should be grateful for them. See the justice of God. To be pleasing self is to continue in the apostasy of mankind, and therefore the original sentence (Gen. 2:17) is in force against them. It is contempt of God, and the heinousness of the sin is measured by the greatness of Him who is affronted (1 Sam. 2:25). Moreover, they refuse the remedy, and therefore are doubly guilty. See here the wisdom of God in appointing the greater punishment to curb the greatness of the temptation. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, but the paths of sin are for evermore: if the latter were soundly believed and seriously considered, the former would not so easily prevail with us. Behold the holiness of God: a unmortified soul is unfit for His presence. Vessels of glory must first be seasoned with grace. Conformity to Christ fits for heaven, and where that be lacking there can be no entrance.

"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" (Rom. 8:13). The whole of this verse pertains and belongs to believers, who are "debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (verse 12); but, instead, debtors to Christ who redeemed them, and therefore to live unto His glory; debtors to the Holy Spirit who regenerated and indwells them, and therefore to live in subjection to His absolute control.

On this occasion we will state very briefly what is signified by "mortify," leaving till later a fuller explanation of the precise nature of this duty. First, from its being here placed in apposition with "live after the flesh," its negative sense is more or less obvious. To "live after the flesh" is to be completely controlled by indwelling sin, to be thoroughly under the dominion of our inbred corruptions. Hence, mortification consists in a course of conduct which is just the reverse. It imports: Comply not with the demands of your old nature, but rather subdue them. Serve not, cherish not your lusts, but starve them: "make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14). The natural desires and appetites of the physical body require to be disciplined, so that they are our servants and not our masters; it is our responsibility to moderate, regulate and subordinate them unto the higher parts of our being. But the cravings of the body of sin are to be promptly refused and sternly denied. The spiritual life is retarded just in proportion as we yield subservience to our evil passions.

The imperative necessity for this work of mortification arises from the continued presence of the evil nature in the Christian. Upon his believing in Christ unto salvation he was at once delivered from the condemnation of the Divine law, and freed from the reigning power of sin; but "the flesh" was not eradicated from his being, nor were its vile propensities purged or even modified. That fount of filthiness still remains unchanged unto the end of his earthly career. Not only so, but it is ever active in its hostility to God and holiness: "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit [or new nature] , and the Spirit against the flesh" (Gal. 5:17). Thus there is a ceaseless conflict in the saint between indwelling sin and inherent grace. Consequently there is a perpetual need for him to mortify or put to death not only the actings of indwelling corruption but also the principle itself. He is called upon to engage in ceaseless warfare and not suffer temptation to bring him into captivity to his lusts. The Divine prohibition is "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [enter into no truce, form no alliance with], but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). Say with Ephraim of old, "What have Ito do any more with idols?" (Hosea 14:8).

No real communion with God is possible while sinful lusts remain unmortified. Allowed evil draws the heart away from God, and tangles the affections, discomposes the soul, and provokes the Holy One to close His ears against our prayers: "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?" (Ezek. 14:3). God cannot in any wise delight in an unmortified soul: for Him to do so would be denying Himself or acting contrary to His own nature. He has no pleasure in wickedness, and cannot look with the slightest approval on evil. Sin is a mire, and the more miry we are the less fit for His eyes (Ps. 40:2). Sin is leprosy (Isa. 1:6), and the more it spreads the less converse will the Lord have with us. Deliberately to keep sin alive is to defend it against the will of God, and to challenge combat with the Most High. Unmortified sin is against the whole design of the Gospel—as though Christ’s sacrifice was intended to indulge us in sin, rather than redeem us from it. The very end of Christ’s dying was the death of sin: rather than sin should not die, He laid down His life.

Though risen with Christ, their life hid with Him in God, and they certain to appear with Christ in glory, the saints are nevertheless exhorted to mortify their members which are upon the earth (Col. 3:1-5). It may appear strange when we note what particular members the apostle specified. It was not vain thoughts, coldness of heart, unwary walking, but the visible and most repulsive members of the old man: "fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence"; and in verse 8 he bids them again, "put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication" and lying. Startling and solemn it is to find that believers require calling upon to mortify such gross and foul sins as those: yet it is no more than is necessary. The best Christians on earth have so much corruption within them, which habitually disposes them unto these iniquities (great and heinous as they are), and the Devil will so suit his temptations as will certainly draw their corruptions into open acts, unless they keep a tight hand and close watch over themselves in the constant exercise of mortification. None but the Holy One of God could truthfully aver, "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30) which could be enkindled by his fiery darts.

As the servants of God urge upon the wicked that they slight not any sin because in their judgment it is but a trivial matter, saying, "Is it not a little one? and my soul shall live" (Gen. 19:20); so the faithful minister will press it upon all of God’s people that they must not disregard any sin because it is great and grievous, and say within themselves, "Is it not a great one? and my soul shall never commit it." As we presume upon the pardoning mercy of God in the preserve us from the committing of great and crying sins. It is because of their self-confidence and carelessness that sometimes the most gracious and experienced suddenly find themselves surprised by the most awful lapses. When the preacher bids his hearers beware that they murder not, blaspheme not, turn not apostates from their profession of the faith, none but the self-righteous will say with Hazael, "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" (2 Kings 8:13). There is no crime, however enormous, no abomination, however vile, but what any of us are capable of committing, if we do not bring the cross of Christ into our hearts by a daily mortification.

But why "mortify the deeds of the body"? In view of the studied balancing of the several clauses in this antithetical sentence, we had expected it to read "mortify the flesh." In the seventh chapter and the opening verses of the eighth the apostle had treated of indwelling sin as the fount of all evil actions; and here he insists on the mortifying of both the root and the branches of corruption, referring to the duty under the name of the fruits it bears. The "deeds of the body" must not be restricted to mere outward works, but be understood as including also the springs from which they issue. As Owen rightly said, "The axe must be laid to the root of the tree." In our judgment "the body" here has a twofold reference. First, to the evil nature or indwelling sin, which in Romans 6:6, and 7:24, is likened unto a body, namely "the body of the sins of the flesh" (Col. 2:11). It is a body of corruption which compasses the soul: hence we read of "your members which are upon the earth" (Col. 3:5). The "deeds of the body" are the works which corrupt nature produces, namely our sins. Thus the "body" is here used objectively of "the flesh."

Second, the "body" here includes the house in which the soul now dwells. It is specified to denote the degrading malignity which there is in sin, reducing its slaves to live as though they had no souls. It is mentioned to import the tendency of indwelling sin, namely to please and pamper the baser part of our being, the soul being made the drudge of the outward man. The body is here referred to for the purpose of informing us that though the soul be the original abode of "the flesh" the physical frame is the main instrument of its actions. Our corruptions are principally manifested in our external members: it is there that indwelling sin is chiefly found and felt. Sins are denominated "the deeds of the body" not only because they are what the lusts of the flesh tend to produce, but also because they are executed by the body (Romans 6:12). Our task then is not to transform and transmute "the flesh," but to slay it: to refuse its impulses, to deny its aspirations, to put to death its appetites.

But who is sufficient for such a task—a task which is not a work of nature but wholly a spiritual one? It is far beyond the unaided powers of the believer. Means and ordinances cannot of themselves effect it. It is beyond the province and ability of the preacher: omnipotence must have the main share in the work. "If ye through the Spirit do mortify," that is "the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ" of Romans 8:9—the Holy Spirit; for He is not only the Spirit of holiness in His nature, but in His operations too. He is the principal efficient cause of mortification. Let us marvel at and adore the Divine grace which has provided such a Helper for us! Let us recognize and realize that we are as truly indebted to and dependent upon the Spirit’s operations as we are upon the Father’s electing and the Son’s redeeming us. Though grace be wrought in the hearts of the regenerate, yet it lies not in their power to act it. He who imparted the grace must renew, excite, and direct it.

Believers may employ the aids of inward discipline and rigor, and practice outward moderation and abstinence, and while they may for a time check and suppress their evil habits, unless the Spirit puts forth His power in them there will be no true mortification. And how does He operate in this particular work? In many different ways. First, at the new birth He gives us a new nature. Then by nourishing and preserving that nature. In strengthening us with His might in the inner man. In granting fresh supplies of grace from day to day. By working in us a loathing of sin, a mourning over it, a turning from it. By pressing upon us the claims of Christ, making us willing to take up our cross and follow Him. By bringing some precept or warning to our mind. By sealing a promise upon the heart. By moving us to pray.

Yet let it be carefully noted that our text does not say, "If the Spirit do mortify," or even "If the Spirit through you do mortify," but, instead, "If ye through the Spirit": the believer is not passive in this work, but active. It must not be supposed that the Spirit will help us without our concurrence, as well while we are asleep as waking, whether or not we maintain a close watch over our thoughts and works, and exercise nothing but a slight wish or sluggish prayer for the mortification of our sins. Believers are required to set themselves seriously to the task. If on the one hand we cannot discharge this duty without the Spirit’s enablement, on the other hand He will not assist if we be too indolent to put forth earnest endeavors. Then let not the lazy Christian imagine he will ever get the victory over his lusts.

The Spirit’s grace and power afford no license to idleness, but rather call upon us to the diligent use of means and looking to Him for His blessing upon the same. We are expressly exhorted, "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1), and that makes it plain that the believer is not a cipher in this work. The gracious operations of the Spirit were never designed to be a substitute for the Christian’s discharge of duty. Though His help be indispensable, yet it releases us not from our obligations. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (John 5:21) emphasizes our accountability and evinces that God requires much more than our waiting upon Him to stir us unto action. Our hearts are terribly deceitful, and we need to be much upon our guard against cloaking a spirit of apathy under an apparent jealous regard for the glory of the Spirit. Is no self-effort required to escape the snares of Satan by refusing to walk in those paths which God has prohibited? Is no self-effort called for in separating ourselves from the companionship of the wicked?

Mortification is a task to which every Christian must apply himself with prayerful diligence and resolute earnestness. The regenerate have a spiritual nature within that fits them for holy action, otherwise there would be no difference between them and the unregenerate. They are required to improve the death of Christ, to embitter sin to them by His sufferings. They are to use the grace received in bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. Nevertheless, it is a task which far transcends our feeble powers. It is only "through the Spirit" that any of us can acceptably or effectually (in any degree) "mortify the deeds of the body." He it is who presses upon us the claims of Christ: reminding us that inasmuch as He died for sin, we must spare no efforts in dying to sin—striving against it (Heb. 11:4), confessing it (1 John 1:9), forsaking it (Prov. 28:13). He it is who preserves us from giving way to despair, and encourages us to renew the conflict. He it is who deepens our longings after holiness, and moves us to cry, "Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Ps. 51:10).

"If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body." Mark, my reader, the lovely balance of truth which is here so carefully preserved: while the Christian’s responsibility is strictly enforced, the honour of the Spirit is as definitely maintained and Divine grace is magnified. Believers are the agents in this work, yet they perform it by the strength of Another. The duty is theirs, but the success and the glory are His. The Spirit’s operations are carried on in accordance with the constitution which God has given us, working within and upon us as moral agents. The same work is, in one point of view, God’s; and in another ours. He illumines the understanding, and makes us more sensible of indwelling sin. He makes the conscience more sensitive. He deepens our yearnings after purity. He works in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure. Our business is to heed His convictions, to respond to His holy impulses, to implore His aid, to count upon His grace.

"If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Here is the encouraging promise set before the sorely tried contestant. God will be no man’s debtor: yea, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). If then, by grace, we concur with the Spirit, denying the flesh, striving after holiness, richly shall we be recompensed. The promise unto this duty is opposed unto the death threatened in the clause foregoing: as "die" there includes all the penal consequences of sin, so "shall live" comprehends all the spiritual blessings of grace. If by the Spirit’s enablement and our diligent use of the Divinely appointed means we sincerely and constantly oppose and refuse the solicitations of indwelling sin, then—but only then—we shall live a life of grace and comfort here, and a life of eternal glory and bliss hereafter. We have shown elsewhere that "eternal life" (1 John 2:25) is the believer’s present possession (John 3:36; 10:28) and also his future goal (Mark 10:30; Gal. 6:8; Titus 1:2). He now has a title and right to it; he has it by faith, and in hope; he has the seed of it in his new nature. But he has it not yet in full possession and fruition.

"The promises of the Gospel are not made to the work, but to the worker; and to the worker not for his work, but according to his work, for the sake of Christ’s work. The promise of life, then, is not made to the work of mortification, but to him that mortifies his flesh; and that not for his mortification, but because he is in Christ, of which this mortification is the evidence. That they who mortify the flesh shall live is quite consistent with the truth that eternal life is the free gift of God; and in the giving of it, there is no respect to the merit of the receiver. This describes the character of all who receive eternal life; and it is of great importance. It takes away all ground of hope from those who profess to know God and in works deny Him" (Robert Haldane). The conditionality of the promise, then, is neither that of causation nor uncertainty, but of coherence and connection. A life of glory proceeds not from mortification as the effect from the cause, but follows merely upon it as the end does the use of means. The highway of holiness is the only path which leads to heaven.

d and the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in our lives!

          LISTEN TO ROM 8 V 30.  ROMANS 8:30 (KJV), “MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.”

          ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR OF THAT VERSE, IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, WE SEE THAT THOSE GOD HAS DETERMINED TO BE LIKE CHRIST ARE ASSURED OF THAT GOAL JUST AS IF IT HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.  GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE BEGINS.  PHIL. 1:6 PHILIPPIANS 1:6 (KJV) “BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST: “

          THE LORD WILL BRING US TO COMPLETION—TO TOTAL SAINTLINESS OR TO TOTAL SANCTIFICATION TO TOTAL GLORIFICATION.  I KNOW WE'RE NOT THEIR YET, BUT SOMEONE WROTE THIS & I AGREE;

I AM NOT WHAT I OUGHT TO BE , TO MY DISGRACE.

""""""""""""""””””””””"'WANT """""""""""""""”””””””””DISMAY.

"""""""""""""""””””””””” WILL BE BY GOD'S GRACE,

& BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE,

I AM NOT WHAT I ONCE WAS.”

  SEE, GOD THE FATHER IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION

& TOTAL SAINTLY SANCTIFICATION--(ROM.8:28-30)--EVEN THO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK THAT WAY, OR FEEL THAT WAY.  GOD THE FATHER IS ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.  HE IS ALWAYS FOR US & NOT AGAINST US.  ROM.8:31 SAYS, ROMANS 8:31 (KJV), “WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?”

          & IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS AGAINST US BECAUSE NO FORCE CAN BEAT US.  CHRISTIANS WILL EVENTUALLY WIN!  WE ARE ON THE VICTOR'S SIDE.  "THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS. 

          & SINCE GOD THE FATHER HAS SECURED THE ULTIMATE END OF SALVATION—TOTAL SAINTLY SANCTIFICATION & GLORIFICATION, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE LESSER BENEFITS OF SALVATION? ROM. 8:32 SAYS, ROMANS 8:32 (KJV)” HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS? “

NOW OF COURSE I THINK THE “ALL THINGS” DEALS  WITH THINGS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES FOR HOLY, SANCTIFIED LIVING.  2 PET. 1:3 SAYS, “ACCORDING AS HIS DIVINE POWER HATH GIVEN UNTO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN UNTO LIFE AND GODLINESS, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM THAT HATH CALLED US TO GLORY AND VIRTUE:”

I ALSO THINK THAT FITS IN WITH PHIL. 4:13,. “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME. “

YES, BELIEVERS CAN DO ALL THINGS THAT GOD WANTS US TO DO THROUGH GOD HIMSELF WHO STRENGTHENS US SO WE CAN STAND UP AGAINST ALL CHARGES AGAINST US BECAUSE GOD HAS JUSTIFIED OR DECLARED US RIGHTEOUS. ROM. 8:33 SAYS, “WHO SHALL LAY ANY THING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD’S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH.”.

          & THOSE JUSTIFIED BY GOD WILL NEVER BE CONDEMNED BY GOD BECAUSE OF CHRIST. ROM.8:34. “WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.”

THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DRUNK WHO JUMPED OF A BRIDGE TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.  BUT WHEN HE HIT THE COLD WATER IN THE RIVER IT SOBERED HIM UP A BIT & HE HAD 2D THOUGHTS.  HE YELLED FOR HELP & PASSING MOTORIST JUMPED IN A SAVED HIM.

 HOWEVER, THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM FOR BEING DRUNK & DISORDERLY & DISTURBING THE PEACE.  LOW & BEHOLD HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT & THE MAN WHO SAVED HIM WAS THE JUDGE.  WHILE THE JUDGE WAS GIVING HIM A STIFF SENTENCE THE DRUNK RECOGNIZED THE JUDGE & SAID,

"HEY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SAVED ME FROM DROWNING."  & THE JUDGE SAID,"WHY YES I DID.  THAT DAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOR BUT TODAY I"M YOUR JUDGE & YOU ARE CONDEMNED & MUST HAVE THIS SENTENCE." 

WELL, THOSE SAVED BY JESUS WILL NEVER HAVE A SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION.

BUT ONCE WE HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR WE CAN ASK LIKE IN THAT OLD HYMN, Amazing Love (And Can It Be)
by Charles Wesley

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou,

my God, should die for me?

No condemnation now I dread.

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,

and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

           

                                                                       16  BUT ROM. 8:1 SAYS, “THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.”  SEE, IF WE REALLY HAVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR, THERE IS A DEGREE TO WHICH WE WILL WALK BY THE SPIRIT—OR IF WE QUENCH & GRIEVE THE SPIRIT, WE MAY GET AN EARLY TRIP HOME.

                                    a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!

   A:\1JOHN\5V12 11 MAR 98  WED, TURN TO HYMN 58 "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"  INTRO.   ATTN - LAST WED I LEFT OFF WITH 1 JOHN 5:11-12.   I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW TRUE FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON guarantees  a HOME IN heaven, PARDON &^ FORGIVENESS OF SIN." MOTIVATION- A MESSAGE LIKE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR CONFUSED & SOMETIMES CONFUSING AGE.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE BIBLE TRUTHS TO US SO THAT WE MAY MATURE IN OUR FAITH & PRESENT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO NEED HIM. 

            NOW BACK TO 1JOHN 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12  He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."  WHILE I MADE A POINT ABOUT THOSE WITHOUT CHRIST BEING LOST, I WANT THOSE OF WITH CHRIST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BY BELIEVING ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD. 1 JOHN 5:13 SAYS, 

"THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." (1 JOHN 5:13)

            FOR RIGHT NOW I WANT TO MAJOR ON THE FACT THAT HE THAT  BELIEVETH ON THE SON, THE DIVE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR HAS EVERLASTING, ETERNAL LIFE..." SEE, ACCORDING TO 1 JOHN 5:11 -12, WHICH WE READ LAST WEEK, "...GOD HAS  GIVEN TO THOSE ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR, ETERNAL LIFE.  ETERNAL LIFE, SALVATION, PARDON, FORGIVENESS AND SUCH THINGS ARE ALL IN THE SON."      

            LAST WEEK WE WERE WORKING ON THE FACT THAT [F.]  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR [IV.] INSURES ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS OR GUARANTEES, ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

            OF COURSE ETERNAL LIFE CANNOT BE TEMPORARY. 

IF WE HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR, WE HAVE A SURE SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNAL INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

            WHILE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD &  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGH THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES, WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE NOW IS THAT THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.         AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS. 

LAST WEEK WE SAW THAT THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON OUR TRIUNE GOD:  WE WENT OVER SOME OF THE VERSES SHOWING US THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER GUARANTEEING ETERNAL SECURITY. [JOHN 10:27-29,JOHN 17:1-6,ROMANS 8:31-39;EPH. 1:3-7;JUDE 24 &25].  WE ALSO LOOKED AT GOD THE SON KEEPING TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,ROM. 8:34].  NOW I WANT TO PICK UP WITH

HEB. 7:25,  WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM."

1 JOHN 2:1-2, 1  MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS WRITE I UNTO YOU, THAT YE SIN NOT. AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS: 2  AND HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS: AND NOT FOR OURS ONLY, BUT ALSO FOR [THE SINS OF] THE WHOLE WORLD."

           

SO REAL BELIEVERS ARE KEPT SAVED BY GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, & GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHO REGENERATES. JOHN 3:3-7,  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. 4  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? 5  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. 6  THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH; AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT."JOHN TITUS 3:5, "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST;"

-INDWELLS, 1 COR. 6:19, 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?"

- BAPTIZES, 1 COR. 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."

-SEALS, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:22, "WHO HATH ALSO SEALED US, AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS." [macS study bible, p.1804 ] IN THE TIME OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, SEALING REFERRED TO AN OFFICIAL MARK OF ID PLACED UPON A LETTER, CONTRACT, COVENANT, OR DOCUMENT.  WHATEVER WAS SEALED, WAS OFFICIALLY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PERSON WHOSE STAMP WAS UPON THE SEAL. SOME PRIMARY TRUTHS SIGNIFIED BY THE SEAL ARE:1. SECURITY-(DAN.6:17;MAT.27:62-66); [2. AUTHENTICITY (1 KINGS 21:6-16);] 3. OWNERSHIP (JER.32:10) & 4. AUTHORITY (ESTHER 8:8-12)

EPH. 1:13, "IN WHOM YE ALSO [TRUSTED], AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION:

IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE," 

            THE HS IS ALSO THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST OR DOWNPAYMENT WHICH GUARANTEES MORE TO COME. EPH. 1:14, "WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY."

2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; "NOW HE THAT HATH WROUGHT US FOR THE SELFSAME THING [IS] GOD, WHO ALSO HATH GIVEN UNTO US THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT."  [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULLY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

           

THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & BEING LIKE CHRIST.  WE WILL HAVE NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, IMMORTAL BODY. 

            HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE--THEY WILL END IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

            WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13, "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD."(1 JOHN 5:13)

   V.  A SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON,

THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  SEE, IF THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS NOT REALLY BELIEVED, THEN ANY SO-CALLED FAITH IS VOID--THAT MEANS EMPTY.  SEE, ANY SO-CALLED FAITH THAT IS NOT REALLY IN THE REAL CHRIST AS SAVIOR IS NULL & VOID & ACTUALLY VIOLATES THE SALVATION OFFERED THROUGH THE SAVIOR.

            WELL, ON TO THE LAST CLAUSE IN 1 JO 5:13.  "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD."             THE LAST CLAUSE IS DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THE GREEK FROM WHICH WE GET THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION, BUT I THINK IT MEANS "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF,

 MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST. 

            THAT CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT GUARANTEES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY TRUE SAVIOR.  CONVERSELY OR FOR THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRUTH WE HAVE IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE: AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE; BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM."

            LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN.

            SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[THE NEXT PASSAGE IS FROM NEWPAPER PRINT]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IN PRISON AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE AND PERHAPS HAVE SOME DOUBT.

            ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME. 

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                                                a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!WE ENDED UP THE TIME TALKING ABOUT WITNESSES TO THE TRUY\UTH ABPUT JEASUS CHRIST BEING GOD IN THGE FLESH, THE SAVIOR.  MOTIVATION- A MESSAGE ABOUT

HEY SEE IF THEY ARE LOVING CORRECTLY & CHECK THEMSELVES AGAINST THE COMMANDS OF GOD THEY DON'T KNOW?

            ALSO,  ANY ONE CLAIMING DIVINE LOVE FOR THE BIBLICAL LORD JESUS CHRIST THEN REFUSING TO FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS DISTORTS DIVINE LOVE.   WE NEED TO CHECK AND SEE IF WE ARE KEEPING HIS COMMANDS  TO RIGHTLY LOVE HIM AND OTHERS.  1 JOHN 5:3 [IV.  DIVINE LOVE (DEFINED)]. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

A.  TRUE DIVINE LOVE TO THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS DEFINED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING. 

            LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT fulfilling of the law OF LOVE BY ADHERING TO THOSE COMMANDS WHICH DEAL WITH PROPERLY LOVING GOD.  THIS WEEK, WE'LL SEE HOW WE NEED LINE UP WITH WHAT GOD SAYS IS LOVING TOWARD PERSONS OTHER THAN GOD.  SO, HOW LOVING ARE WE IN OUR  INTERPERSONAL, HUMAN RELATIONS? THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS START IN THE HOME.

EX. 20:12, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)

1.   []  ?MOTHER, FATHER LOVE - RESPECT?

[]  ?THE BIBLICAL ROLES IN THE HOME?  THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE & A BIBLICAL ORDER FOR THE HOME & FAMILY.  NEEDS TO BE LOVING REEMPHASIZED IN OUR DAY.

             Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)

THE GENUINE LOVE OF GOD BEING MADE MANIFEST IN A PERSON'S LIFE WILL PREVENT A PERSON FROM

v.13   MURDER OF THE UNBORN, ELDERLY, HANDICAPPED, SELF & OTHERS. 

TRUE LOVE WON'T TAKE A PERSON'S LIFE OR

v.14                            WIFE OR        HUSBAND.  Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

v.15   OR PROPERTY. V 15 IS ANTI-COMMUNISM & SOCIALISM. "Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15"

 IF EVERYTHING BELONGED TO EVERYONE IN COMMON, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE STEALING TO TAKE IT. 

EXOD. 20:16 IN THE LAW OF DIVINE LOVE SAYS DON'T LIE ABOUT A PERSON OR STATE 1/2 TRUTHS OR MAKE INSINUATIONS, INNUENDOS (DEROGATORY REMARKS)  RUMORS OR SNIDE REMARKS, CUTS, BARBS, PUT DOWNS, OR GOSSIP. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Ex 20:16.

 EXOD. 20:17 IN THE LAW OF DIVINE LOVE SAYS DON'T COVET.  "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's." COVETEOUSNESS IS HARD TO DETECT BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH JEALOUSY, ENVY ETC.: 

 []  ?ARE YOU JEALOUS OR ENVIOUS OF SOMEONE'S

 []  ?POSSESSIONS?             

[]  ?POSITION?

[]  ?POWER?

[]  ?PROPERTY?

[]  ?PRESTIGE?

[]  ?HEALTH? LET US NOT BEGRUDGE PEOPLE WHAT GOD GIVES ALLOWS THEM!

            SO OCCASIONALLY WE NEED TO CHECK OURSELVES & SEE IF WE ARE FULFILLING THE DUTIES OF LOVE.

            NOW BACK TO 1 JN. 5:3 cont."For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 

IV.  DIVINE LOVE DEMONSTRATED                       A.  "   "       "  BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING       B.  "   "       "  W/O CUMBERSOMENESS

KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDS IS NOT CUMBERSOME TO THE ONE WHO TRULY LOVES GOD.  IT'S LIFE THE LITTLE GIRL THAT WAS CARRYING A BIG FAT HEAVY BABY - & A LITTLE ELDERLY LADY SAID ?ISN'T HE TOO HEAVY FOR YOU?" "NO, HE AIN'T'S HEAVY - HE'S MY BROTHER"!  SHE LOVED THAT FAT BABY BROTHER.

            DIVINE LOVE IS NOT TO BE A BURDEN.  DIVINE LOVE IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE KEEPING GOD'S LAWS A DELIGHT AND DELIGHTFUL. 

HOWEVER, I FOUND A QUOTE ABOUT THE BURDENSOME NATURE OF RELIGION.

            [BEGINNING OF QUOTE]

THE BURDEN OF RELIGION (MAN TRYING TO PLEASE GOD IN HIS OWN STRENGTH) IS A GRIEVOUS ONE (cf. MATT. 23:4, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers."

            BUT THE YOKE THAT CHRIST PUT ON US IS NOT BURDENSOME AT ALL. MATT. 11:28-30, "28  Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11)"

            SEE, LOVE LIGHTENS BURDENS.  JACOB HAD TO WORK FOR SEVEN YEARS TO WIN THE WOMAN HE LOVED, BUT THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT "THEY SEEMED UNTO HIM A FEW DAYS, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD FOR HER" (GEN. 29:20).  PERFECT LOVE PRODUCES JOYFUL OBEDIENCE. & reveals the BIG LIE: WHICH SAYS CHRISTIANS HAVE NO FUN."

            FRIENDS, DIVINE LOVE IS DEMANDED, BUT IT IS BEING DISTORTED, IT CAN BE DISCERNED & IT CAN BE DEFINED BY GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION.  LET'S DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO GOD & OTHERS PROPERLY BY CHRIST'S ENABLEMENT IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD - TO WHOM IS GLORY & HONOR FOREVER. 

            WELL, ON TO 1 JOHN 5:4-13 TALKING ABOUT "FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON."  [14 OCT 84 PM  FAITH, FAIRVIEW]

  [MAY 87  1000 MVF CHAPEL  SUN AM]

            MY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND UPON THIS THEME IN THIS CONTEXT AND TRUST THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY IT TO OUR HEARTS & HEADS THAT WE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MAY MATURE IN IT & PRESENT IT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE FAITH, OR NEED TO GROW IN IT UNTO MATURITY. 

1 JOHN 5:4-13 TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:4,5,  1.  ...IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE WORLD.  JESUS SAID THE WORLD WOULD GIVE US TROUBLE.  JOHN 16:33,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

            SEE, FAITH IS THE VICTORY!  IT IS A SPIRITUAL FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, NOT A CARNAL FITE!  WE ARE NOT TO FITE IN OR BY OR EVEN WITH THE FLESH IN THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  2 Corinthians 10:3_5, "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,

and every high thing that exalteth

itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every

thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Corinthians 10)

FAITH IS ONE OF OUR WEAPONS & OUR SHIELD. CF EPH. 6:10- 18, "10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  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]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph.6). 

FAITH IS NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHATEVER GOD SAYS IS TRUE, IT IS ACTING ON THOSE FACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE.  IN THIS CASE FAITH NAMES & CLAIMS THE VICTORY. 

            v. 5., "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  FROM V5 WE COULD SAY THAT WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD OR WORLDLINESS REIGNS SUPREME OR IS THE VICTOR FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THERE MAY BE MORE THAN AN INDICATION OF CARNALITY - IT MAY BE AN INDICATION OF LOSTNESS.  FOR UNLESS ONE BELIEVES & RECEIVES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION - THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS, ITS INTENTIONS - AND ITS PRINCE HAS POWER OVER THE LOST SOUL. 

            LET ME PUT THAT ANOTHER WAY.  UNLESS WE HAVE A TRUST THAT OBEYS GOD'S WORD, THEN THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS - ITS INTENTIONS - & ITS PRINCE - CAN HAVE POWER OVER EVEN OUR CHRISTIAN SOUL!, AT LEAST ON A MOMENTARY BASIS.

                        NOW, TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS AS GOD THE SON, 1 JN. 5:6,  II.  ...IS VIOLENTLY, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HERESY. "This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6 PROBABLY REFERS TO THE THE CERENTHIAN GNOSTIC HERESY, A POPULAR HERESY PROMOTED BY CERENTHUS TO WHICH JOHN'S CONTEMPORARIES WERE EXPOSED.  CERRNTHUS  PORTRAYED JESUS AS A MERE MAN ON WHOM 'THE CHRIST' HAD COME WHEN JESUS WAS WATER BAPTIZED & THEN CLAIMED THE CHRIST SPIRIT LEFT THE MAN JESUS ON THE CROSS SO THAT HE DIED LIKE ANY OTHER MERE MAN - INSTEAD OF AS GOD IN THE FLESH BEING A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR A FALLEN RACE. 

            SEE, IF CHRIST HAD DIED AS A MERE MAN, HIS DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE INFINITE VALUE NEEDED TO PAY THE PENALYY FOR SIN AGAINST AN INFINITLEY HOLY & INFINITE GOD.

            SEE, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN.  GOD WAS BORN AS A MAN - HE WAS BORN THRU WATER & BLOOD, HE WAS ALREADY GOD THE SON AT HIS WATER BAPTISM, I.e. THE HOLY SPIRIRT DID NOT DEIFY CHRIST AT HIS WATER BAPTISM.  THE THE GOD-MAN DIED AS A MAN & ISSUED FORTH WATER & BLOOD.  (JOHN 19:33-36, "33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35  And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." 

 & IF WE'RE SAVED ITS THRU THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (TITUS 3:5). W/ THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLYING THE WATER OF THE WORD & THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE GOD MAN TO US. 

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON 1 JOHN 5: 7-10,   III.  ...IS VALIDATED/VERIFIED BY TESTIMONY

1 JOHN 5:7   A.  THE HEAVENLY TESTIMONY. 

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."-

JOHN 1:1-3, "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:14;"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  

                 DUET. 19:19, JOHN 8:17 & 18  - STILL I THINK WITNESSING TO HIS PERSON AS TRUE GOD/TRUE MAN.

1 JOHN 5:8   B.  THE EARTHLY TESTIMONY -

TO HIS PERSON AS GOD IN THE FLESH.

I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN WITH 1 JOHN ch. 5.  I LEFT 1 JOHN FOR A WHILE TO SEE THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LAST WORDS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS & THEN I DID A FEW LENTEN TYPE MESSAGES & LAST SUNDAY WAS RESURRECTION SUNDAY -

LORD WILLING , I WANT TO FINISH 1 JOHN ch. 5 SOMETIME SOON.

THE LAST TIMEN I WAS IN 1 JOHN, I HAD LOOKED AT vv. 7-10 AND SAW THAT TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE SAVIOR IS VALIDATED OR VERIFIFED BY

HEAVENLY TESTIMONY -

HUMAN TESTIMONY

  THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD &

[noW IN

v. 10??]   

  THE SUBJECTIVE, INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD OR

THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

            TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:7-10  cont.,  iii.  ...IS VALIDATED BY TESTIMONY VERIFIED

1 JOHN 5:9a,  C.  THE HUMAN TESTIMONY

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE OR TRUST, OR PLACE FAITH IN SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PILOTS, COOKS, BOOKS, NEWPAPERS, DRIVERS - WHY NOT TRUST GOD & HIS WORD? 

            MEN CAN BE DECEIVED OR DECEIVE, GOD CAN'T.  MAN'S TESTIMONY IS FINITE & LIMITED IN POWERS OF OBSERVATIONS & RECALL,

GOD'S IS NOT!

WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF HUMAN TESTIMONY, WE CAN ONLY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN & ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF DIVINE TESTIMONY & THAT WHICH IS RECORDED AS THE RECORD IN THIS BOOK!

1 JOHN 5:10a.  E.  THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY.

THE BELIEVER HAS AN INTERNAL WITNESS (ROM. 8:16 & COL. 4:6).  THIS INTERNAL WITNESS DOES NOT DENY THE FACT THAT THERE IS VALID EXTERNAL EVIDENCE - BUT IT IS ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CAN CAUSE ONE TO INTERNALIZE THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE (MATT. 16:16-18).

OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL EVIDENCE IS USELESS FOR SALVATION UNLESS IT BECOMES AN INTERNAL SUBJECTUVE CONVICTION ... MUST BE IN THE HEART & NOT JUST THE HEAD (JAMES 2:19) ... AND ONE CAN'T HAVE THE INTERNAL SUBJECTIVE CONVICTION UNTIL THE OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED & THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL IVIDENCE CAN'T BE ACEPTED UNLESS THERE IS THE INTERNAL, SUBJECTIVE, CONVICTION, i.e. THE HOLY SPIRIT & HIS WORD & ANOTHER THEOLOGICAL ANTINOMY OR PARADOX. 

[READ 1 JOHN 5:12] 

            F.  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR

            IV.  IS VOWED TO INSURE ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

THIS PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS TH THOSE TRUSTING CHRIST - NOT IN CHURCHIANITY OR RELIGIOSITY OR IN A CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE, A DENOMINATIONAL RITUAL OR RITE.  [SEE MESSAGE ON GOOD WORKS.]

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SUN, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

v. 12  NO CHRIST = NO ETERNAL LIFE.  ONE CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION, AND A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & STILL NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION & A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & NOT HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

            THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFEBOAT - HE'S THE LIFELINE.  ?ARE YOU TRUSTING HIM ONLY FOR SALVATION & IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOTHING CAN SHAKE YOUR FAITH IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE??  ?IF NOT - THEN YOUR FAITH IS SHAKEY!  "ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND -- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"

LET'S FORGET ABOUT CHRISTIANITY & RELIGIOSITY & PREACH CHRIST ?DO YOU HAVE CHRIST?  IF YOU HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR - YOU HAVE AN ASSURED SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNA INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

           

            ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGHT THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES.  THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.  AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS.  THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON:  THE FATHER (JOHN 10:27,[OR-]29, [17:1ff;] ROMANS 8:31, 38, 39; EPH. 1:3-7; JUDE 24 &25), THE SON KEEPS TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,]  ROM. 8:34, 2 TIM. 1:10-12, HEB. 7:25, 1 JOHN 2:1?) AND HOLY SPIRIT WHO REGENERATES (JOHN 3:3, TITUS 3:5), INDWELLS

(1 COR. 6:19), BAPTIZES (1 COR. 12:13), SEALS (2 COR. 1:22, EPH. 1:13) AND IS THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST (EPH. 1:14, 2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENET EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CLIMAX OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

            THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & LIKE CHRIST -- NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, INNORTAL BODY.  [SOME,]  HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THAT ENDS IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13   V.  SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  VOID - NULL & VOID &

VIOLATED

THE LAST CLAUSE ID DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THEGREEK, BUT I THIND IT MEANS THE "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF, MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST). [?end quote?] 

THIS CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT ASSURES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS SAVIOR .. [CONVERSELY (JOHN 3:36)]

[LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN -

TURN TO HYMN 58 - "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"]

SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[the next passage is from newpaper print]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            [THE ___________] JOHN IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IMPRISONED; AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE.  [NOW THERE ARE SOME RESULTS FROM DOUBT.]

***      ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME. 

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                                                a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!

SO , DON'T RAISE ANY HANDS OR RESPOND OUTWARDLY.  BUT AS WE RAN A KIND OF  SELF- INSPECTION CHECKLIST ON  COL.3:12-23 , A12?Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13?Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel?b against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 3:14 A?And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15?And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

COL. 3:16? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17?And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

   18?Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19?Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20?Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21?Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22?Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23?And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men@

.  ? DID YOU PASS OR DID YOU FAIL?  ? IF YOU WERE PUT ON TRIAL FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN, WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU IN A COURT OF LAW?   IF NOT, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE SURE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD TODAY.   JOHN 1:12 SAYS, AJohn 1:12 (KJV)

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: A

              THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US LIVE A PRACTICAL & PROGRESSIVE HS ENABLED SANCTIFICATION TO OVERCOME SIN STILL IN US & AROUND US. E.G.:

-RELIGIOUS SINS

-SEXUAL SINS

-RELIGIOUS SINS

 - INTERPERSONAL & SOCIAL SINS. 

-ANY & ALL KINDS OF SINS;  BUT BEFORE I GO ON I WANT MAKE AN INTERJECTION.  WE ARE TO HATE SIN.  BUT, PLEASE REMEMBER, WE ARE TO LOVE SINNERS.  GOD DOES -JOHN 3:16, A16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.@ SEE, GOD IS LOVE & WHEN WE ACCEPT THE GOD OF LOVE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SUPPOSED TO BE SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS, LISTEN TO ROM. 5:1-5, A?Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2?By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3?And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4?And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5?And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

            See, this LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS SHED ABROAD IN THE HEART OF A BELIEVER BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS ACTUALLY A FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT--IT IS SOMETHING PRODUCED IN A BELIEVER ONCE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN US & IF WE DON'T QUENCH OR GRIEVE THE H.S.

SEE, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRT OR THE FRIUT PRODUCED IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ALLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LOVE.  [1 OF 3]

           


A:\LOVE.  21 FEB 96 WPBC.  THE FRIUT PRODUCES BY THE HS IS LOVE.  BUT WHEN AMERICANS  CELEBRATE LOVE, IT REMINDS ME OF A  SECULAR SONG WHICH SAID, THEY ARE "LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES."  ANOTHER SECULAR SONG POPULAR BACK IN THE EARLY 70s WAS , "WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, SWEET LOVE."  THAT IS TRUE, HOWEVER, AMERICANS & THE REST OF THE WORLD SHOW LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL LOVE.  ONE OF THE FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTERS ON LOVE IS 1 COR. 13.  THIS CHAPTER IS PROBABLY MOSTLY ABOUT LOVE DESCRIBED.  LOVE IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE OR DEFINE APART FROM GOD'S SPECIAL REVELATION IN THE BIBLE.  E.G., "LOVE IS A FEELING YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GET A FEELING YOU'VE NEVER FELT BEFORE."  "LOVE IS A PERPETUAL STATE OF ANESTHESIA."  "LOVE IS A      THE WORLD IN GENERAL HAS A HARD TIME DISCERNING, DEFINING, OR DESCRIBING LOVE.  SO, TONIGHT, 1 WEEK AFTER VALENTINE'S DAY, I WANT TO LOOK AT "LOVE  ACTION," FROM 1 COR.13.

            I SENSE THAT THE APOSTLE PAUL IS DOING SOMETHING IN THE BOOK OF 1 CORINTHIANS THAT THE CHARISMATICS & PENTECOSTALS MISS.  THEY THINK PAUL IS COMMENDING THEM WHEN HE IS ACTUALLY CORRECTING THEM.  THEY THINK PAUL IS ADMIRING THE CORINTHIANS WHEN HE IS ACTUALLY ADMONISHING THEM.  

AS I READ 1 COR. 13, I SENSE THAT THE CORINTHIANS, THO HIGHLY GIFTED, DID NOT OFTEN APPEAR TO BE LOVING GOD & LOVE THEIR FELLOW MAN & WOMAN.

            AT TIMES IT SEEMS AS IF THE CORINTHIANS WERE TRYING TO SHOW OFF, OUTDO ONE ANOTHER,  OR PERFORM FOR PUBLIC ACCLAIM OR APPLAUSE. 

            WITH THAT THOUGHT IN MIND FOR OUR TIME &  SITUATION, LET'S RUN A SELF-INSPECTION SELF-TEST ON OURSELVES & SEE HOW WE COME OUT.

1 COR. 13:4 READ, Charity suffereth long..."

THE WORD FOR CHARITY HERE, IS AGAPE LOVE, THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE.  THIS WORD FOR LOVE IS NOT THE SELF-SEEKING & SELF-SATISFYING LOVE OF THE WORLD, BUT RATHER THE OTHER-SEEKING, & GIVING LOVE EXEMPLIFIED BY GOD HIMSELF. 

THIS WORD IS USED OF THE VERY NATURE OF GOD IN 1 JOHN 4:8, "...God is love." THIS WORD FOR LOVE IS USED IN JOHN 3:16, " 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."  THIS IS A LOVE THE THAT GIVES, NOT LIKE THE WORLD'S LOVE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET.

            SO, TO SEE HOW WE ARE DOING,

1.  ? ARE WE LONGSUFFERING AND PATIENT EVEN WHEN ENDURING THE UNJUST INSULTS & INJURIES FROM OTHERS?  COL. 3:12-14, 12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14  And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

            IF WE ARE LOVING IN THE HIGHEST FORM, WE'LL PUT UP WITH ALL KINDS OF UNGODLINESS DIRECTED AT US IN ORDER TO TRY TO MINISTER TO THOSE DOING UNLOVING THINGS TO US.  TRUE GODLY LOVE PERSEVERES.  THIS COULD RESOLVE SO- CALLED INCOMPATIBILTY AS A REASON FOR DIVORCE.

2.  1 COR 13:4 CONT. Charity [and] is kind;" ARE WE KIND WHILE SUFFERING FROM WRONGS, HURTS, AND ILL-TREATMENT?  IT'S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP WITH MISTREATMENT--BUT IT DEMONSTRATES A HIGHER LEVEL OF GODLY LOVE WHEN WE ENDURE W/ KINDNESS.  AN EMPLOYEE AT THE VETS' HOME THOUGHT THE LAYOFF WAS UNJUST BECAUSE OF LEGITIMATE JOB RIGHTS & SENIORITY.  YET TOLD ME OF STAYING KIND  EVEN THO MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION ALMOST 200 MILES AWAY.             NOW THRU THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS THE EMPLOYEE IS GETTING THE OLD JOB BACK & GETTING BACK WITH THE FAMILY. 

            THE EMPLOYEE TOLD ME THAT THE KINDNESS DISPLAYED IN THE FACE OF WRONG DOING MAY LEAD TO WITNESS FOR CHRIST. KINDNESS IS A MARK OF THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE.

  ON pp. 10 & 11, IN AN OLD BOOKLET BY RICHARD DeHAAN, "LOVE:  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS!" HAS A SECTION CALLED, LOVE IS KIND

"TO BE KIND IS THE ACTIVE OUTWORKING OF LOVE.  TO SUFFER LONG IS THE PASSIVE OUTWORKING OF LOVE.  TO SUFFER LONG IS THE PASSIVE SIDE.  YOU SEE, IT'S ONE THING TO ENDURE WRONGS, HURTS, AND ILL-TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF OUR ENEMIES, BUT IT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO RESPOND BY SHOWING KINDNESS TO THOSE WHO HAVE "SLAPPED US IN THE FACE" WITH THEIR RUDE COMMENTS AND REBUFFS. 

IN HIS BOOK THE GREAT THEMES OF THE BIBLE, LOUIS ALBERT BANKS EMPHASIZED THE TREMENDOUS NEED FOR KINDNESS WITH THIS BIT IF VERSE:

LET US BE KIND;

THE WAY IS LONG AND LONELY,

AND HUMAN HEARTS ARE ASKING FOR THIS BLESSING ONLY -

                                THAT WE BE KIND.

WE CANNOT KNOW THE GRIEF THAT MAN MAY BORROW,

WE CANNOT SEE THE SOULS STORM-SWEPT BE SORROW,

BUT LOVE CAN SHINE UPON THE WAY, TODAY, TOMORROW -

                                LET US BE KIND.

TO AGE AND YOUTH LET GRACIOUS WORDS BE SPOKEN,

UPON THE WHEEL OF PAIN SO MANY WEARY LIVES ARE    BROKEN,

WE LIVE IN VAIN WHO GIVE NO TENDER TOKEN -                  LET US BE KIND.

                LET US BE KIND;

THE SETTING SUN WILL SOON BE IN THE WEST,

TOO LATE THE FLOWERS ARE LAID UPON THE QUIET BREAST -

                                LET US BE KIND.'

            IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT LOVES SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND, VERSE 4 GOES ON TO REMIND US THAT LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

3.   "Charity envieth not." ? ARE WE ENVIOUS & JEALOUS?  IF WE ARE JEALOUS, ENVIOUS, & BEGRUDGING OTHERS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SUCCESSES, POSSESSIONS, POSITIONS, OR ANYTHING -- THEN THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS LACKING.

            IF WE GLOAT OVER ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNES, FAILURES, TRAGEDIES, & DISAPPOINTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY DISPLAYING JEALOUSY, COVETOUSNESS, ENVY, & A LACK OF LOVE.

4.  1 COR. 13:4 cont,  Charity vaunteth not itself."  ? ARE WE EVER VAINGLORIOUS BRAGGARTS?  TRUE, GODLY LOVE IS NEVER OUT TO GLORIFY SELF--BUT RATHER TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD.  TRUE GODLY LOVE DOESN'T WANT THE SPOTLIGHT ON SELF BUT RATHER ON GOD.  TRUE GODLY LOVE DOES NOT SEEK TO BE A PRIMADONNA, BUT RATHER SEEKS TO PRIME DONS AND DONNAS FOR THE LORD'S WORK. 

            SOMETIMES WE MUST SEE IF WE ARE DISPLAYING OURSELVES IN A SELF-EXALTING WAY, AND SIMILAR TO THAT IS OUR NEXT PT,

5. 1 COR.  13:4 cont,  Charity IS NOT puffed up."  ?ARE WE PUFFED UP?  BEING PUFFED UP HAS TO DO W/ ARROGANCE, EGOTISM, CONCEIT, AND A PERVERTED SELF-LOVE, ALONG WITH AN INFLATED IDEA OF SELF-IMPORTANCE.  

            IN AN ARTICLE [FROM "ASPIRATION,1991, FEB. 9 & 10."], IT SAID BEING PUFFED UP HAS TO DO WITH SIN OF PRIDE. "Pride destroys the very reason for which we exercise it. [FOR] INSTEAD OF BUILDING [US]UP, PRIDE TEARS [US] DOWN.  WE WANT TO ELEVATE OURSELVES IN THE EYES OF OTHERS TO BE A PART OF A SOCIAL BODY WHICH ACCEPTS US.  PRIDE WORKS AGAINST THAT VERY DESIRE.  IT ALIENATES US FROM OTHERS AND DESTROYS OUR ABILITY TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.  THAT IS WHY THE LORD RESISTS THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

           

            ONLY THROUGH HUMBLING YOURSELF AND LIFTING UP OTHERS WILL THEY ACCEPT AND LOVE YOU AND GIVE YOU THE LONGING OF YOUR HEART:  ACCEPTANCE, BELONGING, AND A FEELING OF WORTH."  THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS NOT PROUD & PUFFED UP.  TRUE GODLY LOVE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANY TENDENCY TO PUFF OURSELVES UP--ESPECIALLY AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.  SOME PEOPLE TRY TO PUSH THEMSELVES UP BY PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE DOWN!  SOME TEAR DOWN BY SARCASM, PUT DOWNS, AND OTHER VERBAL OR NON-VERBAL CUTS. THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE AVOIDS PRIDE & AS 1 COR. 13:5 READS,

6. Doth not behave itself unseemly..." ?DO WE BEHAVE UNSEEMLY? UNSEEMLY MEANS INDECENTLY, DISGRACEFULLY, SHAMEFULLY.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WOULD ELIMINATE INDECENT,  DISGRACEFUL, & SHAMEFUL ACTIVITIES & BEHAVIORS.  A MASSIVE DOSE OF BIBLICAL LOVE WOULD ELIMINATE THE OBSCENE & PORNOGRAPHIC ACTS & SO- CALLED ADULT ARTS IN OUR SOCIETY. 

            UNSEEMLY ALSO MEANS "RUDE."  OUR SOCIETY HAS TAKEN A TERRIBLE TURN TOWARD ILL-MANNERED RUDENESS.  I FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF THE BLAME MUST BE PLACED ON THE MEDIA--THOSE PRODUCING IT, THOSE FUNDING IT, THOSE PERMITTING IT IN THEIR FAMILIES, THOSE BEING UNCONSCIOUSLY DEGRADED BY IT, AND THOSE WILLFULLY PARTAKING OF IT.  SHOCK JOCKS, TV SHOWS, GANGSTA-RAP, AND OTHER INFLUENCES ENCOURAGE RUDENESS & WORSE.  1 ASPECT OF RUDENESS IS THAT IT DISREGARDS & DISRESPECTS CIVILITY AND SEEKS TO DO ITS OWN THING.  HOWEVER, AS  

7.  1 COR. 13:5, AGAPE LOVE seeketh not her own..." ?DO WE ALWAYS SEEK OUR OWN?

?DO WE SAY "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?"

?ARE WE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR #1?"

TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE IS SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS, WANTS, WISHES, AND INTERESTS OF OTHERS--  ESPECIALLY GOD'S INTERESTS, WISHES, & WANTS.      IT IS BIBLICAL TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AS MUCH AS WE CAN -- BUT LET US NOT LOOSE SIGHT OF CARING FOR OTHERS. 

            IF WE ARE ALWAYS SEEKING OUR OWN, WE MAY BE EASILY PROVOKED. 

8.  1 COR. 13:5 cont, "AGAPE LOVE is not easily provoked.." ?ARE WE EASILY PROVOKED?

?ARE WE TOUCHY, IRRITABLE, QUICK TEMPERED?  ?DO WE FLY OFF THE HANDLE EASILY?  ?ARE WE SHORT FUSED?  ?DO WE GET ANGRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT?  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE STAYS CALM, COOL, & COLLECTED IN & DURING TRYING TIMES & WITH TRYING PEOPLE -- FOR A LONG TIME.  THIS VERSE DOES NOT SAY NEVER PROVOKED -- BUT RATHER NOT EASILY PROVOKED.  THERE ARE SOME SINFUL & EVIL THINGS THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD GET PROVOKED ABOUT.  THE WICKED WRONG OF SIN SHOULD PROVOKE US, BUT 1 COR. 13:5 ALSO TELLS US, "AGAPE LOVE thinketh no evil." DO WE KEEP A RECORD OF WRONGS?  THAT IS WHAT "THINKETH EVIL DEALS WITH."  IT IS ACTUALLY A TERM USED BY BOOKKEEPERS OF THE GRECO-ROMAN TIMES & CARRIES THE IDEA OF KEEPING A LEDGER. 

IN OTHER WORDS, THE TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE DOESN'T KEEP A LEDGER OR LIST OF EACH & EVERY OFFENSE OR WRONG DONE TO THEM.  IT DOESN'T KEEP THE SCORE AS IT WERE & THEN TRY TO SETTLE THE SCORE.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVER FORGIVES, PARDONS, & DOESN'T KEEP RECORDS OF WRONGS & WAIT FOR PAYBACK TIME.  VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD!  ROM.12:19, "... Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

           


Now back to 1 COR 13:6 WHERE THE AGAPE LOVE WE ARE CALLED TO PRACTICE  says, “10. Rejoiceth not in iniquity." OR rather TAKE PLEASURE IN  UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OR WRONGDOING, & WRONG THINKING.  IF WE WERE SAVED LATER IN LIFE, WE MAY REMEMBER A TIME WHEN WE TOOK PLEASURE IN UNGODLINESS OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

THE PSALMS SAY SOME VERY STRONG WORDS.  PLEASE LISTEN TO

PS. 5:4-5,  “For thou art not a God`

that hath pleasure in wickedness:

neither shall evil dwell with thee.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:

thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”

Psalm 6:8, “Depart from me,

all ye workers of iniquity;

for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.”

Psalm 7:11, “God judgetH  the righteous,

and God is angry with the wicked every day.

 BUT I AM REMINDED OF 1 PET 4:2-5 & THIS IS A paraphrase OF gnt 1 pet 4:2-5,

“From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. 3You have spent enough time in the past doing what the LOST eathen like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and EVEN FALSE RELIGION & worship of SOME ONE OR SOME THING OTHER THAN THE ONLY TRUE GOD.   4And now the LOST heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless life STYLE YOU USED TO LIVE IN --so they insult you. 5But they will have to give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.[25] & I ADD FORGIVE PEOPLE IF THEY WILL ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOR.

SO, ?DO WE REJOICE OR HAVE PLEASURE IN IN INIQUITY OR WRONGDOING? 

          TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE DOES NOT TAKE DELIGHT OR PLEASURE IN unrighteousness or WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL OR WICKED.

YET WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT TAKES PLEASURE IN WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL & WICKED.  EVEN TOO MUCH OF OUR SO-CALLED ENTERTAINMENT IS ABOUT WHAT GOD CALLS  WICKED & EVIL—LIKE MURDER, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL SINS, AND SUCH THINGS.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WON'T BE AMUSED BY IMMORALITY BUT RATHER SADDENED & PERHAPS SICKENED & BY IT.

7 & 8

1 THES. 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.”  TOO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TAKE PLEASURE IN  THINKING ABOUT &

         

 

 

          WELL, Kindness is a characteristic of God WHICH, AS WE BECOME MORE GODLY, SHOULD BE SHOWING IN OUR LIVES.

[BAKEer's Evangelical Dictionary
of Biblical Theology]
 

SAYS Kindness AS An attribute of God Is presupposed or taught throughout Scripture. IN THIS AREA OF THE STATE, MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT what is called "common grace." COMMON GRACE INCLUDES God BEING kind to all he has made.

Matthew 5
45 … He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
 

PS 145:8 & 9 SAYS:  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.“ 

21

GOD IS GOOD & KIND

ROM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

Old Testament commentator Franz Delitzsch said, "The author passes from the sin of uncleanness [vv. 26-28 warn about the harlot and the adulteress] to that of drunkenness; they are nearly related, for drunkenness excites fleshly lust; and to wallow with delight in the mire of sensuality, a man, created in the image of God, must first brutalize himself by intoxication" (Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon, vol. 2 [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970 reprint], p. 120).

It is proud, self-indulgent, and pleasure-mad, hence filled with guilt, anxiety, and depression. People try both to live it up and forget it all by drinking. Strangely however, many Christians, who by definition are supposed to be meek, selfless, and filled with the joy of the Lord, seek their comfort from a liquor bottle. Some Christians go to dinner and wouldn't think of ordering wine while others order wine first and think about dinner later.

I've met certain missionaries who have instructed me to stay in a particular place because the wine is better there. I've also met others missionaries who have never consumed any alcohol. There is much concern about whether drinking is an emblem of your spirituality, but spirituality isn't a matter of what you drink-- it's who you are! What you do in your life is simply a manifestation of who you really are inside.

PROV. 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

I HAVE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MOCKED BY WINE, STRONG DRINK & BOOZE IN GENERAL.

          Some of the people I have met REMINDED ME OF Romans 1:22, “22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…”

 ROM 1:22 [1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7].      The MESSAGE IN ISA 56:9-12 SAYS, “…

        For Israel’s watchmen are blind,

     the whole lot of them.

     They have no idea what’s going on.

     They’re dogs without sense enough to bark,

     lazy dogs, dreaming in the sun—

     But hungry dogs, they do know how to eat,

     voracious dogs, with never enough.

     And these are Israel’s shepherds!

     They know nothing, understand nothing.

     They all look after themselves,

     grabbing whatever’s not nailed down.

     “Come,” they say, “let’s have a party.

     Let’s go out and get drunk!”

     And tomorrow, more of the same:

     “Let’s live it up!”

 

mat 10: 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 luke 6:22 & 23, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

James 5:10 tells us to consider the “… prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

mat 12;34-37 JESUS SAID: “out of the abundance

Of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure

of the heart bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and

by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Since drunkenness is prohibited, the question comes up, is all drinking of alcohol prohibited?

Some say Bible indicates believers drank wine.

WELL, THE BIBLE FIRMLY condemns  drunkenness & Drunkenness is forbidden in Scripture. It is a sin. & IT Is disallowed

I tim 5:23, “23     No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine

for the sake of your stomach

and your frequent ailments. “

& while it is fairly plain to see the bible forbids LOOSING CONTROL TO ALCOHOL as it violates God's standard of being  self-controlled & controlled by the Spirit of God, however, some say “WELL,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wine today IS NOT the same as in Bible times.

If drinking THE WINE MENTIONED IN biblical times is to be used as the basis for drinking today, the wine today should be the same as the wine used then. This deserves careful analysis.

A. The Biblical Words for Wine

1. Oinos/Yayin

The most common word in the New Testament for wine is the Greek word oinos. It is a general word that simply refers to the fermented juice of the grape. The Old Testament equivalent to the Greek word oinos is yayin, the root of which means to "bubble up" or "boil up." The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia (vol. 12, p. 533) states that yayin, at least in the rabbinic period, was diluted with water.

2. Gleukos/Tirosh

The Greek word gleukos--from which we get the English word glucose, means "new wine." It is used in Acts 2:13 to refer to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. It says they were "full of new wine." Although it was comparatively fresh and not yet fully aged, it was potentially intoxicating. The mockers in in Acts 2:13 were accusing the apostles of being drunk.

The Old Testament word for new wine is tirosh. Hosea 4:11 says "wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the heart." Drunkenness is the result of drinking this new wine.

3. Sikera/Shakar

The Old Testament word for strong drink is shakar, a term that eventually became restricted to intoxicants other than wine. According to the 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia, it refers to unmixed wine. The New Testament equivalent is the Greek word sikera.

B. The Historical Data Regarding Wine

1. THERE WAS Unfermented wine

Because of refrigeration problems in ancient times, wine was often boiled until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind a thick, unintoxicating paste that stored well. It was somewhat similar to modern grape jelly. The people would spread it on bread like a jam, OR MIX IT WITH WATER LIKE A CONCENTRATE, and some still do today in the Middle East.

a) Pliny the Elder--This Roman historian in his Natural Histories said such wine could last as long as ten years. He wrote of wine that had the consistency of honey.

b) Horace--This Latin poet wrote in his Odes of unintoxicating wine, that he recommended quaffing under the shade (I:18).

c) Plutarch--This Greek essayist wrote in his Moralia that filtered wine neither inflames the brain nor infects the mind and the passions, and is much more pleasant to drink. He liked the kind of wine with no alcoholic content.

d) Aristotle--This Greek philosopher spoke of wine that was so thick, it was necessary to scrape it from the skins it was stored in and to dissolve the scrapings in water."

e) Virgil--This Latin writer spoke of the necessity of boiling down wine.

f) Homer--The celebrated bard, in the ninth book of The Odyssey tells of Ulysses, who took with him in his visit to the Cyclops a goatskin of sweet, black wine that needed to be diluted with twenty parts of water before being consumed as a beverage.

g) Columella--This Latin agronomist, a contemporary of the apostles, wrote that it was common in Italy and Greece to boil wine. That would not have been done if they had wanted to preserve the alcoholic content.

h) Archbishop Potter--Archbishop Potter, born in 1674, wrote in his Grecian Antiquities wrote to boil down their wines and then drink them four years later (Edinburg, 1813, vol. 2, p. 360). He also refers to Democritus, a celebrated philosopher, and Palladius, a Greek physician, as making similar statements concerning wine at that time.

These ancient authorities referred to the boiled juice of the grape as wine.

i) Professor Donovan--Donovan in his Bible Commentary said, "In order to preserve their wines ... the Romans concentrated the must or grape juice, of which they were made, by evaporation, either spontaneous in the air or over a fire, so as to render them thick and syrupy" (p. 295).

j) The Talmud--The Talmud, the codification of Jewish law, mentions repeatedly that the Jews were in the habit of using boiled wine (e.g., 'Erabin 29a).

k) W. G. Brown--Brown, who traveled extensively in Africa, Egypt, and Asia from 1792 to 1798 said that the wines of Syria are mostly prepared by boiling immediately after they are pressed from the grape until they are considerably reduced in quantity, when they are then put into bottles and preserved for use.

l) DR. Caspar Neumann Professor of Chemistry in Berlin, 1795, said, "It is observable that when sweet juices are boiled down to a thick consistency, they not only do not ferment in that state, but are not easily brought into fermentation when diluted with as much water as they had lost in the evaporation, or even with the very individual water that exhaled from them" (Nott, London edition, p. 81). The wine evidently lost much of its intoxicating properties after being reconstituted.

m) Dr. A. Russell in his Natural History of Aleppo (London: G.G. and J. Robinson, 1794), said that the concentrated wine juice, called "dibbs," was brought to the city in skins and sold in the public markets. He said it had the appearance of a coarse honey.

The wine that was consumed in biblical times was not what we know as wine today. It was more of a concentrated grape juice with its intoxicating properties basically removed. You cannot defend wine-drinking today on the basis of wine-drinking in Bible times because the two are totally different.

ALSO, THERE WAS UNFERMENTED WINE OR JUICE & THERE WAS  Fermented wine

Wine stored as a liquid, would ferment. Professor Robert Stein, in his "Wine-drinking in New Testament Times" (Christianity Today, 20 June 1975: 9-11), tells us liquid wine was stored in large jugs called amphorae. The pure, unmixed wine would be drawn out of these jugs and poured into large bowls called kraters, where it was mixed with water. From these kraters, it would then be poured into kylix, or cups. Wine would never be served directly from the amphora without first being mixed. And according to other historical data on this period, the mixture could be as high as a 20:1 ratio [or lower than 1:1].

Drinking unmixed wine was looked upon by JEWS & EVEN SOME GreekS as barbaric.

Stein quotes Mnesitheus of Athens as saying, "The gods have revealed wine to mortals, to be the greatest blessing for those who use it aright, but for those who use it without measure, the reverse. For it gives food to them that take it and strength in mind and body. In medicine it is most beneficial; it can be mixed with liquid and drugs and it brings aid to the wounded. In daily intercourse, to those who mix and drink it moderately, it gives good cheer; but if you overstep the bounds, it brings violence. Mix it half and half, and you get madness; unmixed, bodily collapse."

As a beverage, wine was always thought of as a mixed drink in Greek culture. The ratio of water might have varied but only barbarians drank it unmixed. Stein cites patristic writings that show the early church served mixed wine.

IN OUR TIME:

Beer has approximately 4% alcohol, REGULAR wine 9-11%, brandy 15- 20%, and hard liquor 40-50% (80-100 proof).

TOADY’S WINES ARE ARTIFICALLY ENHANCED TO INCRESE THE ALCOHOL CONTENT BUT

unmixed FERMENTED wine in biblical times WOULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING ABOUT LIKE HARD CIDER .

Mixed FERMENTED WINE wine, at a 3:1 ratio, would therefore be By today's standards NON-ALCHOLIC AS  a drink has to exceed 3.2% to be considered an alcoholic beverage. The wine consumed BY NON-BARBARIANS was either completely non-alcoholic or sub- alcoholic by today's standards. To become drunk with wine in those days you would have to drink all day &

(1 Tim. 3:3) purpose to become drunk.

So, is drinking wine today the same as in Bible times? No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question #2: Is drinking wine necessary?

Because of the lack of fresh water, it was often necessary to drink wine in biblical times. That is sometimes the case today. If you were in a country and wine was all there was and you were dying of thirst, you would take whatever was available.

A. The Past Necessity

In the New Testament, the Lord produced wine and spoke about drinking wine (John 2:1-11; Matt. 26:26-29). In the Old Testament as in the New, wine was used out of necessity. This was in a day and age when all they had to drink apart from wine was fruit juice, milk, and water. Due to a lack of refrigeration, even wine mixed from the syrup base, if left standing long enough, could ferment. These people had little choice in deciding what to drink.

B. The Present Preference

Today you can go to a supermarket and the variety of non- alcoholic beverages is seemingly endless. Many parts of the world have an almost unlimited access to running water. Drinking wine is rarely a necessity today. It is a preference, not a necessity. Perhaps you're afraid your host would be offended if you refused their wine. But if a group of your friends got together at a party and all decided to scratch behind the left ear, would you scratch behind your left ear because you wanted to feel a part of the group? If everyone on your block decided not to use deodorant, would you join in? That is essentially the same kind of reasoning.

If for some reason you were in a situation and where wine was all you had available, you would have little choice but to drink it. You would deal with it as a necessity. But in our society, drinking alcohol is simply and only a preference.

Focusing on the Facts

1. Ephesians 5:18 describes the topic of _________________ and ___________________ (see p. 1).

2.True or False: Many Christians, who by definition are supposed to be meek, selfless, and filled with the joy of the Lord, seek their comfort from a liquor bottle (see p. 1).

3.What should your spirituality be based on (see p. 1)?

4.Is drunkenness forbidden in Scripture? Support your answer (see pp. 1-2).

5.What is the definition of drunkenness (see p. 2)?

6.Any act of ________________, no matter how minimal, violates God's standard of being controlled by the Spirit of God (see p. 4).

7.True or False: Drunkenness is directly forbidden by God, but drinking wine is commended in Scripture (see p. 4).

8.How is the subject of drinking seen in Scripture (see p. 5)?

9.What criterion must be met if drinking in biblical times is to be sufficient reason for drinking today (see pp. 5-6)?

10.List the different words used for wine in the Bible and explain each (see p. 6).

11.What is the difference between mixed and unmixed wine (see p. 7)?

12.What was the difference between wine stored as a solid and wine stored as a liquid (see p. 8)?

13.How was drinking unmixed wine looked upon in Greek culture? In the early church (see p. 9)?

14.What was the approximate alcoholic content of wine during biblical times (see p. 9)?

15.Is drinking wine necessary today (see p. 10)?

16.In our society, drinking alcohol is _____________ and _______ a preference (see p. 10).

Pondering the Principles

1.The wine spoken of in Bible times is the not the same as the wine of today. Wine today is not mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely unintoxicating. Have you considered those principles in deciding whether to drink alcoholic beverages? The Bible gives examples of people in positions of spiritual responsibility who abstained from alcohol. Study the following passages and ask God to make it clear to you whether you should abstain from alcoholic beverages: Leviticus 10:8-11, Judges 13:3-4, and Luke 1:14-15.

11.What is the difference between mixed and unmixed wine (see p. 7)?

12.What was the difference between wine stored as a solid and wine stored as a liquid (see p. 8)?

13.How was drinking unmixed wine looked upon in Greek culture? In the early church (see p. 9)?

14.What was the approximate alcoholic content of wine during biblical times (see p. 9)?

15.Is drinking wine necessary today (see p. 10)?

16.In our society, drinking alcohol is _____________ and _______ a preference (see p. 10).

Pondering the Principles

1.The wine spoken of in Bible times is the not the same as the wine of today. Wine today is not mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely unintoxicating. Have you considered those principles in deciding whether to drink alcoholic beverages? The Bible gives examples of people in positions of spiritual responsibility who abstained from alcohol. Study the following passages and ask God to make it clear to you whether you should abstain from alcoholic beverages: Leviticus 10:8-11, Judges 13:3-4, and Luke 1:14-15.

2.The Bible condemns drunkenness but also commends the occasional use of wine. However, there is one instance apart from drunkenness when Added to the John MacArthur "Study Guide" Collection by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 314
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986

SEE, Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

Imagine a man who is happily married to a woman whose physical and emotional companionship he values and cherishes. He is successful in his profession. His children are well behaved and accomplished. He is satisfied with his life until he attends his twentieth college reunion. This is where he makes a crucial mistake. He tells himself that many of his former classmates have achieved a higher social and professional status than he. He also mistakenly believes that they are married to more educated and attractive wives, and they seem to have more money and have traveled more often than he has. A sense of failure begins to grow in his heart. Once a happy man, he is now wrongly focused on his circumstances. He loses his peace and contentment to envy and jealousy.

Proverbs 14:30 states, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” King Ahab of Israel had everything. But he wanted a vineyard that was close to his palace. When Naboth refused to sell, Ahab pouted and sulked until his wicked wife, Jezebel, plotted to kill Naboth and take his field to satisfy the envy of King Ahab.  There are people who have everything and are envious for more. Even a godly man like King David coveted what another man had. As a result of his actions, he committed adultery and murder, and lost his peace by harming his fellowship with God. Envy always leads to strife and a loss of peace.  Are you longing for what you cannot have? Look to Jesus. Only He can satisfy the desires of your heart. He alone brings peace and contentment to your life.May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.  Part 2 of Peace from Leading The Way, a daily devotional

PEACEPART 2 OF 312

Martha and Mary were sisters, and they both loved and wanted to please the Lord. However, they were very different in their actions. Martha was preoccupied with the cooking and housecleaning, while Mary sought to spend time with Jesus. The Bible tells us that she sat at His feet, listening to all that He said.

We need to be aware of the danger of anything that crowds the Lord out of our lives. Jesus chided Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

In the end, the only thing that matters or has meaning is God’s Word in our lives. Martha was anxious about things that pertain to this life. She did not have a genuine sense of peace—one that comes as a result of spending time with the Savior.

Anxiety is the result of preoccupation with the things in life that do not have eternal value. It is a signal that we are seeking to derive security or peace from something other than from the Lord. C.S. Lewis writes, “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about Him.”

We may be sincerely doing what we think will please the Lord, but all the while we may be stressing over unnecessary events, feelings, and emotions. Like Martha, we need to learn to recognize what is important. When God is the center of our lives, our priorities will be focused on Him, and it is there that He will fill us with His peace, assurance, and hope.

The God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9.

PEACEPART 3 OF 313

Some people believe if they have a certain level of wealth then they will have peace, or if they marry the right people, they will know contentment. Others mistakenly believe that if they can just live in some ideal location or receive a certain recognition at work, they will have all they could ever hope to achieve. However, none of these are capable of providing the peace and contentment that we long to experience.

True peace only comes as a result of living a life that is filled with the Spirit of God. It is eternal and has only one source—Jesus Christ. Charles Spurgeon writes, “The God of peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are fixed upon Him.”

We can try to achieve peace through accomplishments and hard work. We may look for peace everywhere—thinking that new experiences, buying things, or stashing money away will deliver peace. However, apart from God, we never find lasting peace.

In order to experience the peace of God, we first must have peace with God, which comes as the result of a complete surrender to Christ as our Lord and Savior. Once we are saved, God’s peace is available to us.

A famous actress once lamented that she had everything she could possibly want, but she still did not have a sense of peace. There are some things that money cannot buy, and peace is one of them.

Before His death, Jesus comforted His disciples with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). We, too, can find the peace and comfort we need within His eternal care.

 

NOW LORD, PLEASE DISMISS US

WITH THE BLESSING OF YOUR peace

 which transcends all understanding, & 

guard your hearts and our minds

BY THE POWER OF Christ Jesus TO PROCLAIM HIM AS SAVIOR. IN HIS NAME, AMEN!. Philippians 4:7

 

Go Back To Part 2 of Peace

PATIENCEPART 1 OF 214

Have you ever been described as an impatient person? It is easy to feel impatient. Maybe traffic isn’t moving fast enough and you are going to be late for your meeting. Or you can’t get through the checkout lane quickly enough to pick up your children from the babysitter. It is these trying things of life that can zap your strength and cause you to lose sight of what really matters.

The source of true patience is the Spirit of God. His patience towards us allows us the opportunity to grow and become more like Him. He does not give up on us. When we are stubborn and fail to learn what God wants to teach us, He continues to demonstrate His patience. Many times we grow impatient with a colleague, friend, child, or spouse and forget that God is patient with us and requires us to do the same with others.

One of the causes of impatience is ignorance and shortsightedness. Our view is limited. Therefore, many times we only see what has a direct impact on our lives. We become impatient because we can’t see life from God’s perspective! He has a greater plan. While He does not always show us the details, we can know the big picture—we are in His loving hands.

Oswald Chambers writes, “Patience is more than endurance. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of the archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand any more.’ God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God’s hands.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Patience

This article is from Leading The Way, a daily devotional publication, which is

PATIENCEPART 2 OF 215

Have you ever noticed how children are so impatient and demanding, especially a baby whose world revolves around him? For the believer, patience is built upon the absolute, unshakable belief that God is sovereign. We can be patient because we know that we are not forgotten nor forsaken by our heavenly Father. Patience is the result of knowing that God has every detail of our lives under control. Nothing escapes His eternal care. One day your loving Savior is coming back for you.

Remember, your ultimate destination is heaven. Therefore, don’t get hooked by Satan’s bait and begin treating this world as your real home. If you do, you will find that you are becoming more impatient with the aggravations of life.

James gives us three examples that spur us on to patience. First, we must understand some of the basic rules of farming. (5:7) A farmer does not continually dig up the seed he has planted in order to check its growth, or he will never have a harvest. Likewise, we must trust God’s timing in our lives. Just as the farmer waits for His crop, we must wait on God to complete His work in our lives. This takes patience!

James reminds us that the righteous will suffer for their righteousness. (v. 10) There will be times when we feel like we are in a holding pattern in our lives. We long to move away from the difficulty but God wants us to wait and to learn how to be patient.

James goes on to tell us that even Job had to endure a fierce trial. However, he knew that God had a wonderful plan for his life, and he refused to deny the Lord. If you find yourself feeling impatient with your circumstances, look up into the glorious face of the Savior who loves you and has a great reward for you.

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. James 5:7.

Go Back to Part 1 of Patience

KINDNESS-GEBTLENSS PART 1 OF 216

While traveling from one city to the next, a man was overtaken by robbers. Taking his clothes and possessions, they left him badly beaten. Not long after the attack, a priest traveled the same road. He passed by without stopping. Then another traveler saw the man but did not offer to help. Finally, someone stopped—a Samaritan. He put bandages on the man’s wounds and took him to an inn for the night. The next day he gave the innkeeper money and instructions to take care of the wounded man.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a wonderful example of godly kindness. It also demonstrates that kindness often requires something of us—time, plans, privacy, and desires. The Good Samaritan interrupted his travel plans to help a stranger. What better example to follow than that of Christ? He gave us the ultimate gift of kindness — He died that we might live.

However, we cannot learn to be kind simply by disciplining ourselves. Kindness can be hard work, and from time to time, this may mean that we have to face difficult situations that drain us emotionally and physically. Often kindness cannot grow apart from conflict and strife. We learn to be kind through the kindness of others but we also learn a greater kindness when we are called to be kind and caring in difficult situations.

A disagreement with a co-worker, spouse, friend, or family member can tempt us to be abrupt or uncaring. Circumstances appear out of focus and God’s fruit of kindness becomes lost in the battle. However, through the power of Christ we are able to act in kindness even toward those who hurt us. Is there someone who needs your kindness today?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be [kindhearted] and humble. 1 Peter 3:8.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 OF KINDNESS – GENTLENESS  KINDNESSPART 2 OF 217

Kindness is a characteristic of God. Out of His kindness He made a covenant with the nation of Israel. And out of kindness, He kept His side of this covenant while they rebelled and disobeyed. It is out of kindness that Jesus left the splendor of heaven to become a man. It is out of kindness that He hung on a cross to die and pay the wages of our sin. Out of eternal love and kindness, He offers to us His precious gift of salvation.

But God’s kindness did not stop at the Cross. It continues today in the lives of those who accept His Son as their Savior. The more we allow Him to work in us, the more His fruit becomes evident to those whose lives we touch each day. As we continue to live and grow spiritually, there are several things we need to know about kindness. Sometimes, kindness requires us being able to put ourselves in another person’s place. We need to view others as Christ does.

There are those of us who continually show kindness to others and yet seem to be incapable of showing kindness to themselves. They allow past failures and sins to prevent them from growing. However, God’s forgiveness is complete. When we pray and seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves, too. Kindness gives birth to kindness. Love extended leads to more love.

As you begin to show kindness to others, you will be set free from feelings of self condemnation. You will find yourself being empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise more kindness more often.

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised . . . yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7.

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM LEADING THE WAY, A GOODNESSPART 1 OF 318

Early in the nineteenth century, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a difficult situation. His country was involved in a very expensive war. At the same time, he was seeking to transform his country into a great nation. However, the country was financially crippled. The thought of surrendering to the enemy was unthinkable. Therefore, the king came up with a plan to replenish the country’s financial wealth. He approached the women of Prussia and asked them if they would be willing to donate their gold and silver jewelry.

He explained that for each piece of jewelry they gave, he would give them an ornament of bronze in return as a token of his gratitude. The inscription imprinted into these ornaments read, “I gave gold and silver for iron, 1813.” To the king’s amazement, the response was overwhelming. The women prized his tokens of gratitude more highly than their former jewelry. The reason: the emblems were the mark of true sacrifice. It even became unfashionable for women to wear jewelry.

Generosity and sacrifice for country and king became the mark of true citizenship in Prussia. Goodness and sacrifice became the badge of honor for all Prussians.

In Galatians 5:22, the apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit—those characteristics that are most like Christ in us. Goodness is one of those listed—goodness without thought given to personal sacrifice. On the Cross, God displayed His eternal goodness to each one of us. This is the same goodness we are to have for one another. The next time you experience the rebuke of another, ask God to give you the ability to demonstrate His goodness instead of anger.

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, [goodness] and patience. Colossians 3:12.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Goodness

This article is from Leading The Way, a daily devotional publication

GOODNESSPART 2 OF 3It is easy to be good to those who are good to us. It is much harder to be good to those who harm us. However, this is exactly what Christ commands us to do. In fact, He took this thought a step further by commanding us to love those who are our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

FAITHFULNESSPART 1 OF 219

George McDonald once said, “Being trusted is a greater compliment that being loved.” Take a moment to think through this statement. You can love a person, but do you trust that person with your life, your heart, and all that is included in your life? Many times, we are careful to say the right things and not allow those around us to see who we really are. We don’t want people to see our flaws or to know about our failures because we think they may not love or approve of us.

Faithfulness is an even deeper issue because it requires being faithful even when we may not agree with the popular view. It also means being loyal to Christ and following His precepts even when the world’s view is anything but His.

Today, faithfulness is viewed as an old fashioned word. Many times, we find that words like team player, champion, leadership potential, and high energy have replaced words like faithful as an important factor in the employment world. If you step into a marketing meeting of a large corporation, more than likely faithful will not be a buzzword used for a new campaign.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond—when trustworthiness was more important than wealth, fame, or popularity. It seems that the days are gone when promises were kept and friends were faithful. Yet, God calls each one of us to be faithful to Him and to one another. Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.

Are you seeking to be faithful to God first and then to what He has given you here on earth? Learn to be faithful and His love and goodness will also flow from your life.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Faithfulness

FAITHFULNESS FAITHPART 2 OF 220

Whether we realize it or not, faithfulness is at the heart of all relationships. It is the very thing that prevents families and societies from falling apart. And it is the one element that has the ability to encourage us to persevere in times of failure and heartache.

The psalmist writes, “The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full” (Psalm 31:23). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the apostle Paul lists faithfulness as one of the fruits of the Spirit. In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and we know that He does. No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, it is infinite, and it is faithful.

This fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence that we need to repent and accept God’s love for our lives. There is nothing you can do to make yourself more acceptable to the Lord. He accepts you just as you are, and He loves you fully and completely. His love and faithfulness never change; they are yours for eternity. When it becomes difficult for another, are you the type of friend who “sticks closer than a brother”? (Proverbs 18:24)

Jesus is this type of friend. He remains at our sides even when others abandon us, and the same should be true of us. Far too often, we walk away when a friend needs us the most. At the end of his life, Paul writes and asks Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy.

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

FAITHFULNESSPART 1 OF 221

George McDonald once said, “Being trusted is a greater compliment that being loved.” Take a moment to think through this statement. You can love a person, but do you trust that person with your life, your heart, and all that is included in your life? Many times, we are careful to say the right things and not allow those around us to see who we really are. We don’t want people to see our flaws or to know about our failures because we think they may not love or approve of us.

Faithfulness is an even deeper issue because it requires being faithful even when we may not agree with the popular view. It also means being loyal to Christ and following His precepts even when the world’s view is anything but His.

Today, faithfulness is viewed as an old fashioned word. Many times, we find that words like team player, champion, leadership potential, and high energy have replaced words like faithful as an important factor in the employment world. If you step into a marketing meeting of a large corporation, more than likely faithful will not be a buzzword used for a new campaign.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond—when trustworthiness was more important than wealth, fame, or popularity. It seems that the days are gone when promises were kept and friends were faithful. Yet, God calls each one of us to be faithful to Him and to one another. Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.

Are you seeking to be faithful to God first and then to what He has given you here on earth? Learn to be faithful and His love and goodness will also flow from your life.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Faithfulness

PART 1 OF 322

We often think that perception is reality, but many times it is not. The enemy is swift to tempt us to believe something about another person that is not true. Remember, God created us for fellowship—first with Himself and then with others.

Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, the enemy knows that he can no longer capture our souls. We are saved by the grace of God. However, he never backs away from a challenge and sets a new goal to disrupt and, if possible, to destroy our fellowship with God and those we love. When conflict arises, it is extremely important for us to listen only to the voice of God. While there is benefit that can be gained from the counsel of godly friends, there is also a great danger of missing what God wants us to see and learn on our own.

Therefore, before you react to a situation, ask the Lord to make His truth apparent to your heart. Set a goal to be meek and forgiving. He has given us the Holy Spirit, who is committed to leading and guiding us at every turn in life. Wrong perceptions have been the cause of many misunderstandings. This is one of the reasons we view meekness as a weakness. In actuality, a meek person is not weak or timid. In fact, biblical meekness or gentleness is synonymous with courage, confidence, and strength under control.

God wants us to enjoy meekness as a fruit of the Spirit. When we learn how to rest in Him and allow Him to work through us, His meekness will rise to the surface of our lives. The inner need to be noticed professionally or socially will fade, and we will find that the glory of the Lord is ours to enjoy.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Meekness AS OF 21 FEB 03

ove but the love of God. Most of us have sung James Rowe’s hymn, “Love Lifted Me.”

The first verse contains these words: “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me.”

Sometimes nothing can lift our hearts like the love of God. Friends abandon us. Colleagues try to bypass us. Even our families may fail to understand us. But God’s love for us never changes.

Even when we act unlovable, God continues to love us. When we are undesirable, He embraces us. When it seems that the world has turned against us, God’s love remains. He has promised never to leave us hopeless.

Many times, disappointments come in order to teach us more about the depths of God’s love. How can this be? Difficulty can leave us feeling broken and confused. In desperation we turn to God. This is when we discover that only His love can truly lift us up and restore our sense of hope.

We may struggle to find another way around our problems, hoping that someone or something will bring relief, but nothing can help us outside the love of God. Only His love has the ability to satisfy our every need.

Maybe you are wondering if God really loves you. Have you yielded to sin? Or have you allowed the world and its trappings to come between you and your Savior? Cry out to Him and He will restore the joy of your salvation. When nothing else can help, love will lift you.

HARBOR, WA: LOGOS RESEARCH SYSTEMS, INC]

SAYS,  THE “FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD — ACTS 2:23; ROM. 8:29; 11:2; 1 PET. 1:2), IS ONE OF THOSE HIGH ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIALLY APPERTAINING TO HIM THE FULL IMPORT OF WHICH WE CANNOT COMPREHEND  [ BECAUSE HIS KNOWLEDGE & HE HIMSELF ARE INFINITE & WE ARE FINITE, FALLEN, FALLIBLE, & FEEBLE].[iii]”

            THIS IS VERY HARD TO FOR ME TO SORT OUT & SOMEHOW THESE NEXT 2 VV DO NOT SEEM AS HARD TO ME.

JOHN 15:16 “ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you¼”

1 JOHN 4:19  “We love him, because he first loved us.”

ALSO, IS THIS NOT CONFIRMED BY EPH 1:3-11 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

EPH 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

EPH 4:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,? 6 ?To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.? 7 ?In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;? 8 ?Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;? 9 ?Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:? 10 ?That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven?a?, and which are on earth; even in him: ? 11 ?In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:?”

  

  

ALSO, ACCORDING ROM 11:2? GOD HAS NOT & WE CAN ADD WILL NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHOM ?HE FOREKNEW. ROM. 11:1FF “ ?I SAY THEN, HATH GOD CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE? GOD FORBID. FOR I ALSO AM AN ISRAELITE, OF THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN.? 2 ?GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHICH HE FOREKNEW. WOT YE NOT WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAITH OF ELIAS?A?? HOW HE MAKETH INTERCESSION TO GOD AGAINST ISRAEL, SAYING, ? 3 ?LORD, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, AND DIGGED DOWN THINE ALTARS; AND I AM LEFT ALONE, AND THEY SEEK MY LIFE.? 4 ?BUT WHAT SAITH THE ANSWER OF GOD UNTO HIM? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BAAL.? 5 ?EVEN SO THEN AT THIS PRESENT TIME ALSO THERE IS A REMNANT ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION OF GRACE.? 6 ?AND IF BY GRACE, THEN IS IT NO MORE OF WORKS: OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE. BUT IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IS IT NO MORE GRACE: OTHERWISE WORK IS NO MORE WORK.?

ROM. 11:7 “ ?WHAT THEN? ISRAEL HATH NOT OBTAINED THAT WHICH HE SEEKETH FOR; BUT THE ELECTION HATH OBTAINED IT, AND THE REST WERE BLINDED?B? ? 8 ?(ACCORDING AS IT IS WRITTEN, GOD HATH GIVEN THEM THE SPIRIT OF SLUMBER?C?, EYES THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SEE, AND EARS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR;) UNTO THIS DAY.”

            NOW AS I SAY, I AM STILL STUDYING THIS, BUT I LEAN THE WAY I JUST DESCRIBED & IF THAT WAY IS THE CORRECT WAY, THEN  WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE? BUT EVEN WAY BACK IN THE TIME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S YEARS ON EARTH, THEY NEEDED A FULLER APPLICATION OF LAW CONCERNING ADULTERY.  [READ MATT. 5:27 & 28  & PERHAPS INJECT ROM 7:12 & 14]

          ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF GOD'S LAW IS TO UPHOLD THE SANCTIFY OF LIFE, ANOTHER PURPOSE OF GOD’S LAW IS TO UPHOLD THE SANCTIFY OF SEX WITHIN THE BAND OF HOLY MATRIMONY BETWEEN A MALE AND A FEMALE (HEB. 13:4).  GOD CREATED ADAM AND EVE --- ADAM & STEVE.  GOD'S CREATIVE ARRANGEMENT HAS A REVELATION IN IT.

                                                                         19 GOD’S CREATIVE DESIGN REVEALS GOD'S WILL TO A DEGREE -- NATURAL REVELATION.      

          AS I MENTIONED, ADULTERY IS COMMONLY DEFINED AS AN UNBIBLICAL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH ONE OF THE PARTIES IS MARRIED.  THAT IS THE DEED. 

AND THAT DEED IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY.  NOT ONLY DO PEOPLE PRACTICE IT, THEY PREVIEW IT IN THE SOAP OPERAS, THE MOVIES, THE VIDEOS, THE ADVERTISEMENTS, AND SMUT MAGAZINES!  NOT ONLY IS THE DEED OF ADULTERY SIN, SO IS THE DESIRE FOR ADULTERY.  ACCORDING TO MATT 5:28 THE ACT OF ADULTERY IS SIN

AND THE APPETITE FOR ADULTERY IS SIN.

                                                                        20    Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

MATT. 5:28 THIS IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE INCIDENTAL, INVOLUNTARY, OR CASUAL GLANCE.  ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR IN THIS V, WHICH DENOTES A PURPOSE, GOAL, OR INTENTION, THIS V IS TALKING ABOUT LOOKING WITH THE GOAL OR PURPOSE TO FULFILL ONES LUSTFUL DESIRE THAT IS ALREADY IN THE HEART.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE ADULTEROUS HEART CAUSES THE LUSTFUL LOOK. 

                                                                     21  THE LUSTFUL LOOKING IS BUT AN EXPRESSION OF THE HEART THAT IS ALREADY ADULTEROUS AT LEAST IN DESIRE IF NOT YET IN DEED.

          I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS WHY SOME PEOPLE CONSUME PORN.  THEIR ADULTEROUS AND LUSTFUL HEART DRIVES THEM TO LOOK AT THE PORN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THEIR LUSTFUL LOOKING TURNS TO LUSTFUL ACTION. 

          I RECENTLY HEARD A REPORT THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SEX CRIMES ARE COMMITTED EITHER RIGHT OFTEN THE CRIMINAL INDULGES IN PORN OR THE CRIMINAL USES PORN DURING THE ASSAULT.  SOME EVEN COPY WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN IN THE PORN.

         

                                                                               22  YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO FIGHT THE FLESH—NOT FEED IT OR GIVE IN TO IT. THE BIBLE GIVES US PRECEPTS & PRINCIPLES TO DEFEAT THE FLESH & BE DELIVERED FROM IT.  ROM 13:14 SAYS, ““MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH TO FULFILL THE LUSTS Thereof. “

         

WAY BACK IN THE OT, JOB MADE A COVENANT WITH HIS EYES—PERHAPS YOU SHOULD.  “ Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? “ THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM OUT NOW CALLED COVENANT EYES.

TO BE SAFE OR TO BE DELIVERED – WE MAY NEED TO BE SEVERE WITH OUR EYES.

                                                                                20  MAT. 5:29, “ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

         

[FLEE (EXTERNAL - INTERNAL]

          NOW I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE QUOTE V 29 OUT OF CONTEXT, BUT NOTICE, THE FOLLOWS THE VV DEALING WITH ADULTERY.

          MAT 5:29 IS NOT CALLING FOR LITERAL SELF-MUTILATION, FOR EVEN BLIND PEOPLE AND EUNUCHS ARE ABLE TO LUST.  THE MAIN POINT IS THAT SIN IS SERIOUS AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH SERIOUSLY AND WE SHOULD BE SERIOUS ABOUT AVOIDING & PREVENTING PERSONAL SIN. 

                                                                           21  GOD CAN HELP US PREVENT SIN OR AVOID IT OR BE DELIVERED FROM IT.                                         SO, REGARDING ADULTERY – THERE IS THE DEED, THE DESIRE, AND THE DELIVERANCE.

          MAT 5:29 – TELLS US DELIVERANCE CAN INVOLVE THE EYE.  LET ME HASTEN TO SAY THAT LITERALLY PLUCKING OUT THE EYE IS NOT WHAT IS MEANT HERE FOR THE BLIND CAN STILL LUST.  BUT IF PLUCKING THE EYE OUT COULD KEEP ON OUT OF SIN AND HELL, IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE, BUT SINCE SELF MUTILATION CAN'T KEEP FROM LUST AS SOME MONASTICS & MONKS AND EVEN ORIGIN FOUND OUT --- IT MEANS TAKE RADICAL ACTION. 

          NOW, INSTEAD OF PLUCKING OUT THE EYE, HOW ABOUT PLUCKING OUT THE PORN THAT GOES IN THE EYE.

                                                                                19  WHICH CAN HAVE USE FOR US EVEN THOUGH SOME SUGGEST HE may have drawn too much on Plato.

Aquinas HAD A VIEW OF TRUTH WHICH HAS SOME USE FOR US, EVEN THOUGH SOME  CLAIM HE MAY HAVE DRAWN too much on Aristotle.  SEE, BY GOD’S COMMON GRACE, the GREEK PHILOSOPHERS discovered

SOME THINGS ABOUT GOD’S TRUTH. 

   

FOR INSTANCE, Socrates WAS CONDEMNED TO DIE & GIVEN hemlock TO DRINK IN 399 BC BECAUSE HE REJECTED the mythological worldview OF POLYTHEISTIC PAGANISM & reasoned that there must be one supreme God behind all of history.

        Plato FOLLOWED SOCRATES & developed A classical idealism, WHICH ASSERTED THAT The ALL THE world’s particulars come from the transcendent ideals in the mind of God.         Aristotle WAS A STUDENT OF PLATO’S  & argued for first causes and that all causes must be traced back to one supreme First Cause.

Though this era OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY fell far short of BIBLICAL THEOLOGY & Christian belief, it allowed the HUMAN mind to investigate the world WITH THE IDEA OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH & without ruling out the possibility of God. 

IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, On Mars Hill, Paul began at this point and introduced them to the truth about God that only divine revelation could MAKE KNOW.

NOW WITH all of its faults, EVEN NON-BIBLICAL OR NON-CHRISTIAN THOUGHT carried with it certain assumptions that were rarely challenged:

3.     There is a God OR GODS OR AT LEAST GOD OR GODS ARE POSSIBLE.

4.     ABSOLUTE TRUTH ABSOLUTELY EXISTS.

NOW, IN OUR ERA, post-modernS

DENY ABSOLUTE TRUTH, THUS THEY believe that All lifestyles, religions, and worldviews are equal & THUS THE only real sin FOR THEN is criticizing someone else's view or morals OR RELIGION.

          THAT IS ONE REASON THEY CALL CHRISTIANS BIGOTS.   ONE REASON THEY CALL CHRISTIANS BIGOTS IS BECAUSE REAL CHRISTIANS USUALLY MAINTAIN THAT THERE IS A GOD OF TRUTH WHO ALSO REVEALED A TRUE CODE OF MORALITY & EXPECTS HIS HUMAN CREATURES TO LINE UP WITH IT INSTEAD OF DOING THEIR OWN THING. 

A WRITER NAMED David Dockery explains THAT:

Postmodernists would critique Christianity by claiming that Christians think they have the only truth.  The claims of Christianity are rejected because of the appeal to absolute truth.  Absolute truth claims will be dismissed by the postmodernist for being “intolerant” –trying to force one’s beliefs [BY WHICH THEY ALSO MEAN MORAL CODES OF CONDUCT] onto other people. 

“Postmodernists have genuinely given up on the idea of absolute truth[26] & AN ABSOLUTE MORAL CODE.”

Of course, the age-old response to such skewed thinking is, “How can you say absolutely that there is no absolute truth?”  ISN’T THAT AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT?  

BUT, Postmodernists do not care about the apparent contradiction.  EVIDENTLY  THIS Typical statement by a “Repressed Memory Therapist” reveals thE BENT OF POSTMODERNS, “I don’t care if it’s true.  What actually happened is irrelevant to me.”[27] 

          One wonders how such “therapy” could ever help anyone. 

THAT IS ONE REASON TODAY THAT FICTION IS TOO OFTEN ACCEPTED AS A TYPE OF TRUTH EVEN IF SO-CALLED FACTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT IT.

THE POSTMODERN VIEW ENDS UP SAYING:

- “WHAT IS ACTUAL OR WHAT IS REAL OR WHAT IS TRUE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS.  WHAT MATTERS IS ONE’S Opinion.   OPINION matterS as much as evidence OR MORE SO.

- Reality is in the mind of the beholder—NOT SOMETHING EXTERNAL TO ANY BEHOLDER.  THE EXTREME OF THIS IS SO-FAR IT SOUNDS CRAZY.  IT’S CALLED “SOLIPSISM.” Solipsism is a philosophical theory that all activity takes place within ONE’S mind, and therefore, WHAT WE THINK is reality outside OUR MIND, ARE REALLY JUST PROJECTION FORM OUR own mind.”

 THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE NEW AGERS WHO CLAIM TO CREATE THEIR OWN REALITY. 

POSTMODERNISTS ALSO MAKE Political correctness, EXTREME permissiveness, extreme tolerance, & THE IDEA OF “NO ABSOLUTES” IN ANY AREA OF  knowledge OR ETHICS aS THE KEY IDEAS OF THE DAY.

          WELL, What should be the response of the Christian in the face of SUCH a philosophical attack?”[28]  

         

The Christian IS ChallengeD TO use ANY & ALL mediA available to reach the lost world Whether BY radio, television, PRINT, or the computer, to proclaim a message THAT Christianity IS based on something that really happened.  CHRIST’S INCARNATION, SINLESS LIFE, SUBSTiTutIONARY DEATH, & RESURRECTION DECLARING THAT JUSTIFICATION & RECONCILIATION TO THE TRUE GOD IS NEEDED & IS TRULY POSSIBLE .  

“we must PROCLAIM THAT Christianity depends  upon THE TRUTH THAT something REALLY happened IN THE EXTERNAL WORLD, NOT JUST IN SOMEONE’S MIND, OR IN SOME MYTHOLOGY.

& THAT since that IS THE TRUTH, THEN CHRISTIANITY must not be abandoned AS THE TRUTH of christ IS SUPPORTED IN NUMEROUS WAYS.  at a definite point in REAL history, Jesus CAME & died as a propitiation for the sins of men & WOMEN WHO WILL ACCEPT HIM AS SAVIOR..  Christianity MUST BE PROCLAIMED AS  dependent upon REAL history—not just a fable or myth.”[29]

          ALSO, We cannot present Christ and His atoning work as if it HE were one of many POSSIBLE TRUTHS OR an option. 

see,  The postmodernist can “accept” Christianity or reject it without ever considering its “reality.”

christians MUST PRESENT THE REALITY OF CHRIST AS THE ONLY SAVIOR. & NOT AS If it is acceptable to personally ascribe to more than one, perhaps many religions.  Today, we hear of many “faiths” any one of which becomes truth for the one who accept it. 

          THIS will take a willingness on our part to present the gospel OF CHRIST as true, regardless of how that disturbs a comfortable, unrealistic, TRUTH DENYING, MORALITY DECRYING  world. 

         

16

SEE, The challenge  FOR Christians living in postmodern times is enormous.

If ever we faced the danger of the frog in the slowly boiling pot, it is today.  NEVERTHELESS, THIS CRISIS ALSO PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY.

WRITER Gene Veith SAID, “ThIS ….era opens up genuine opportunities for Biblical Christianity….this … age is more accessible than ever before.  With people demanding technological marvelS making it easier than ever before for the church to deliver TRUTH…

…But as we look ….FORWARD, … we must ask ourselves if we are holding ON TO our link in the historical chain of our faith.  SEE, REAL CHRISTIANITY Is A Life-changing message ROOTED IN HISTORY & REALITY NOT MYTHOLOGY.

Os Guinness Said this,

“…Followers of Christ are custodians of the faith passed on down thROUGH THE centuries.  Never must we allow anyone outside or inside the church…TO DENY THE truth and meaning of this priceless heritage of faith WHICH AS JUDE V3 SAYS was …delivered unto the saints  & NEEDED TO BE earnestly contended EVEN WAY BACK IN THE EARLY CHURCH.

SOME, AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY,

To proclaim the truth of Christ. OF GOD, OF THE BIBLE,  is like letting a lion loose, A LION will defend itself.”

1 thes. 2:1-Now, brethren, aconcerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 cnot to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of 1Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come dunless the falling away comes first, and ethe man of 2sin is revealed, fthe son of perdition, 4 who opposes and gexalts himself habove all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits 3as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For ithe 4mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only 5He who now restrains will do so until 5He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, jwhom the Lord will consume kwith the breath of His mouth and destroy lwith the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is maccording to the working of Satan, with all power, nsigns, and lying wonders,

1 thes 2:10-  and with all unrighteous deception among othose who perish, because they did not receive pthe love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And qfor this reason God will send them strong delusion, rthat they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but shad pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Fast

13 But we are 6bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God tfrom the beginning uchose you for salvation vthrough 7sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for wthe obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, xstand fast and hold ythe traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our 8epistle.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.” [30]

ro. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

(P. Anka, J. Revaux, G. Thibault, C. Frankois)
[Recorded December 30, 1968, Hollywod]

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way
     And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
      Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
        Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
       I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
     For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
[instrumental]  Yes, it was my way



2 cor 5:14 -15, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that  if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all,  that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

heb 11:24-29, “ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christd greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”

2 tim. 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobatea concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. “

         

 

 

ruthb; [1]

b in the truth: or, with the truth

[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

& the phrase, ““agape love…

THEN, 

 [“Classical Apologetics: It Stands to Reason.”

[Internal Weaknesses ON SERMONS

]@13 FEB 08]

 

I MADE IT TO A POINT WHERE I WAS SAYING THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS MAINTAINED (& RIGHTLY SO)  THAT THERE IS TRUTH OT TRUE TRUTH & THAT PART OF OUR JOB AS GOD’S CREATURE IS TO DISCOVER TRUTH & TO THINK & BEHAVE IN ACCORD WITH TRUTH & PASS IT ON & DEFEND IT WITH AS MUCH EVIDENCE AS WE CAN GATHER & WITH ALL THE MEANS AVAILABLE IN WHAT MANY CALL OUR ERA OF POST MODERNITY WHICH

I DON’T SEE WILL Survive LONG, Because IT IS Empty of  anything upon which to build a philosophy of life.

          & instead of being constructive, IT DESTROYS TRUTH & LEAVES PEOPLE JUST TO CHOOSE ANY THING, WHETHER TRUE OR UNTRUE, RIGHT OR WRONG.    

                   ALSO, DEEP DOWN IN OUR SOULS BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, WE HAVE A SENSE OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH & ABSOLUTE MORALS SO we want others to treat us in keeping with universal IDEAS ABOUT truth and morality.

          Eph. 5:9 SAYS, “9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;”

SO, BACK TO 1 COR 13:5 WHERE WE HEARD AGAPE LOVE  “thinketh no evil;”

     WHEN WE ARE TOLD TO NOT THINK SOMETHING, WHAT IS ELIMINATED MUST BE REPLACED & WE ARE TO REPLACE WHAT NOT TO THINK WITH WHAT TO THINK & I AM BACK AT THE PRACTICE OF POSITIVE Pondering.  WE ARE TO PONDER THE

A.      Truth & THAN AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS,  whatsoever things are honest¼”

 WE ARE TO

          B. Ponder honest things  & don't dwell on dishonest things or dishonest people such as some in business or government OR OTHER PLACES.  THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO WANT TO ALWAYS TELL ME ABOUT THE BEEF THEY HAVE WITH SOME CROOKED AGENCY OR SOME CROOK & THAT IS ALL THEY SEEM TO THINK OR TALK ABOUT.  . 

I THINK THAT THINKING ON HONEST T

HINGS ALSO INCLUDES things that are honorable & Excludes THE Dishonorable. 

WE ARE TO PONDER THINGS worthy of respect & NOT PAY RESPECT TO DISRESPECTFUL THINGS. 

          WE ARE TO PONDER C.  PHIL 4:8. “whatsoever things are just,…”

             Just things INCLUDES THINGS SUCH AS GOD’S JUSTICE, GOD’S Righteous One & Righteousness.  In the Bible, sometimes 'just' is a synonym for right.  Let us think about and promote THAT WHICH IS 'right', RIGHTEOUS, & JUST. 

         

WE ARE TO PONDER D.  Pure things AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, “…Whatsoever things are pure,” - impurity must be purged from our thoughts because the impure filth of the world constantly bombards our senses with pollutants - Reject impurities by guarding what you see & hear.  Think on clean things & don't indulge in dirt & filthiness[PORN Movies, BOOKS, MAGS] .

 WE ARE TO PONDER OR THINK ON AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, :  whatsoever things are lovely,”

H.     Lovely things - things of beauty as opposed to ugliness & distortion & perversion.  Ponder the pleasing & pleasant, don't dwell on unpleasant things.

I.          

J.        "Slasher videos" { this example, may not need to be mentioned since the mere mention may detract from the sermon, & bring up ugly thoughts.} 

          & AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, PONDER OR THINK ON WHATsoever things are of good report..

LET’S PONDER & THINK ABOUT F.  Good reports - not bad reports or slander, libel, gossip & lies –

& AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, “if there be any virtue, and

if there be any praise, think on these things.”

 G.  Virtuous things ARE things Holy & Wholesome & THINGS rejecting the vile, foul, depraved & damning influence of base & perverted & depraved things. 

H.      Praise worthy things ARE things worthy of praise and applause.  SO, We must think correctly & guard our minds.

[The following is from Charles Swindoll]

Sow a thought reap an action

Sow an action, reap a habit,

Sow a habit, reap a character,

Sow a character, reap a destiny”

          SO WE ARE TO PROPER PONDERING OR positive thinking in a Biblical way [J. Vernon McGee says this is all contemplation of Christ]

         

NOW BACK TO 1 COR 13: 6 AGAPE LOVE Rejoiceth not in,”

SO FROM Phil. 4:4-8, I’VE PRESENTED PROPER PRAISE, PROPER, PRAYER, PROPER PONDERING, & NOW IN V9, I WANT TO STRESS THAT The Joyful Christian Life at Its Best Can Overcome the problems of life by Proper practice.  Philippians 4:9, “9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” [James 1:22] In the book of Philippians, CH 4 so far, HAS TOLD US TO Practice Unity & Harmony, practice rejoicing in the Lord, practice prayer, practice positive thinking, & ACTUALLY IT APPEARS WE ARE BEING TOLD TO practice everything Paul preached & everything The Bible TELLS us TO DO.

 James 1:22 TELLS US TO “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Our life should be a living object lesson -- Christians need to practice what they preach & the best testimony is both practice with the life & proclamation with the lip.  (E.g., practice this for worry & depression  Stop - Phil. 4:4-9.) 

[a good place to stop]

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Phil. 4:10

V.  A Proper Perspective about A Proper Providence -- helps us overcome & live the joyful & thankful life. 

The joyful Christian life at its best Rejoices & Thanks God for the Proper Providential Provisions of Life.  Simply stated Providence means that God cares for His creatures & His creation in His own way (Matt. 6:33 & Phil. 4:19).

He provides:

Phil. 4:10  A.  Shekels (v.18)  - God will provide what he thinks we need not necessary what we want - don't blame him for our own mismanagement should that be the case. 

4:11           B.  Satisfaction - Only God can grant us the grace to be satisfied in this unequal & unjust world of woe.  Maybe some of you need to pray for God to help you be satisfied with His will, See, too often people compare themselves with others & become discontent, possibly jealous & envious. 

[a place to stop and restate] 

See. God says we are not to compare ourselves with others, humans, either spiritually, materially, mentally, physically or emotionally. When we do --- it can lead to jealousy, ency, hatred, strife, discouragement, bitterness, depression & discontentment --- 2 Cor. 10:12  It is univus?? to compare ourselves among ourselves --- God wants us to be content (1 Tim. 6:6-8).

A discontented & ungrateful Spirit grieves the heart of God & depresses & discourages the hearts of humans.  We need to act life the Optomistic Pilgrim who upon hearing a dismayed & disheartening Report about the needs of the Puritan community reminded his pilgrim friend to yet enjoy and thank God for what they did have and not to become overly concerned with what they did not have.  Evidently, contentment must be learned since it does not appear to be an unnate or inherent characteristic of human nature. 

If we have been griping against God or to God

[the following is a paraphased {by JRP} quote]

and bemoaning our terrible conditions, the following suggestions will help us conquer an attitude of discontent,

          1.  Let us constantly review our blessings every day and give thannksgiving and praise to God for all of His benefits.  Look for small manifestations of God's power as well as the large blessings. 

          2.  Give instead of collecting things.  Get in the habit of giving part of all you get. 

          3.  Do not compare yourself with those you consider to have things better than you do --, but instead make your comparisons to those less fortunate, the hungery, the homeless, the destitute, derelut.

          4.  Let us concentrate on the spiritual, family, and love benefits that we have rather than on the  material, mental, or physical benefits which you may feel you lack. 

          5.  Let us learn how to praise the Lord seven times a day as David did (Psalm 119:164).  Here he was persecuted (verse 161), and yet he rejoiced in the Word of God and knew how to give thanksgiving and praise to God. 

          As we consider these helps in our study of The Word of God, we begin to see the real benefits that God gives us, and love, hope, and faith begin to be manifested in our life [or lives].  The reality of the thanksgiving and praise attitude begins to develop, and the peace of God will flood your soul (Philippians 4:6,7).      [end of article]

Proper Providence helps us overcome by supplying -

4:12   III. Security

Remember -- much so-called security in this world is an illusion.  We don't know absolutely how secure our future, our finances, our health or any such thing is.  Ultimately the bottom line is this -- Real security is only in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many things on which people base security here can be lost - the depression is a good example.  Employment, etc. - Retirement, Earthly possessions, positions & prosperty are not abiding & can be lost. 

But Christ can soothe the saint in poverty - this is against that prosperity truth - (the great apostle "Abased!")

* Christ can shower the Saint with Plenty -- if He wants to.

One secret is to avoid trusting in security in this world's things & be satisfied with whatever Christ gives (or withholds).

God forbid - but some of us may need a little struggle & trial to conform ourselves to the image of Christ to develop as God desires.

The joyful Christian life at its best can be lived in spite of problems -

by proper Praise-

"        "        Perspective

"        "        Prayer

"        "        Pondering

"        "        Practicing & last time I

looked at a Proper Perception about God's Providential Provisions -

God can provide

     shekels

     satisfaction

     security

          Strength & later if not today we'll pick up with sustenance in  v.19.

          The Lord Jesus Christ provides [IV]. STRENGTH: PHIL.4:13,  [PUT IN

passage by Spurgeon   p.916 ON P 11B]

               Isa. 41:10  I will strengthen thee.

WHEN called to serve or suffer, we take stock of our strength, and we find it to be less than we thought, and less than we need.  But let not our heart sink within us while we have such a word as this to fall back upon, for it guarantees us all that we can possibly need.  God has strength omnipotent; that strength He can communicate to us; and His promise is that He sill do so.  He will be the food of our souls, and the health of our hearts; and thus He will give us strength.  There is no telling how much power God can put into a man.  Whren divine strength comes, human weakness is no more a hindrance. 

          Do we not remember seasons of labor and trial in which we received such special strength that we wondered at ourselves?  In the midst of danger we were calm, under bereavement we were resigned, in slander we were self-contained, and in sickness we were patient.  The fact is, that God gives unexpected strength when ususal trials come upon us.  We rise out of our feeble selves.  Cowards play the man, foolish ones have wisdom given them, and the silent receive in the self-same hour what they shall speak.  My own weakness makes me shrink, but God's promise makes me brave.  Lord, strengthen me "according to they word."  C. H. Spurgeon

4:13   IV.  Strength

The Lord Jesus Christ grants the gracious strength to do what He demands.  He gives the resources for His requirements.  No task is too much for the Divine Taskmaster:  He will help us through or deliver us from (1 Cor. 10:13).

This doesn't mean you can go jump over your house or go lift up this building or grow new limbs - but in context it means you can do by God's grace & only by God's grace - whatever God's will for your life includes or permits.

The Christian can handle anything that hapens because of God's strength - Also, because of God's providential provisions -- (See Spurgeon & Isa. 41:10).

Phil. 4  v.13 cont. 

This might mean taking risks.  The Joyful Christian life at its best can take risks resting on the promises of God.  I don't mean being risky as in a poor business investment, but I mean risking worldly security, safety, comfort, etc. for Christ & my risk may not be yours & your risk may not be mine. 

And remember our sufficiency is from the Lord Jesus Christ - our God  2 Cor. 3:5 & 12:9.

[The??] Jesus Christ Provides

4:14   V.  Substance - contributions v.12 people

The word for communicate means to share with & they shared their substance with Paul by way of contribution -

4:15-18   VI.  Support - This church helped support Paul as a missionary.  Is God calling you to be a missionary?  Is God calling you to be a missionary or some other aspect of fulltime service - He'll provide the support _____means - God's genuine call is accompanied by genuine enablement.

v.17&18  Our contributions to the Lord's work, His legitimate ministers & ministries, puts fruit on our account.  Some oof the best return on your money - is investing it in God's Work. 

The Joyful Christian life at its Best

Realizes God's Providential Provisions & Remembers to Thank, Praise & Bless God.  So far in Chapter 4 we have seen God providentially provide

1.  Sheckels

2.  Satisfaction

3.  Security

4.  Strength

5.  Substance

6.  Support

& today we pick up with 7. Sustenance

4:19  VII.  Sustenance - That is what it takes to sustain needs - not greeds.  Some say this verse has some conditions.  Of course,

#1  It is for Christians only -- those who are declared right by God because of their acceptance of God the Son as their payment for sin &

#2  Some say this verse is a promise to those Christians who do waht the Phillipians did -- help God's work by helping one of His legitimate ministers.  Just because religion has its share of crooks, husksters, [Phil. 4:16] shysters, frauto, 13 quacks, and charlations .. let us not think all minsters are wrong .. but let us discern the right ones ..

The Lord God Almighty providential by provides sustenance - (Phil. 4:19 conditions = Saved & doing what the Phillipians were doing (2 Cor. 8:1-12 & 2 Cor. (:1-8).

          A.  The Source of the Sustenance

           - God the Father  

     B.  The Steward of the Sustenance

           - Christ the Son

          C.  The Scope/Spectrum of the Sustenance

                    - All legitimate needs.

          D.  The Standard of the Sustenance

                     - His riches - not out of His riches - His resources will never be depleted.  Eph. 1:7;2:7

v. 20  Paul gets excited listing how God provides Sheckels, Satisfaction, Security, Strength, Substance, Support, Sustenance & ends on a doxological, praise to God. e.g. Rev. 4:8, 11; 5:13

vv. 20 ff -

phil. 4:21 & 22 Saints= Christians, v. 22

 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [31]

Caesars household = probably soldier's that guarded & not necessarily if to empirial family, but from Imperial household of government workers, slaves, etc.

v. 23 - remember we need mercy - not justice, & God's grace (GRACE) undeserved, unearned, unmertited, free favor - & that should give us all confidence, conviction, & courage to commit ourselves to seeking & doing God's will -- regardless!  of the consequences or circumstances we may surmise of actually encounter. 

Hymn _______  Is Your All On The Alter?

 

 

 & "   practice

IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Cor. 15:51,52 [w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.  1 Thess. 4:16,17

next the mid Trib Angelic Trump

but until then we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings (2 Cor. 5:17-20).  We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  As aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

Now this Hope of the imminent return of Christ to take us home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes up home at our death or by rapture.  He'll change these humiliating bodies like unto His glorified body - This body is a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place.  It is mortal, it is corruptible (1Cor. 15: 53,54).  Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury -- how frail we are (2Cor. 4:14-5:4).  Boise, pp. 256 & 257.    

But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into your life that He can't help you handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD. 

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ our help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). BHebrews 4:15-16, A15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.@

 Sometimes no one or no/thing helps - except Jesus.  Too many people today look to the government for help - I never see government in the Bible given the responsibility or the authority to be The Messiah. 

Some look to family or friendsY"your girl friend may let you down..."

& In Phil 3:21 III.  We need to discern our hope.

Philippians 3:21 is about Christ & says, AY[he] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.@

          SEE, our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture. 

John 14:1-6; ALet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father=s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.@  [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, A51 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.@  [ w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.@ [next the mid Trib Angelic Trump]

          NOW, Until WE GO TO BE WITH LORD,  we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires,  or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings .   2 Corinthians 5:17-20 SAYS, A17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2 COR.5:18 & 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.@

           We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  WE ARE aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

          Now this Hope ABOUT [of the imminent return of Christ to take us] OUR home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes home at our death or by rapture, He=ll change these MORTAL Bodies like unto His glorified body.  SEE, This body WE HAVE NOW IS a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place. 

OUR PRESENT BODY  is mortal, it is corruptible .

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 SAYS, A53 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.@   Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury WHICH TELLS US  how frail we are. 2 Cor. 4:14-5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:4, A14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 COR. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 COR. 5:1, AFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 COR.5: 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.@ Boise, p, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed p. 256 & 257.  But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into our life that He can't help uS handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

IN EPHESIANS 6, I WENT THROUGH V 17, & WE WERE STILL ON THE TOPIC OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE WHEN I LEFT OFF IN EPH 6:18 WHICH SAYS, 6: 8 SAYS WE ARE TO BE A18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;@

   SEE, WITH SPIRITUAL WARFARE ALWAYS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES, WE ARE TO BE Praying ALWAYS-AT LEAST WITH AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER & KEEPING OURSELVES IN A WAY SO GOD IS PLEASED TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

          I SHARED A SPIRITUAL WARFARE PRAYER AS AN

SAMPLE PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN WARRIORS.

ALSO, I WANTED TO REMIND US THAT JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY MEDIATOR!  1 Timothy 2:5 A5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;@

          JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR SELVES TO THE FATHER IS HEAVEN & HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR PRAYERS TO THE FATHER IN HEAVEN.  IN John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  A  THAT IS WHY WE MUST MAKE SURE WE SAVED BY CHRIST & LIVING FOR CHRIST.         

         

Now I want to address a problem we are to overcome which is hinted at in Phil 4:1-2, A1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord."  I think these 2 vv. are speaking to

Disunity & Disharmony.  In the body of Christ, OR IN A LOCAL GROUP OF BELIEVERS OR INA A LOCAL CHURCH, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable.  SOMEONE SAID, AIN ESSTIALS-UNITY,

IN NON-ESSENTIALS-LIBERTY,

IN ALL THINGS-CHARITY, I.E., LOVE@ 

          Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is diveRting & destructive & should be avoided. 

          NOW IN PHIL 4:VV3-7, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OVERCOMING [III].  Depression & Discouragement.  Philippians 4:3-7 SAYS, A3 Philippians 4:3

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.  [32]A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.@  One way Christians can overcome Depression & Discouragement.  Is by I.  Proper Praise.  LISTEN TO V 4 AGAIN, A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.@

          Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many PERCEIVED Problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude. Ps. 119:164,165 SAYS, A164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.@

          I THINK ONE WAY THIS aidS to overcoming our problem is by GIVING US A

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective. Philippians

4:5, ALet your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.@ Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.@

          THE ASV OF PHIL 4:5 SAYS, ALet your forbearance be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.@

          THE NEW AM STANDARD SAYS, A5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.@

          THE NIV SAYS, A5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.@

          SO, Let us be FORBEARING, GENTLE, SWEET & REASONABLE & listen to others= opinions & Disagreements & issues.  THIS doesn=t mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

         

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon.  Remember, PHIL 4:5 SAYS, "the Lord is at hand."  HE COULD COME today-- Before the service is over.  & remember if we need help--The Lord is at hand-- He is near to us always & w/ us & in us as believers. 

          YES, HIS COMING IS AT HAND & HE IS AT HANDCavailable RIGHT now. In that regard B LET US NOT mess AROUND with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait FOR THE LORD=S RETURN."  NO WE NEED TO BE LIVING FOR HIM & WORKING FOR HIM AS WE WAIT FOR HIM.  END OF PHIL 4:5.  

NOW ON TO Phil 4:4-19 WHERE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT how WE can overcome the negativity OF LIFE THAT COMES OUR WAY.

          Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

          SEE THERE ARE Many things THAT can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & rejoice!  [Joyful - with

Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude. Philippians 4:4 SAYs,"

          A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway:

           And again I say, rejoice.@

TO ME, REJOICING IN THE LORD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH Proper Praise.

          SEE, Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE OF GOD

CAN BUT lesser THINGS IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

         

WELL, ANOTHER REASON Believers need to Praise God IS THAT Praise aids us in pleasing God & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity. Heb. 13:15 & 16 SAYS, AYtherefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. A

          We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord. Ps. 119:164,165,

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee

Because of thy righteous judgments. 

Psalm 119:165 AGreat peace have they which

Love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.@

            So, PROPER PRAISE CAN GIVE US A PROPER PERSPECTIVE, which is a weapon in our battle against problems.

WELL, ON TO Philippians 4:5, A Let youR Moderation be known unto all men. 

The Lord is at hand.

     II.  I THINK WE CAN PICK OUT SOME MORE ABOUT A Proper Perspective.

IN V. 5 WHEN IT MENTIONS THE WORD, AModeration.@  MODERATION here means a sweet reasonableness, A mild manneredness, forbearance, and yieldingness.          

Now, never yield to the devil=s deceptions, doctrines or disciples,

but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity--

and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness, A bullheaded &

belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

NOW ON TO Philippians 4:6 WHICH SAYS, A6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.@

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

          AS I HAVE BEEN MENTIONING, Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  I SUGGEST A

Proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.

          I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best AS WE GO ON with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

GOD=S ADMONITION TO US IN PHIL.4:6 SAYS, ABe careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.@

          ONE OF THE MAIN INGREDIENTS OF THE JOYFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE IS PRAYER.  IN PHIL 4, Paul has SAID, Arejoice in the Lord and to be patient,@  he ALSO SAID TO take OUR needs to the Lord. A literal translation V 6 "Be anxious about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication... let your requests be made known unto God"  TO TELL US THAT ONE  ingredient WE must get IN PRACTICED in order to receive God's peace is faithful prayer. Instead of worrying, Paul encourages the Philippians to find peace of heart by turning to God and seeking fellowship with him IN PRAYER.

         

WE ALL NEED A PRAYER SHIELD [ September 12, 2001]

      America Needs Prayer Shield,

[ Observers Say By Charles R. MiVille, Washington, D.C., correspondent ]

      As WE continue to recover from 11 SEP 01's catastrophic terrorist attack, [

on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon], the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., has targeted the United States with prayer.

TH E World Prayer Center Pastor Wesley Tullis talked about his mission during the nation's time of crisis.

      "Right now, even as we're asked to pray at the World Prayer Center, our goal is to coordinate strategic prayer for objectives around the world, for the nations, and to mobilize local churches to pray," Tullis said.

      Mel Winger, director of church relations for the World Prayer Center, said America needs  prayer right now.

      "We need to go back to the great defense of this nation, and that's a life that honors God," Winger said. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PS 33:12 ABlessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;

    Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church, which helped give birth to the Prayer Center, said Christians need to pray for their national leaders, their country and the Church.

      "We need to pray that this process will make America stronger and brighter and freer, and our churches more wonderful than ever before, " Haggard said.

      In the New Life Church sanctuary, Ted Shumaker joined others in the prayer watch.

      "We're calling as a Christian nation upon you, Lord Jesus, to heal our land * to bring us back from our idolatry into your worship, Lord," Shumaker prayed. "We just thank You and we praise You now, Lord."

      Pastor Tullis added that "unless we mobilize the Church of America to be prayer‑based, we're going to continue to see ongoing challenges that aren't met by any wisdom of government alone, or any wisdom of the military."

The word "supplication" has to do with specific needs. Paul doesn't want them to talk with God in general terms like, "Lord help me to be better." He asks them to bring their specific needs and desires to God. Paul may be suggesting that the present disorder is an indication that they need to pray. In any event, he wants their requests "in everything" to be brought to God. There is not a greater need in modern Christianity than a more serious approach to prayer. I realize that statement is strong, but so is the evidence for its proof. We too often pray that the Lord will "bless all that it is our duty to pray for." We ask him to "help us to do what we ought to." I believe that if Euodias had prayed by name for Syntyche, there would have been a dramatic change in their relationship. Surely, if Syntyche would have prayed specifically, "Lord, give me the strength to go see Euodias tomorrow and work out our difficulty," it would have helped. And this is exactly our need. When is the last time you have prayed specifically for your needs? Yes, we rattle off the words we've been saying for twelve years, but that misses the boat. When have we prayed "Lord help me to apologize to Sally," or, "Lord, rid me of the habit of sensitive feelings," or, "Lord, chase that grudge from me," or, "Lord, help me to be more friendly with Frank"? If we really want God's peace, we are going to have to speak our true needs to the Father. In so, doing- we will have his help in dissolving or preventing disturbances. A friend of mine in a college pastorate called on one of his deacons to pray the offertory prayer one Sunday morning and suffered through "Lord, accept the gratitude of our hearts for the table you have set before us. Now, bless the food to the nourishment of our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen." That deacon used the wrong prayer because the real needs of his life and church seldom entered his prayer life. We had better stop criticizing those who read their prayer from paper as long as we read our prayers from antiquity and memory. The prayer should change with the needs of each new day. And let us not neglect the element of thanksgiving in our prayers. ".... with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God,," Paul says (Phil. 4:6). Before prayer can become helpful, it must come from a thankful heart. Paul knows that the thankful heart is seldom disturbed, but is one which enjoys God's peace. It may be significant that Paul begins this recipe with "rejoice" and ends it with "thanksgiving." It begins and ends with a sense of joy. If we would stop each day to pray out of a heart of gratitude for God's incalculable blessings, perhaps we would not be tempted to be cross and impatient. The heart that is thankful is not hateful. The same heart cannot dwell on thankfulness and revenge simultaneously. When you are tempted to be other than your Christian best, hesitate a moment, and begin thanking God for each thing that he has done or meant to you. Then when you are finished, see if that heart torn by conflict hasn't found peace again. Izaak Walton said profoundly, "God has two dwelling places: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart." Let me challenge you to commit you life to joy, patience, and prayer. You will then discover God's peace. It will enrich your church, strengthen your happiness, and help your friends. COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this database is protected by copyright and International Law, and is solely owned by it's authors. The reproduction, or distribution of this product, or any portion of it, without the expressed written authorization from the contributing authors is forbidden. Remember, this database is to inspire the development of new messages to further the kingdom's work.

SO, I HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING THAT to overcome SOME OF our problems WHICH CAN ROB US OF JOY, we NEED TO HAVE 

proper praise

   "   perspective &

A@@@   perception

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

 & "   practice

IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Cor. 15:51,52 [w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.  1 Thess. 4:16,17

next the mid Trib Angelic Trump

but until then we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings (2 Cor. 5:17-20).  We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  As aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

Now this Hope of the imminent return of Christ to take us home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes up home at our death or by rapture.  He'll change these humiliating bodies like unto His glorified body - This body is a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place.  It is mortal, it is corruptible (1Cor. 15: 53,54).  Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury -- how frail we are (2Cor. 4:14-5:4).  Boise, pp. 256 & 257.     

But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into your life that He can't help you handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD. 

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ our help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). BHebrews 4:15-16, A15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.@

 Sometimes no one or no/thing helps - except Jesus.  Too many people today look to the government for help - I never see government in the Bible given the responsibility or the authority to be The Messiah. 

Some look to family or friendsY"your girl friend may let you down..."

& In Phil 3:21 III.  We need to discern our hope.

Philippians 3:21 is about Christ & says, AY[he] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.@

          SEE, our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture. 

John 14:1-6; ALet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father=s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.@  [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, A51 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.@  [ w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.@ [next the mid Trib Angelic Trump]

          NOW, Until WE GO TO BE WITH LORD,  we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires,  or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings .   2 Corinthians 5:17-20 SAYS, A17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2 COR.5:18 & 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.@

           We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  WE ARE aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

          Now this Hope ABOUT [of the imminent return of Christ to take us] OUR home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes home at our death or by rapture, He=ll change these MORTAL Bodies like unto His glorified body.  SEE, This body WE HAVE NOW IS a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place. 

OUR PRESENT BODY  is mortal, it is corruptible .

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 SAYS, A53 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.@   Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury WHICH TELLS US  how frail we are. 2 Cor. 4:14-5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:4, A14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 COR. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 COR. 5:1, AFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 COR.5: 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.@ Boise, p, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed p. 256 & 257.  But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into our life that He can't help uS handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

VENGENCE [is] mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord."

          THE AGAPE LOVE THE HUSBAND IS CALLED TO EXHIBIT “Beareth all things."  (1 COR. 13:70.  THE HUSBAND IS TO BEAR THINGS TO PROTECT THE WIFE. THE WORD "BEARETH" ACTUALLY MEANS A TYPE OF ROOFING THAT PROTECTED THE INHABITANTS.  THIS IDEA GOES ALONG WITH 1 PET. 4:8, " And above all things have fervent charity [AGAPE LOVE] among yourselves: for charity [AGAPE LOVE] shall cover the multitude of sins." 

22

AGAPE LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS & DOES NOT UNNECESSARILY EXPOSE THE SINNING ONE TO SHAME, RIDICULE, OR HARM.  PROV.17:9, " He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;…"

 SO, THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR AGAPE LOVE USUALLY COVERS ALL THINGS, AND, AS 1 COR. 13:7 SAYS, “believeth all things."  The husband is not to be PARANOID, OVERLY SUSPICIOUS, JUDGMENTAL, OR CRITICAL, and is to be Believing THE BEST ABOUT the wife—trusting HER.  I AM NOT SUGGESTING THROWING OUT reality, BUT rather to GIVE THE wife the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.  I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT BEING GULLIBLE, THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST THAT--BUT I AM SUGGESTING that agape LOVE HELPS US HAVE A DEGREE OF TRUST IN OUR WIFE -- ESPECIALLY A CHRISTIAN WIFE.

THERE IS A DEGREE OF TRUTH IN TRYING TO FOLLOW AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE IN ASSUMING ONE INNOCENT ‘TIL PROVEN GUILTY.  WE SHOULD ACTUALLY HOPE FOR THE BEST AS 1 COR. 13:7 SAYS, AGAPE LOVE hopeth all things."  THE HUSBAND IS RESPONSIBLE TO HOPE & PRAY FOR THE BEST AND LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THINGS.

AGAPE LOVE, THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY,  WILL HOLD ON TO HOPE AND NOT BECOME HOPELESS FOR AGAPE LOVE "ENDURETH ALL THINGS"

          THE HUSBAND IS RESONSIBLE TO  PERSEVERE EVEN WHEN THINGS LOOK OR FEEL HOPELESS.  AGAPE LOVE HOLDS UP EVEN WHEN THE ODDS SEEM TO BE INSURMOUNTABLE BECAUSE WITH CHRIST, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE REASONABLE! 

HUSBANDS ARE TO PERSEVERE IN THE LOVE OF GOD AS 2 COR. 5:14 SAYS," For the love

of Christ constraineth us..." 

          SO, HUSBANDS, AS CALLED THE “HEAD OF THE WIFE” IN EPH. 5:23, ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF LOVE.

          IN ADDITION TO 2 COR. 6:14, THIS IS ANOTHER REASON A CHRISTIAN FEMALE NEEDS A CHRISTINA MAN.  NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND OR DO AGAPE LOVE UNTIL THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN THE HEART.  ONLY CHRISTIANS HAVE AGAPE LOVE FOR IT COMES FROM GOD.  ROM. 5:5, "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

          (THE PRIORITY & EVERLASTING PERMANENCE

OF LOVE).

1 COR. 13:8

TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WILL PERPETUALLY SURVIVE AND OUTLAST ALL THE TEMPORARY & TEMPORAL GIFTS, GRACES, & VIRTUES.

THE APOSTLE CONTINUES ON ABOUT THE ENDURING NATURE OF LOVE & ITS SUPERIORITY WHEN COMPARED TO THE TEMPORARY GIFTS, GRACES, & VIRTUES. 

1 COR. 13:13

FOR OUR PRESENT DAY & AGE IN THE MIDST OF A TIME WHEN TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING & LONGING FOR A SPECTACULAR SHOW BOAR RELIGION MORE AKIN TO A SIDE SHOW OR CIRCUS THEN A CHURCH, LET US BE CHALLENGED TO THE 3 PRESENTLY ABIDING ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY.

THE 3 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY ARE FAITH , HOPE, & LOVE.

- W/O TRUE FAITH ONE CAN NOT BE A CHRISTIAN TO BEGIN W/  JOHN 3:16; 6:47; ACTS 10:43; 16:31; EPH. 2:8 & 9,

SO TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH IS AN ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF TRUE BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY. 

-W/O HOPE, EVEN THE CHRISTIAN ___ CAN GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE WORLD'S SLOUGH OF DESPONDENCY & DESPAIR.  TRUE BIBLICAL HOPE IS NOT JUST POSITIVE OR WISHFUL THINKING.  TRUE BIBLICAL HOPE CLINGS TO THE GUARANTEE THAT SOMETHING BETTER IS COMING FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN (1 PET. 1:3 & 4).  FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS -- NOTHING IS HOPELESS. 

1 COR. 13:13

NOW THE GREATEST OF THESE 3 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS LOVE:

1.  YOU COULD NOT BECOME A TRUE CHRISTIAN W/O LOVE -- THE LOVE OF GOD.  ___ ETERNAL LOVE OF THE ETERNAL GOD WAS MOST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED ON CALVARY'S CROSS (ROM. 5:8).

2.  AND WHEN WE RECEIVE THE TRUE GOD'S LOVE GIFT - THE SACRIFICIAL SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THEN HIS LOVE IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS (ROM. 5:5).  WHOSE HEART?  (ROM. 1:6 & 7).  WE ARE WE ARE EITHER SAINTS OR AINTS.  PARDON THE GRAMMAR - BUT IT MAKES THE POINT.  WE ARE EITHER A SAINT OR WE AIN'T (ROMANS 8:8 & 9). 

SAINTS, THOSE TRULY IN CHRIST, WE Are still ABLE TO QUENCH & GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT & BE UNLOVING - BUT I SUGGEST

LOVE IS

 THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE,

THE GREATEST COMMAND OF GOD, AND

SOME SUGGEST

THE GREATEST ATTRIBUTE OF GOD FOR GOD IS LOVE ( 1 JOHN 4:8).

          I THINK one question we can ask OUR SELVES OCCASIONALLY IS ?WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION.  ? WHAT MOTIVATES US OR MOVES US? 

          I FEEL THAT IS WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH PAUL IS GETTING AT 1 Corinthians 13:1, :”Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become

as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

-WHAT IS MY MOTIVATION?

IN MOTIVATION.  """""2D  """"""""""""""""""""""""

JUST AS LOVE IS CONFUSED IN OUR TIME, IT WAS CONFUSED IT PAUL'S TIME ALSO.

? WHAT IS OUR MOTIVIATION?  ? WHY DO WE DO THE THINGS WE DO?  ESPECIALLY SO-CALLED RELIGIOUS THINGS OR SPIRITUAL THINGS.

DO WE DO WHAT WE DO TO IMPRESS SOMEONE, SHOW OFF, OR LOVE GOD & HIS CREATURES?

13:1

I THINK PAUL IS SAYING THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S GIFTS, ELOQUENCE, RHETORICAL & ORATORICAL SKILLS, ETC., IF THEIR MOTIVATION S NOT OUT OF LOVING SERVICE TO THE TRUE GOD & THE CREATURES OF GOD, THEN THEIR ELOQUENCE IS LIKE BANGING ON POTS & PANS -- JUST NOISE!

SO, LET'S MAKE SURE OUR MOTIVATION FOR USING GOD'S GIFTS IS RIGHT, THEN LET US GO ON & SERVE HIM, MAKING SURE WE ARE PROGRESSING IN HOLINESS & MAKING SURE 1ST OF ALL THAT WE ARE REALLY SAVED! 

13:2

I THINK PAUL IS SAYING THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S GIFT OF RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE FROM GOD, IF WE ARE NOT MOTIVATED BY LOVING SERVICE TO GOD & THE CREATURES OF GOD, IT'S VALUE IS DIMINISHED. 

PAUL IS SAYING THAT THIS{?} HE UNDERSTOOD, THE MYSTERIES OF GOD & WISELY APPLIED GODLY INFORMATION -- THAT IF IT WERE NOT DONE TO LOVINGLY SERVE GOD & HIS CREATURES, IT'S VALUE IS GREATLY DIMINISHED.

PAUL IS SAYING THAT EVEN IF ONE HAD SO MUCH FAITH THAT HE COULD TURN MOUNTAINS INTO MOLEHILLS AS IT WERE, IF THAT FAITH IS NOT MOTIVATED BY A LOVING DESIRE TO SERVE GOD & HIS CREATURES, ITS VALUE IS 0, EMPTY, IN VAIN.  W/O TRUE LOVE AS THE MOTIVATION, THE SO-CALLED FAITH HERO OR GIANT IN THE FAITH IS A ZERO -- A NOBODY.  SOME OF THE SO-CALLED FAITH MINISTRIES REMIND ME MORE OF A CIRCUS THAT A WORSHIP SERVICE. 

13:3

THE APOSTLE PAUL IS SAYING THAT THE GREATEST PHILANTHROPY OR CHARITABLE GIVING W/O THE REAL MOTIVATION OF LOVE TO GOD & HIS CREATURES IS OF NO REAL SPIRITUAL PROFIT.  I IMAGINE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BRAG ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY GIVE OR GAVE.  GOD CHECKS MOTIVES.  REMEMBER THE WIDOW'S MITES?  (MARK 12:41-44).        

* THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GIVE TO SOOTH THEIR CONSCIENCE OR TO TRY TO BUY THEIR WAY INTO GOD'S GOOD GRACES!

1 COR. 13:4 cont.

EVEN IF ONE WERE TO GIVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF ONE'S OWN LIFE, IF IT WERE NOT DONE OUT OF LOVING MOTIVATION TO GOD & HIS CREATURES IT HAS NO REAL SPIRITUAL PROFIT.

e.g.  I TALKED W/ AN AIRBORNE PARAMEDIC ONCE & HE TOLD ME ...

I HOPE WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN SAY WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID ABOUT DOING SO-CALLED SPIRITUAL THINGS OR RELIGIOUS THINGS (2 COR. 5:14).

`        SO FAR WE'VE LOOKED AT THE MOTIVIATION OF LOVE NOW IN vv. 4 & ff. WE HAVE WHAT I'VE CALLED

"SELF INSPECTION CHECKLIST TO EXAMINE OUR LEVEL?? OF LOVE IN ACTION."

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

          Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE?

We ARE TO reciprocate His love, and yet He doesn’t coerce us into loving Him back… or EVEN acknowledging His presence.

God owns everything… even our hearts. The concession He gave is free will to return to the intimate relationship that each one of us is called to with Him.

PART OF THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS THAT AS long as WE ARE REBELLING AGAINST GOD,  there is no way We can ever imagine how satisfying such an intimate relationship with OUR LOVING LORD can be.

So, it boils down to His grace that people actually receive Him into their lives. Ironic… but as I looked at my own life… I wouldn’t have realised this on the day I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. But now… I really can see how that was very much His act of GOD’S grace entirely.

IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT LOVES SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND, VERSE 4 GOES ON TO REMIND US THAT LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

3.   "Charity envieth not." ? ARE WE ENVIOUS & JEALOUS?  IF WE ARE JEALOUS, ENVIOUS, & BEGRUDGING OTHERS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SUCCESSES, POSSESSIONS, POSITIONS, OR ANYTHING -- THEN THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS LACKING.

          IF WE GLOAT OVER ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNES, FAILURES, TRAGEDIES, & DISAPPOINTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY DISPLAYING JEALOUSY, COVETOUSNESS, ENVY, & A LACK OF LOVE.

 - TO WHOM IS GLORY & HONOR FOREVER. 

          WELL, ON TO 1 JOHN 5:4-13 TALKING ABOUT "FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON."  [14 OCT 84 PM  FAITH, FAIRVIEW]

  [MAY 87  1000 MVF CHAPEL  SUN AM]

          MY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND UPON THIS THEME IN THIS CONTEXT AND TRUST THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY IT TO OUR HEARTS & HEADS THAT WE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MAY MATURE IN IT & PRESENT IT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE FAITH, OR NEED TO GROW IN IT UNTO MATURITY. 

1 JOHN 5:4-13 TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:4,5,  1.  ...IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE WORLD.  JESUS SAID THE WORLD WOULD GIVE US TROUBLE.  JOHN 16:33,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

          SEE, FAITH IS THE VICTORY!  IT IS A SPIRITUAL FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, NOT A CARNAL FITE!  WE ARE NOT TO FITE IN OR BY OR EVEN WITH THE FLESH IN THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  2 Corinthians 10:3_5, "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,

and every high thing that exalteth

itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every

thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Corinthians 10)

FAITH IS ONE OF OUR WEAPONS & OUR SHIELD. CF EPH. 6:10- 18, "10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  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]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph.6). 

FAITH IS NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHATEVER GOD SAYS IS TRUE, IT IS ACTING ON THOSE FACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE.  IN THIS CASE FAITH NAMES & CLAIMS THE VICTORY. 

            v. 5., "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  FROM V5 WE COULD SAY THAT WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD OR WORLDLINESS REIGNS SUPREME OR IS THE VICTOR FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THERE MAY BE MORE THAN AN INDICATION OF CARNALITY - IT MAY BE AN INDICATION OF LOSTNESS.  FOR UNLESS ONE BELIEVES & RECEIVES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION - THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS, ITS INTENTIONS - AND ITS PRINCE HAS POWER OVER THE LOST SOUL. 

            LET ME PUT THAT ANOTHER WAY.  UNLESS WE HAVE A TRUST THAT OBEYS GOD'S WORD, THEN THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS - ITS INTENTIONS - & ITS PRINCE - CAN HAVE POWER OVER EVEN OUR CHRISTIAN SOUL!, AT LEAST ON A MOMENTARY BASIS.

                        NOW, TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS AS GOD THE SON, 1 JN. 5:6,  II.  ...IS VIOLENTLY, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HERESY. "This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6 PROBABLY REFERS TO THE THE CERENTHIAN GNOSTIC HERESY, A POPULAR HERESY PROMOTED BY CERENTHUS TO WHICH JOHN'S CONTEMPORARIES WERE EXPOSED.  CERRNTHUS  PORTRAYED JESUS AS A MERE MAN ON WHOM 'THE CHRIST' HAD COME WHEN JESUS WAS WATER BAPTIZED & THEN CLAIMED THE CHRIST SPIRIT LEFT THE MAN JESUS ON THE CROSS SO THAT HE DIED LIKE ANY OTHER MERE MAN - INSTEAD OF AS GOD IN THE FLESH BEING A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR A FALLEN RACE. 

            SEE, IF CHRIST HAD DIED AS A MERE MAN, HIS DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE INFINITE VALUE NEEDED TO PAY THE PENALYY FOR SIN AGAINST AN INFINITLEY HOLY & INFINITE GOD.

            SEE, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN.  GOD WAS BORN AS A MAN - HE WAS BORN THRU WATER & BLOOD, HE WAS ALREADY GOD THE SON AT HIS WATER BAPTISM, I.e. THE HOLY SPIRIRT DID NOT DEIFY CHRIST AT HIS WATER BAPTISM.  THE THE GOD-MAN DIED AS A MAN & ISSUED FORTH WATER & BLOOD.  (JOHN 19:33-36, "33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35  And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." 

 & IF WE'RE SAVED ITS THRU THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (TITUS 3:5). W/ THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLYING THE WATER OF THE WORD & THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE GOD MAN TO US. 

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON 1 JOHN 5: 7-10,   III.  ...IS VALIDATED/VERIFIED BY TESTIMONY

1 JOHN 5:7   A.  THE HEAVENLY TESTIMONY. 

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."-

JOHN 1:1-3, "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:14;"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  

                 DUET. 19:19, JOHN 8:17 & 18  - STILL I THINK WITNESSING TO HIS PERSON AS TRUE GOD/TRUE MAN.

1 JOHN 5:8   B.  THE EARTHLY TESTIMONY -

TO HIS PERSON AS GOD IN THE FLESH.

I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN WITH 1 JOHN ch. 5.  I LEFT 1 JOHN FOR A WHILE TO SEE THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LAST WORDS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS & THEN I DID A FEW LENTEN TYPE MESSAGES & LAST SUNDAY WAS RESURRECTION SUNDAY -

LORD WILLING , I WANT TO FINISH 1 JOHN ch. 5 SOMETIME SOON.

THE LAST TIMEN I WAS IN 1 JOHN, I HAD LOOKED AT vv. 7-10 AND SAW THAT TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE SAVIOR IS VALIDATED OR VERIFIFED BY

HEAVENLY TESTIMONY -

HUMAN TESTIMONY

  THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD &

[noW IN

v. 10??]   

  THE SUBJECTIVE, INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD OR

THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

            TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:7-10  cont.,  iii.  ...IS VALIDATED BY TESTIMONY VERIFIED

1 JOHN 5:9a,  C.  THE HUMAN TESTIMONY

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE OR TRUST, OR PLACE FAITH IN SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PILOTS, COOKS, BOOKS, NEWPAPERS, DRIVERS - WHY NOT TRUST GOD & HIS WORD?  

            MEN CAN BE DECEIVED OR DECEIVE, GOD CAN'T.  MAN'S TESTIMONY IS FINITE & LIMITED IN POWERS OF OBSERVATIONS & RECALL,

GOD'S IS NOT!

WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF HUMAN TESTIMONY, WE CAN ONLY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN & ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF DIVINE TESTIMONY & THAT WHICH IS RECORDED AS THE RECORD IN THIS BOOK!

1 JOHN 5:10a.  E.  THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY.

THE BELIEVER HAS AN INTERNAL WITNESS (ROM. 8:16 & COL. 4:6).  THIS INTERNAL WITNESS DOES NOT DENY THE FACT THAT THERE IS VALID EXTERNAL EVIDENCE - BUT IT IS ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CAN CAUSE ONE TO INTERNALIZE THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE (MATT. 16:16-18).

OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL EVIDENCE IS USELESS FOR SALVATION UNLESS IT BECOMES AN INTERNAL SUBJECTUVE CONVICTION ... MUST BE IN THE HEART & NOT JUST THE HEAD (JAMES 2:19) ... AND ONE CAN'T HAVE THE INTERNAL SUBJECTIVE CONVICTION UNTIL THE OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED & THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL IVIDENCE CAN'T BE ACEPTED UNLESS THERE IS THE INTERNAL, SUBJECTIVE, CONVICTION, i.e. THE HOLY SPIRIT & HIS WORD & ANOTHER THEOLOGICAL ANTINOMY OR PARADOX. 

[READ 1 JOHN 5:12] 

            F.  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR

            IV.  IS VOWED TO INSURE ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

THIS PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS TH THOSE TRUSTING CHRIST - NOT IN CHURCHIANITY OR RELIGIOSITY OR IN A CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE, A DENOMINATIONAL RITUAL OR RITE.  [SEE MESSAGE ON GOOD WORKS.]

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SUN, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

v. 12  NO CHRIST = NO ETERNAL LIFE.  ONE CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION, AND A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & STILL NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION & A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & NOT HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

            THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFEBOAT - HE'S THE LIFELINE.  ?ARE YOU TRUSTING HIM ONLY FOR SALVATION & IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOTHING CAN SHAKE YOUR FAITH IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE??  ?IF NOT - THEN YOUR FAITH IS SHAKEY!  "ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND -- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"

LET'S FORGET ABOUT CHRISTIANITY & RELIGIOSITY & PREACH CHRIST ?DO YOU HAVE CHRIST?  IF YOU HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR - YOU HAVE AN ASSURED SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNA INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

           

            ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGHT THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES.  THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.  AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS.  THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON:  THE FATHER (JOHN 10:27,[OR-]29, [17:1ff;] ROMANS 8:31, 38, 39; EPH. 1:3-7; JUDE 24 &25), THE SON KEEPS TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,]  ROM. 8:34, 2 TIM. 1:10-12, HEB. 7:25, 1 JOHN 2:1?) AND HOLY SPIRIT WHO REGENERATES (JOHN 3:3, TITUS 3:5), INDWELLS

(1 COR. 6:19), BAPTIZES (1 COR. 12:13), SEALS (2 COR. 1:22, EPH. 1:13) AND IS THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST (EPH. 1:14, 2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENET EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CLIMAX OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

            THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & LIKE CHRIST -- NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, INNORTAL BODY.  [SOME,]  HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THAT ENDS IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13   V.  SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  VOID - NULL & VOID &

VIOLATED

THE LAST CLAUSE ID DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THEGREEK, BUT I THIND IT MEANS THE "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF, MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST). [?end quote?] 

THIS CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT ASSURES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS SAVIOR .. [CONVERSELY (JOHN 3:36)]

[LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN -

TURN TO HYMN 58 - "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"]

SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[the next passage is from newpaper print]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            [THE ___________] JOHN IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IMPRISONED; AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE.  [NOW THERE ARE SOME RESULTS FROM DOUBT.]

***      ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.  

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

     

LE SEEM TO BE FEARFUL OF ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  

            [4]

[4] ACT 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1CO 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. EPH 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

GOD “takes away the HARD heart of stone, and gives AN heart of flesh;[5]

[5] EZE 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

GOD “renewS the FALLEN will, and, by His almighty power, determines & DIRECTS them to that which is good,[6]

[6] EZE 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. PHI 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. DEU 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. EZE 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

GOD “effectually draws To Jesus Christ:[7]

[7] EPH 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

JOH 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. “

God DOES THIS IN SUCH A WAY THAT PEOPLE come  freely, being made willing by His grace.[8]

[8] PSA 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,…”

JOH 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

ROM 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

II. GOD’S effectual call is of HIS free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man,[9]

2TI 1:9 IS ABOUT GOD “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

 TIT 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

EPH 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). 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.

ROM 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

THIS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND BUT IT IS AS IF HUMANS, “…ARE passive until quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,[10]

[10] 1CO 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. EPH 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”

 GOD enables PEOPLE to answer His call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.[11]

 [11] JOH 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

EZE 36:37 Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING, IT IS LIKE JOH 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

SO IN REVIEW, CHAP X “OF EFFECTUAL CALLING,” THE WESTMINSTER CATHECHISM.

I. ALL THOSE WHOM GOD HATH PREDESTINATED UNTO LIFE, AND THOSE ONLY, HE IS PLEASED, IN HIS APPOINTED AND ACCEPTED TIME, EFFECTUALLY TO CALL, BY HIS WORD AND SPIRIT, OUT OF THAT STATE OF SIN AND DEATH IN WHICH THEY ARE BY NATURE, TO GRACE AND SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST: ENLIGHTENING THEIR MINDS, SPIRITUALLY AND SAVINGLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS OF GOD, TAKING AWAY THEIR HEART OF STONE, AND GIVING UNTO THEM AN HEART OF FLESH; RENEWING THEIR WILLS, AND BY HIS ALMIGHTY POWER DETERMINING THEM TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND EFFECTUALLY DRAWING THEM TO JESUS CHRIST; YET SO AS THEY COME MOST FREELY, BEING MADE WILLING BY HIS GRACE.

II. THIS EFFECTUAL CALL IS OF GOD'S FREE AND SPECIAL GRACE ALONE, NOT FROM ANY THING AT ALL FORESEEN IN MAN, WHO IS ALTOGETHER PASSIVE THEREIN, UNTIL, BEING QUICKENED AND RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS THEREBY ENABLED TO ANSWER THIS CALL, AND TO EMBRACE THE GRACE OFFERED AND CONVEYED IN IT.

 

SO, I SEE, A PAST WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SALVATION, & I SEE A PRESENT WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR BELIEVERS AS AN AREA OF REVEALED TRUTH THAT COULD SUPPORT THE BELIEVER’S SECURITY ALL BY ITSELF. IN EPH. 1:13–14 THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED AS A SEAL SIGNIFYING THAT OUR DESTINATION IS HEAVEN AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. & TO BREAK AS IT WERE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S SEAL, I THINK IS IMPOSSIBLE.  Ephesians 1:13 & 14 SAYS ABOUT CHRIST  (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, vyou were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:14 (NKJV),who 4is the 5guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of ythe purchased possession, zto the praise of His glory. Eph 4:(NKJV)30 And ldo not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST IS DESCRIBED IN BOTH HEB. 7:25 AND ROM. 8:34.

          IT IS ESPECIALLY CLEAR IN THE FIRST PASSAGE THAT HE IS PRESENTLY ACTIVE TO BRING BEFORE THE FATHER HIS PERFECT COMPLETED WORK AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ELECT. HIS INTERCESSION WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF IT DIDN’T KEEP ITS OBJECTS WITH GOD; IT COULD BE SAID THAT CHRIST FAILED. THREE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT PASSAGES THAT TEACH SECURITY FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS ARE

ROM. 5:1–11, WHERE PAUL UNDERSCORES THE FACT THAT TRIALS CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM GOD; ROM. 8:28–39, WHERE GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE AND THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN THE CHAIN (SEE ABOVE IN THIS CHAPTER ON ELECTION) GUARANTEE THAT WE CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM CHRIST (V. 39);

JN. 10:28–29, WHERE THE FATHER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHEEP, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED (V. 15), TO BE LOST. THE READER SHOULD NOTICE THAT IN THIS PARAGRAPH WE HAVE INCLUDED ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY AS ACTIVE IN KEEPING THE BELIEVER SECURE. ONCE AGAIN, IF A BELIEVER WERE TO BE LOST, THEN THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT THE BIBLE PROMISES THEY WILL DO.

   SPACE DOES NOT PERMIT A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ALL THE PASSAGES THAT ARE ADDUCED IN SUPPORT OF “INSECURITY.” HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT GOD WILL NOT FAIL TO BRING THE ELECT INTO HIS PRESENCE, THE BIBLE STUDENT IS OBLIGATED TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF SUCH SCRIPTURES. FOR EXAMPLE, IN CONTEXT, 1 COR. 9:27 REFERS NOT TO LOSS OF SALVATION, BUT TO FAILING TO GAIN REWARD FOR SERVICE. JOHN 15:1–8, OFTEN USED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD TO SECURITY, IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FRUIT BEARING AND FELLOWSHIP, NOT SALVATION.

SOME WHO HOLD THAT VIEW USE HEB. 6:4–6.  HOWEVER, AS WITH ALL BIBLE INTERPRETATION, A VERSE MUST BE TAKEN IN IT’S CONTEXT OF THE CHAPTER, & THEN THE BOOK IT IS IN, & THE COVENANT IT BELONGS TO.  I SUGGEST THAT WE SEE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE BOOK OF HEBREWS, A REFERENCE TO APPARENT BUT NOT REAL BELIEVERS ARE GIVING UP THE  PRETENSE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST AND ARE TURNING BACK TO EITHER THEIR OWN RELIGION OR SIMPLY TO THEIR OWN UNGODLINESS OR WAY THAT THEY THINK WOULD MAKE THEM LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS OF THAT DAY. 

HEBREWS 6:4-6, “4FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.”

. IT IS “IMPOSSIBLE” TO BRING THESE APOSTATES BACK EVEN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY (HAVING SOME INTEREST IN SPIRITUAL THINGS), SINCE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEMSELVES TO THE THINGS OF GOD. THIS ADMITTEDLY DIFFICULT PASSAGE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS.

LIFE AS POSSESSORS OF SALVATION: SANCTIFICATION

[33]

STRONG, J. (1996). ENHANCED STRONG'S LEXICON. ONTARIO: WOODSIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

 

4267 [PROGINOSKO /PROG·IN·OCE·KO/] V. FROM 4253 AND 1097; TDNT 1:715; TDNTA 119; GK 4589;

FIVE OCCURRENCES; AV TRANSLATES AS “FOREKNOW” TWICE, “FOREORDAIN” ONCE, “KNOW” ONCE, AND “KNOW BEFORE” ONCE. 1 TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE BEFORE HAND. 2 TO FOREKNOW. 2A OF THOSE WHOM GOD ELECTED TO SALVATION. 3 TO PREDESTINATE.[34]

          SO, THE MULTIFACETED WORKS OF GRACE THAT GOD PERFORMS IN HISTORY TO SECURE FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE, A GREAT COMPANY OF INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER, WITH WHOM HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE CAN BE FULFILLED. AND THE WRITERS INSIST THAT AS GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY IN CONTROL IN BRINGING HIS PLAN TO THE POINT IT HAS REACHED AS THEY WRITE, SO HE WILL CONTINUE IN TOTAL CONTROL, WORKING OUT EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL AND SO COMPLETING HIS REDEMPTIVE PROJECT.

IT IS WITHIN THIS FRAME OF REFERENCE (EPH. 1:9-14; 2:4-10; 3:8-11; 4:11-16) THAT QUESTIONS ABOUT PREDESTINATION BELONG.

   PREDESTINATION IS A WORD OFTEN USED TO SIGNIFY GOD’S FOREORDAINING OF ALL THE EVENTS OF WORLD HISTORY, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND THIS USAGE IS QUITE APPROPRIATE. IN SCRIPTURE AND MAINSTREAM THEOLOGY, HOWEVER, PREDESTINATION MEANS SPECIFICALLY GOD’S DECISION, MADE IN ETERNITY BEFORE THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS EXISTED, REGARDING THE FINAL DESTINY OF INDIVIDUAL SINNERS. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORDS PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION (THE TWO ARE ONE), ONLY OF GOD’S CHOICE OF PARTICULAR SINNERS FOR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE (ROM. 8:29; EPH. 1:4-5, 11). MANY HAVE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO ASCRIBES TO GOD AN ADVANCE DECISION ABOUT THOSE WHO FINALLY ARE NOT SAVED (ROM. 9:6-29; 1 PET. 2:8; JUDE 4), AND SO IT HAS BECOME USUAL IN PROTESTANT THEOLOGY TO DEFINE GOD’S PREDESTINATION AS INCLUDING BOTH HIS DECISION TO SAVE SOME FROM SIN (ELECTION) AND HIS DECISION TO CONDEMN THE REST FOR THEIR SIN (REPROBATION), SIDE BY SIDE.

   TO THE QUESTION, “ON WHAT BASIS DID GOD CHOOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION?” IT IS SOMETIMES REPLIED: ON THE BASIS OF HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE GOSPEL THEY WOULD CHOOSE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. IN THAT REPLY, FOREKNOWLEDGE MEANS PASSIVE FORESIGHT ON GOD’S PART OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO DO, WITHOUT HIS PREDETERMINING THEIR ACTION. BUT

TRUE BELIEVERS ARE BEING MOLDED & MADE MORE LIKE CHRIST. 

          NOW I KNOW THAT THESE VV ARE NOT A CURE-ALL OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO ESCAPE REALITY.  THESE VV HELP BELIEVERS FACE HARSH REALITIES.  REMEMBER,

II. GOD [THE FATHER] IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION(ROM.8:28-30)

GOD KNOWS IN ADVANCE WHO WILL REALLY ACCEPT JESUS & THOSE THAT DO MUST BECOME LIKE CHRIST & EVENTUALLY GLORIFIED.  THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. 

IN V 30 WE SEE THAT THOSE GOD HAS DETERMINED TO BE LIKE CHRIST ARE ASSURED OF THAT GOAL JUST AS IF IT HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.  GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE BEGINS(PHIL. 1:6).

  Steve Green. Song: He Who Began A Good Work.
He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you're facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you

 See, GOD STARTED THE PROCESS & HE WILL BRING US TO COMPLETION--GLORIFICATION.

 I KNOW WE'RE NOT THEIR YET, BUT SOMEONE WROTE THIS & I AGREE;

I AM NOT WHAT I OUGHT TO BE , TO MY DISGRACE.

"""""""""""""""'WANT """""""""""""""DISMAY.

""""""""""""""" WILL BE BY GOD'S GRACE,

& BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE,

I AM NOT WHAT I ONCE WAS. & GOD THE FATHER IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION(R8:28-30)

& EVEN THO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK THAT WAY, GOD THE FATHER IS ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.  HE IS ALWAYS FOR US & NOT AGAINST US(ROM.8:31).  & IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS AGAINST US BECAUSE NO FORCE CAN BEAT US.  CHRISTIANS WILL EVENTUALLY WIN!  WE ARE ON THE VICTOR'S SIDE.  "THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS. 

& SINCE GOD THE FATHER HAS SECURED THE ULTIMATE END OF SALVATION--GLORIFICATION, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE LESSER BENEFITS OF SALVATION?(ROM. 8:32).  NOW OF COURSE I THINK THE ALL THINGS DEALS  WITH THINGS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES FOR HOLY, SANCTIFIED LIVING(2 PET. 1:3, & PHIL. 4:13). 

YES, BELIEVERS CAN DO ALL THINGS GOD REQUIRES THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US & WE CAN STAND UP AGAINST ALL CHARGES BECAUSE GOD HAS JUSTIFIED US(ROM. 8:33).

SEE, I.  GOD THE FATHER IS SECURINT THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION,

&  II.  GOD THE SON IS ALSO SECURING THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICFATION.

          SEE, THOSE JUSTIFIED BY GOD THE FATHER WILL NEVER BE CONDEMNED BY GOD BECAUSE OF GOD THE SON, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST.(ROM.8:34).  THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DRUNK WHO JUMPED OF A BRIDGE TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.  BUT WHEN HE HIT THE COLD WATER IN THE RIVER IT SOBERED HIM UP A BIT & HE HAD 2D THOUGHTS. 

HE YELLED FOR HELP & PASSING MOTORIST JUMPED IN A SAVED HIM.

 HOWEVER, THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM FOR BEING DRUNK & DISORDERLY & DISTURBING THE PEACE.  LOW & BEHOLD HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT & THE MAN WHO SAVED HIM WAS THE JUDGE.  WHILE THE JUDGE WAS GIVING HIM A STIFF SENTENCE THE DRUNK RECOGNIZED THE JUDGE & SAID, " HEY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SAVED ME FROM DROWNING."  & THE JUDGE SAID ,"WHY YES I DID.  THAT DAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOR BUT TODAY I"M YOUR JUDGE & YOU ARE CONDEMNED & MUST HAVE THIS SENTENCE."  WELL , THOSE SAVED BY JESUS WILL NEVER HAVE A SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION(  ROM.                                                                            17 SEE, JESUS PAID IT ALL , BUT WE MUST HAVE THE RECEIPT "PAID IN FULL” STAMPED ON OUR HEART.   ? DO YOU?  YOU CAN IF YOU WILL REALLY BELIEVE & RECEIVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  & IF YOU DO,

A. THE PARDON OF CHRIST SECURES THE EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION OF BELIEVERS FROM CONDEMNATION.  CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CONDEMN TO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT. IN JOHN 5:22-27, JESUS SAID,

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

                                                                          18  JOHN 5:27, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”  BUT INSTEAD OF JUDGEMENT & PUNISHMENT, CHRIST GIVES REAL CHRISTIANS EVERLASTING LIFE.

JOHN 3:16 - 19 SAYS,”16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

          WELL, REGARDLESS OF HOW EVIL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IF THEY ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR THEY WILL BE PARDONED, THEN

B.  THE PARDON OF CHRIST ENSURES THE BELIEVERS EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION (ROM. 8 & D.  THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ENSURES THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION. 

                                                                     19 ROM.4:25 SAYS OF CHRIST THAT HE

“25 …was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

          THIS IN UNBREAKABLE CHAIN WHERBY   ONCE A PERSON IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN

CHRIST, I. E., DECLARED RIGHTEOUS BY CHRIST, THEY WILL BE EVENTUALLY AS RIGHTEOUS AS CHRIST & GLORIFIED WITH A BODY LIKE CHRIST’S GLORIFIED RESURRECTED BODY!

          AS I CAME TO THIS POINT IN THE STUDY, IT STRUCK ME THAT PERHAPS A REVIEW OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH WOULD BE IN ORDER.

          ROM. 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"  THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, JUSTIFICATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN BY FAITH & NOT BY WORKS.  BY JUSTIFICATION I MEAN THAT   REAL BELIEVERS ARE DECLARED "JUSTIFIED OR RIGHTEOUS” AND TREATED AS SUCH BY GOD BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH.  

                                                                  20   JUSTIFICATION ALSO INCLUDES THE IMPUTATION OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS WHAT SOME THEOLOGIANS CALL A JUDICIAL ACT BY WHICH A CONDEMNED SINNER, LIKE A CRIMINAL IN A COURT OF LAW IS PARDONED, FREED FROM THE PENALTY DUE TO A LAW BREAKER, THEN TREATED AS NOT GUILTY, AND ALLOWED TO GO FREE.  SIMILAR TO THAT COURT ROOM SCENARIO, A REAL BELIEVER IN CHRIST IS DECLARED FREE FROM THE PENALTY OF THE LAW BEFORE A HOLY GOD, THE JUST JUDGE, BECAUSE THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST TOOK THE SINNER'S PUNISHMENT AND SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOD AS A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE. 

THE 1ST PART OF GAL.3:13 SAYS,  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: "

                                                                       21

ALSO,  THOUGH JUSTIFICATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRACTICAL & PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION OF BECOMING HOLIER & SAINTLIER, JUSTIFICATION IN ITSELF IT IS NOT AN EXPERIENCE OF BEING MADE TOTALLY HOLY & righteous BUT A FACT OF DIVINE RECKONING WHEREBY  BELIEVERS ARE DECLARED "JUSTIFIED OR RIGHTEOUS AND TREATED AS SUCH BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST, THE JUST ONE." 

                   WELL, IT SHOULD A REAL COMFORT & ENCOURAGEMENT TO US TO KNOW THAT GOD  IS CONCERNED FOR US & LABORING BEHALF.

          BUT HE IS ONLY SECURING EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR. ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE BORN AGAIN?  BORN OF THE SPIRIT?  IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, WHY NOT MAKE SURE TODAY?  PLACE YOUR FAITH THE SAME PLACE GOD PUT YOUR SIN--ON THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  BELIEVE & RECEIVE HIM TODAY.

           EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EVERY EYE CLOSED - IF YOU WANT TO BE SAVED, BORN AGAIN, BECOME A CHRISTIAN, I WANT YOU TO PRAY IN YOUR HEART SILENTLY RIGHT NOW-

                                                                             22  "DEAR GOD, I KNOW THERE IS NO WAY I CAN SAVE MY SELF FROM MY SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE, RIGHT NOW I WANT TO ACCEPT THE PAYMENT MADE BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SIN GUILT.  I PUT MY FAITH IN THE PERSON OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIM ALONE RIGHT NOW FOR A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU."  IN JESUS’ NAME: AMEN”

HEADS STILL BOWED AND EYES STILL CLOSED- IF YOU PRAYED THAT PRAYER AND MEANT IT ( YOU CAN FOOL ME BUT YOU CAN'T FOOL GOD) SLIP IT UP, AND TAKE IT BACK DOWN- I WANT YOU TO COME BACK RIGHT HERE WED.  AM AT 10:30.

LET'S PRAY-

HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

PHILE 25

GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE IS RELATED TO CHRISTLIKENESS.

ROMANS 8:29 “ 29 FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.”

          VERSE 29 LITERALLY MEANS THAT WE ARE ONE DAY GOING TO BE “INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY” LIKE JESUS CHRIST!

          THIS IS REALLY THE GREATEST THING GOD COULD DO FOR US. , ROM 8:29 SAYS GOD THE FATHER “¼DID PREDESTINATE BELIEVERS TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.”

GOD PREDESTINES AND PLANS & WORKS THIS  OUT.

          THE GREEK WORD TRANSLATED “PREDESTINE,” WHEN FOUND WITHOUT THE PREFIX EQUIVALENT TO PRE, CAN MEAN “TO MARK A BOUNDARY AROUND SOMETHING.” SO WE ARE MARKED OUT, WITH A BOUNDARY, KEPT AND GUARDED FOR GOD’S PURPOSE. YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW ARE PART OF GOD’S PLAN TO BRING THE BELIEVER TO THE PLACE OF BEING LIKE CHRIST. TO ME, FOR THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT SOME DOCTRINE HAS NO PRACTICAL APPLICATION--THIS OBVIOUSLY ESTABLISHES FOREKNOWLEDGE AND PREDESTINATION AS VERY  PRACTICAL DOCTRINES THAT CAN AFFECT OUR ATTITUDES, THOUGHTS, & ACTIVITIES, EVERY DAY!.

          SEE, REAL CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF THE KING & ONE DAY WE'LL BE LIKE KING JESUS, GOD, THE BELOVED SON.  SO, LET US THINK, SPEAK, & ACT IN A CHRISTLIKE WAY TODAY & EVERYDAY!

         

THIRD, GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WORD CALLED IN V. 30 MEANS  MORE THAN JUST “INVITE.”

THERE IS A GENERAL CALL TO ELECT AND NONELECT ALIKE, AS SEEN IN MT. 22:14 . ?FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN” 

THROUGH A SPECIAL CALL TO THE ELECT, THOSE FOREKNOWN BY GOD IN A SPECIAL WAY ARE CHOSEN (CF. 1 COR. 1:24.) OR . CALLED BY A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT MOVES A PERSON TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR. THAT IS CALLED BY SOME “THE EFFECTUAL CALL.”  

IN CHAPTER 10 OF –THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH SAYS, “OF EFFECTUAL CALLING

I. ALL THOSE WHOM GOD HATH PREDESTINATED UNTO LIFE, AND THOSE ONLY, HE IS PLEASED, IN HIS APPOINTED AND ACCEPTED TIME, EFFECTUALLY TO CALL, BY HIS WORD AND SPIRIT, OUT OF THAT STATE OF SIN AND DEATH IN WHICH THEY ARE BY NATURE, TO GRACE AND SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST: ENLIGHTENING THEIR MINDS, SPIRITUALLY AND SAVINGLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS OF GOD, TAKING AWAY THEIR HEART OF STONE, AND GIVING UNTO THEM AN HEART OF FLESH; RENEWING THEIR WILLS, AND BY HIS ALMIGHTY POWER DETERMINING THEM TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND EFFECTUALLY DRAWING THEM TO JESUS CHRIST; YET SO AS THEY COME MOST FREELY, BEING MADE WILLING BY HIS GRACE.

II. THIS EFFECTUAL CALL IS OF GOD'S FREE AND SPECIAL GRACE ALONE, NOT FROM ANY THING AT ALL FORESEEN IN MAN, WHO IS ALTOGETHER PASSIVE THEREIN, UNTIL, BEING QUICKENED AND RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS THEREBY ENABLED TO ANSWER THIS CALL, AND TO EMBRACE THE GRACE OFFERED AND CONVEYED IN IT.

[III. ELECT INFANTS, DYING IN INFANCY,  ARE REGENERATED AND SAVED BY CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT, WHO WORKETH WHEN, AND WHERE, AND HOW HE PLEASETH. SO ALSO ARE ALL OTHER ELECT PERSONS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING OUTWARDLY CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.]

IV. OTHERS, NOT ELECTED, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, AND MAY HAVE SOME COMMON OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, YET THEY NEVER TRULY COME TO CHRIST, AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAVED: MUCH LESS CAN MEN, NOT PROFESSING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BE SAVED IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER, BE THEY NEVER SO DILIGENT TO FRAME THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OF NATURE, AND THE LAW OF THAT RELIGION THEY DO PROFESS; AND TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THAT THEY MAY IS WITHOUT WARRANT OF THE WORD OF GOD.

          SO SALVATION IS GOD’S GIFT TO US.

     NOW THE FOURTH, ASPECT I WANT TO PRESENT ABOUT GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE IS THAT IS MORE THAN JUST KNOWING WHO WILL BELIEVE.

 IT IS ACTUALLY INVOLVED WITH GUARANTYING BELIEF IN THE SAVIOR & KEEPING BELIEVERS SECURE.  ROM 8:29 “ 29?FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.

ROM 8:30 “?MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.

31?WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 32?HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS? 33?WHO SHALL LAY ANY THING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD’S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH. 34?WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. 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.”

I THINK WE MUST REMEMBER THAT PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION ARE BIBLICAL CONCEPTS.  OUR SALVATION IS BASED ON JESUS & ACTS 16:31 SAYS BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST & THOU SHALT BE SAVED..”

WITH THAT IN MIND, WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER THAT WHAT WE  BELIEVE ABOUT PREDESTINATION AND/OR ELECTION DOES NOT EFFECT OUR SALVATION.  THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD BE GRACIOUS TO OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO DIFFER WITH YOU ON THIS SUBJECT.

NOW AS FOR THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE REAL BELIEVER,  THE ISSUE IS THIS: ?IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME WHO HAVE GENUINELY BELIEVED IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR TO LOSE THEIR SALVATION THROUGH THEIR OWN SIN OR THE PERHAPS THE ACT OF SOMEONE ELSE (SATAN, FOR EXAMPLE)?

          NOW HERE IS WHAT I THINK IS CORRECT RIGHT NOW, “GOD SAW AHEAD OF TIME WHO WOULD BELIEVE BECAUSE HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE KNOWS BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS  PLANNED IN THE GOLDEN & UNBREAKABLE  CHAIN OF ROM *8VV. 29–30, THEN THE BLESSINGS OF VV. 31–39 ARE CERTAIN.

          IN OTHER WORDS, TO A DEGREE, ONE’S VIEW OF ETERNAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON ONE’S VIEW OF ELECTION,

WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ONE’S VIEW OF GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE, & GOD’S PREDESTINING OF EVENTS, & PEOPLE. 

SO, IF WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING IS CORRECT, ?CAN A PERSON WHO HAS REALLY BELIEVED BE LOST? NO

?WILL GOD EVER LET A REAL BELIEVER GO TO HELL?  “NO!”

   HOWEVER, WE MUST STATE THAT THE ISSUE IS NOT A QUESTION OF THOSE WHO OUTWARDLY APPEAR TO BE BELIEVERS AND SAVED, BUT ARE NOT, AND LATER TURN FROM ANY INTEREST IN THE FAITH. THOSE PEOPLE ARE APOSTATES.

  

IF THERE ARE PASSAGES THAT CLEARLY TEACH SECURITY, THEN THE PASSAGES THAT THOSE WHO FAVOR NONSECURITY CITE AS SUPPORT FOR THEIR VIEW MUST BE CAREFULLY INTERPRETED.

IN OTHER WORDS, SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF. IF IT IS CLEAR IN TEACHING SECURITY, THEN THOSE PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO PRESENT NONSECURITY MUST REFER TO SOMETHING ELSE.

   THE BEST UNDERSTANDING OF SECURITY COMES THROUGH SEEING WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN PROVIDING FOR SALVATION AND HOW HE APPLIES IT. THE BELIEVER IS SECURE BECAUSE OF THE WAY GOD SAVES, WHAT HE DOES WHEN HE SAVES, AND WHAT HE DOES FOR BELIEVERS AFTER THEY ARE SAVED.

   TO BEGIN WITH, THE PROVISION AND APPLICATION OF SALVATION ARE COMPLETELY FREE BY THE GRACE OF GOD & PROVIDED BY GOD’S  SUBSTITUTE, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,

          THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS TO ALL WITH FAITH IN CHRIST (PHIL. 1:29).

SECOND, GOD MAKES EACH REAL BELIEVER A “NEW CREATION IN CHRIST, ” 2 COR. 5:17 “?THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.”

                THIS INCLUDES A  NEW LIFE PRINCIPLE—ACTUALLY THE LIFE OF CHRIST BY REGENERATION.

          IF A PERSON WERE TO LOSE HIS SALVATION, THEN HE WOULD NEED TO BECOME UNREGEREATED & UN NEW LIFED OR RATHER MADE SPIRITUALLY DEAD AGAIN.

          HOWEVER, THE VERY PRESENCE OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST REGENERATION SEEMS TO DISALLOW THE POSSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL DEATH TO EVER TAKE US AGAIN.

          NOW I KNOW SOME VIEW SALVATION AS A REPEATABLE EXPERIENCE. ONE CAN BE SAVED, THEN LOST, THEN SAVED AGAIN, ETC.

IF THAT WERE TRUE, THEN THE CREATION OF A NEW PERSON IN CHRIST, AND REGENERATION WITH ITS INFUSION OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST, WOULD HAVE TO BE UNDONE, THEN REDONE, THEORETICALLY MANY TIMES.

          TO ME, TAKING THE WORDS & WORKS OF GOD IN SALVATION SERIOUSLY SHOWS HOW CONTRADICTORY THE NONSECURITY POSITION IS.

          TO ME, THE PRESENT WORK OF GOD FOR BELIEVERS IS AN AREA OF REVEALED TRUTH THAT COULD SUPPORT SECURITY ALL BY ITSELF.

E.G, EPH. 1:13–14, IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, 14WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. “

ACCORDING TO EPH 1:13, ONCE WE REALLY believe ON CHRIST, WE ARE  sealed with the Holy (Spirit).” The word “sealed” is sphragizō (σφραγιζω).  The Scofield Bible footnote SAYS, “The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a sea signifies (1) A finished transaction (Jer. 32:9, 10; John 17:4, 19:30), (2) Ownership (Jer. 32:11, 12; II Tim. 2:19), (3) Security (Esth. 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30).” Thus, God places the Holy Spirit in us permanently IN THE NEW COVENANT, AT LEAST FROM THE DAY OF PENTECOST ON.

”God’s holy Spirit is described IN EPH 1:14 as The earnest of our inheritance.” The word “earnest” is arrabōn (ἀρραβων). A GREEK SCHOLAR, Vincent, defines it as “caution-money deposited by a purchaser in pledge of full payment.” The papyri OF THE GREEK FROM BIBLE TIMES gives us examples that confirm the n.t. sense of An ‘earnest’ is a part given in advance of what will be bestowed fully afterwards.”

The bestowal of the Holy Spirit is God’s EARNEST DOWN PAYMENT OR part payment in the salvation He gives the believing sinner.  IT IS A partial payment guaranteeing the full delivery of all parts.  Salvation is in 3 parts justification, the removal of the guilt and penalty of sin and the declaration of righteousness even the righteousness of Christ, given at the moment the sinner puts his faith in the Lord Jesus as Savior;


ANOTHER PART OF THE SALVATION PACKAGE IS sanctification, a progressive work of the Spirit in the life of the believer, in which The HS works at eliminating sin from the believer and producing  the fruit of the Spirit; glorification, is the act of God transforming the present bodies of believers into perfect, sinless, deathless bodies. The real believer is indwelled with The Holy Spirit as God’s earnest money, guaranteeing the future glorification of his body.”[35]

          S0, WHEN WE REALLY ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR, GOD SETS US APART, SEALS US WITH HIS OWN HOLY SPIRIT all the way through the process that gets us a redeemed glorified body. EPH.4:30 says, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

This all starts in our experience after that we believe & receive CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  EPH. 1:3-14 SAYS, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

EPH 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heavena, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trustedb in Christ.  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, [italics added]  ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

         

& NOTHING CAN EVER ALTER THAT POSITIONAL  GODLINESS/SANCTIFICATION(ROM.8:38&39) & WE HAVE POWER AVAILABLE TO LIVE A SANCTIFIED LIFE--.HALLELUJAH!  BECAUSE ONCE WE ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR WE POSSESS GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT. 

ROM. 8:9 SAYS, “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.”

ONE ASPECT OF THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO ENABLE US TO LIVE A REAL BIBLICAL-SPIRITUAL LIFE, & ACTUALLY PRODUCE A RIGHTEOUS LIFE BY DOING & BEING WHAT GOD DESIRES BY REFUSING THE SINFULNESS OF THE FLESH. 

          SEE, THOUGH WE ARE NOT SAVED BY ANY OF OUR WORKS, SAVED PEOPLE SHOULD SHOW FORTH SALVATION WITH GOOD WORKS OF OBEDIENCE IN LOVE TO GOD.

James 2:18 SYAS, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

THEN JAMES 2:20 SAYS, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

          THE APOSTLE PETER WAS MOVED BY GOD TO WRITE, IN 2 PET.1:-4, . “Simon  Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

2 PET. 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”

          AND ALL THIS BLESSEDNESS STARTS IN US WHEN ON THE HUMAN SIDE OF THINGS, WE ARE SAVED BY ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  THEN SALVATION, WHICH IS A REAL FAITH IN THE REAL CHRIST WILL SHOW ITSELF TO A DEGREE IN WORKS & IN OBEDIENCE—NOT FULLY BUT TO A DEGREE SINCE SERVING THE LORD BY FAITH OR IN FAITH IS A WAY TO SHOW OR DEMONSTRATE SALVATION.

  THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED AS A SEAL SIGNIFYING THAT OUR DESTINATION IS TO HEAVEN AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. IF LOSS OF SALVATION WERE POSSIBLE, THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD BE DEFEATED (HE WOULD HAVE FAILED AS A SEAL), WHICH OF COURSE IS IMPOSSIBLE.

SEE, WE ARE NOT SAVED BY ANY OF OUR WORKS, BUT A SAVED PERSON SHOULD SHOW IT WORKS OF LOVE & OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

FOR INSTANCE, IN HEB 11 WE READ OF FAITH BEING SHOWN, DEMONSTRATED OR WORKED OUT. HEB. 11:4-6 SAYS, “BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED UNTO GOD A MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE THAN CAIN, BY WHICH HE OBTAINED WITNESS THAT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS, GOD TESTIFYING OF HIS GIFTS: AND BY IT HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.

5 BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH; AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TRANSLATED HIM: FOR BEFORE HIS TRANSLATION HE HAD THIS TESTIMONY, THAT HE PLEASED GOD.

6 BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”  SEE, WE MUST COME TO GO IN FAITH BELIEVING:  HEB 4:1-2 SAYS,

LET US THEREFORE FEAR, LEST, A PROMISE BEING LEFT US OF ENTERING INTO HIS REST, ANY OF YOU SHOULD SEEM TO COME SHORT OF IT. 2 FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM: BUT THE WORDA PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH IN THEM THAT HEARD IT. “

          SEE WE NEED TO MIX WHAT GOD SAYS WITH AN OBEDIENT FAITH.

 

Heb. 4:3 FOR WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED DO ENTER INTO REST, AS HE SAID, AS I HAVE SWORN IN MY WRATH, IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST: ALTHOUGH THE WORKS WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. 4 FOR HE SPAKE IN A CERTAIN PLACE OF THE SEVENTH DAY ON THIS WISE, AND GOD DID REST THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS. 5 AND IN THIS PLACE AGAIN, IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST. 6 SEEING THEREFORE IT REMAINETH THAT SOME MUST ENTER THEREIN, AND THEY TO WHOM IT WAS FIRST PREACHED ENTERED NOT IN BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF: [36]

 

A:\PHIL\4V21Z24 – FOR PROBABLY AFTER thanksgiving  O5 WED AM GRHV. [KEEP AS LATEST RENDITION OF A -EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN [MOVED FROM SUN-WED AM. MORE LIKE THE MASTER; MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS, P 31-THE SOLID ROCK.  WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE; TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, O FOR 1000 TONGUES TO SING¼”].

            THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU IN PHILIPPIANS WE WERE WORKING ON CH 4 21, “SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS."  I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THOSE SAINTS IN THAT V WERE LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS & ARE TO BECOME SAINTLIER OR HOLIER & THEY CAN BY GOD’S OWN HOLY SPIRIT GRANTING POWER TO RESIST SIN STILL IN US & THE POWER OF SIN ALL AROUND US, & AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM THE SINS OF THE OLD, SIN  NATURE.         

            I HAVE PRESENTED THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE ON AN INEVITABLE MARCH TO FULL REDEMPTION ENDING IN GLORIFICATION WITH A TOTALLY HEALED, RESURRECTION BODY & WILL STAY SAVED IF THEY WERE EVER REALLY SAVED TO BE BEGIN WITH.

 

            I PRESENTED THAT THE TRULY SAVED CAME TO BE SAVED BY THE WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, & GOD THE SON WHO SAID IN JOHN 6:44, “NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM:”

            THOSE WORDS OF JESUS SEEM CLEAR TO ME,. & IN ADDITION TO THE WORDS OF JESUS, I CLAIM THE PRESENT WORK OF JESUS WILL KEEP A REALLY SAVED PERSON SAVED. 

SEE, AFTER A PERSON IS SAVED WE HAVE THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST  IN HEB. 7:25 WHICH  MAKES IT CLEAR TO ME THAT CHRIST IS PRESENTLY ACTIVE TO BRING BEFORE THE FATHER HIS PERFECT COMPLETED WORK AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ELECT. HIS INTERCESSION WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF CHRIST DIDN’T KEEP HIS PEOPLE SAVED.   CHRIST NEVER FAILS HEB  7:25, “25WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM. “

[37] Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1988). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Previously published as: Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster SAYS, “uttermost HAS WORDS THAT MEAN THE SAME THIG LISTED AS “extreme , farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, utmost. [38]

[39] Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Heb 7:24). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, SAYS “The word “uttermost” is the translation of panteles (παντελες) which is made up of pas (πας) “all,” and telos (τελος) “end, termination.” Thus, we have a two-dimensional salvation spoken of here. By reason of Messiah’s eternal ministry as High Priest, He is able to save the believer in his totality of being, body, soul, and spirit, and do all that to the point of termination, an unending state of salvation in eternity.[40]

NEW REVISED STANDARD HEB 7:25 “ Consequently he is able for all time to savee those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

YOUNG’S LITERAL TRANSLATION: 25 whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God—ever living to make intercession for them. [41]

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION 25 Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completely  those who come to God through him. [42]

THEN ROMANS 8:34 SAYS, “34WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. “

            BESIDES THE ROM. 8:28–39 PASSAGE WHICH I SEE AS TEACHING ETERNAL SECURITY, THERE ARE 2 MORE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT PASSAGES THAT TEACH SECURITY FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

            ROMANS 5:1-11, SAYS,  1THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: 2BY WHOM ALSO WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND, AND REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. 3AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO: KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE; 4AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE; AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE: 5AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED; BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.

ROM 5: 6 “FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. 7FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE: YET PERADVENTURE FOR A GOOD MAN SOME WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE. 8BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. 9MUCH MORE THEN, BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. 10FOR IF, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, MUCH MORE, BEING RECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. 11AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE ALSO JOY IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.”

             JN. 10:28–29, THE FATHER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHEEP, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED  TO BE LOST.

IN  JOHN 10:27-29 JESUS SAID, “27?My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND. 29MY FATHER, WHICH GAVE THEM ME, IS GREATER THAN ALL; AND NO MAN IS ABLE TO PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER’S HAND.”

THE VV WE HAVE HEARD HAVE INCLUDED ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY AS ACTIVE IN KEEPING THE BELIEVER SECURE. ONCE AGAIN, IF A BELIEVER WERE TO BE LOST, THEN THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT THE BIBLE PROMISES THEY WILL DO.

  GOD NEVER FAILS.  TIME REALLY DOES NOT PERMIT A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ALL THE PASSAGES THAT SUPPORT OF “SECURITY.”  HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT GOD WILL NOT FAIL TO BRING THE SAVED ALL THE WAY TO GLORIFICATION,  BIBLE STUDENTS ARE  OBLIGATED TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF SOME SCRIPTURES SOME SAY SHOW BELIEVERS MAY BE LOST.

            FOR EXAMPLE, 1 COR. 9:27 SAYS,  “BUT I KEEP UNDER MY BODY, AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION: LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. “

            THIS MUST REFER NOT TO LOSS OF SALVATION, BUT TO BEING REMOVED FROM  SERVICE TO THE LORD BECAUSE OF SOME DISQUALIFICATION.

            JOHN 15:1–8, IS OFTEN USED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD TO SECURITY. 

 

JOHN 15:1-8, “1I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN. 2EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT BEARETH NOT FRUIT HE TAKETH AWAY: AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARETH FRUIT, HE PURGETH IT, THAT IT MAY BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT. 3NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU. 4ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME. 5I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING. 6IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED; AND MEN GATHER THEM, AND CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED. 7IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU. 8HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED, THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT; SO SHALL YE BE MY DISCIPLES.”

            THESE VV ARE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FRUIT BEARING AND FELLOWSHIP,--NOT SALVATION.        FINALLY, HEB. 6:4–6 IS OFTEN PROMOTED BY THOSE SAYING SALVATION CAN BE LOST. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITH THAT VIEW IN MIND, PLEASE LISTEN TO HEBREWS 6:4-6, “4FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.”

 

I AM SUGGESTING THAT IF THIS  REFERS TO APPARENT BELIEVERS WHO GIVE UP THE PRETENSE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST AFTER FAKING IT, ARE NOT CALLED IMPOSSIBLE.  NOW I DON’T KNOW WHO IS IMPOSSIBEL TO BRING TO CHRIST, SO I SUGGEST TRY CHRIST ON EVERYONE.  NEVERTHELESS, IT IS THEN “IMPOSSIBLE” TO BRING APOSTATES BACK EVEN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY (HAVING SOME INTEREST IN THE SPIRITUAL THINGS OF THE REAL CHRIST –BECAUSE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEMSELVES TO THE BIBLICAL REALITIES OF THE REAL THINGS OF CHRIST.  SO, I SUGGEST  THIS ADMITTEDLY DIFFICULT PASSAGE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE WHOLE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS & THEN ELSEWHERE.

.

           

SO, I AM BACK TO THE WORD FOREKNOW. 4267 PROGINOSKO /PROG·IN·OCE·KO/] V. FROM 4253 AND 1097; TDNT 1:715; TDNTA 119; GK 4589; FIVE CCURRENCES IN THE AV TRANSLATES AS “FOREKNOW” TWICE;

“FOREORDAIN” ONCE;

“KNOW” ONCE, AND

“KNOW BEFORE” ONCE.

            I AM SUGGESTING THAT GOD’S  KNOWLEDGE HAS TO DO WITH HIS PREDESTINATING, [iv] & THE  MANY WORKS OF GRACE THAT GOD PERFORMS TO SECURE FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE,  TO WHOM HIS PURPOSE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE CAN BE FULFILLED.  AND I THINK THAT GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY IN CONTROL &  COMPLETING HIS REDEMPTIVE PLAN.

(EPH. 1:9-14; 2:4-10; 3:8-11; 4:11-16).

            SO  PREDESTINATION IS A WORD OFTEN USED TO SIGNIFY GOD’S FOREORDAINING OF ALL THE EVENTS OF WORLD HISTORY, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND THIS USAGE IS QUITE APPROPRIATE. IN SCRIPTURE AND MAINSTREAM THEOLOGY, HOWEVER, PREDESTINATION MEANS SPECIFICALLY GOD’S DECISION, MADE IN ETERNITY BEFORE THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS EXISTED, REGARDING THE FINAL DESTINY OF INDIVIDUAL SINNERS. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORDS PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION (THE TWO ARE ONE), ONLY OF GOD’S CHOICE OF PARTICULAR SINNERS FOR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE (ROM. 8:29; EPH. 1:4-5, 11). MANY HAVE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO ASCRIBES TO GOD AN ADVANCE DECISION ABOUT THOSE WHO FINALLY ARE NOT SAVED (ROM. 9:6-29; 1 PET. 2:8; JUDE 4), AND SO IT HAS BECOME USUAL IN PROTESTANT THEOLOGY TO DEFINE GOD’S PREDESTINATION AS INCLUDING BOTH HIS DECISION TO SAVE SOME FROM SIN (ELECTION) AND HIS DECISION TO CONDEMN THE REST FOR THEIR SIN (REPROBATION), SIDE BY SIDE.

   TO THE QUESTION, “ON WHAT BASIS DID GOD CHOOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION?” IT IS SOMETIMES REPLIED: ON THE BASIS OF HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE GOSPEL THEY WOULD CHOOSE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. IN THAT REPLY, FOREKNOWLEDGE MEANS PASSIVE FORESIGHT ON GOD’S PART OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO DO, WITHOUT HIS PREDETERMINING THEIR ACTION. BUT

KEEP AS LATEST RENDION OF A

-EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD SELF UP.  THIS IS SEEN IN BACKBITING, BACKSTABBING, GOSSIPPING, SLANDERING, LIBELING, NEGATIVE CAMPAIGHNING, & MUDSLINGING. 

-WRATH=THUMOI=THIS HUMAN SIN IS AN EXPLOSIVE & DANGEROUS ANGER.  A PERSON LIKE THIS IS PROBABLY VOLATILE & COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE WHAT CRIMINOLOGISTS CALL"CRIMES OF PASSION." 

-STRIFE=ERITHEIA=FACTIONALISM & DISCORD USUALLY SEEN IN CONTENTIOUS DEBATES WHICH WHICH HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP TO TRUE FACT. 

PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS SIN LIKE TO ARGUE--EVEN IF THEY NO THEY

ARE WRONG OR IF THEY KNOW THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. 

-SEDITIONS=DICHOSTASIA=SEDITIOUS DIVISIONS OR SPLITS. E.G., CHURCH SPLITS OR DENOMINATIONALISM, OR IN A SECULAR SENSE, SPLIITING UP COUNTRIES LIKE YUGOSLAVIA OR CHEKKOSLOVAKIA.

-HERESIES= AIREISEIS= IN THIS CONTEXT, THE THINKING OR MINDSET BEHIND SCHISMS OR DIVIDING OVER THINGS THAT HAVE NO BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE BUT RATHER OVER PERSONAL PREFERENCES OR OPINIONS.  IN THEOLOGY, USUALLY HERESY MEANS A TEACHING OR THEORY THAT IS NOT IN ACCORD WITH THE BIBLE.

-GAL. 5:21, ENVYINGS=PHTHONOI=FEELINGS OF ILL-WILL BECAUSE OF AN EVIL DESIRE TO POSSESS WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS.  THIS IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY & PROBABLY STARTED THE GULF WAR & THE BOSNIAN WAR. 

-MURDER=PHONOI=KILLING PEOPLE. 

the ever-blessed Trinity in unity (John 17:3), the two natures united in the one person of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 2:22, and 4:3),

is finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice (Heb. 5:14), the fall, resulting in our lost condition (Luke 19:10), regeneration (John 3:3), gratuitous justification (Gal. 5:4)—these are some of the principal pillars which support the temple of Truth, and without which it cannot stand. Of old God complained, "My people are destroyed [cut off] for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6), and declared, "Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst" (Isaiah 5:13). When He promised "I will give you pastors according to Mine heart," He described the same as those "which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15), and that knowledge is communicated first and foremost by a setting forth of the glorious doctrines of Divine revelation. Doctrinal Christianity is both the ground and the motive of practical Christianity, for it is principle and not emotion or impulse which is the dynamic of the spiritual life. It is by the Truth that men are illuminated and directed: "0 send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles" (Ps. 43:3). We are saved by a knowledge of the Truth (John 17:3; 1 Tim. 2:4), and by faith therein (2 Thess. 2:13). Pertinently is the inquiry made, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). The Hebrew word for "foundations" occurs only once more in the Old Testament, namely in Isaiah 19:10, where it is rendered "and they shall be broken in the purposes thereof." As it is from our purposes that our plans and actions proceed, so it is from the "first principles" of the Word that its secondary truths are derived; and upon them both, precepts are based. "The principles of religion are the foundations on which the faith and hope of the righteous are built" (Matthew Henry). While those foundations cannot be totally and finally removed, yet God may suffer them to be so relatively and temporarily. In such case the righteous should not give way to despair, but instead betake themselves unto prayer. "Some thing the righteous ones may do, and should do, when men are attempting to undermine and sap the foundation articles of religion: they should go to the throne of grace, to God in His holy temple, who knows what is doing, and plead with Him to put a stop to the designs and attempts of such subverters of foundations; and they should endeavour to build one another up on their most holy faith" (J. Gill).

The cry was raised, "Give us Christ, and not Christianity," and many superficial minds concluded that such a demand was both a spiritual and a pertinent one. In reality it was an absurdity, an imaginary distinction without any vital difference. A scriptural concept of Christ in His theanthropic person, His mediatorial character, His official relations to God’s elect, His redemptive work for them, can be formed only as He is contemplated in His essential Godhead, His unique humanity, His covenant headship, and as the Prophet, Priest and King of His Church. Sufficient attention has not been given to that repeated expression "the doctrine of Christ" (2 John, 9), which comprehends the whole teaching of Scripture concerning His wondrous person and His so-great salvation. Nor has due weight been given to those words "the mystery of Christ" (Col. 4:3), which refer to the deep things revealed of Him in the Word of Truth.

The most conclusive evidences for the Divine origin of Christianity, as well as the chief glory, appear in its doctrines, for they cannot be of human invention. The ineffable and incomprehensible Trinity in unity, the incarnation of the Son of God, the death of the Prince of life, that His obedience and sufferings satisfied Divine justice and expiated our offences, the Holy Spirit making the believer His temple, and our union with Christ, are sublime and lofty truths, holy and mysterious, which far surpass the highest flight of finite reason. There is perfect harmony in all the parts of the doctrine of Christ. Therein a full discovery is made of the manifold wisdom of God, the duties required of us, the motives which prompt thereto. It is in perceiving the distinct parts and aspects of Truth, their relation to one another, their furtherance of a common cause, their magnifying of the Lord of glory, that the excellence and beauty of the whole are apparent. It is because many apprehend only detached fragments of the same that some things in it appear to be inconsistent to them. What is so much needed is a view and grasp of the whole—acquired only by diligent and persevering application.

There is much preaching, but sadly little teaching. It is the task of the teacher to declare all the counsel of God, to show the relation of one part of it to another, to present the whole range of Truth: thereby will the hearer’s mental horizon be widened, his sense of proportion promoted, and the beautiful harmony of the whole be demonstrated. It is his business not only to avow but to evince, not simply to affirm but to establish what he affirms. Of the apostle we read that he "reasoned with them Out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead" (Acts 17:2, 3). He was eminently qualified for such a task both by nature and by grace. He was not only a man of God, but a man of genius and learning. He made considerable use of his reasoning faculty. He did not ask his hearers to believe anything that he averred without evidence, but furnished proof of what he taught. He usually preached on the basic and essential doctrines of the Gospel, which he felt ought to be verified by plain and conclusive reasoning.

"And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks" (Acts 18:4, 19). Because such reasoning may be abused, it does not follow that it should have no place in the pulpit. To reason fairly is to draw correct consequences from right principles, or to adduce clear and convincing arguments in support thereof. In order to reason lucidly and effectively upon the truth of a proposition, it is usually necessary to explain it, then to produce arguments in support of it, and finally to answer objections against it. That is the plan Paul generally follows, as is evident from both the Acts and his Epistles. When he preached upon the existence of God, the first and fundamental truth of all religion, he reasoned simply yet impressively: "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device" (Acts 17:29); "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen" (Rom. 1:20). When he enforced the doctrine of human depravity, he proved it first by a lengthy description of the character and conduct of the whole heathen world, and then by quotations from the Old Testament, and concluded "we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin" (Rom. 3:19).

It is the teacher’s task to explain, to prove, and then to apply, for hearts are reached through the understanding and conscience. When he appeared before Felix, the apostle "reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come" so powerfully that the Roman governor "trembled" (Acts 24:25). But alas, solid reasoning, exposition of Scripture, doctrinal preaching, are now largely things of the past. Many were (and still are) all for what they term experience, rather than a knowledge of doctrine. And today we behold the deplorable effects of the same, for our generation lacks even a theoretical knowledge of the Truth. That which was termed experimental and practical preaching displaced theological instruction, and thus the grand fundamentals of the Gospel were brought into contempt. No wonder that popery has made such headway in the countries once Protestant. It may be that that satanic system may yet prevail more awfully. If it does, none will be able to overthrow it by any experiences of their own. Nothing but sound doctrinal preaching will be of any use.

No wonder, either, that

SUCH DOCTRINE enunciates spiritual facts and hOly principles, foR e regulating our ENTIRE liFEFROM THOUGHT, ATITUDE, FEELINGS, CHOICES, BEHAVIORS..

"The doctrine which is according to godliness" at once defines the nature of Divine doctrine, intimating as it does that its design or end is to inculcate a right temper of mind and deportment of life Godwards: it is pure and purifying. The objects which are revealed to faith are not bare abstractions which are to be accepted as true, nor even sublime and lofty concepts to be admired: they are to have a powerful effect upon our daily walk. There is no doctrine revealed in Scripture for a merely speculative knowledge, but all is to exert a powerful influence upon conduct. God’s design in all that He has revealed to us is to the purifying of our affections and the transforming of our characters. The doctrine of grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11, 12). By far the greater part of the doctrine (John 7:16) taught by Christ consisted not of the explication of mysteries, but rather that which corrected men’s lusts and reformed their lives. Everything in Scripture has in view the promotion of holiness.

If it be an absurdity to affirm that it matters not what a man believes so long as he does that which is right, equally erroneous is it to conclude that if my creed be sound it matters little how I act. "If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8), for he shows himself to be devoid of natural affection. Thus it is possible to deny the Faith by conduct as well as by words. A neglect of performing our duty is as real a repudiation of the Truth as is an open renunciation of it, for the Gospel, equally with the Law, requires children to honour their parents. Observe how that awful list of reprehensible characters mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:9,10, are said to be "contrary to sound doctrine"—opposed to its salutary nature and spiritual tendency: i.e. that conduct which the standard of God enjoins. Observe too how that the spirit of covetousness or love of money is designated an erring "from the faith" (1 Tim. 6:10): it is a species of heresy, a departure from the doctrine which is according to godliness—an awful example of which we have in the case of Judas. Mortification, then, is clearly one of the practical doctrines of Holy Writ, as we hope to show abundantly in what follows.

2. An Outline

Romans 8:13 supplies the most comprehensive description of our subject to be found in any single verse of the Bible, setting forth as it does the greatest number of its principal features: "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." This is a most solemn and searching verse, and one which has little place in modern ministry, be it oral or written. If Arminians have sadly wrested it, many Calvinists have refused to face its plain affirmations and implications. Five things in it claim our best attention. First, the persons addressed. Second, the awful warning here set before them. Third, the duty enjoined upon them. Fourth, the effectual Helper provided. Fifth, the promise made to them. The better to focus our minds, and to enable us to grapple with the difficulties which not a few have found in the verse, ere seeking to fill in our outline we will ask a number of pertinent questions.

What is the relation between our text and the context? Why are both of its members in the hypothetical form—"if"? Does the "ye" in each half of the verse have reference to the same persons, or are there two entirely different classes in view? If the latter be the case, then by what valid principle of exegesis can we account for such? Why not change one of them to "any" or ‘ ‘they"? What is meant by "live after the flesh"? Is it possible for a real Christian to do so? If not, and it is unregenerate persons who are mentioned, then why say they "shall die," seeing that they are dead already spiritually? Are the terms "die" and "live" here used figuratively and relatively, or literally and absolutely? What is imported by "mortify" and why "the deeds of the body" rather than "the lusts of the flesh"? If the "ye" perform that task, then how "through the Spirit"? If He be the prime Worker, then why is the mortifying predicated of them? If there be conjoint action, then how are the two factors to be adjusted? In what manner will the promise "ye shall live" be made good, seeing they already be alive spiritually? We know of no commentator who has made any real attempt to grapple with these problems.

The whole context makes it quite evident what particular classes of people are here addressed. First, it is those who are in Christ Jesus, upon whom there is now no condemnation (verse 1). Second, it is those who have been made free from the law of sin and death, and had the righteousness of Christ imputed to them (verses 2-4). Third, it is those who give proof that they are the beneficiaries of Christ, by walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit (verse 4). In what immediately follows a description is given of two radically different classes: they who are after the flesh, carnally minded; they whose legal standing is not in the flesh, but in the spirit, who are spiritually minded because indwelt by the Spirit of God (verses 5-11). Fourth, concerning the latter—"we" as opposed to the "they" of verse 8—the apostle draws a plain and practical conclusion: "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (verse 12)—the endearing appellation there used by Paul leaves us in no doubt as to the particular type of characters he was addressing. Manton had a most able sermon on this verse, and we will, mostly in our own language, epitomize his exposition.

Man would fain be at his own disposal. The language of his heart is "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" (Ps. 12:4). He affects supremacy and claims the right of dominion over his own actions. But his claim is invalid, He was made by Another and for Another, and therefore he is a "debtor." Negatively, not to the flesh, which is mentioned because that corrupt principle is ever demanding subjection to it. Positively, he is debtor to the One who gave him being. Christians are debtors both as creatures and as new creatures, being entirely dependent upon God alike for their being and their well-being, for their existence and preservation. As our Maker, God is our Owner, and being our Owner He is therefore our Governor, and by consequence our Judge. He has an absolute propriety in us, an unchallengeable power over us, to command and dispose of us as He pleases. We have nothing but what we receive from Him. We are accountable to Him for our time and our talents. Every benefit we receive increases our obligation to Him. We have no right to please ourselves in anything. This debt is indissoluble: as long as we are dependent upon God for being and support, so long as we are bound to Him. Sin has in no wise cancelled our obligation, for though fallen man has lost his power to obey, the Lord has not lost His power to command.

By virtue of his spiritual being, the saint is still more a debtor to God. First, because of his redemption by Christ, for he is not his own, but bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:9). The state from which he was redeemed was one of woeful bondage, for he was a slave of Satan. Now when a captive was ransomed he became the absolute property of the purchaser (Lev. 25:45,46). The end which Christ had in view proves the same thing: He has "redeemed us to God" (Rev. 5:9). Second, because of his regeneration. The new nature then received inclines to God: we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Eph. 2:10). Having brought us from death unto life, renewed us in His image, bestowed upon us the status and privileges of sonship, we owe ourselves, our strength and our service unto God as His beneficiaries. The new creature is diverted from its proper use if we live after the flesh. Third, because of our own dedication (Rom. 12:1). A genuine conversion involves the renunciation of the world, the flesh and the devil, and the giving up of ourselves unto the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5). Since our obedience to God is a debt, there can be no merit in it (Luke 17:10); but if we pay it not, we incur the debt of punishment (Matt. 6:12,15). Since the flesh has no right to command, the gratification of it is the yielding to a tyrannous usurper (Rom. 6:12,14). When solicited by the flesh, the believer should reply, "I am the Lord’s."

"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." Here are two sharply contrasted propositions, each one being expressed conditionally. Two eventualities are plainly set forth. Two suppositions are mentioned, and the inevitable outcome of each clearly stated. Both parts of the verse affirm that if a certain course of conduct be steadily followed (for it is far from being isolated actions which are referred to) a certain result would inevitably follow. This hypothetical form of presenting the Truth is quite a common one in the Scriptures. Servants of Christ are informed that "If any man’s [literally "any one’s," i.e. of the "ministers" of verse 5, the "laborers" of verse 9] work abide which he hath built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s ["one’s," "minister’s"] work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss" (1 Cor. 3:14, 15). Other well-known examples are, "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ," and "For if I build again the things which I destroyed [renounced], I make myself a transgressor" (Gal. 1:10; 2:18). "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3, and cf. 10:26). Our text, then, is parallel with, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:8).

There are two things which the people of God are ever in need of: faithful warnings, kindly encouragement—the one to curb their sinful propensities, the other to animate their spiritual graces to the performing of duty, especially when they be cast down by the difficulties of the way or are mourning over their failures. Here too a balance needs to be carefully preserved. Inexperienced believers have little realization of the difficulties and perils before them, and the hearts of older ones are so deceitful that each alike needs to be plainly and frequently corrected, and exhorted to pay attention to the danger-signals which God has set up along our way. It is both striking and solemn to note how often the Saviour sounded the note of warning, not only unto the wicked, but more especially unto His disciples. He bade them, "Take heed what ye hear" (Mark 4:24); "Beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15); "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness" (Luke 11:35); "Remember Lot’s wife" (Luke 17:32); "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life" (Luke 21:34). To one He had healed, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14).

The word "flesh" is used in Scripture in a number of senses, but throughout Romans 8 it signifies that corrupt and depraved nature which is in us when we enter this world. That evil nature or principle is variously designated. It is termed sin (Rom. 7:8), "warring against the law of my mind" (verse 23). In James 4:5, "the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy," to indicate that it is not a tangible or material entity. But more commonly it is called "the flesh" (John 3:6; Rom. 7:25; Gal. 5:17). It is so termed because it is transmitted from parent to child as the body is, because it is propagated by natural generation, because it is strengthened and drawn forth by carnal objects, because of its base character and degeneracy. It was not in man when he left the hand of his Creator and was pronounced by Him "very good." Rather was it something that he acquired by the fall. The principle of sin as a foreign element, as a thing ab extra, as an invading agent, entered into him, vitiating the whole of his natural being—as frost enters into and ruins vegetables, and as blight seizes and mars fruit.

The "flesh" is the open, implacable, inveterate, irreconcilable enemy of holiness, yea, it is "enmity against God" (Romans 8:7)—an "enemy" may be reconciled, not so "enmity" itself. Then what an evil and abominable thing is the flesh: at variance with the Holy One, a rebel against His Law! It is therefore our enemy, yea, it is far and away the worst one the believer has. The Devil and the world without do all their mischief to the souls of men by the flesh within them. "The flesh is the womb where all sin is conceived and formed, the anvil upon which all is wrought, the false Judas that betrays us, the secret enemy within that is ready on all occasions to open the gates to the besiegers" (Thomas Jacomb, 1622-87). We must distinguish sharply between being in the flesh and living after the flesh. Thus, "For when we were in the flesh" (Rom. 7:5) has reference to Christians in their unregenerate condition, as "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" speaks of the unsaved; whereas "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit" (8:8,9) is predicated of believers. "In the flesh" imports a person’s standing and state before God; living after the flesh describes his course and conversation. The one inevitably follows and corresponds to the other: a person’s character and conduct agree with his condition and case.

The flesh is radically and wholly evil: as Romans 7:18, declares, there is "no good thing" in it. It is beyond reclamation, being incapable of any improvement. It may indeed put on a religious garb, as did the Pharisees, but beneath is nothing but rottenness. Fire may as soon be struck Out of ice as holy dispositions and motions be produced by indwelling sin. As the "flesh" continually opposes that which is good, so it ever disposes the soul unto what is evil. To "walk after" or to "live after the flesh" (both terms have the same force) is for a person to conduct himself as do all the unregenerate, who are dominated, motivated and actuated by nothing but their fallen nature. To "live after the flesh" refers not to a single act, nor even to a habit or a series of acts in one direction; but rather to the whole man being governed and guided by this vile principle. That is the case with all who are out of Christ: their desires, thoughts, speech and deeds all proceed from this corrupt fount. It is by the flesh that the whole of their souls are set in motion and their entire course steered. All is directed by some fleshly consideration. They act from self, or base principle; they act for self, or base end. The glory of God is nothing to them, the flesh is all in all.

The flesh is a dynamical, active, ambitious principle, and therefore it is spoken of as a lusting thing. Thus we read of "the lusts of the flesh," yea, of "the wills of the flesh" (Eph. 2:3—margin) for its desires are vehement and imperious. "But [indwelling] sin, taking occasion [being aggravated] by the commandment ["thou shalt not covet"], wrought in me all manner of concupiscence" [or "lust"] (Rom. 7:8). Education and culture may result in a refined exterior; family training and other influences may lead to an espousal of religion, as is the case with the great majority of the heathen; selfish considerations may even issue in voluntarily undergoing great austerities and deprivations, as the Buddhist to attain unto Nirvana, the Mohammedan to gain paradise, the Romanist to merit heaven—but the love of God prompts none of them, nor is His glory their aim. Though the Christian be "not in the flesh" as to his status and state, yet the flesh as an evil principle (unchanged) is still in him, and it "lusteth against the spirit" (Gal. 5:17) or new nature, and therefore are we exhorted, "Let not sin [i.e. the flesh] therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof" (Rom. 6:12).

It requires to be pointed out that there is a twofold walking or living after the flesh: the one more gross and manifest, the other more indiscernible. The first breaks forth into open and bodily lusts and acts, such as gluttony, drunkenness, moral uncleanness: this is "the filthiness of the flesh." The second is when the flesh exerts itself in internal heart lusts, which are more or less concealed from our fellows, which lie smouldering and festering within our soul, such as pride, unbelief, self-love, envy, covetousness; this is the filthiness "of the spirit" (2 Cor. 7:1). In Galatians 5:18,19, the apostle gives a catalogue of the lustings of the flesh in both of these respects. He does so to expose a common fallacy. It is generally assumed that walking or living "according to the flesh" is limited to the first form mentioned, and the second one is little considered or regarded. So long as men abstain from gross intemperance, open profanity, brutish sensuality, they think that all is well with them, whereas they may be quite free from all gross practices and still be guilty of living after the flesh. Yea, such is the case with all in whose hearts there are inordinate affections after the world, a spirit of self-exaltation, covetousness, malice, hatred, uncharitableness, and many other reprehensible lusts.

Our text makes crystal clear to us the fundamental and vital importance of the duty here enjoined, for our performance or non-performance thereof is literally a matter of life and death. Mortification is not optional, but imperative. The solemn alternatives are plainly stated: neglect ensures everlasting misery, compliance therewith is assured eternal felicity. The whole verse is manifestly addressed unto saints, and they are faithfully warned, "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die": that is, die eternally, for as in 5:12, 21; 7:23; 8:6, "death" includes all the penal consequences of sin both here and hereafter; so in our text "die" manifestly signifies "shall suffer the second death," which is "the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8). The express reason is here advanced why Christians should not live after the flesh: they are not debtors to it to do so (verse 12): if they surrender to its dominion, the wages of sin will most certainly be paid them. "The flesh belongs to the world, and the man who is yielding to its promptings is in the world, living like the world, and must perish with the world" (J. Stifler).

It was by yielding to the lusts of the flesh that Adam brought death upon himself and all his posterity. And if I live after the flesh, that is, am governed and guided by my old nature, acting habitually according to its inclinations—for it is a persistent and continuous course of conduct which is here mentioned—then, no matter what be my profession, I shall perish in my sin. It is the gratifying and serving of the flesh, instead of the will of God, which eternally ruins souls. "It may be asked whether one who has received the grace of God in truth can live after the flesh. To live in a continued course of sin is contrary to the grace of God; but flesh may prevail and greatly influence the life and conversation for a while. How long this may be the case of a true believer under backsliding, through the power of corruptions and temptations, cannot be known; but certain it is that it shall not be always thus with him" (John Gill).

The whole of our verse pertains to professing Christians, and at the present moment. The Apostle did not simply say, "If ye have lived after the flesh," for that is the case with every unregenerate soul. But if ye now live after the flesh, "ye shall die"—in the full meaning of that word. It is a general statement of a universal truth. We fully agree with the explanation furnished by B.W. Newton, who was a decided Calvinist. "An expression of this kind is addressed to us for two reasons. First, because in the professing church the apostle knew there were and would be false professors. So whenever collective bodies are addressed, he always uses words implying uncertainty and doubt, for tares will be among the wheat. And second, true believers themselves (though grace can preserve them) have now nevertheless always a tendency in them to the same paths. Therefore descriptions like this, which are true to the full of those who merely profess, may yet be rightly applied to all who are wandering into those paths." Examples of the one are found in such passages as Galatians 4:20, and 6:8; Ephesians 5:5-7; Colossians 3:5, 6. Of the second it must be borne in mind that a backsliding Christian had turned aside from the narrow way of denying self, and that if he follows the course of self-pleasing to the bitter end, destruction awaits him."

See here the faithfulness of God in so plainly warning of the terrible doom awaiting all who live after the flesh. Instead of thinking hardly of God for His threatenings, we should be grateful for them. See the justice of God. To be pleasing self is to continue in the apostasy of mankind, and therefore the original sentence (Gen. 2:17) is in force against them. It is contempt of God, and the heinousness of the sin is measured by the greatness of Him who is affronted (1 Sam. 2:25). Moreover, they refuse the remedy, and therefore are doubly guilty. See here the wisdom of God in appointing the greater punishment to curb the greatness of the temptation. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, but the paths of sin are for evermore: if the latter were soundly believed and seriously considered, the former would not so easily prevail with us. Behold the holiness of God: a unmortified soul is unfit for His presence. Vessels of glory must first be seasoned with grace. Conformity to Christ fits for heaven, and where that be lacking there can be no entrance.

"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" (Rom. 8:13). The whole of this verse pertains and belongs to believers, who are "debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (verse 12); but, instead, debtors to Christ who redeemed them, and therefore to live unto His glory; debtors to the Holy Spirit who regenerated and indwells them, and therefore to live in subjection to His absolute control.

On this occasion we will state very briefly what is signified by "mortify," leaving till later a fuller explanation of the precise nature of this duty. First, from its being here placed in apposition with "live after the flesh," its negative sense is more or less obvious. To "live after the flesh" is to be completely controlled by indwelling sin, to be thoroughly under the dominion of our inbred corruptions. Hence, mortification consists in a course of conduct which is just the reverse. It imports: Comply not with the demands of your old nature, but rather subdue them. Serve not, cherish not your lusts, but starve them: "make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14). The natural desires and appetites of the physical body require to be disciplined, so that they are our servants and not our masters; it is our responsibility to moderate, regulate and subordinate them unto the higher parts of our being. But the cravings of the body of sin are to be promptly refused and sternly denied. The spiritual life is retarded just in proportion as we yield subservience to our evil passions.

The imperative necessity for this work of mortification arises from the continued presence of the evil nature in the Christian. Upon his believing in Christ unto salvation he was at once delivered from the condemnation of the Divine law, and freed from the reigning power of sin; but "the flesh" was not eradicated from his being, nor were its vile propensities purged or even modified. That fount of filthiness still remains unchanged unto the end of his earthly career. Not only so, but it is ever active in its hostility to God and holiness: "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit [or new nature] , and the Spirit against the flesh" (Gal. 5:17). Thus there is a ceaseless conflict in the saint between indwelling sin and inherent grace. Consequently there is a perpetual need for him to mortify or put to death not only the actings of indwelling corruption but also the principle itself. He is called upon to engage in ceaseless warfare and not suffer temptation to bring him into captivity to his lusts. The Divine prohibition is "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [enter into no truce, form no alliance with], but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). Say with Ephraim of old, "What have Ito do any more with idols?" (Hosea 14:8).

No real communion with God is possible while sinful lusts remain unmortified. Allowed evil draws the heart away from God, and tangles the affections, discomposes the soul, and provokes the Holy One to close His ears against our prayers: "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?" (Ezek. 14:3). God cannot in any wise delight in an unmortified soul: for Him to do so would be denying Himself or acting contrary to His own nature. He has no pleasure in wickedness, and cannot look with the slightest approval on evil. Sin is a mire, and the more miry we are the less fit for His eyes (Ps. 40:2). Sin is leprosy (Isa. 1:6), and the more it spreads the less converse will the Lord have with us. Deliberately to keep sin alive is to defend it against the will of God, and to challenge combat with the Most High. Unmortified sin is against the whole design of the Gospel—as though Christ’s sacrifice was intended to indulge us in sin, rather than redeem us from it. The very end of Christ’s dying was the death of sin: rather than sin should not die, He laid down His life.

Though risen with Christ, their life hid with Him in God, and they certain to appear with Christ in glory, the saints are nevertheless exhorted to mortify their members which are upon the earth (Col. 3:1-5). It may appear strange when we note what particular members the apostle specified. It was not vain thoughts, coldness of heart, unwary walking, but the visible and most repulsive members of the old man: "fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence"; and in verse 8 he bids them again, "put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication" and lying. Startling and solemn it is to find that believers require calling upon to mortify such gross and foul sins as those: yet it is no more than is necessary. The best Christians on earth have so much corruption within them, which habitually disposes them unto these iniquities (great and heinous as they are), and the Devil will so suit his temptations as will certainly draw their corruptions into open acts, unless they keep a tight hand and close watch over themselves in the constant exercise of mortification. None but the Holy One of God could truthfully aver, "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30) which could be enkindled by his fiery darts.

As the servants of God urge upon the wicked that they slight not any sin because in their judgment it is but a trivial matter, saying, "Is it not a little one? and my soul shall live" (Gen. 19:20); so the faithful minister will press it upon all of God’s people that they must not disregard any sin because it is great and grievous, and say within themselves, "Is it not a great one? and my soul shall never commit it." As we presume upon the pardoning mercy of God in the preserve us from the committing of great and crying sins. It is because of their self-confidence and carelessness that sometimes the most gracious and experienced suddenly find themselves surprised by the most awful lapses. When the preacher bids his hearers beware that they murder not, blaspheme not, turn not apostates from their profession of the faith, none but the self-righteous will say with Hazael, "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" (2 Kings 8:13). There is no crime, however enormous, no abomination, however vile, but what any of us are capable of committing, if we do not bring the cross of Christ into our hearts by a daily mortification.

But why "mortify the deeds of the body"? In view of the studied balancing of the several clauses in this antithetical sentence, we had expected it to read "mortify the flesh." In the seventh chapter and the opening verses of the eighth the apostle had treated of indwelling sin as the fount of all evil actions; and here he insists on the mortifying of both the root and the branches of corruption, referring to the duty under the name of the fruits it bears. The "deeds of the body" must not be restricted to mere outward works, but be understood as including also the springs from which they issue. As Owen rightly said, "The axe must be laid to the root of the tree." In our judgment "the body" here has a twofold reference. First, to the evil nature or indwelling sin, which in Romans 6:6, and 7:24, is likened unto a body, namely "the body of the sins of the flesh" (Col. 2:11). It is a body of corruption which compasses the soul: hence we read of "your members which are upon the earth" (Col. 3:5). The "deeds of the body" are the works which corrupt nature produces, namely our sins. Thus the "body" is here used objectively of "the flesh."

Second, the "body" here includes the house in which the soul now dwells. It is specified to denote the degrading malignity which there is in sin, reducing its slaves to live as though they had no souls. It is mentioned to import the tendency of indwelling sin, namely to please and pamper the baser part of our being, the soul being made the drudge of the outward man. The body is here referred to for the purpose of informing us that though the soul be the original abode of "the flesh" the physical frame is the main instrument of its actions. Our corruptions are principally manifested in our external members: it is there that indwelling sin is chiefly found and felt. Sins are denominated "the deeds of the body" not only because they are what the lusts of the flesh tend to produce, but also because they are executed by the body (Romans 6:12). Our task then is not to transform and transmute "the flesh," but to slay it: to refuse its impulses, to deny its aspirations, to put to death its appetites.

But who is sufficient for such a task—a task which is not a work of nature but wholly a spiritual one? It is far beyond the unaided powers of the believer. Means and ordinances cannot of themselves effect it. It is beyond the province and ability of the preacher: omnipotence must have the main share in the work. "If ye through the Spirit do mortify," that is "the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ" of Romans 8:9—the Holy Spirit; for He is not only the Spirit of holiness in His nature, but in His operations too. He is the principal efficient cause of mortification. Let us marvel at and adore the Divine grace which has provided such a Helper for us! Let us recognize and realize that we are as truly indebted to and dependent upon the Spirit’s operations as we are upon the Father’s electing and the Son’s redeeming us. Though grace be wrought in the hearts of the regenerate, yet it lies not in their power to act it. He who imparted the grace must renew, excite, and direct it.

Believers may employ the aids of inward discipline and rigor, and practice outward moderation and abstinence, and while they may for a time check and suppress their evil habits, unless the Spirit puts forth His power in them there will be no true mortification. And how does He operate in this particular work? In many different ways. First, at the new birth He gives us a new nature. Then by nourishing and preserving that nature. In strengthening us with His might in the inner man. In granting fresh supplies of grace from day to day. By working in us a loathing of sin, a mourning over it, a turning from it. By pressing upon us the claims of Christ, making us willing to take up our cross and follow Him. By bringing some precept or warning to our mind. By sealing a promise upon the heart. By moving us to pray.

Yet let it be carefully noted that our text does not say, "If the Spirit do mortify," or even "If the Spirit through you do mortify," but, instead, "If ye through the Spirit": the believer is not passive in this work, but active. It must not be supposed that the Spirit will help us without our concurrence, as well while we are asleep as waking, whether or not we maintain a close watch over our thoughts and works, and exercise nothing but a slight wish or sluggish prayer for the mortification of our sins. Believers are required to set themselves seriously to the task. If on the one hand we cannot discharge this duty without the Spirit’s enablement, on the other hand He will not assist if we be too indolent to put forth earnest endeavors. Then let not the lazy Christian imagine he will ever get the victory over his lusts.

The Spirit’s grace and power afford no license to idleness, but rather call upon us to the diligent use of means and looking to Him for His blessing upon the same. We are expressly exhorted, "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1), and that makes it plain that the believer is not a cipher in this work. The gracious operations of the Spirit were never designed to be a substitute for the Christian’s discharge of duty. Though His help be indispensable, yet it releases us not from our obligations. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (John 5:21) emphasizes our accountability and evinces that God requires much more than our waiting upon Him to stir us unto action. Our hearts are terribly deceitful, and we need to be much upon our guard against cloaking a spirit of apathy under an apparent jealous regard for the glory of the Spirit. Is no self-effort required to escape the snares of Satan by refusing to walk in those paths which God has prohibited? Is no self-effort called for in separating ourselves from the companionship of the wicked?

Mortification is a task to which every Christian must apply himself with prayerful diligence and resolute earnestness. The regenerate have a spiritual nature within that fits them for holy action, otherwise there would be no difference between them and the unregenerate. They are required to improve the death of Christ, to embitter sin to them by His sufferings. They are to use the grace received in bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. Nevertheless, it is a task which far transcends our feeble powers. It is only "through the Spirit" that any of us can acceptably or effectually (in any degree) "mortify the deeds of the body." He it is who presses upon us the claims of Christ: reminding us that inasmuch as He died for sin, we must spare no efforts in dying to sin—striving against it (Heb. 11:4), confessing it (1 John 1:9), forsaking it (Prov. 28:13). He it is who preserves us from giving way to despair, and encourages us to renew the conflict. He it is who deepens our longings after holiness, and moves us to cry, "Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Ps. 51:10).

"If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body." Mark, my reader, the lovely balance of truth which is here so carefully preserved: while the Christian’s responsibility is strictly enforced, the honour of the Spirit is as definitely maintained and Divine grace is magnified. Believers are the agents in this work, yet they perform it by the strength of Another. The duty is theirs, but the success and the glory are His. The Spirit’s operations are carried on in accordance with the constitution which God has given us, working within and upon us as moral agents. The same work is, in one point of view, God’s; and in another ours. He illumines the understanding, and makes us more sensible of indwelling sin. He makes the conscience more sensitive. He deepens our yearnings after purity. He works in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure. Our business is to heed His convictions, to respond to His holy impulses, to implore His aid, to count upon His grace.

"If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Here is the encouraging promise set before the sorely tried contestant. God will be no man’s debtor: yea, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). If then, by grace, we concur with the Spirit, denying the flesh, striving after holiness, richly shall we be recompensed. The promise unto this duty is opposed unto the death threatened in the clause foregoing: as "die" there includes all the penal consequences of sin, so "shall live" comprehends all the spiritual blessings of grace. If by the Spirit’s enablement and our diligent use of the Divinely appointed means we sincerely and constantly oppose and refuse the solicitations of indwelling sin, then—but only then—we shall live a life of grace and comfort here, and a life of eternal glory and bliss hereafter. We have shown elsewhere that "eternal life" (1 John 2:25) is the believer’s present possession (John 3:36; 10:28) and also his future goal (Mark 10:30; Gal. 6:8; Titus 1:2). He now has a title and right to it; he has it by faith, and in hope; he has the seed of it in his new nature. But he has it not yet in full possession and fruition.

"The promises of the Gospel are not made to the work, but to the worker; and to the worker not for his work, but according to his work, for the sake of Christ’s work. The promise of life, then, is not made to the work of mortification, but to him that mortifies his flesh; and that not for his mortification, but because he is in Christ, of which this mortification is the evidence. That they who mortify the flesh shall live is quite consistent with the truth that eternal life is the free gift of God; and in the giving of it, there is no respect to the merit of the receiver. This describes the character of all who receive eternal life; and it is of great importance. It takes away all ground of hope from those who profess to know God and in works deny Him" (Robert Haldane). The conditionality of the promise, then, is neither that of causation nor uncertainty, but of coherence and connection. A life of glory proceeds not from mortification as the effect from the cause, but follows merely upon it as the end does the use of means. The highway of holiness is the only path which leads to heaven.

d and the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in our lives!

          LISTEN TO ROM 8 V 30.  ROMANS 8:30 (KJV), “MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.”

          ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR OF THAT VERSE, IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, WE SEE THAT THOSE GOD HAS DETERMINED TO BE LIKE CHRIST ARE ASSURED OF THAT GOAL JUST AS IF IT HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.  GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE BEGINS.  PHIL. 1:6 PHILIPPIANS 1:6 (KJV) “BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST: “

          THE LORD WILL BRING US TO COMPLETION—TO TOTAL SAINTLINESS OR TO TOTAL SANCTIFICATION TO TOTAL GLORIFICATION.  I KNOW WE'RE NOT THEIR YET, BUT SOMEONE WROTE THIS & I AGREE;

I AM NOT WHAT I OUGHT TO BE , TO MY DISGRACE.

""""""""""""""””””””””"'WANT """""""""""""""”””””””””DISMAY.

"""""""""""""""””””””””” WILL BE BY GOD'S GRACE,

& BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE,

I AM NOT WHAT I ONCE WAS.”

  SEE, GOD THE FATHER IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION

& TOTAL SAINTLY SANCTIFICATION--(ROM.8:28-30)--EVEN THO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK THAT WAY, OR FEEL THAT WAY.  GOD THE FATHER IS ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.  HE IS ALWAYS FOR US & NOT AGAINST US.  ROM.8:31 SAYS, ROMANS 8:31 (KJV), “WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?”

          & IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS AGAINST US BECAUSE NO FORCE CAN BEAT US.  CHRISTIANS WILL EVENTUALLY WIN!  WE ARE ON THE VICTOR'S SIDE.  "THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS. 

          & SINCE GOD THE FATHER HAS SECURED THE ULTIMATE END OF SALVATION—TOTAL SAINTLY SANCTIFICATION & GLORIFICATION, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE LESSER BENEFITS OF SALVATION? ROM. 8:32 SAYS, ROMANS 8:32 (KJV)” HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS? “

NOW OF COURSE I THINK THE “ALL THINGS” DEALS  WITH THINGS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES FOR HOLY, SANCTIFIED LIVING.  2 PET. 1:3 SAYS, “ACCORDING AS HIS DIVINE POWER HATH GIVEN UNTO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN UNTO LIFE AND GODLINESS, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM THAT HATH CALLED US TO GLORY AND VIRTUE:”

I ALSO THINK THAT FITS IN WITH PHIL. 4:13,. “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME. “

YES, BELIEVERS CAN DO ALL THINGS THAT GOD WANTS US TO DO THROUGH GOD HIMSELF WHO STRENGTHENS US SO WE CAN STAND UP AGAINST ALL CHARGES AGAINST US BECAUSE GOD HAS JUSTIFIED OR DECLARED US RIGHTEOUS. ROM. 8:33 SAYS, “WHO SHALL LAY ANY THING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD’S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH.”.

          & THOSE JUSTIFIED BY GOD WILL NEVER BE CONDEMNED BY GOD BECAUSE OF CHRIST. ROM.8:34. “WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.”

THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DRUNK WHO JUMPED OF A BRIDGE TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.  BUT WHEN HE HIT THE COLD WATER IN THE RIVER IT SOBERED HIM UP A BIT & HE HAD 2D THOUGHTS.  HE YELLED FOR HELP & PASSING MOTORIST JUMPED IN A SAVED HIM.

 HOWEVER, THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM FOR BEING DRUNK & DISORDERLY & DISTURBING THE PEACE.  LOW & BEHOLD HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT & THE MAN WHO SAVED HIM WAS THE JUDGE.  WHILE THE JUDGE WAS GIVING HIM A STIFF SENTENCE THE DRUNK RECOGNIZED THE JUDGE & SAID,

"HEY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SAVED ME FROM DROWNING."  & THE JUDGE SAID,"WHY YES I DID.  THAT DAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOR BUT TODAY I"M YOUR JUDGE & YOU ARE CONDEMNED & MUST HAVE THIS SENTENCE." 

WELL, THOSE SAVED BY JESUS WILL NEVER HAVE A SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION.

BUT ONCE WE HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR WE CAN ASK LIKE IN THAT OLD HYMN, Amazing Love (And Can It Be)
by Charles Wesley

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou,

my God, should die for me?

No condemnation now I dread.

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,

and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

           

                                                                       16  BUT ROM. 8:1 SAYS, “THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.”  SEE, IF WE REALLY HAVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR, THERE IS A DEGREE TO WHICH WE WILL WALK BY THE SPIRIT—OR IF WE QUENCH & GRIEVE THE SPIRIT, WE MAY GET AN EARLY TRIP HOME.

                                    a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!

   A:\1JOHN\5V12 11 MAR 98  WED, TURN TO HYMN 58 "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"  INTRO.   ATTN - LAST WED I LEFT OFF WITH 1 JOHN 5:11-12.   I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW TRUE FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON guarantees  a HOME IN heaven, PARDON &^ FORGIVENESS OF SIN." MOTIVATION- A MESSAGE LIKE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR CONFUSED & SOMETIMES CONFUSING AGE.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE BIBLE TRUTHS TO US SO THAT WE MAY MATURE IN OUR FAITH & PRESENT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO NEED HIM. 

            NOW BACK TO 1JOHN 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12  He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."  WHILE I MADE A POINT ABOUT THOSE WITHOUT CHRIST BEING LOST, I WANT THOSE OF WITH CHRIST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BY BELIEVING ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD. 1 JOHN 5:13 SAYS, 

"THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." (1 JOHN 5:13)

            FOR RIGHT NOW I WANT TO MAJOR ON THE FACT THAT HE THAT  BELIEVETH ON THE SON, THE DIVE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR HAS EVERLASTING, ETERNAL LIFE..." SEE, ACCORDING TO 1 JOHN 5:11 -12, WHICH WE READ LAST WEEK, "...GOD HAS  GIVEN TO THOSE ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR, ETERNAL LIFE.  ETERNAL LIFE, SALVATION, PARDON, FORGIVENESS AND SUCH THINGS ARE ALL IN THE SON."      

            LAST WEEK WE WERE WORKING ON THE FACT THAT [F.]  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR [IV.] INSURES ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS OR GUARANTEES, ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

            OF COURSE ETERNAL LIFE CANNOT BE TEMPORARY. 

IF WE HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR, WE HAVE A SURE SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNAL INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

            WHILE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD &  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGH THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES, WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE NOW IS THAT THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.         AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS. 

LAST WEEK WE SAW THAT THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON OUR TRIUNE GOD:  WE WENT OVER SOME OF THE VERSES SHOWING US THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER GUARANTEEING ETERNAL SECURITY. [JOHN 10:27-29,JOHN 17:1-6,ROMANS 8:31-39;EPH. 1:3-7;JUDE 24 &25].  WE ALSO LOOKED AT GOD THE SON KEEPING TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,ROM. 8:34].  NOW I WANT TO PICK UP WITH

HEB. 7:25,  WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM."

1 JOHN 2:1-2, 1  MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS WRITE I UNTO YOU, THAT YE SIN NOT. AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS: 2  AND HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS: AND NOT FOR OURS ONLY, BUT ALSO FOR [THE SINS OF] THE WHOLE WORLD."

           

SO REAL BELIEVERS ARE KEPT SAVED BY GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, & GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHO REGENERATES. JOHN 3:3-7,  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. 4  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? 5  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. 6  THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH; AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT."JOHN TITUS 3:5, "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST;"

-INDWELLS, 1 COR. 6:19, 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?"

- BAPTIZES, 1 COR. 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."

-SEALS, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:22, "WHO HATH ALSO SEALED US, AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS." [macS study bible, p.1804 ] IN THE TIME OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, SEALING REFERRED TO AN OFFICIAL MARK OF ID PLACED UPON A LETTER, CONTRACT, COVENANT, OR DOCUMENT.  WHATEVER WAS SEALED, WAS OFFICIALLY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PERSON WHOSE STAMP WAS UPON THE SEAL. SOME PRIMARY TRUTHS SIGNIFIED BY THE SEAL ARE:1. SECURITY-(DAN.6:17;MAT.27:62-66); [2. AUTHENTICITY (1 KINGS 21:6-16);] 3. OWNERSHIP (JER.32:10) & 4. AUTHORITY (ESTHER 8:8-12)

EPH. 1:13, "IN WHOM YE ALSO [TRUSTED], AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION:

IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE," 

            THE HS IS ALSO THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST OR DOWNPAYMENT WHICH GUARANTEES MORE TO COME. EPH. 1:14, "WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY."

2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; "NOW HE THAT HATH WROUGHT US FOR THE SELFSAME THING [IS] GOD, WHO ALSO HATH GIVEN UNTO US THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT."  [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULLY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

           

THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & BEING LIKE CHRIST.  WE WILL HAVE NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, IMMORTAL BODY. 

            HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE--THEY WILL END IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

            WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13, "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD."(1 JOHN 5:13)

   V.  A SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON,

THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  SEE, IF THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS NOT REALLY BELIEVED, THEN ANY SO-CALLED FAITH IS VOID--THAT MEANS EMPTY.  SEE, ANY SO-CALLED FAITH THAT IS NOT REALLY IN THE REAL CHRIST AS SAVIOR IS NULL & VOID & ACTUALLY VIOLATES THE SALVATION OFFERED THROUGH THE SAVIOR.

            WELL, ON TO THE LAST CLAUSE IN 1 JO 5:13.  "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD."             THE LAST CLAUSE IS DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THE GREEK FROM WHICH WE GET THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION, BUT I THINK IT MEANS "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF,

 MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST. 

            THAT CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT GUARANTEES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY TRUE SAVIOR.  CONVERSELY OR FOR THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRUTH WE HAVE IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE: AND HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE; BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM."

            LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN.

            SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[THE NEXT PASSAGE IS FROM NEWPAPER PRINT]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IN PRISON AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE AND PERHAPS HAVE SOME DOUBT.

            ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)        

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME. 

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                                                a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!WE ENDED UP THE TIME TALKING ABOUT WITNESSES TO THE TRUY\UTH ABPUT JEASUS CHRIST BEING GOD IN THGE FLESH, THE SAVIOR.  MOTIVATION- A MESSAGE ABOUT

HEY SEE IF THEY ARE LOVING CORRECTLY & CHECK THEMSELVES AGAINST THE COMMANDS OF GOD THEY DON'T KNOW?

            ALSO,  ANY ONE CLAIMING DIVINE LOVE FOR THE BIBLICAL LORD JESUS CHRIST THEN REFUSING TO FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS DISTORTS DIVINE LOVE.   WE NEED TO CHECK AND SEE IF WE ARE KEEPING HIS COMMANDS  TO RIGHTLY LOVE HIM AND OTHERS.  1 JOHN 5:3 [IV.  DIVINE LOVE (DEFINED)]. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

A.  TRUE DIVINE LOVE TO THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS DEFINED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING. 

            LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT fulfilling of the law OF LOVE BY ADHERING TO THOSE COMMANDS WHICH DEAL WITH PROPERLY LOVING GOD.  THIS WEEK, WE'LL SEE HOW WE NEED LINE UP WITH WHAT GOD SAYS IS LOVING TOWARD PERSONS OTHER THAN GOD.  SO, HOW LOVING ARE WE IN OUR  INTERPERSONAL, HUMAN RELATIONS? THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS START IN THE HOME.

EX. 20:12, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)

1.   []  ?MOTHER, FATHER LOVE - RESPECT?

[]  ?THE BIBLICAL ROLES IN THE HOME?  THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE & A BIBLICAL ORDER FOR THE HOME & FAMILY.  NEEDS TO BE LOVING REEMPHASIZED IN OUR DAY.

             Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)

THE GENUINE LOVE OF GOD BEING MADE MANIFEST IN A PERSON'S LIFE WILL PREVENT A PERSON FROM

v.13   MURDER OF THE UNBORN, ELDERLY, HANDICAPPED, SELF & OTHERS. 

TRUE LOVE WON'T TAKE A PERSON'S LIFE OR

v.14                            WIFE OR        HUSBAND.  Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

v.15   OR PROPERTY. V 15 IS ANTI-COMMUNISM & SOCIALISM. "Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15"

 IF EVERYTHING BELONGED TO EVERYONE IN COMMON, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE STEALING TO TAKE IT. 

EXOD. 20:16 IN THE LAW OF DIVINE LOVE SAYS DON'T LIE ABOUT A PERSON OR STATE 1/2 TRUTHS OR MAKE INSINUATIONS, INNUENDOS (DEROGATORY REMARKS)  RUMORS OR SNIDE REMARKS, CUTS, BARBS, PUT DOWNS, OR GOSSIP. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Ex 20:16.

 EXOD. 20:17 IN THE LAW OF DIVINE LOVE SAYS DON'T COVET.  "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's." COVETEOUSNESS IS HARD TO DETECT BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH JEALOUSY, ENVY ETC.: 

 []  ?ARE YOU JEALOUS OR ENVIOUS OF SOMEONE'S

 []  ?POSSESSIONS?             

[]  ?POSITION?

[]  ?POWER?

[]  ?PROPERTY?

[]  ?PRESTIGE?

[]  ?HEALTH? LET US NOT BEGRUDGE PEOPLE WHAT GOD GIVES ALLOWS THEM!

            SO OCCASIONALLY WE NEED TO CHECK OURSELVES & SEE IF WE ARE FULFILLING THE DUTIES OF LOVE.

            NOW BACK TO 1 JN. 5:3 cont."For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 

IV.  DIVINE LOVE DEMONSTRATED                       A.  "   "       "  BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING       B.  "   "       "  W/O CUMBERSOMENESS

KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDS IS NOT CUMBERSOME TO THE ONE WHO TRULY LOVES GOD.  IT'S LIFE THE LITTLE GIRL THAT WAS CARRYING A BIG FAT HEAVY BABY - & A LITTLE ELDERLY LADY SAID ?ISN'T HE TOO HEAVY FOR YOU?" "NO, HE AIN'T'S HEAVY - HE'S MY BROTHER"!  SHE LOVED THAT FAT BABY BROTHER.

            DIVINE LOVE IS NOT TO BE A BURDEN.  DIVINE LOVE IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE KEEPING GOD'S LAWS A DELIGHT AND DELIGHTFUL. 

HOWEVER, I FOUND A QUOTE ABOUT THE BURDENSOME NATURE OF RELIGION.

            [BEGINNING OF QUOTE]

THE BURDEN OF RELIGION (MAN TRYING TO PLEASE GOD IN HIS OWN STRENGTH) IS A GRIEVOUS ONE (cf. MATT. 23:4, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers."

            BUT THE YOKE THAT CHRIST PUT ON US IS NOT BURDENSOME AT ALL. MATT. 11:28-30, "28  Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11)"

            SEE, LOVE LIGHTENS BURDENS.  JACOB HAD TO WORK FOR SEVEN YEARS TO WIN THE WOMAN HE LOVED, BUT THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT "THEY SEEMED UNTO HIM A FEW DAYS, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD FOR HER" (GEN. 29:20).  PERFECT LOVE PRODUCES JOYFUL OBEDIENCE. & reveals the BIG LIE: WHICH SAYS CHRISTIANS HAVE NO FUN."

            FRIENDS, DIVINE LOVE IS DEMANDED, BUT IT IS BEING DISTORTED, IT CAN BE DISCERNED & IT CAN BE DEFINED BY GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION.  LET'S DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO GOD & OTHERS PROPERLY BY CHRIST'S ENABLEMENT IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD - TO WHOM IS GLORY & HONOR FOREVER. 

            WELL, ON TO 1 JOHN 5:4-13 TALKING ABOUT "FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON."  [14 OCT 84 PM  FAITH, FAIRVIEW]

  [MAY 87  1000 MVF CHAPEL  SUN AM]

            MY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND UPON THIS THEME IN THIS CONTEXT AND TRUST THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY IT TO OUR HEARTS & HEADS THAT WE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MAY MATURE IN IT & PRESENT IT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE FAITH, OR NEED TO GROW IN IT UNTO MATURITY. 

1 JOHN 5:4-13 TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:4,5,  1.  ...IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE WORLD.  JESUS SAID THE WORLD WOULD GIVE US TROUBLE.  JOHN 16:33,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

            SEE, FAITH IS THE VICTORY!  IT IS A SPIRITUAL FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, NOT A CARNAL FITE!  WE ARE NOT TO FITE IN OR BY OR EVEN WITH THE FLESH IN THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  2 Corinthians 10:3_5, "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,

and every high thing that exalteth

itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every

thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Corinthians 10)

FAITH IS ONE OF OUR WEAPONS & OUR SHIELD. CF EPH. 6:10- 18, "10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  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]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph.6). 

FAITH IS NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHATEVER GOD SAYS IS TRUE, IT IS ACTING ON THOSE FACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE.  IN THIS CASE FAITH NAMES & CLAIMS THE VICTORY. 

            v. 5., "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  FROM V5 WE COULD SAY THAT WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD OR WORLDLINESS REIGNS SUPREME OR IS THE VICTOR FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THERE MAY BE MORE THAN AN INDICATION OF CARNALITY - IT MAY BE AN INDICATION OF LOSTNESS.  FOR UNLESS ONE BELIEVES & RECEIVES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION - THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS, ITS INTENTIONS - AND ITS PRINCE HAS POWER OVER THE LOST SOUL. 

            LET ME PUT THAT ANOTHER WAY.  UNLESS WE HAVE A TRUST THAT OBEYS GOD'S WORD, THEN THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS - ITS INTENTIONS - & ITS PRINCE - CAN HAVE POWER OVER EVEN OUR CHRISTIAN SOUL!, AT LEAST ON A MOMENTARY BASIS.

                        NOW, TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS AS GOD THE SON, 1 JN. 5:6,  II.  ...IS VIOLENTLY, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HERESY. "This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6 PROBABLY REFERS TO THE THE CERENTHIAN GNOSTIC HERESY, A POPULAR HERESY PROMOTED BY CERENTHUS TO WHICH JOHN'S CONTEMPORARIES WERE EXPOSED.  CERRNTHUS  PORTRAYED JESUS AS A MERE MAN ON WHOM 'THE CHRIST' HAD COME WHEN JESUS WAS WATER BAPTIZED & THEN CLAIMED THE CHRIST SPIRIT LEFT THE MAN JESUS ON THE CROSS SO THAT HE DIED LIKE ANY OTHER MERE MAN - INSTEAD OF AS GOD IN THE FLESH BEING A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR A FALLEN RACE. 

            SEE, IF CHRIST HAD DIED AS A MERE MAN, HIS DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE INFINITE VALUE NEEDED TO PAY THE PENALYY FOR SIN AGAINST AN INFINITLEY HOLY & INFINITE GOD.

            SEE, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN.  GOD WAS BORN AS A MAN - HE WAS BORN THRU WATER & BLOOD, HE WAS ALREADY GOD THE SON AT HIS WATER BAPTISM, I.e. THE HOLY SPIRIRT DID NOT DEIFY CHRIST AT HIS WATER BAPTISM.  THE THE GOD-MAN DIED AS A MAN & ISSUED FORTH WATER & BLOOD.  (JOHN 19:33-36, "33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35  And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." 

 & IF WE'RE SAVED ITS THRU THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (TITUS 3:5). W/ THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLYING THE WATER OF THE WORD & THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE GOD MAN TO US. 

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON 1 JOHN 5: 7-10,   III.  ...IS VALIDATED/VERIFIED BY TESTIMONY

1 JOHN 5:7   A.  THE HEAVENLY TESTIMONY. 

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."-

JOHN 1:1-3, "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:14;"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  

                 DUET. 19:19, JOHN 8:17 & 18  - STILL I THINK WITNESSING TO HIS PERSON AS TRUE GOD/TRUE MAN.

1 JOHN 5:8   B.  THE EARTHLY TESTIMONY -

TO HIS PERSON AS GOD IN THE FLESH.

I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN WITH 1 JOHN ch. 5.  I LEFT 1 JOHN FOR A WHILE TO SEE THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LAST WORDS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS & THEN I DID A FEW LENTEN TYPE MESSAGES & LAST SUNDAY WAS RESURRECTION SUNDAY -

LORD WILLING , I WANT TO FINISH 1 JOHN ch. 5 SOMETIME SOON.

THE LAST TIMEN I WAS IN 1 JOHN, I HAD LOOKED AT vv. 7-10 AND SAW THAT TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE SAVIOR IS VALIDATED OR VERIFIFED BY

HEAVENLY TESTIMONY -

HUMAN TESTIMONY

  THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD &

[noW IN

v. 10??]   

  THE SUBJECTIVE, INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD OR

THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

            TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:7-10  cont.,  iii.  ...IS VALIDATED BY TESTIMONY VERIFIED

1 JOHN 5:9a,  C.  THE HUMAN TESTIMONY

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE OR TRUST, OR PLACE FAITH IN SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PILOTS, COOKS, BOOKS, NEWPAPERS, DRIVERS - WHY NOT TRUST GOD & HIS WORD? 

            MEN CAN BE DECEIVED OR DECEIVE, GOD CAN'T.  MAN'S TESTIMONY IS FINITE & LIMITED IN POWERS OF OBSERVATIONS & RECALL,

GOD'S IS NOT!

WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF HUMAN TESTIMONY, WE CAN ONLY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN & ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF DIVINE TESTIMONY & THAT WHICH IS RECORDED AS THE RECORD IN THIS BOOK!

1 JOHN 5:10a.  E.  THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY.

THE BELIEVER HAS AN INTERNAL WITNESS (ROM. 8:16 & COL. 4:6).  THIS INTERNAL WITNESS DOES NOT DENY THE FACT THAT THERE IS VALID EXTERNAL EVIDENCE - BUT IT IS ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CAN CAUSE ONE TO INTERNALIZE THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE (MATT. 16:16-18).

OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL EVIDENCE IS USELESS FOR SALVATION UNLESS IT BECOMES AN INTERNAL SUBJECTUVE CONVICTION ... MUST BE IN THE HEART & NOT JUST THE HEAD (JAMES 2:19) ... AND ONE CAN'T HAVE THE INTERNAL SUBJECTIVE CONVICTION UNTIL THE OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED & THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL IVIDENCE CAN'T BE ACEPTED UNLESS THERE IS THE INTERNAL, SUBJECTIVE, CONVICTION, i.e. THE HOLY SPIRIT & HIS WORD & ANOTHER THEOLOGICAL ANTINOMY OR PARADOX. 

[READ 1 JOHN 5:12] 

            F.  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR

            IV.  IS VOWED TO INSURE ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

THIS PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS TH THOSE TRUSTING CHRIST - NOT IN CHURCHIANITY OR RELIGIOSITY OR IN A CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE, A DENOMINATIONAL RITUAL OR RITE.  [SEE MESSAGE ON GOOD WORKS.]

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SUN, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

v. 12  NO CHRIST = NO ETERNAL LIFE.  ONE CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION, AND A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & STILL NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION & A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & NOT HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

            THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFEBOAT - HE'S THE LIFELINE.  ?ARE YOU TRUSTING HIM ONLY FOR SALVATION & IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOTHING CAN SHAKE YOUR FAITH IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE??  ?IF NOT - THEN YOUR FAITH IS SHAKEY!  "ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND -- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"

LET'S FORGET ABOUT CHRISTIANITY & RELIGIOSITY & PREACH CHRIST ?DO YOU HAVE CHRIST?  IF YOU HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR - YOU HAVE AN ASSURED SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNA INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

           

            ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGHT THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES.  THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.  AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS.  THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON:  THE FATHER (JOHN 10:27,[OR-]29, [17:1ff;] ROMANS 8:31, 38, 39; EPH. 1:3-7; JUDE 24 &25), THE SON KEEPS TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,]  ROM. 8:34, 2 TIM. 1:10-12, HEB. 7:25, 1 JOHN 2:1?) AND HOLY SPIRIT WHO REGENERATES (JOHN 3:3, TITUS 3:5), INDWELLS

(1 COR. 6:19), BAPTIZES (1 COR. 12:13), SEALS (2 COR. 1:22, EPH. 1:13) AND IS THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST (EPH. 1:14, 2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENET EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CLIMAX OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

            THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & LIKE CHRIST -- NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, INNORTAL BODY.  [SOME,]  HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THAT ENDS IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13   V.  SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  VOID - NULL & VOID &

VIOLATED

THE LAST CLAUSE ID DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THEGREEK, BUT I THIND IT MEANS THE "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF, MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST). [?end quote?] 

THIS CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT ASSURES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS SAVIOR .. [CONVERSELY (JOHN 3:36)]

[LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN -

TURN TO HYMN 58 - "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"]

SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[the next passage is from newpaper print]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            [THE ___________] JOHN IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IMPRISONED; AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE.  [NOW THERE ARE SOME RESULTS FROM DOUBT.]

***      ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME. 

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                                                a.  PHOTOS

                                                b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                                                c.  BULLETIN

                                    2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26,27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

LET US STAND AND SING HYMN _____

 IV.  PRAY PRACTICALLY

HOW CAN I PRAY PRACTICALLY? 

            A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN THE DATE ANSWERED.  ADD & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

            A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST IS TO EXAMINE THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, THE COMMANDS TO PRAY, AND THE PRAYER PROMISES.

            HOW TO DEVELOP A PRAYER LIST OR SOME              SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PRAY FOR

            THE BIBLE SETS BEFORE US A NUMBER OF THINGS FOR WHICH WE ARE TO PRAY.

WE ARE TO PRAY FOR:

1.  MORE CHRISTIAN WORKERS - MATT. 9:38

    [SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES - ISA. 59:21]           2.  GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL          WORLDLINESS OF THE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM -         JOHN 17:11, 15, (2 JOHN 2:15-17)

3.  SALVATION OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES - ROM.      10:1 AS THE APOSTLE PAUL DID.

4.  CHRISTIAN MINISTERS - ROM. 15:30; 2 COR.       1:11

5.  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - EPH.            3:14,16

6.  FOR ALL SAINTS - EPH. 6:18

7.  NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEADERS - 1 TIM.      2:1, 2, 3

8.  THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING - HEB. 13:3

9.  HEALING - JAMES 5:16

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF HEADINGS WHICH COULD HELP YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PRAYER LIST.  YOU MAY WANT TO USE A NOTEBOOK OR USE THE BLANK WHITE WHITE PAGES IN YOUR BIBLE.

 1.  UNSAVED LOVED ONE AND FRIENDS.

 2.  FAMILY MEMBERS.

 3.  FRIENDS.  [PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS MOST LIKELY       WILL NOT PRAY FOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.]

 4.  PASTORS/EVANGELISTS.

 5.  MISSIONARIES.

 6.  SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS/OTHER CHURCH            LEADERS.    

 7.  CHURCH MINISTRIES.

 8.  CHRISTIAN COLLEGES/CAMPS/ORGANIZATIONS.

 9.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR OTHERS & THEIR            NEEDS.

10.  SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR MYSELF & MY NEEDS.             

LAST WEEK I FINISHED A MAJOR PART OF GOD'S SOPs OF PRAYER.  THOSE SOPs INCLUDED:

WE MUST PRACTICE

PRAYER OBEDIENTLY -

IN ACCORD WITH GOD'S WRITTEN WILL, & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

DUTIFULLY -

IT IS OUR DUTY & PRIVILEG3 TO APPROACH THE THRONE ON GRACE & FIND HELP IN TIME OF NEED & WE MUST PRACTICE PRAYER

PARTICULARLY -

OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

& LAST WEEK I LEFT OFF WITH PRAY

PRACTICALLY

& I TALKED ABOUT MAKING PRAYER PRACTICAL WITH A MENTAL OR WRITTEN PRAYER LIST & SUGGESTED SOME THINGS TO GO ON OUR PRAYER LIST. 

WHAT TO PRAY FOR

. SAINTS TO BE SANCTIFIED -- BE MORE LIKE CHRIST (IMAGE0

. REVIVAL & HOLINESS AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

. SOME ALCOHOLICS SAVED OR DELIVERED

. SOME DRUG ABUSERS  "   "     "

. MARITAL HARMONY FOR MANY MARRIAGES IN          TROUBLE

. MARITAL RECONCILIATIONS

. FOR GOD TO HELP YOU TO FORGIVE OTHERS

. WISDOM

WHEN TO PRAY?  LUKE 18:1; 1 THESS. 5:_____?

WHEN YOU AWAKE, BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, BEFORE MEALS. BEFORE YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, AFTER YOU READ/HEAR THE BIBLE, DURING READING AND HEARING THE BIBLE, IN THE MORNING, IN THE EVENING, AT NOON, AFTERNOON -- GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.  GOD NEVER SLEEPS OR SLUMBERS.

WHERE TO PRAY

.. IN BED

.. IN BATH/SHOWER

.. IN AN AIRPLANE

.. ON A TRAIN

.. ON A BUS

.. IN A TAXI              

.. ON A WALK

.. IN A WHEELCHAIR

.. DURING A VISIT

.. IN A CROWDED ROOM

.. IN A BUSY STREET

.. PRAY WHEREVER YOU ARE -- GOD IS OMNIPRESENT     -- HE IS EVERYWHERE

WHO TO PRAY [TO GOD THE FATHER ??v. 12______?? GOD THE SON BY THE HOLY SPIRIT] WITH

PRAY ALONE           PRAY IN CHAPEL

 "  W/ SPOUSE          "  IN PRAYER MEETING  

 "  W/PARENTS          "  W/ A PRAYER PARTNER

 "  W/ CHILDREN

    

WHY? - GOD WANTS YOU TO!  IT IS A PRIVILEGE & AN AWESOME DUTY.

1 THESS. 5:17 & LUKE ___: 1, 1 TIM. 2:8 

HOW?  1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

                        a.  PHOTOS

                        b.  MISSIONARY CARDS

                        c.  BULLETINS

2.  HAVE THE LIST ARRANGED AS A PRAYER CYCLE  e.g.

                                                a.  ONE DAY - MISSIONARIES

                                                b.  ONE DAY - [PMOC, PWOC, PPC], CHAPLAINS, UNSAVED, CHAPEL FAMILY, ETC.

STANDING, KNEELING, __________, PRONE OR PROSTRATE, ON YOUR SIDE -

THIS DOESN'T SAY ALL THERE IS TO SAY ABOUT PRAYER, OR ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT PRAYER, BUT THIS IS WHAT I THINK GOD LAID UPON MY HEART.

GOD HAS SOME SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER:

  I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

 II.    "  DUTIFULLY

III.    "  PARTICULARLY

 IV.    "  PRACTICALLY

& REMEMBER ROM. 8:26, 27. 

LET'S PRAY

LET US TURN TO HYMN _____   "HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD"

1 JOHN 5:16-21ff        - BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF GOD'S FACTS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THIS LAST FEW VERSES OF 1 JOHN & NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE IF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE BUT THAT BY GOD'S GRACE WE MAY ACT ACCORDING TO THE FACT ... I PRAY THAT YOU MAY APPLY GOD'S TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE BY THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

IN REVIEW I'VE PREACHED

   I.  1 JN. 1-2:2???  AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

              ABOUT JESUS

                "   LIGHT & DARKNESS

                "   SIN

  II.  1 JOHN 2:3-17  FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

       CONDITIONS FOR     "       "    "

       HINDRANCES TO      "       "    "

 III.  1 JN. 2:18-3:???  ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES,         & ATTITUDES OF FALSE TEACHERS

  IV.  1 JN. 3:1-10  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           SALVATION, SAINTS, & SIN

   V.  1 JN. 3:10-2  THE TRUE SONS OF GOD &           THE TRUE LOVE OF GOD

  VI.  1 JN. 4:1-7  FALSE SPIRITS, FALSE              TEACHERS, & FALSE PROPHETS

 VII.  1 JN. 4:7-5:3  DIVINE LOVE

VIII.  1 JN. 5:4-13  FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS          CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

  IX.  1 JN. 5:14-16  SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON           THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER  

   X.  1 JN. 5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS            MIGHT SIN:  INTENTIONAL SIN & IGNORANT         SIN.

TO ME AN OVERWHELMING EMPHASIS IN THIS BOOK HAS BEEN TRUTH ... APPLIED TO VARIOUS AREAS.  REMEMBER THAT ONE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES IS TRUTH. 

TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD & BELIEVERS AS                         OPPOSED TO FALSE FELLOWSHIP

TRUE TEACHERS   AS OPPOSED TO FALSE TEACHERS

  "  DOCTRINE   "     "    "  FALSE DOCTRINE

  " SONS OF GOD "     "    "     SONS OF GOD

  "  LOVE       "     "    "            LOVE

  "  FAITH      "     "    "           FAITH

  "  PRAYER     "     "    "      PRAYER (OR               WISHFUL THINKING) OR PRESUMPTION

& TRUE POWER TO SIN LESS AS OPPOSED TO THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF SINLESS PERFECTION FOR THE HERE & NOW

_____________________________________________

1 JN.  5:16-21  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS MIGHT SIN

   I.  1 JN. 5:16

   16     A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  NOW

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST?

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                                                b.  INTERVENE - THERE IS A KIND OR TYPE OF SIN HERE I SUGGEST DEMANDS INTERVENTION AS THE 1st PRIORITY - NOT TO EXCLUDE INTERCESSION BUT AS THE 2nd STEP. 

A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WERE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO     

COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVNE - GRANTED IT MAYBE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

1 JOHN 5:6,7

THESE vv. ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAVED PERSON SINNING AND THEN ANOTHER SAVED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITH IN SUCH A SITUATION.  NOW THESE vv. ASSUME THA A SAVED - BORN-AGAIN - JUSTIFIED - REDEEMED PERSON MAY SIN.  THIS BOOK HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE ERRONEOUS TEACHING OF SINLESS PERFECTION (1 JOHN 1:8-2:1).  BELIEVERS SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID PRIOR TO SALVATION BUT WE WON'T BE SINLESS UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES TO TAKE US AWAY. THE REFORMERS CORRECTLY CLAIMED THAT PERFECT SANCTIFICATION IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE. 

HOWEVER - A MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THIS MORTAL LIFE IS THAT THE SIN NATURE OR ADAMIC NATURE WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SINFUL STATE, IS NOT ERADICATED OR ERASED UNTIL WE DIE OR CHRIST COMES BACK FOR US - (ROM. 7:21-25) ACTUALLY ROMANS 6-8 DEALS W/ THIS SUBJECT AS DOES GAL. 5:16-17 - NOT ONLY IS THE SIN NATURE CAPABLE OF CAUSING US TO SIN -- IT IS IN ITS VERY CONSTITUTION AND CONDITION LIKE A _______________ POLLUTED STATE OF BEING REGARDLESS OF ANY ACTIVITY.

THESES TRUTHS ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO DESTROY THE PROPOSITIONS OF THE PROPONENTS OF SINLESS PERFECTIONISM -- HOWEVER, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THEY USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE COMES FROM JOHN WESLEY'S

[QUOTED]

            CONCEPTION OF SIN.  JOHN WESLEY SAID:  "I            BELIEVE A PERSON FILLED WITH LOVE OF GOD    IS STILL LIABLE TO INVOLUNTARY        TRANSGRESSIONS.  SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS YOU             MAY CALL SINS, IF YOU PLEASE; I DO NOT.

HOWEVER, THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE INVOLUNTARU TRANSGRESSIONS SIN -- BUT ALSO TRANSGRESSIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE.  I MAY DEMONSTRATE THIS LATER IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS.  THE BASIC POSITION OF THE PREFORMERS BRANDED ANY TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW AS SIN, WHETHER DONE INTENTIONALLY OR NOT -- AND THAT IS THE CORRECT BIBLICAL POSITION.

ANOTHER ERRONEOUS ARGUMENT PRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATES OF SINLESS PERFECTION IS ONE WHICH MODIFIES THE ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF GOD'S LAW TO ACCOMODATE THE FEEBLENESS & FRAILITY OF FINITE HUMANITIES FALLEN CONDITION.  HOWEVER, THO ______________ MAY DROP THEIR STANDARDS -- GOD DOES NOT.  NEVERTHELESS GOD CALLS SOME PERFECT:  NOAH (GEN. 6:9), ABRAHAM (GEN. 17:1), JOB (JOB 1:1), DAVID (PSALM 18:32).  SCRIPTURE ALSO REVEALS THE SINS OF THESE PEOPLE AS WELL AS _________ SINLESS PERFECTION FOR HUMANS YET ON EARTH (1 KINGS 8:46; ECC. 7:20; 1 JOHN 1:8).  SINCE EVEN BELIEVERS ARE YET CAPABLE OF SIN, THESE CALLED PERFECT MUST REFER TO [1 JOHN 5:14-17] SOMETHING LIKE THERE WERE SINCERELY PIOUS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF GOD & GODLINESS (?ARE WE?).

NOW WHAT IS A SIN NOT UNTO DEATH?

BASICALLY, THIS IS ANY SIN THAT A BELIEVER COMMITS FOR WHICH THE LORD DOES NOT CALL HOME OR SWIFTLY ??EXLCATE?? . 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SINS NOT UNTO DEATH, COMMITTED BY BELIEVERS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF WHAT THE O.T. CALLED SINNING IN IGNORANCE.

                                    b.  IN IGNORANCE - DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER -

LET'S LOOK AT SOME O.T. EXAMPLES OF SINNING IN IGNORANCE - & BEFORE WE ARE TOO HARSH ON THEIR IGNORANCE - REMEMBER THEY ALL DIDN'T HAVE HAVE COPIES OF THE LAW - WE DO + & AS WE LERN THE BIBLE, SOMETIMES WE STILL DISCOVER -- AS WE-GROW - THAT WE HAVE SINNED IN IGNORANCE - IGNORANCE IS BLISS -- BUT IT IS NO EXCUSE - - & YES - EVEN BEFORE SALVATION - GOD HAS 1 MORAL - ETHICAL - LEGAL CODE AS IT WERE & IT IS FOR ALL!  IF YOU BREAK A MICHIGAN TRAFFIC LAW & YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW - [TOUGH] - IF YOU WERE NOT A STATE RESIDENT - THAT'S NO EXCUSE EITHER - BEFORE ONE _________________ IN SALVATION - IS SIMILARLY NO EXCUSE!  IF IT WERE - LET US ABSOLVE ALL THE HEATHEN IN THEIR IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,3,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18,ff; NUM. 15:22-29).

THERE IS ANOTHER IMPLICATION HERE -. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR - ______ DON'T STOP READING YOUR BIBLE!  I KNOW OF 1 YOUNG MAN THAT DID THAT!  TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED (LUKE 12:48). 

1 JOHN 5:16-21 

    I.  1 JOHN 5:16  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS              MIGHT SIN

16        A.  BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN - THAT IS A GIVEN, THAT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

                                    1.  WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SINNERS _______? 

?WHAT IS OUR DUTY OF LOVE, OR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD A?? SINNING BELIEVER?  A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? 

                                                a.  INTERCEDE - PRAY FOR A SINNING BELIEVER, BUT NOT IN EVERY CASE IS THIS THE PRIORITY IN SOME CASES WE MUST ..

                        B.  INTERVENE

PRAYER IS NOT THE PROMARY PRIORITY FOR A SIN UNTO DEATH.  INTERVENTION - NOT  INTERRCESSION IS THE PRIMARY PRIORITY  FOR US - IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER SINNING UNTO DEATH -- THAT IS A SIN IN WHICH THE BELIEVER IS IN DANGER OF BEING PHYSICALLY EXECUTED BY GOD. 

WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH? 

                                    1.  IT IS NOT THE REJECTION OF CHRIST - FOR THE BOOK IS WRITTEN UNTO CHRISTIANS & ONCE CHRIST HAS BEEN ACCEPTED CHRIST NEVER CAN BE COMPLETELY REJECTED.

(JOHN 6:37; 10:27-30; ROM. 8:29,35-39; PHIL. 1:6; 2 COR. 13:5)

                                    2.  THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS NOT BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT IS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND A SAVED PERSON CAN BE PARDONED FOR ANYTHING (1 JOHN 1:9) IN REGARDS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE - THOUGH ONE MAY UNDERGO THE DEATH PENALTY OR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS IT WERE FOR SINS UNTO DEATH.

BY THE WAY, I'M SURE THAT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN BE PERFORMED IN OUR DAY --

BEFORE YOU TURN ME OFF OR RUN ME OFF AS A HERETIC -- HEAR ME OUT --

SOME SUGGEST -- AND I AM NOT ABSLOUTELY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE WRONG - LISTEN - SOME SAY - THAT THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BY UNBELIEVERS DURING THE LORD'S EARTHLY MINISTRY - BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE DONE BY UNBELIEVERS CALLING CHRIST'S MIRACLES AT THAT TIME - DEMONIC OR SATANIC DEMONSTRATIONS - INSTEAD OF HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT - DIVINE WORKS WHICH ACTUALLY VERIFIED & VALIDATED HIS CLAIM TO BE THE DIVINE MESSIAH -- MATT. 12:31 e.g. vv. 22-24

NOW OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED TODAY ACCORDING TO ALL THE PARTICULARS BUT POSSIBLY IN PRINCIPLE - i.e., BY A CONSISTANT, CONSCIOUS, DELIBERATE & MALICIOUS REJECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WITNESS CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST THE LORD & SAVIOR!  THUS ONE MAY COMMIT THE SIN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO PARDON BY DYING WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE WOOING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BELIEVE & RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ETERNAL SALVATION. 

HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER MEET ANY PERSON TRULY CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST OR COMMITTED AN UNPARDONABLE SIN, THEIR SIMPLE CONCERN DEMONSTRATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BECAUSE THE BLASHPHEMOUS, HARDENED, REJECTOR WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUCH CONCERN.

SO WHAT IS A SIN UNTO DEATH?

ONE SUGGESTION IS THAT IT IS A SIMPLE ACT OR ACTIONS, INTERNAL, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL, THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES, AS WELL AS BEHAVIORS - FOR WHICH GOD ASSIGNS PHYSICAL DEATH - A COFFIN - AN EARLY TRIP HOME TO HEAVEN.  THEREFORE, NO ONE STILL ALIVE NEEDS TO BE WORRIED THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED THE SIN UNTO DEATH ..

A SIN UNTO DEATH IS ANY SIN WHICH CAUSES ONE'S UNTIMELY PHYSICAL DEATH BECAUSE OF GOD CARRYING OUT A PHYSICAL EXECUTUION -- THAT IS GOD PERFORMING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BY ASSIGNING DEATH (PHYSICAL DEATH) PENALTY, e.g. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA (ACTS 5:1-10; 1 COR. 11:26-31; LUKE 12:48).

SOME MAY SAY - WELL, WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD DO SUCH A THING?  GOD'S LOVE NEVER OVERRIDES OR VETOES OR NEGATES HIS HOLINESS & HIS JUSTICE & HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

SEE, WILLFUL SIN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO AN HOLY GOD AND AN ASSAULT ON THE SANCTITY & TESTMONY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR TESTIFYING ABOUT SALVATION & GODLINESS.

1 PETER 4:17 JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE!  ANOTHER REASON GOD MAY TAKE SOME ONE OFF THE THE EARTH WOULD BE TO SAVE THE PHYSICAL LIVES OF SOME BROTHERS & SISTERS (e.g., A DRUNKEN DRIVER - OR PERHAPS TO SAVE & SECURE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHURCH, CHRISTIAN GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION -- SOMETIMES DIVINE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T  LIKE INTERFERENCE IN THEIR AFFAIRS - BUT THE PROPHET IN ME SAYS

-IF SOME OF YOU ARE HOLDING ON THE SIN

  -- REPENT

      - GIVE IT UP

         - PUT IT DOWN    

             - FORSAKE IT  

                 - SAVE YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE & THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY OR SOME OTHER ONE.

WELL, LET ME CONTINUE ON WITH ANOTHER SUGGESTION ABOUT A SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN 5:16&17

LAST WEEK, I STOPPED WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT COULD CONSTITUTE A SIN UNTO DEATH. 

WE'VE SEEN:

1.  THIS SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (MATT. 12:31,32).  MIRACLES & WORKS OF JESUS - DEALS WITH VALIDATION & AUTHENTICATION!  OR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. 

2.   THIS IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (TODAY IT IS DYING WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR). 

3.  THIS IS NOT A SIN THAT CAUSES US TO LOOSE SALVATION THEN DIE NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DEATH BUT  ALSO THE 2nd DEATH.

4.  AND THE FACTS SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING BECAUSE OF THE THEME OF THIS CONTEXT IS NOT TALKING TO UNBELIEVERS - BUT BELIEVERS.

SO,

ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT A SIN OR SINS UNTO DEATH ARE THOSE WHICH ONE MAY SAY LOOK -  I DON'T CARE WHAT GOD SAYS OR SHAT THE BIBLE SAYS OR WHAT ANYONE SAYS - MY MIND IS MADE UP - DON'T BOTHER ME WITH FACTS AND RATIONAL ARGUMENTS FROM THE BIBLE.  I THINK THAT SIN UNTO DEATH CAN BE CERTAIN KINDS OF, OR TYPES OF, DIRECT, WILLFUL, PREMEDIATATED, DEFIANT, DISOBEDIENCE WITH A DEVIL MAY CARE OR NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF DISREGARD AND BLATANT UNREPENTANCE.  SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW SOME ONE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW & I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE, BUT I AM SAYING INTERVENE, REBUKE, REBUFF, EXHORT, ENCOURAGE! (JUDE 21-23; GAL. 6:1).  YOU MAY NEED TO BE A NATHAN - "I DON'T LIKE BEING A NATHAN (WELL, JUST LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICT HIM OR HER!  I BET DAVID WAS ULTIMATELY GLAD THAT NATHAN DID NOT USE THAT LINE OF REASONING - 2 SAM. 11:1-15 & 12:1-7b.

SO -- BE READY TO BE USED OF GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE LIFE OF A SINNING SAINT FOR -- A SIN UNTO DEATH -- IS A SIN FOR WHICH GOD MAY CALL A CHRISTIAN HOME!  NOW THIS MAY BE IN THE CATEGORY OF "INTENTIONAL SIN"  -- SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED SINS OF IGNORANCE -- THOSE SINS THAT ARE NOT DONE IN WILLFUL DEFIANCE PER SE.

AND FOR SUCH A SIN - A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TH INTERCEDE & I AM SUGGESTING THAT WHEN A CHRISTIAN OBSERVES A SAINT SINNING WILLFULLY -- THAT A PRIMARY REPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERVENTION.  A SIN UNTO DEATH - e.g. IF THE SGT. THAT SHOT HIMSELF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN - & ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN UNTO DEATH, e.g. BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT - WE NEED TO INTERVENE - GRANTED IT MAY BE PRAYERFUL INTERVENTION - REMEMBER WE ARE TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 

THAT IS WHAT IT IS NOT, . SO NOW WHAT IS THIS INTENTIONAL SIN (UNTO DEATH). 

1.  IT IS WHAT AUGUSTINE CALLED A MORTAL SIN

2.  IT IS WHAT TOERTALLIAN CALLED AN NON-REMISSABLE SIN. 

3.  IT IS A WILLFUL, INTENTIONAL ACT OR ATTITUDE OF DEFIANT DISOBEDIENCE.  THIS IS THE SIN THAT GOD MAY TAKE SOMEONE HOME FOR - LIKE A CHIN INA FAMILY - OK, ??______ ABE??, YOU CAN GO PLAY AT THE NEIGHBORS - BUT HERE ARE MY RULES - NO PUNCHING, BITING, ??_____??, & COME HOME WHEN I CALL - THE NEXT THING I KNOW HERE'S ??_______?? PUNCHING, BITING, ____ - "_____ COME HOME.  - I INTERVENE, THE SIN UNTO DEATH IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED TO ANANIAS & SAPPHRA (ACTS 5:1-11).  AND SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS (1 COR. 11:30) ALSO 1 COR. _:1-5 - O.T. SAUL & SAMPSON (_______; ________:19;________ 19:16; JAMES 5:19&20.)

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLINGLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ________?? FROM DISTRUCTION.  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE _______?? SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL SIN - ONLY UNINTENTED??, SIN OF __________________________________?? IGNORANCE (LEV. 4:1,2,13,14,22,23,27,28; 5:15,17,18ff; NUM. 15:22-29), LIKE DAVID IN PS. 51:1-19).

[next sentence hard to read]  (THEY ALL ________ _____ ACCESS?? TO GOD _________ DO BUT WE MIGHT BE __________??)

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT BE VALID OR ACCEPTABLE AFTER THE ART OF THROWING ONESELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD IN CONFESSION & REPENTANCE! 

(SEE PROV. 10:27)??

11:1a; 16:17; 19:16; (JAMES 5:19-20) - INTERVENE

ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T INTERCEDE FOR THE WILLFULLY DEFIANT ONE - BUT THE PRIORITY IS INTERVENTION - REPROOF - CORRECTION - ______________?? FRON DESTRUCTION (2 TIM. 2:24-26;JAMES 5:19,20).  IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - THERE WAS TO BE NO SACRIFICE FOR WILLFUL - INTENTIONAL - HIGH HANDED SIN!   TO SIN WITH A HIGH HAND IS A REBELLION AGAINST GOD & HIS COMMANDS WHICH SOME SAY IS THE O.T. EQUIVALENT TO THE N.T. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE H.S., OR THE UNPARDONABLE SIN (NUM. 15:22???-36).  THE INTENTIONAL SIN/A SIN UNTO DEATH OR WHAT EVER ONE CALLS IT - IT STILL AMOUNTS TO A TREASONOUS SHAKING OF ONE'S FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD.  "A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."   IF SOMEONE CALLED A HORSE'S TAIL A LEG - THE HORSE WOULD STILL ONLY HAVE 4 LEGS BECAUSE THE HORSE'S TAIL IS NOT A LEG. 

EVEN THOUGH THIS HIGH-HANDED - INTENTIONAL SIN COULD NOT BE COVERED BY A SACRIFICE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT A SACRIFICE COULD NOT LEGITIMATELY OFFERED & ACCEPTABLE[??] TO GOD AFTER THE ACT OF TRULY REPENTING, CONFESSING, AND THROWING ONESELF UPON THE MERCIES OF GOD!  ? PS. 51:1-19 -->

(2)  THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM PROVIDED AN EXPRESSION _____ SIMILAR TO BAPTISM & THE LORD'S SUPPER FOR - THE TRULY SAVED AND REPENTENT BELIEVERS.  OF COURSE, THIS WAS CONTINGENT UPON THE TRUE REPENTANT AND CONTRITE SPIRIT WITHIN THE SINNER'S HEART.[FOOTNOTE 1]

THE EXTERNAL ACTS OF SACRIFICES, PURIFICATIONS, ABLUTION, ETC., PROVIDED AN INTERNAL SENSE OF FORGIVENESS THAT IS THEY HAD A SUBJECTIVE EFFECTIVENESS - OR AN EFFECT ON THE SUBJECT - THE TRULY REPENTANT SINNER.

THAT MEANS THAT THE FORGIVEN SINNER WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST A PARTIAL OR TEMPORARY INNER RELIEF FROM THE GUILTY MEMORY ON THE BASIS OF GOD'S WORD AND THE GOD ORDAINED SUSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICES. 

SO THEN, WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ABOUT CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARDS A SINNING SAINT?

1.  FOR THE SINS OF IGNORANCE OR SINS NOT UNTO DEATH -- PRIMARILY INTERCEDE -- SECONDARILY INTERVENE

2.  FOR THE SINS OF INTENTION OR SINS UNTO DEATH - PRIMARILY -- INTERVENE & SECONDARILY INTERCEDE - BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN INTERVENE WHILE INTERCEDING.     

1 JOHN 5:17 - ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN -- BUT FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER, OUR UNION W/ CHRIST IS SO STRONG THAT NOTHING CAN BREK IT - BUT OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IS SO FRAGILE THAT THE SLIGHTEST SIN SHATTERS IT -- [THIS DEMANDING CONFESSION OF SIN & FORSAKING SIN FOR REINSTATEMENT OT FELLOWSHIP - MORREILL UNGER, UNGER'S BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 829 --]

HERE, THE APOSTLE JOHN BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WARNS AGAINST LAX THINKING --  ____? WARNS AGAINST CONSIDERING SOME SINS AS TOLERABLE SINCE THEY ARE NOT UNTO PHYSICAL DEATH [CHARLES RYRIE, p. 1477, of THE  WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY.]

ALL SIN IS SERIOUS - ALL SIN IS TERRIBLE!  ANY SIN IS ATROCIOUS!  SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO GOD & HINDERS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. 

1 JOHN 5:18 ff - 21

3. SO, ?WHAT IS THE BELIEVERS INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP TOWARD SIN? 

READ v. 18 

a.  KEEPS FROM IT, AS A HABIT OR LIFESTYLE.

THE 1st CLAUSE MEANS HABITUAL SIN.  HABITUAL AS DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE US.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS - BUT SHOULD SIN LESS THAN THEY DID BEFORE SALVATION.  THE NEW NATURE IS OPPOSED TO SIN -- 1 JOHN 3:6 & 9

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD HELPS US ULTIMATELY BY HIS GRACE & POWER FROM SATAN'S TENTACLES

(1 JOHN 4:4) WHICH WOULD GRASP &______  ON TO US IF POSSIBLE (JOHN 20:17).

1 JOHN 5:19

b.  KEEP FROM WORLDLINESS = THE WHOLE EVIL WORLD SYSTEM (1 JOHN 2:15-17).  ITS ATTITUDES & ACTIVITIES.  IT'S PHILOSOPHIES & PRACTICES.  THE WHOLE WORLD & ALL THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN ARE ASLEEP IN THE LAP OR ARMS OF THE DEVILS & HE SAYS "SHH - DON'T WAKE THEM UP - DON'T ROCK THE BOAT," HE IS DISTURBED IF WE MAKE A NOISE ABOUT GOD & HIS WORD.  AMEN?  THIS VERSE INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GROWING AWARENESS ON THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ABOUT JUST HOW EVIL WORLDLINESS & CARNALITY REALLY ARE!

1 JOHN 5: 20

c. KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM ERROR.

TRUTH IS A DETERRENT TO SIN.  TRUTH TRANSFORMS.  THAT IS WHY CORRECT DOCTRINE IS SO IMPORTANT - NOT FOR THE MERE ACCUMULATION OF FACTS - BUT [THE] BECAUSE TRUE FACTS ACT - IN US & THROUGH US.  FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE THE TRUE ONE - WE CAN BE ILLUMINED ____, ENLIGHTENED BY & TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH.

ANYTHING WE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD.   

1 JOHN 5:21

d.  KEEP HIM/HER SELF FROM IDOLS - FROM VANITY, FROM EMPTINESS, FROM SUPERFICIALITY & SUR-REALITY - A MOVEMENT IN ART THAT BLURRED & DISTORTED REALITY.  FRIENDS, GOD IS TRUE REALITY.

THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT TO LOCK UP THE IDOLS, BUT LOCK UP YOURSELF UP FROM THE IDOLS.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT THE IDOLS IN PRISON, BUT BUILD PRISON WALLS AROUND OURSELVES.  THE EMPHASIS IS NOT TO PUT A GUARD ON THE IDOLS - PUT A GUARD ON OURSELVES.  & AN IDOL IS ANYTHING THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD:  A MATE, A DATE, A POSSESSION, A PHILOSOPHY, A POLICY, A PRACTICE, AN ATTITUDE, - AD INFINITUM - THAT MEANS WE COULD LIST THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A LONG TIME!  & REMEMBER IN THE DAY JOHN WROTE - IDOLATRY PERMEATED THE PAGAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD WITH ITS PANTHEON.

FRIENDS, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS CAN SIN & WE NEED TO BE READY TO INTERCEDE & INTERVENE & WE NEED TO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KEEP OUR OWN SELVES FROM SIN & SINFULNESS & KEEP OUR CHURCH FREE FROM SIN & SINFULNESS SO THAT GOD MAY WORK WITHOUT HINDERANCE!

PRAY

SPECIAL MUSIC

COMDEMNED.

APOSTLES' CREED. 

TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT. 

PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s.

NICENE CREED FROM COUNCIL

OF NICEA, 325AD. 2ND CON.

OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

533 AD. PP. 91-92,

BETTENSON.

ATAHASIAN CREED, AD 500s.

I SHARED A # OF VERSES THAT REFUTTED THAT ERRONEOUS TEACHING, E.G.,  JOHN 1:1,14,

COL, 1:13-15; Col.2:9, 1 TIM. 3:16, HEB. 2:14.

1 JOHN 4:1-4, 2 JOHN 7.   

PLUS SOME OF THE EARLY CREEDS OF THE CHURCH THAT WERE FORGED TO FIGHT DECITFUL TEACHERS & TEACHINGS.  WE HEARD THE APOSTLES' CREED.  [TRACED TO THE 2ND CENT.  PRESENT FORM FROM THE 1500s]. NICENE CREED [FROM COUNCIL OF NICEA, 325AD]. 2ND CON.OF CONSTAN-

TINOPLE, 533 AD. [PP. 91-92, BETTENSON].

 I WA JUST GOING TO READ THE ATAHASIAN CREED, FROM AD 500s WHEN WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

            NOW ON TO

    I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE PROPHERS & FALSE PREACHERS

               A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

               B.  THEIR DICTATOR

1 JN. 4:4 

               C.  THEIR DEFEAT  [2 COR. 4:4, EPH.                2:1ff      

COL. 2:15  THEIR DOOM & DEFEAT WAS SEALED ON CALVARY'S CROSS.  ALL FALSE SPIRITS WILL BE CONDEMNED TO AN EVERLASTING LAKE OF FIRE & THOSE _____________                            (EPH. 1:19-22)  [JOHN:  THIS REFERENCE IS HERE OR IN A FEW LINES]

I.  FALSE SPIRITS & FALSE TEACHERS

            A.  THEIR DOCTRINES

            B.  THEIR DICTATOR

            C.  THEIR DEFEAT

            D.  THEIR DECEPTION, NOW

E. DETECTION

 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, [even] Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

THE SERMON ON THE MT. REPPEATEDLY SHOWS US OUR OWN NEED FOR PARDON FROM SIN GUILT AND THE NEED FOR POWER OVER SIN NATURE.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN MEET THE NEED OF PARDIN FROM SIN QUILT AND POWER OVER THE SIN NATURE.  ARE YOU YOPU SURE HE'S YOUR SAVIOR?  I HOPE SO ! [GEDEN'S BIBLE, p]HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

2 THESS.  2:16 & 17.

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

            Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE)

[DEFINED-?DECLARED?

DEFINED BY GOD'S COMMANDS - BY GOD'S WRITTEN WORD - GOD'S WRITTEN REVELATION OF HIMSELF & HIS WILL] -

HYMN 58- MY JESUS I LOVE THEE --

DIVINE LOVE CONT.

[A GOOD PLACE TO STOP OR START]

DIVINE LOVE IS BEST DESCRIBED BY COMMANDMENT KEEPING!

SO , DON'T RAISE ANY HANDS OR RESPOND OUTWARDLY.  BUT AS WE RAN A KIND OF  SELF- INSPECTION CHECKLIST ON  COL.3:12-23 , A12?Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13?Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel?b against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 3:14 A?And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15?And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

COL. 3:16? Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17?And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

   18?Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19?Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20?Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21?Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22?Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23?And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men@

.  ? DID YOU PASS OR DID YOU FAIL?  ? IF YOU WERE PUT ON TRIAL FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN, WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU IN A COURT OF LAW?   IF NOT, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE SURE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD TODAY.   JOHN 1:12 SAYS, AJohn 1:12 (KJV)

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: A

              THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US LIVE A PRACTICAL & PROGRESSIVE HS ENABLED SANCTIFICATION TO OVERCOME SIN STILL IN US & AROUND US. E.G.:

-RELIGIOUS SINS

-SEXUAL SINS

-RELIGIOUS SINS

 - INTERPERSONAL & SOCIAL SINS. 

-ANY & ALL KINDS OF SINS;  BUT BEFORE I GO ON I WANT MAKE AN INTERJECTION.  WE ARE TO HATE SIN.  BUT, PLEASE REMEMBER, WE ARE TO LOVE SINNERS.  GOD DOES -JOHN 3:16, A16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.@ SEE, GOD IS LOVE & WHEN WE ACCEPT THE GOD OF LOVE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SUPPOSED TO BE SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS, LISTEN TO ROM. 5:1-5, A?Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2?By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3?And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4?And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5?And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

            See, this LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS SHED ABROAD IN THE HEART OF A BELIEVER BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS ACTUALLY A FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT--IT IS SOMETHING PRODUCED IN A BELIEVER ONCE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN US & IF WE DON'T QUENCH OR GRIEVE THE H.S.

SEE, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRT OR THE FRIUT PRODUCED IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER ALLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LOVE.  [1 OF 3]

           


A:\LOVE.  21 FEB 96 WPBC.  THE FRIUT PRODUCES BY THE HS IS LOVE.  BUT WHEN AMERICANS  CELEBRATE LOVE, IT REMINDS ME OF A  SECULAR SONG WHICH SAID, THEY ARE "LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES."  ANOTHER SECULAR SONG POPULAR BACK IN THE EARLY 70s WAS , "WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, SWEET LOVE."  THAT IS TRUE, HOWEVER, AMERICANS & THE REST OF THE WORLD SHOW LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL LOVE.  ONE OF THE FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTERS ON LOVE IS 1 COR. 13.  THIS CHAPTER IS PROBABLY MOSTLY ABOUT LOVE DESCRIBED.  LOVE IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE OR DEFINE APART FROM GOD'S SPECIAL REVELATION IN THE BIBLE.  E.G., "LOVE IS A FEELING YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GET A FEELING YOU'VE NEVER FELT BEFORE."  "LOVE IS A PERPETUAL STATE OF ANESTHESIA."  "LOVE IS A      THE WORLD IN GENERAL HAS A HARD TIME DISCERNING, DEFINING, OR DESCRIBING LOVE.  SO, TONIGHT, 1 WEEK AFTER VALENTINE'S DAY, I WANT TO LOOK AT "LOVE  ACTION," FROM 1 COR.13.

            I SENSE THAT THE APOSTLE PAUL IS DOING SOMETHING IN THE BOOK OF 1 CORINTHIANS THAT THE CHARISMATICS & PENTECOSTALS MISS.  THEY THINK PAUL IS COMMENDING THEM WHEN HE IS ACTUALLY CORRECTING THEM.  THEY THINK PAUL IS ADMIRING THE CORINTHIANS WHEN HE IS ACTUALLY ADMONISHING THEM. 

AS I READ 1 COR. 13, I SENSE THAT THE CORINTHIANS, THO HIGHLY GIFTED, DID NOT OFTEN APPEAR TO BE LOVING GOD & LOVE THEIR FELLOW MAN & WOMAN.

            AT TIMES IT SEEMS AS IF THE CORINTHIANS WERE TRYING TO SHOW OFF, OUTDO ONE ANOTHER,  OR PERFORM FOR PUBLIC ACCLAIM OR APPLAUSE. 

            WITH THAT THOUGHT IN MIND FOR OUR TIME &  SITUATION, LET'S RUN A SELF-INSPECTION SELF-TEST ON OURSELVES & SEE HOW WE COME OUT.

1 COR. 13:4 READ, Charity suffereth long..."

THE WORD FOR CHARITY HERE, IS AGAPE LOVE, THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE.  THIS WORD FOR LOVE IS NOT THE SELF-SEEKING & SELF-SATISFYING LOVE OF THE WORLD, BUT RATHER THE OTHER-SEEKING, & GIVING LOVE EXEMPLIFIED BY GOD HIMSELF. 

THIS WORD IS USED OF THE VERY NATURE OF GOD IN 1 JOHN 4:8, "...God is love." THIS WORD FOR LOVE IS USED IN JOHN 3:16, " 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."  THIS IS A LOVE THE THAT GIVES, NOT LIKE THE WORLD'S LOVE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET.

            SO, TO SEE HOW WE ARE DOING,

1.  ? ARE WE LONGSUFFERING AND PATIENT EVEN WHEN ENDURING THE UNJUST INSULTS & INJURIES FROM OTHERS?  COL. 3:12-14, 12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14  And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

            IF WE ARE LOVING IN THE HIGHEST FORM, WE'LL PUT UP WITH ALL KINDS OF UNGODLINESS DIRECTED AT US IN ORDER TO TRY TO MINISTER TO THOSE DOING UNLOVING THINGS TO US.  TRUE GODLY LOVE PERSEVERES.  THIS COULD RESOLVE SO- CALLED INCOMPATIBILTY AS A REASON FOR DIVORCE.

2.  1 COR 13:4 CONT. Charity [and] is kind;" ARE WE KIND WHILE SUFFERING FROM WRONGS, HURTS, AND ILL-TREATMENT?  IT'S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP WITH MISTREATMENT--BUT IT DEMONSTRATES A HIGHER LEVEL OF GODLY LOVE WHEN WE ENDURE W/ KINDNESS.  AN EMPLOYEE AT THE VETS' HOME THOUGHT THE LAYOFF WAS UNJUST BECAUSE OF LEGITIMATE JOB RIGHTS & SENIORITY.  YET TOLD ME OF STAYING KIND  EVEN THO MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION ALMOST 200 MILES AWAY.             NOW THRU THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS THE EMPLOYEE IS GETTING THE OLD JOB BACK & GETTING BACK WITH THE FAMILY. 

            THE EMPLOYEE TOLD ME THAT THE KINDNESS DISPLAYED IN THE FACE OF WRONG DOING MAY LEAD TO WITNESS FOR CHRIST. KINDNESS IS A MARK OF THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE.

  ON pp. 10 & 11, IN AN OLD BOOKLET BY RICHARD DeHAAN, "LOVE:  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS!" HAS A SECTION CALLED, LOVE IS KIND

"TO BE KIND IS THE ACTIVE OUTWORKING OF LOVE.  TO SUFFER LONG IS THE PASSIVE OUTWORKING OF LOVE.  TO SUFFER LONG IS THE PASSIVE SIDE.  YOU SEE, IT'S ONE THING TO ENDURE WRONGS, HURTS, AND ILL-TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF OUR ENEMIES, BUT IT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO RESPOND BY SHOWING KINDNESS TO THOSE WHO HAVE "SLAPPED US IN THE FACE" WITH THEIR RUDE COMMENTS AND REBUFFS. 

IN HIS BOOK THE GREAT THEMES OF THE BIBLE, LOUIS ALBERT BANKS EMPHASIZED THE TREMENDOUS NEED FOR KINDNESS WITH THIS BIT IF VERSE:

LET US BE KIND;

THE WAY IS LONG AND LONELY,

AND HUMAN HEARTS ARE ASKING FOR THIS BLESSING ONLY -

                                THAT WE BE KIND.

WE CANNOT KNOW THE GRIEF THAT MAN MAY BORROW,

WE CANNOT SEE THE SOULS STORM-SWEPT BE SORROW,

BUT LOVE CAN SHINE UPON THE WAY, TODAY, TOMORROW -

                                LET US BE KIND.

TO AGE AND YOUTH LET GRACIOUS WORDS BE SPOKEN,

UPON THE WHEEL OF PAIN SO MANY WEARY LIVES ARE    BROKEN,

WE LIVE IN VAIN WHO GIVE NO TENDER TOKEN -                  LET US BE KIND.

                LET US BE KIND;

THE SETTING SUN WILL SOON BE IN THE WEST,

TOO LATE THE FLOWERS ARE LAID UPON THE QUIET BREAST -

                                LET US BE KIND.'

            IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT LOVES SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND, VERSE 4 GOES ON TO REMIND US THAT LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

3.   "Charity envieth not." ? ARE WE ENVIOUS & JEALOUS?  IF WE ARE JEALOUS, ENVIOUS, & BEGRUDGING OTHERS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SUCCESSES, POSSESSIONS, POSITIONS, OR ANYTHING -- THEN THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS LACKING.

            IF WE GLOAT OVER ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNES, FAILURES, TRAGEDIES, & DISAPPOINTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY DISPLAYING JEALOUSY, COVETOUSNESS, ENVY, & A LACK OF LOVE.

4.  1 COR. 13:4 cont,  Charity vaunteth not itself."  ? ARE WE EVER VAINGLORIOUS BRAGGARTS?  TRUE, GODLY LOVE IS NEVER OUT TO GLORIFY SELF--BUT RATHER TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD.  TRUE GODLY LOVE DOESN'T WANT THE SPOTLIGHT ON SELF BUT RATHER ON GOD.  TRUE GODLY LOVE DOES NOT SEEK TO BE A PRIMADONNA, BUT RATHER SEEKS TO PRIME DONS AND DONNAS FOR THE LORD'S WORK. 

            SOMETIMES WE MUST SEE IF WE ARE DISPLAYING OURSELVES IN A SELF-EXALTING WAY, AND SIMILAR TO THAT IS OUR NEXT PT,

5. 1 COR.  13:4 cont,  Charity IS NOT puffed up."  ?ARE WE PUFFED UP?  BEING PUFFED UP HAS TO DO W/ ARROGANCE, EGOTISM, CONCEIT, AND A PERVERTED SELF-LOVE, ALONG WITH AN INFLATED IDEA OF SELF-IMPORTANCE.  

            IN AN ARTICLE [FROM "ASPIRATION,1991, FEB. 9 & 10."], IT SAID BEING PUFFED UP HAS TO DO WITH SIN OF PRIDE. "Pride destroys the very reason for which we exercise it. [FOR] INSTEAD OF BUILDING [US]UP, PRIDE TEARS [US] DOWN.  WE WANT TO ELEVATE OURSELVES IN THE EYES OF OTHERS TO BE A PART OF A SOCIAL BODY WHICH ACCEPTS US.  PRIDE WORKS AGAINST THAT VERY DESIRE.  IT ALIENATES US FROM OTHERS AND DESTROYS OUR ABILITY TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.  THAT IS WHY THE LORD RESISTS THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

           

            ONLY THROUGH HUMBLING YOURSELF AND LIFTING UP OTHERS WILL THEY ACCEPT AND LOVE YOU AND GIVE YOU THE LONGING OF YOUR HEART:  ACCEPTANCE, BELONGING, AND A FEELING OF WORTH."  THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS NOT PROUD & PUFFED UP.  TRUE GODLY LOVE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANY TENDENCY TO PUFF OURSELVES UP--ESPECIALLY AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.  SOME PEOPLE TRY TO PUSH THEMSELVES UP BY PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE DOWN!  SOME TEAR DOWN BY SARCASM, PUT DOWNS, AND OTHER VERBAL OR NON-VERBAL CUTS. THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE AVOIDS PRIDE & AS 1 COR. 13:5 READS,

6. Doth not behave itself unseemly..." ?DO WE BEHAVE UNSEEMLY? UNSEEMLY MEANS INDECENTLY, DISGRACEFULLY, SHAMEFULLY.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WOULD ELIMINATE INDECENT,  DISGRACEFUL, & SHAMEFUL ACTIVITIES & BEHAVIORS.  A MASSIVE DOSE OF BIBLICAL LOVE WOULD ELIMINATE THE OBSCENE & PORNOGRAPHIC ACTS & SO- CALLED ADULT ARTS IN OUR SOCIETY. 

            UNSEEMLY ALSO MEANS "RUDE."  OUR SOCIETY HAS TAKEN A TERRIBLE TURN TOWARD ILL-MANNERED RUDENESS.  I FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF THE BLAME MUST BE PLACED ON THE MEDIA--THOSE PRODUCING IT, THOSE FUNDING IT, THOSE PERMITTING IT IN THEIR FAMILIES, THOSE BEING UNCONSCIOUSLY DEGRADED BY IT, AND THOSE WILLFULLY PARTAKING OF IT.  SHOCK JOCKS, TV SHOWS, GANGSTA-RAP, AND OTHER INFLUENCES ENCOURAGE RUDENESS & WORSE.  1 ASPECT OF RUDENESS IS THAT IT DISREGARDS & DISRESPECTS CIVILITY AND SEEKS TO DO ITS OWN THING.  HOWEVER, AS  

7.  1 COR. 13:5, AGAPE LOVE seeketh not her own..." ?DO WE ALWAYS SEEK OUR OWN?

?DO WE SAY "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?"

?ARE WE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR #1?"

TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE IS SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS, WANTS, WISHES, AND INTERESTS OF OTHERS--  ESPECIALLY GOD'S INTERESTS, WISHES, & WANTS.      IT IS BIBLICAL TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AS MUCH AS WE CAN -- BUT LET US NOT LOOSE SIGHT OF CARING FOR OTHERS. 

            IF WE ARE ALWAYS SEEKING OUR OWN, WE MAY BE EASILY PROVOKED. 

8.  1 COR. 13:5 cont, "AGAPE LOVE is not easily provoked.." ?ARE WE EASILY PROVOKED?

?ARE WE TOUCHY, IRRITABLE, QUICK TEMPERED?  ?DO WE FLY OFF THE HANDLE EASILY?  ?ARE WE SHORT FUSED?  ?DO WE GET ANGRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT?  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE STAYS CALM, COOL, & COLLECTED IN & DURING TRYING TIMES & WITH TRYING PEOPLE -- FOR A LONG TIME.  THIS VERSE DOES NOT SAY NEVER PROVOKED -- BUT RATHER NOT EASILY PROVOKED.  THERE ARE SOME SINFUL & EVIL THINGS THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD GET PROVOKED ABOUT.  THE WICKED WRONG OF SIN SHOULD PROVOKE US, BUT 1 COR. 13:5 ALSO TELLS US, "AGAPE LOVE thinketh no evil." DO WE KEEP A RECORD OF WRONGS?  THAT IS WHAT "THINKETH EVIL DEALS WITH."  IT IS ACTUALLY A TERM USED BY BOOKKEEPERS OF THE GRECO-ROMAN TIMES & CARRIES THE IDEA OF KEEPING A LEDGER. 

IN OTHER WORDS, THE TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE DOESN'T KEEP A LEDGER OR LIST OF EACH & EVERY OFFENSE OR WRONG DONE TO THEM.  IT DOESN'T KEEP THE SCORE AS IT WERE & THEN TRY TO SETTLE THE SCORE.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVER FORGIVES, PARDONS, & DOESN'T KEEP RECORDS OF WRONGS & WAIT FOR PAYBACK TIME.  VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD!  ROM.12:19, "... Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

           


Now back to 1 COR 13:6 WHERE THE AGAPE LOVE WE ARE CALLED TO PRACTICE  says, “10. Rejoiceth not in iniquity." OR rather TAKE PLEASURE IN  UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OR WRONGDOING, & WRONG THINKING.  IF WE WERE SAVED LATER IN LIFE, WE MAY REMEMBER A TIME WHEN WE TOOK PLEASURE IN UNGODLINESS OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

THE PSALMS SAY SOME VERY STRONG WORDS.  PLEASE LISTEN TO

PS. 5:4-5,  “For thou art not a God`

that hath pleasure in wickedness:

neither shall evil dwell with thee.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:

thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”

Psalm 6:8, “Depart from me,

all ye workers of iniquity;

for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.”

Psalm 7:11, “God judgetH  the righteous,

and God is angry with the wicked every day.

 BUT I AM REMINDED OF 1 PET 4:2-5 & THIS IS A paraphrase OF gnt 1 pet 4:2-5,

“From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. 3You have spent enough time in the past doing what the LOST eathen like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and EVEN FALSE RELIGION & worship of SOME ONE OR SOME THING OTHER THAN THE ONLY TRUE GOD.   4And now the LOST heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless life STYLE YOU USED TO LIVE IN --so they insult you. 5But they will have to give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.[43] & I ADD FORGIVE PEOPLE IF THEY WILL ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOR.

SO, ?DO WE REJOICE OR HAVE PLEASURE IN IN INIQUITY OR WRONGDOING? 

          TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE DOES NOT TAKE DELIGHT OR PLEASURE IN unrighteousness or WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL OR WICKED.

YET WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT TAKES PLEASURE IN WHAT GOD CALLS EVIL & WICKED.  EVEN TOO MUCH OF OUR SO-CALLED ENTERTAINMENT IS ABOUT WHAT GOD CALLS  WICKED & EVIL—LIKE MURDER, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL SINS, AND SUCH THINGS.  TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WON'T BE AMUSED BY IMMORALITY BUT RATHER SADDENED & PERHAPS SICKENED & BY IT.

7 & 8

1 THES. 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.”  TOO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TAKE PLEASURE IN  THINKING ABOUT &

         

 

 

          WELL, Kindness is a characteristic of God WHICH, AS WE BECOME MORE GODLY, SHOULD BE SHOWING IN OUR LIVES.

[BAKEer's Evangelical Dictionary
of Biblical Theology]
 

SAYS Kindness AS An attribute of God Is presupposed or taught throughout Scripture. IN THIS AREA OF THE STATE, MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT what is called "common grace." COMMON GRACE INCLUDES God BEING kind to all he has made.

Matthew 5
45 … He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
 

PS 145:8 & 9 SAYS:  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.“ 

21

GOD IS GOOD & KIND

ROM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

Old Testament commentator Franz Delitzsch said, "The author passes from the sin of uncleanness [vv. 26-28 warn about the harlot and the adulteress] to that of drunkenness; they are nearly related, for drunkenness excites fleshly lust; and to wallow with delight in the mire of sensuality, a man, created in the image of God, must first brutalize himself by intoxication" (Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon, vol. 2 [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970 reprint], p. 120).

It is proud, self-indulgent, and pleasure-mad, hence filled with guilt, anxiety, and depression. People try both to live it up and forget it all by drinking. Strangely however, many Christians, who by definition are supposed to be meek, selfless, and filled with the joy of the Lord, seek their comfort from a liquor bottle. Some Christians go to dinner and wouldn't think of ordering wine while others order wine first and think about dinner later.

I've met certain missionaries who have instructed me to stay in a particular place because the wine is better there. I've also met others missionaries who have never consumed any alcohol. There is much concern about whether drinking is an emblem of your spirituality, but spirituality isn't a matter of what you drink-- it's who you are! What you do in your life is simply a manifestation of who you really are inside.

PROV. 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

I HAVE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MOCKED BY WINE, STRONG DRINK & BOOZE IN GENERAL.

          Some of the people I have met REMINDED ME OF Romans 1:22, “22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…”

 ROM 1:22 [1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7].      The MESSAGE IN ISA 56:9-12 SAYS, “…

        For Israel’s watchmen are blind,

     the whole lot of them.

     They have no idea what’s going on.

     They’re dogs without sense enough to bark,

     lazy dogs, dreaming in the sun—

     But hungry dogs, they do know how to eat,

     voracious dogs, with never enough.

     And these are Israel’s shepherds!

     They know nothing, understand nothing.

     They all look after themselves,

     grabbing whatever’s not nailed down.

     “Come,” they say, “let’s have a party.

     Let’s go out and get drunk!”

     And tomorrow, more of the same:

     “Let’s live it up!”

 

mat 10: 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 luke 6:22 & 23, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

James 5:10 tells us to consider the “… prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

mat 12;34-37 JESUS SAID: “out of the abundance

Of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure

of the heart bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and

by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Since drunkenness is prohibited, the question comes up, is all drinking of alcohol prohibited?

Some say Bible indicates believers drank wine.

WELL, THE BIBLE FIRMLY condemns  drunkenness & Drunkenness is forbidden in Scripture. It is a sin. & IT Is disallowed

I tim 5:23, “23     No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine

for the sake of your stomach

and your frequent ailments. “

& while it is fairly plain to see the bible forbids LOOSING CONTROL TO ALCOHOL as it violates God's standard of being  self-controlled & controlled by the Spirit of God, however, some say “WELL,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wine today IS NOT the same as in Bible times.

If drinking THE WINE MENTIONED IN biblical times is to be used as the basis for drinking today, the wine today should be the same as the wine used then. This deserves careful analysis.

A. The Biblical Words for Wine

1. Oinos/Yayin

The most common word in the New Testament for wine is the Greek word oinos. It is a general word that simply refers to the fermented juice of the grape. The Old Testament equivalent to the Greek word oinos is yayin, the root of which means to "bubble up" or "boil up." The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia (vol. 12, p. 533) states that yayin, at least in the rabbinic period, was diluted with water.

2. Gleukos/Tirosh

The Greek word gleukos--from which we get the English word glucose, means "new wine." It is used in Acts 2:13 to refer to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. It says they were "full of new wine." Although it was comparatively fresh and not yet fully aged, it was potentially intoxicating. The mockers in in Acts 2:13 were accusing the apostles of being drunk.

The Old Testament word for new wine is tirosh. Hosea 4:11 says "wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the heart." Drunkenness is the result of drinking this new wine.

3. Sikera/Shakar

The Old Testament word for strong drink is shakar, a term that eventually became restricted to intoxicants other than wine. According to the 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia, it refers to unmixed wine. The New Testament equivalent is the Greek word sikera.

B. The Historical Data Regarding Wine

1. THERE WAS Unfermented wine

Because of refrigeration problems in ancient times, wine was often boiled until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind a thick, unintoxicating paste that stored well. It was somewhat similar to modern grape jelly. The people would spread it on bread like a jam, OR MIX IT WITH WATER LIKE A CONCENTRATE, and some still do today in the Middle East.

a) Pliny the Elder--This Roman historian in his Natural Histories said such wine could last as long as ten years. He wrote of wine that had the consistency of honey.

b) Horace--This Latin poet wrote in his Odes of unintoxicating wine, that he recommended quaffing under the shade (I:18).

c) Plutarch--This Greek essayist wrote in his Moralia that filtered wine neither inflames the brain nor infects the mind and the passions, and is much more pleasant to drink. He liked the kind of wine with no alcoholic content.

d) Aristotle--This Greek philosopher spoke of wine that was so thick, it was necessary to scrape it from the skins it was stored in and to dissolve the scrapings in water."

e) Virgil--This Latin writer spoke of the necessity of boiling down wine.

f) Homer--The celebrated bard, in the ninth book of The Odyssey tells of Ulysses, who took with him in his visit to the Cyclops a goatskin of sweet, black wine that needed to be diluted with twenty parts of water before being consumed as a beverage.

g) Columella--This Latin agronomist, a contemporary of the apostles, wrote that it was common in Italy and Greece to boil wine. That would not have been done if they had wanted to preserve the alcoholic content.

h) Archbishop Potter--Archbishop Potter, born in 1674, wrote in his Grecian Antiquities wrote to boil down their wines and then drink them four years later (Edinburg, 1813, vol. 2, p. 360). He also refers to Democritus, a celebrated philosopher, and Palladius, a Greek physician, as making similar statements concerning wine at that time.

These ancient authorities referred to the boiled juice of the grape as wine.

i) Professor Donovan--Donovan in his Bible Commentary said, "In order to preserve their wines ... the Romans concentrated the must or grape juice, of which they were made, by evaporation, either spontaneous in the air or over a fire, so as to render them thick and syrupy" (p. 295).

j) The Talmud--The Talmud, the codification of Jewish law, mentions repeatedly that the Jews were in the habit of using boiled wine (e.g., 'Erabin 29a).

k) W. G. Brown--Brown, who traveled extensively in Africa, Egypt, and Asia from 1792 to 1798 said that the wines of Syria are mostly prepared by boiling immediately after they are pressed from the grape until they are considerably reduced in quantity, when they are then put into bottles and preserved for use.

l) DR. Caspar Neumann Professor of Chemistry in Berlin, 1795, said, "It is observable that when sweet juices are boiled down to a thick consistency, they not only do not ferment in that state, but are not easily brought into fermentation when diluted with as much water as they had lost in the evaporation, or even with the very individual water that exhaled from them" (Nott, London edition, p. 81). The wine evidently lost much of its intoxicating properties after being reconstituted.

m) Dr. A. Russell in his Natural History of Aleppo (London: G.G. and J. Robinson, 1794), said that the concentrated wine juice, called "dibbs," was brought to the city in skins and sold in the public markets. He said it had the appearance of a coarse honey.

The wine that was consumed in biblical times was not what we know as wine today. It was more of a concentrated grape juice with its intoxicating properties basically removed. You cannot defend wine-drinking today on the basis of wine-drinking in Bible times because the two are totally different.

ALSO, THERE WAS UNFERMENTED WINE OR JUICE & THERE WAS  Fermented wine

Wine stored as a liquid, would ferment. Professor Robert Stein, in his "Wine-drinking in New Testament Times" (Christianity Today, 20 June 1975: 9-11), tells us liquid wine was stored in large jugs called amphorae. The pure, unmixed wine would be drawn out of these jugs and poured into large bowls called kraters, where it was mixed with water. From these kraters, it would then be poured into kylix, or cups. Wine would never be served directly from the amphora without first being mixed. And according to other historical data on this period, the mixture could be as high as a 20:1 ratio [or lower than 1:1].

Drinking unmixed wine was looked upon by JEWS & EVEN SOME GreekS as barbaric.

Stein quotes Mnesitheus of Athens as saying, "The gods have revealed wine to mortals, to be the greatest blessing for those who use it aright, but for those who use it without measure, the reverse. For it gives food to them that take it and strength in mind and body. In medicine it is most beneficial; it can be mixed with liquid and drugs and it brings aid to the wounded. In daily intercourse, to those who mix and drink it moderately, it gives good cheer; but if you overstep the bounds, it brings violence. Mix it half and half, and you get madness; unmixed, bodily collapse."

As a beverage, wine was always thought of as a mixed drink in Greek culture. The ratio of water might have varied but only barbarians drank it unmixed. Stein cites patristic writings that show the early church served mixed wine.

IN OUR TIME:

Beer has approximately 4% alcohol, REGULAR wine 9-11%, brandy 15- 20%, and hard liquor 40-50% (80-100 proof).

TOADY’S WINES ARE ARTIFICALLY ENHANCED TO INCRESE THE ALCOHOL CONTENT BUT

unmixed FERMENTED wine in biblical times WOULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING ABOUT LIKE HARD CIDER .

Mixed FERMENTED WINE wine, at a 3:1 ratio, would therefore be By today's standards NON-ALCHOLIC AS  a drink has to exceed 3.2% to be considered an alcoholic beverage. The wine consumed BY NON-BARBARIANS was either completely non-alcoholic or sub- alcoholic by today's standards. To become drunk with wine in those days you would have to drink all day &

(1 Tim. 3:3) purpose to become drunk.

So, is drinking wine today the same as in Bible times? No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question #2: Is drinking wine necessary?

Because of the lack of fresh water, it was often necessary to drink wine in biblical times. That is sometimes the case today. If you were in a country and wine was all there was and you were dying of thirst, you would take whatever was available.

A. The Past Necessity

In the New Testament, the Lord produced wine and spoke about drinking wine (John 2:1-11; Matt. 26:26-29). In the Old Testament as in the New, wine was used out of necessity. This was in a day and age when all they had to drink apart from wine was fruit juice, milk, and water. Due to a lack of refrigeration, even wine mixed from the syrup base, if left standing long enough, could ferment. These people had little choice in deciding what to drink.

B. The Present Preference

Today you can go to a supermarket and the variety of non- alcoholic beverages is seemingly endless. Many parts of the world have an almost unlimited access to running water. Drinking wine is rarely a necessity today. It is a preference, not a necessity. Perhaps you're afraid your host would be offended if you refused their wine. But if a group of your friends got together at a party and all decided to scratch behind the left ear, would you scratch behind your left ear because you wanted to feel a part of the group? If everyone on your block decided not to use deodorant, would you join in? That is essentially the same kind of reasoning.

If for some reason you were in a situation and where wine was all you had available, you would have little choice but to drink it. You would deal with it as a necessity. But in our society, drinking alcohol is simply and only a preference.

Focusing on the Facts

1. Ephesians 5:18 describes the topic of _________________ and ___________________ (see p. 1).

2.True or False: Many Christians, who by definition are supposed to be meek, selfless, and filled with the joy of the Lord, seek their comfort from a liquor bottle (see p. 1).

3.What should your spirituality be based on (see p. 1)?

4.Is drunkenness forbidden in Scripture? Support your answer (see pp. 1-2).

5.What is the definition of drunkenness (see p. 2)?

6.Any act of ________________, no matter how minimal, violates God's standard of being controlled by the Spirit of God (see p. 4).

7.True or False: Drunkenness is directly forbidden by God, but drinking wine is commended in Scripture (see p. 4).

8.How is the subject of drinking seen in Scripture (see p. 5)?

9.What criterion must be met if drinking in biblical times is to be sufficient reason for drinking today (see pp. 5-6)?

10.List the different words used for wine in the Bible and explain each (see p. 6).

11.What is the difference between mixed and unmixed wine (see p. 7)?

12.What was the difference between wine stored as a solid and wine stored as a liquid (see p. 8)?

13.How was drinking unmixed wine looked upon in Greek culture? In the early church (see p. 9)?

14.What was the approximate alcoholic content of wine during biblical times (see p. 9)?

15.Is drinking wine necessary today (see p. 10)?

16.In our society, drinking alcohol is _____________ and _______ a preference (see p. 10).

Pondering the Principles

1.The wine spoken of in Bible times is the not the same as the wine of today. Wine today is not mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely unintoxicating. Have you considered those principles in deciding whether to drink alcoholic beverages? The Bible gives examples of people in positions of spiritual responsibility who abstained from alcohol. Study the following passages and ask God to make it clear to you whether you should abstain from alcoholic beverages: Leviticus 10:8-11, Judges 13:3-4, and Luke 1:14-15.

11.What is the difference between mixed and unmixed wine (see p. 7)?

12.What was the difference between wine stored as a solid and wine stored as a liquid (see p. 8)?

13.How was drinking unmixed wine looked upon in Greek culture? In the early church (see p. 9)?

14.What was the approximate alcoholic content of wine during biblical times (see p. 9)?

15.Is drinking wine necessary today (see p. 10)?

16.In our society, drinking alcohol is _____________ and _______ a preference (see p. 10).

Pondering the Principles

1.The wine spoken of in Bible times is the not the same as the wine of today. Wine today is not mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely unintoxicating. Have you considered those principles in deciding whether to drink alcoholic beverages? The Bible gives examples of people in positions of spiritual responsibility who abstained from alcohol. Study the following passages and ask God to make it clear to you whether you should abstain from alcoholic beverages: Leviticus 10:8-11, Judges 13:3-4, and Luke 1:14-15.

2.The Bible condemns drunkenness but also commends the occasional use of wine. However, there is one instance apart from drunkenness when Added to the John MacArthur "Study Guide" Collection by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 314
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986

SEE, Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

Imagine a man who is happily married to a woman whose physical and emotional companionship he values and cherishes. He is successful in his profession. His children are well behaved and accomplished. He is satisfied with his life until he attends his twentieth college reunion. This is where he makes a crucial mistake. He tells himself that many of his former classmates have achieved a higher social and professional status than he. He also mistakenly believes that they are married to more educated and attractive wives, and they seem to have more money and have traveled more often than he has. A sense of failure begins to grow in his heart. Once a happy man, he is now wrongly focused on his circumstances. He loses his peace and contentment to envy and jealousy.

Proverbs 14:30 states, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” King Ahab of Israel had everything. But he wanted a vineyard that was close to his palace. When Naboth refused to sell, Ahab pouted and sulked until his wicked wife, Jezebel, plotted to kill Naboth and take his field to satisfy the envy of King Ahab.  There are people who have everything and are envious for more. Even a godly man like King David coveted what another man had. As a result of his actions, he committed adultery and murder, and lost his peace by harming his fellowship with God. Envy always leads to strife and a loss of peace.  Are you longing for what you cannot have? Look to Jesus. Only He can satisfy the desires of your heart. He alone brings peace and contentment to your life.May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.  Part 2 of Peace from Leading The Way, a daily devotional

PEACEPART 2 OF 323

Martha and Mary were sisters, and they both loved and wanted to please the Lord. However, they were very different in their actions. Martha was preoccupied with the cooking and housecleaning, while Mary sought to spend time with Jesus. The Bible tells us that she sat at His feet, listening to all that He said.

We need to be aware of the danger of anything that crowds the Lord out of our lives. Jesus chided Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

In the end, the only thing that matters or has meaning is God’s Word in our lives. Martha was anxious about things that pertain to this life. She did not have a genuine sense of peace—one that comes as a result of spending time with the Savior.

Anxiety is the result of preoccupation with the things in life that do not have eternal value. It is a signal that we are seeking to derive security or peace from something other than from the Lord. C.S. Lewis writes, “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about Him.”

We may be sincerely doing what we think will please the Lord, but all the while we may be stressing over unnecessary events, feelings, and emotions. Like Martha, we need to learn to recognize what is important. When God is the center of our lives, our priorities will be focused on Him, and it is there that He will fill us with His peace, assurance, and hope.

The God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9.

PEACEPART 3 OF 324

Some people believe if they have a certain level of wealth then they will have peace, or if they marry the right people, they will know contentment. Others mistakenly believe that if they can just live in some ideal location or receive a certain recognition at work, they will have all they could ever hope to achieve. However, none of these are capable of providing the peace and contentment that we long to experience.

True peace only comes as a result of living a life that is filled with the Spirit of God. It is eternal and has only one source—Jesus Christ. Charles Spurgeon writes, “The God of peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are fixed upon Him.”

We can try to achieve peace through accomplishments and hard work. We may look for peace everywhere—thinking that new experiences, buying things, or stashing money away will deliver peace. However, apart from God, we never find lasting peace.

In order to experience the peace of God, we first must have peace with God, which comes as the result of a complete surrender to Christ as our Lord and Savior. Once we are saved, God’s peace is available to us.

A famous actress once lamented that she had everything she could possibly want, but she still did not have a sense of peace. There are some things that money cannot buy, and peace is one of them.

Before His death, Jesus comforted His disciples with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). We, too, can find the peace and comfort we need within His eternal care.

 

NOW LORD, PLEASE DISMISS US

WITH THE BLESSING OF YOUR peace

 which transcends all understanding, & 

guard your hearts and our minds

BY THE POWER OF Christ Jesus TO PROCLAIM HIM AS SAVIOR. IN HIS NAME, AMEN!. Philippians 4:7

 

Go Back To Part 2 of Peace

PATIENCEPART 1 OF 225

Have you ever been described as an impatient person? It is easy to feel impatient. Maybe traffic isn’t moving fast enough and you are going to be late for your meeting. Or you can’t get through the checkout lane quickly enough to pick up your children from the babysitter. It is these trying things of life that can zap your strength and cause you to lose sight of what really matters.

The source of true patience is the Spirit of God. His patience towards us allows us the opportunity to grow and become more like Him. He does not give up on us. When we are stubborn and fail to learn what God wants to teach us, He continues to demonstrate His patience. Many times we grow impatient with a colleague, friend, child, or spouse and forget that God is patient with us and requires us to do the same with others.

One of the causes of impatience is ignorance and shortsightedness. Our view is limited. Therefore, many times we only see what has a direct impact on our lives. We become impatient because we can’t see life from God’s perspective! He has a greater plan. While He does not always show us the details, we can know the big picture—we are in His loving hands.

Oswald Chambers writes, “Patience is more than endurance. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of the archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand any more.’ God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God’s hands.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Patience

This article is from Leading The Way, a daily devotional publication, which is

PATIENCEPART 2 OF 226

Have you ever noticed how children are so impatient and demanding, especially a baby whose world revolves around him? For the believer, patience is built upon the absolute, unshakable belief that God is sovereign. We can be patient because we know that we are not forgotten nor forsaken by our heavenly Father. Patience is the result of knowing that God has every detail of our lives under control. Nothing escapes His eternal care. One day your loving Savior is coming back for you.

Remember, your ultimate destination is heaven. Therefore, don’t get hooked by Satan’s bait and begin treating this world as your real home. If you do, you will find that you are becoming more impatient with the aggravations of life.

James gives us three examples that spur us on to patience. First, we must understand some of the basic rules of farming. (5:7) A farmer does not continually dig up the seed he has planted in order to check its growth, or he will never have a harvest. Likewise, we must trust God’s timing in our lives. Just as the farmer waits for His crop, we must wait on God to complete His work in our lives. This takes patience!

James reminds us that the righteous will suffer for their righteousness. (v. 10) There will be times when we feel like we are in a holding pattern in our lives. We long to move away from the difficulty but God wants us to wait and to learn how to be patient.

James goes on to tell us that even Job had to endure a fierce trial. However, he knew that God had a wonderful plan for his life, and he refused to deny the Lord. If you find yourself feeling impatient with your circumstances, look up into the glorious face of the Savior who loves you and has a great reward for you.

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. James 5:7.

Go Back to Part 1 of Patience

KINDNESS-GEBTLENSS PART 1 OF 227

While traveling from one city to the next, a man was overtaken by robbers. Taking his clothes and possessions, they left him badly beaten. Not long after the attack, a priest traveled the same road. He passed by without stopping. Then another traveler saw the man but did not offer to help. Finally, someone stopped—a Samaritan. He put bandages on the man’s wounds and took him to an inn for the night. The next day he gave the innkeeper money and instructions to take care of the wounded man.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a wonderful example of godly kindness. It also demonstrates that kindness often requires something of us—time, plans, privacy, and desires. The Good Samaritan interrupted his travel plans to help a stranger. What better example to follow than that of Christ? He gave us the ultimate gift of kindness — He died that we might live.

However, we cannot learn to be kind simply by disciplining ourselves. Kindness can be hard work, and from time to time, this may mean that we have to face difficult situations that drain us emotionally and physically. Often kindness cannot grow apart from conflict and strife. We learn to be kind through the kindness of others but we also learn a greater kindness when we are called to be kind and caring in difficult situations.

A disagreement with a co-worker, spouse, friend, or family member can tempt us to be abrupt or uncaring. Circumstances appear out of focus and God’s fruit of kindness becomes lost in the battle. However, through the power of Christ we are able to act in kindness even toward those who hurt us. Is there someone who needs your kindness today?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be [kindhearted] and humble. 1 Peter 3:8.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 OF KINDNESS – GENTLENESS  KINDNESSPART 2 OF 228

Kindness is a characteristic of God. Out of His kindness He made a covenant with the nation of Israel. And out of kindness, He kept His side of this covenant while they rebelled and disobeyed. It is out of kindness that Jesus left the splendor of heaven to become a man. It is out of kindness that He hung on a cross to die and pay the wages of our sin. Out of eternal love and kindness, He offers to us His precious gift of salvation.

But God’s kindness did not stop at the Cross. It continues today in the lives of those who accept His Son as their Savior. The more we allow Him to work in us, the more His fruit becomes evident to those whose lives we touch each day. As we continue to live and grow spiritually, there are several things we need to know about kindness. Sometimes, kindness requires us being able to put ourselves in another person’s place. We need to view others as Christ does.

There are those of us who continually show kindness to others and yet seem to be incapable of showing kindness to themselves. They allow past failures and sins to prevent them from growing. However, God’s forgiveness is complete. When we pray and seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves, too. Kindness gives birth to kindness. Love extended leads to more love.

As you begin to show kindness to others, you will be set free from feelings of self condemnation. You will find yourself being empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise more kindness more often.

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised . . . yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7.

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM LEADING THE WAY, A GOODNESSPART 1 OF 329

Early in the nineteenth century, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a difficult situation. His country was involved in a very expensive war. At the same time, he was seeking to transform his country into a great nation. However, the country was financially crippled. The thought of surrendering to the enemy was unthinkable. Therefore, the king came up with a plan to replenish the country’s financial wealth. He approached the women of Prussia and asked them if they would be willing to donate their gold and silver jewelry.

He explained that for each piece of jewelry they gave, he would give them an ornament of bronze in return as a token of his gratitude. The inscription imprinted into these ornaments read, “I gave gold and silver for iron, 1813.” To the king’s amazement, the response was overwhelming. The women prized his tokens of gratitude more highly than their former jewelry. The reason: the emblems were the mark of true sacrifice. It even became unfashionable for women to wear jewelry.

Generosity and sacrifice for country and king became the mark of true citizenship in Prussia. Goodness and sacrifice became the badge of honor for all Prussians.

In Galatians 5:22, the apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit—those characteristics that are most like Christ in us. Goodness is one of those listed—goodness without thought given to personal sacrifice. On the Cross, God displayed His eternal goodness to each one of us. This is the same goodness we are to have for one another. The next time you experience the rebuke of another, ask God to give you the ability to demonstrate His goodness instead of anger.

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, [goodness] and patience. Colossians 3:12.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Goodness

This article is from Leading The Way, a daily devotional publication

GOODNESSPART 2 OF 3It is easy to be good to those who are good to us. It is much harder to be good to those who harm us. However, this is exactly what Christ commands us to do. In fact, He took this thought a step further by commanding us to love those who are our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

FAITHFULNESSPART 1 OF 230

George McDonald once said, “Being trusted is a greater compliment that being loved.” Take a moment to think through this statement. You can love a person, but do you trust that person with your life, your heart, and all that is included in your life? Many times, we are careful to say the right things and not allow those around us to see who we really are. We don’t want people to see our flaws or to know about our failures because we think they may not love or approve of us.

Faithfulness is an even deeper issue because it requires being faithful even when we may not agree with the popular view. It also means being loyal to Christ and following His precepts even when the world’s view is anything but His.

Today, faithfulness is viewed as an old fashioned word. Many times, we find that words like team player, champion, leadership potential, and high energy have replaced words like faithful as an important factor in the employment world. If you step into a marketing meeting of a large corporation, more than likely faithful will not be a buzzword used for a new campaign.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond—when trustworthiness was more important than wealth, fame, or popularity. It seems that the days are gone when promises were kept and friends were faithful. Yet, God calls each one of us to be faithful to Him and to one another. Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.

Are you seeking to be faithful to God first and then to what He has given you here on earth? Learn to be faithful and His love and goodness will also flow from your life.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Faithfulness

FAITHFULNESS FAITHPART 2 OF 231

Whether we realize it or not, faithfulness is at the heart of all relationships. It is the very thing that prevents families and societies from falling apart. And it is the one element that has the ability to encourage us to persevere in times of failure and heartache.

The psalmist writes, “The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full” (Psalm 31:23). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the apostle Paul lists faithfulness as one of the fruits of the Spirit. In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and we know that He does. No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, it is infinite, and it is faithful.

This fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence that we need to repent and accept God’s love for our lives. There is nothing you can do to make yourself more acceptable to the Lord. He accepts you just as you are, and He loves you fully and completely. His love and faithfulness never change; they are yours for eternity. When it becomes difficult for another, are you the type of friend who “sticks closer than a brother”? (Proverbs 18:24)

Jesus is this type of friend. He remains at our sides even when others abandon us, and the same should be true of us. Far too often, we walk away when a friend needs us the most. At the end of his life, Paul writes and asks Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy.

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

FAITHFULNESSPART 1 OF 232

George McDonald once said, “Being trusted is a greater compliment that being loved.” Take a moment to think through this statement. You can love a person, but do you trust that person with your life, your heart, and all that is included in your life? Many times, we are careful to say the right things and not allow those around us to see who we really are. We don’t want people to see our flaws or to know about our failures because we think they may not love or approve of us.

Faithfulness is an even deeper issue because it requires being faithful even when we may not agree with the popular view. It also means being loyal to Christ and following His precepts even when the world’s view is anything but His.

Today, faithfulness is viewed as an old fashioned word. Many times, we find that words like team player, champion, leadership potential, and high energy have replaced words like faithful as an important factor in the employment world. If you step into a marketing meeting of a large corporation, more than likely faithful will not be a buzzword used for a new campaign.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond—when trustworthiness was more important than wealth, fame, or popularity. It seems that the days are gone when promises were kept and friends were faithful. Yet, God calls each one of us to be faithful to Him and to one another. Faithfulness is evidence of a humble heart that is turned toward God in adoration and devotion.

Are you seeking to be faithful to God first and then to what He has given you here on earth? Learn to be faithful and His love and goodness will also flow from your life.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Faithfulness

PART 1 OF 333

We often think that perception is reality, but many times it is not. The enemy is swift to tempt us to believe something about another person that is not true. Remember, God created us for fellowship—first with Himself and then with others.

Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, the enemy knows that he can no longer capture our souls. We are saved by the grace of God. However, he never backs away from a challenge and sets a new goal to disrupt and, if possible, to destroy our fellowship with God and those we love. When conflict arises, it is extremely important for us to listen only to the voice of God. While there is benefit that can be gained from the counsel of godly friends, there is also a great danger of missing what God wants us to see and learn on our own.

Therefore, before you react to a situation, ask the Lord to make His truth apparent to your heart. Set a goal to be meek and forgiving. He has given us the Holy Spirit, who is committed to leading and guiding us at every turn in life. Wrong perceptions have been the cause of many misunderstandings. This is one of the reasons we view meekness as a weakness. In actuality, a meek person is not weak or timid. In fact, biblical meekness or gentleness is synonymous with courage, confidence, and strength under control.

God wants us to enjoy meekness as a fruit of the Spirit. When we learn how to rest in Him and allow Him to work through us, His meekness will rise to the surface of our lives. The inner need to be noticed professionally or socially will fade, and we will find that the glory of the Lord is ours to enjoy.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2.

Stay Tuned For Part 2 of Meekness AS OF 21 FEB 03

ove but the love of God. Most of us have sung James Rowe’s hymn, “Love Lifted Me.”

The first verse contains these words: “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me.”

Sometimes nothing can lift our hearts like the love of God. Friends abandon us. Colleagues try to bypass us. Even our families may fail to understand us. But God’s love for us never changes.

Even when we act unlovable, God continues to love us. When we are undesirable, He embraces us. When it seems that the world has turned against us, God’s love remains. He has promised never to leave us hopeless.

Many times, disappointments come in order to teach us more about the depths of God’s love. How can this be? Difficulty can leave us feeling broken and confused. In desperation we turn to God. This is when we discover that only His love can truly lift us up and restore our sense of hope.

We may struggle to find another way around our problems, hoping that someone or something will bring relief, but nothing can help us outside the love of God. Only His love has the ability to satisfy our every need.

Maybe you are wondering if God really loves you. Have you yielded to sin? Or have you allowed the world and its trappings to come between you and your Savior? Cry out to Him and He will restore the joy of your salvation. When nothing else can help, love will lift you.

HARBOR, WA: LOGOS RESEARCH SYSTEMS, INC]

SAYS,  THE “FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD — ACTS 2:23; ROM. 8:29; 11:2; 1 PET. 1:2), IS ONE OF THOSE HIGH ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIALLY APPERTAINING TO HIM THE FULL IMPORT OF WHICH WE CANNOT COMPREHEND  [ BECAUSE HIS KNOWLEDGE & HE HIMSELF ARE INFINITE & WE ARE FINITE, FALLEN, FALLIBLE, & FEEBLE].[v]”

            THIS IS VERY HARD TO FOR ME TO SORT OUT & SOMEHOW THESE NEXT 2 VV DO NOT SEEM AS HARD TO ME.

JOHN 15:16 “ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you¼”

1 JOHN 4:19  “We love him, because he first loved us.”

ALSO, IS THIS NOT CONFIRMED BY EPH 1:3-11 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

EPH 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

EPH 4:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,? 6 ?To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.? 7 ?In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;? 8 ?Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;? 9 ?Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:? 10 ?That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven?a?, and which are on earth; even in him: ? 11 ?In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:?”

  

  

ALSO, ACCORDING ROM 11:2? GOD HAS NOT & WE CAN ADD WILL NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHOM ?HE FOREKNEW. ROM. 11:1FF “ ?I SAY THEN, HATH GOD CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE? GOD FORBID. FOR I ALSO AM AN ISRAELITE, OF THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN.? 2 ?GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHICH HE FOREKNEW. WOT YE NOT WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAITH OF ELIAS?A?? HOW HE MAKETH INTERCESSION TO GOD AGAINST ISRAEL, SAYING, ? 3 ?LORD, THEY HAVE KILLED THY PROPHETS, AND DIGGED DOWN THINE ALTARS; AND I AM LEFT ALONE, AND THEY SEEK MY LIFE.? 4 ?BUT WHAT SAITH THE ANSWER OF GOD UNTO HIM? I HAVE RESERVED TO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BAAL.? 5 ?EVEN SO THEN AT THIS PRESENT TIME ALSO THERE IS A REMNANT ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION OF GRACE.? 6 ?AND IF BY GRACE, THEN IS IT NO MORE OF WORKS: OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE. BUT IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IS IT NO MORE GRACE: OTHERWISE WORK IS NO MORE WORK.?

ROM. 11:7 “ ?WHAT THEN? ISRAEL HATH NOT OBTAINED THAT WHICH HE SEEKETH FOR; BUT THE ELECTION HATH OBTAINED IT, AND THE REST WERE BLINDED?B? ? 8 ?(ACCORDING AS IT IS WRITTEN, GOD HATH GIVEN THEM THE SPIRIT OF SLUMBER?C?, EYES THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SEE, AND EARS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR;) UNTO THIS DAY.”

            NOW AS I SAY, I AM STILL STUDYING THIS, BUT I LEAN THE WAY I JUST DESCRIBED & IF THAT WAY IS THE CORRECT WAY, THEN  WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE? BUT EVEN WAY BACK IN THE TIME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S YEARS ON EARTH, THEY NEEDED A FULLER APPLICATION OF LAW CONCERNING ADULTERY.  [READ MATT. 5:27 & 28  & PERHAPS INJECT ROM 7:12 & 14]

          ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF GOD'S LAW IS TO UPHOLD THE SANCTIFY OF LIFE, ANOTHER PURPOSE OF GOD’S LAW IS TO UPHOLD THE SANCTIFY OF SEX WITHIN THE BAND OF HOLY MATRIMONY BETWEEN A MALE AND A FEMALE (HEB. 13:4).  GOD CREATED ADAM AND EVE --- ADAM & STEVE.  GOD'S CREATIVE ARRANGEMENT HAS A REVELATION IN IT.

                                                                         19 GOD’S CREATIVE DESIGN REVEALS GOD'S WILL TO A DEGREE -- NATURAL REVELATION.      

          AS I MENTIONED, ADULTERY IS COMMONLY DEFINED AS AN UNBIBLICAL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH ONE OF THE PARTIES IS MARRIED.  THAT IS THE DEED. 

AND THAT DEED IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY.  NOT ONLY DO PEOPLE PRACTICE IT, THEY PREVIEW IT IN THE SOAP OPERAS, THE MOVIES, THE VIDEOS, THE ADVERTISEMENTS, AND SMUT MAGAZINES!  NOT ONLY IS THE DEED OF ADULTERY SIN, SO IS THE DESIRE FOR ADULTERY.  ACCORDING TO MATT 5:28 THE ACT OF ADULTERY IS SIN

AND THE APPETITE FOR ADULTERY IS SIN.

                                                                        20    Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

MATT. 5:28 THIS IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE INCIDENTAL, INVOLUNTARY, OR CASUAL GLANCE.  ACCORDING TO THE GRAMMAR IN THIS V, WHICH DENOTES A PURPOSE, GOAL, OR INTENTION, THIS V IS TALKING ABOUT LOOKING WITH THE GOAL OR PURPOSE TO FULFILL ONES LUSTFUL DESIRE THAT IS ALREADY IN THE HEART.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE ADULTEROUS HEART CAUSES THE LUSTFUL LOOK. 

                                                                     21  THE LUSTFUL LOOKING IS BUT AN EXPRESSION OF THE HEART THAT IS ALREADY ADULTEROUS AT LEAST IN DESIRE IF NOT YET IN DEED.

          I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS WHY SOME PEOPLE CONSUME PORN.  THEIR ADULTEROUS AND LUSTFUL HEART DRIVES THEM TO LOOK AT THE PORN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THEIR LUSTFUL LOOKING TURNS TO LUSTFUL ACTION. 

          I RECENTLY HEARD A REPORT THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SEX CRIMES ARE COMMITTED EITHER RIGHT OFTEN THE CRIMINAL INDULGES IN PORN OR THE CRIMINAL USES PORN DURING THE ASSAULT.  SOME EVEN COPY WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN IN THE PORN.

         

                                                                               22  YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO FIGHT THE FLESH—NOT FEED IT OR GIVE IN TO IT. THE BIBLE GIVES US PRECEPTS & PRINCIPLES TO DEFEAT THE FLESH & BE DELIVERED FROM IT.  ROM 13:14 SAYS, ““MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH TO FULFILL THE LUSTS Thereof. “

         

WAY BACK IN THE OT, JOB MADE A COVENANT WITH HIS EYES—PERHAPS YOU SHOULD.  “ Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? “ THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM OUT NOW CALLED COVENANT EYES.

TO BE SAFE OR TO BE DELIVERED – WE MAY NEED TO BE SEVERE WITH OUR EYES.

                                                                                20  MAT. 5:29, “ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

         

[FLEE (EXTERNAL - INTERNAL]

          NOW I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE QUOTE V 29 OUT OF CONTEXT, BUT NOTICE, THE FOLLOWS THE VV DEALING WITH ADULTERY.

          MAT 5:29 IS NOT CALLING FOR LITERAL SELF-MUTILATION, FOR EVEN BLIND PEOPLE AND EUNUCHS ARE ABLE TO LUST.  THE MAIN POINT IS THAT SIN IS SERIOUS AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH SERIOUSLY AND WE SHOULD BE SERIOUS ABOUT AVOIDING & PREVENTING PERSONAL SIN. 

                                                                           21  GOD CAN HELP US PREVENT SIN OR AVOID IT OR BE DELIVERED FROM IT.                                         SO, REGARDING ADULTERY – THERE IS THE DEED, THE DESIRE, AND THE DELIVERANCE.

          MAT 5:29 – TELLS US DELIVERANCE CAN INVOLVE THE EYE.  LET ME HASTEN TO SAY THAT LITERALLY PLUCKING OUT THE EYE IS NOT WHAT IS MEANT HERE FOR THE BLIND CAN STILL LUST.  BUT IF PLUCKING THE EYE OUT COULD KEEP ON OUT OF SIN AND HELL, IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE, BUT SINCE SELF MUTILATION CAN'T KEEP FROM LUST AS SOME MONASTICS & MONKS AND EVEN ORIGIN FOUND OUT --- IT MEANS TAKE RADICAL ACTION. 

          NOW, INSTEAD OF PLUCKING OUT THE EYE, HOW ABOUT PLUCKING OUT THE PORN THAT GOES IN THE EYE.

                                                                                19  WHICH CAN HAVE USE FOR US EVEN THOUGH SOME SUGGEST HE may have drawn too much on Plato.

Aquinas HAD A VIEW OF TRUTH WHICH HAS SOME USE FOR US, EVEN THOUGH SOME  CLAIM HE MAY HAVE DRAWN too much on Aristotle.  SEE, BY GOD’S COMMON GRACE, the GREEK PHILOSOPHERS discovered

SOME THINGS ABOUT GOD’S TRUTH. 

   

FOR INSTANCE, Socrates WAS CONDEMNED TO DIE & GIVEN hemlock TO DRINK IN 399 BC BECAUSE HE REJECTED the mythological worldview OF POLYTHEISTIC PAGANISM & reasoned that there must be one supreme God behind all of history.

        Plato FOLLOWED SOCRATES & developed A classical idealism, WHICH ASSERTED THAT The ALL THE world’s particulars come from the transcendent ideals in the mind of God.         Aristotle WAS A STUDENT OF PLATO’S  & argued for first causes and that all causes must be traced back to one supreme First Cause.

Though this era OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY fell far short of BIBLICAL THEOLOGY & Christian belief, it allowed the HUMAN mind to investigate the world WITH THE IDEA OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH & without ruling out the possibility of God. 

IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, On Mars Hill, Paul began at this point and introduced them to the truth about God that only divine revelation could MAKE KNOW.

NOW WITH all of its faults, EVEN NON-BIBLICAL OR NON-CHRISTIAN THOUGHT carried with it certain assumptions that were rarely challenged:

5.     There is a God OR GODS OR AT LEAST GOD OR GODS ARE POSSIBLE.

6.     ABSOLUTE TRUTH ABSOLUTELY EXISTS.

NOW, IN OUR ERA, post-modernS

DENY ABSOLUTE TRUTH, THUS THEY believe that All lifestyles, religions, and worldviews are equal & THUS THE only real sin FOR THEN is criticizing someone else's view or morals OR RELIGION.

          THAT IS ONE REASON THEY CALL CHRISTIANS BIGOTS.   ONE REASON THEY CALL CHRISTIANS BIGOTS IS BECAUSE REAL CHRISTIANS USUALLY MAINTAIN THAT THERE IS A GOD OF TRUTH WHO ALSO REVEALED A TRUE CODE OF MORALITY & EXPECTS HIS HUMAN CREATURES TO LINE UP WITH IT INSTEAD OF DOING THEIR OWN THING. 

A WRITER NAMED David Dockery explains THAT:

Postmodernists would critique Christianity by claiming that Christians think they have the only truth.  The claims of Christianity are rejected because of the appeal to absolute truth.  Absolute truth claims will be dismissed by the postmodernist for being “intolerant” –trying to force one’s beliefs [BY WHICH THEY ALSO MEAN MORAL CODES OF CONDUCT] onto other people. 

“Postmodernists have genuinely given up on the idea of absolute truth[44] & AN ABSOLUTE MORAL CODE.”

Of course, the age-old response to such skewed thinking is, “How can you say absolutely that there is no absolute truth?”  ISN’T THAT AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT?  

BUT, Postmodernists do not care about the apparent contradiction.  EVIDENTLY  THIS Typical statement by a “Repressed Memory Therapist” reveals thE BENT OF POSTMODERNS, “I don’t care if it’s true.  What actually happened is irrelevant to me.”[45] 

          One wonders how such “therapy” could ever help anyone. 

THAT IS ONE REASON TODAY THAT FICTION IS TOO OFTEN ACCEPTED AS A TYPE OF TRUTH EVEN IF SO-CALLED FACTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT IT.

THE POSTMODERN VIEW ENDS UP SAYING:

- “WHAT IS ACTUAL OR WHAT IS REAL OR WHAT IS TRUE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS.  WHAT MATTERS IS ONE’S Opinion.   OPINION matterS as much as evidence OR MORE SO.

- Reality is in the mind of the beholder—NOT SOMETHING EXTERNAL TO ANY BEHOLDER.  THE EXTREME OF THIS IS SO-FAR IT SOUNDS CRAZY.  IT’S CALLED “SOLIPSISM.” Solipsism is a philosophical theory that all activity takes place within ONE’S mind, and therefore, WHAT WE THINK is reality outside OUR MIND, ARE REALLY JUST PROJECTION FORM OUR own mind.”

 THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE NEW AGERS WHO CLAIM TO CREATE THEIR OWN REALITY. 

POSTMODERNISTS ALSO MAKE Political correctness, EXTREME permissiveness, extreme tolerance, & THE IDEA OF “NO ABSOLUTES” IN ANY AREA OF  knowledge OR ETHICS aS THE KEY IDEAS OF THE DAY.

          WELL, What should be the response of the Christian in the face of SUCH a philosophical attack?”[46]  

         

The Christian IS ChallengeD TO use ANY & ALL mediA available to reach the lost world Whether BY radio, television, PRINT, or the computer, to proclaim a message THAT Christianity IS based on something that really happened.  CHRIST’S INCARNATION, SINLESS LIFE, SUBSTiTutIONARY DEATH, & RESURRECTION DECLARING THAT JUSTIFICATION & RECONCILIATION TO THE TRUE GOD IS NEEDED & IS TRULY POSSIBLE .  

“we must PROCLAIM THAT Christianity depends  upon THE TRUTH THAT something REALLY happened IN THE EXTERNAL WORLD, NOT JUST IN SOMEONE’S MIND, OR IN SOME MYTHOLOGY.

& THAT since that IS THE TRUTH, THEN CHRISTIANITY must not be abandoned AS THE TRUTH of christ IS SUPPORTED IN NUMEROUS WAYS.  at a definite point in REAL history, Jesus CAME & died as a propitiation for the sins of men & WOMEN WHO WILL ACCEPT HIM AS SAVIOR..  Christianity MUST BE PROCLAIMED AS  dependent upon REAL history—not just a fable or myth.”[47]

          ALSO, We cannot present Christ and His atoning work as if it HE were one of many POSSIBLE TRUTHS OR an option. 

see,  The postmodernist can “accept” Christianity or reject it without ever considering its “reality.”

christians MUST PRESENT THE REALITY OF CHRIST AS THE ONLY SAVIOR. & NOT AS If it is acceptable to personally ascribe to more than one, perhaps many religions.  Today, we hear of many “faiths” any one of which becomes truth for the one who accept it. 

          THIS will take a willingness on our part to present the gospel OF CHRIST as true, regardless of how that disturbs a comfortable, unrealistic, TRUTH DENYING, MORALITY DECRYING  world. 

         

16

SEE, The challenge  FOR Christians living in postmodern times is enormous.

If ever we faced the danger of the frog in the slowly boiling pot, it is today.  NEVERTHELESS, THIS CRISIS ALSO PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY.

WRITER Gene Veith SAID, “ThIS ….era opens up genuine opportunities for Biblical Christianity….this … age is more accessible than ever before.  With people demanding technological marvelS making it easier than ever before for the church to deliver TRUTH…

…But as we look ….FORWARD, … we must ask ourselves if we are holding ON TO our link in the historical chain of our faith.  SEE, REAL CHRISTIANITY Is A Life-changing message ROOTED IN HISTORY & REALITY NOT MYTHOLOGY.

Os Guinness Said this,

“…Followers of Christ are custodians of the faith passed on down thROUGH THE centuries.  Never must we allow anyone outside or inside the church…TO DENY THE truth and meaning of this priceless heritage of faith WHICH AS JUDE V3 SAYS was …delivered unto the saints  & NEEDED TO BE earnestly contended EVEN WAY BACK IN THE EARLY CHURCH.

SOME, AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY,

To proclaim the truth of Christ. OF GOD, OF THE BIBLE,  is like letting a lion loose, A LION will defend itself.”

1 thes. 2:1-Now, brethren, aconcerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 cnot to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of 1Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come dunless the falling away comes first, and ethe man of 2sin is revealed, fthe son of perdition, 4 who opposes and gexalts himself habove all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits 3as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For ithe 4mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only 5He who now restrains will do so until 5He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, jwhom the Lord will consume kwith the breath of His mouth and destroy lwith the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is maccording to the working of Satan, with all power, nsigns, and lying wonders,

1 thes 2:10-  and with all unrighteous deception among othose who perish, because they did not receive pthe love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And qfor this reason God will send them strong delusion, rthat they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but shad pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Fast

13 But we are 6bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God tfrom the beginning uchose you for salvation vthrough 7sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for wthe obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, xstand fast and hold ythe traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our 8epistle.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, zwho has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and agood hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts band 9establish you in every good word and work.” [48]

ro. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

(P. Anka, J. Revaux, G. Thibault, C. Frankois)
[Recorded December 30, 1968, Hollywod]

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way
     And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
      Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
        Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
       I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
     For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
[instrumental]  Yes, it was my way



2 cor 5:14 -15, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that  if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all,  that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

heb 11:24-29, “ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christd greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”

2 tim. 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobatea concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. “

         

 

 

ruthb; [1]

b in the truth: or, with the truth

[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

& the phrase, ““agape love…

THEN, 

 [“Classical Apologetics: It Stands to Reason.”

[Internal Weaknesses ON SERMONS

]@13 FEB 08]

 

I MADE IT TO A POINT WHERE I WAS SAYING THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS MAINTAINED (& RIGHTLY SO)  THAT THERE IS TRUTH OT TRUE TRUTH & THAT PART OF OUR JOB AS GOD’S CREATURE IS TO DISCOVER TRUTH & TO THINK & BEHAVE IN ACCORD WITH TRUTH & PASS IT ON & DEFEND IT WITH AS MUCH EVIDENCE AS WE CAN GATHER & WITH ALL THE MEANS AVAILABLE IN WHAT MANY CALL OUR ERA OF POST MODERNITY WHICH

I DON’T SEE WILL Survive LONG, Because IT IS Empty of  anything upon which to build a philosophy of life.

          & instead of being constructive, IT DESTROYS TRUTH & LEAVES PEOPLE JUST TO CHOOSE ANY THING, WHETHER TRUE OR UNTRUE, RIGHT OR WRONG.    

                   ALSO, DEEP DOWN IN OUR SOULS BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, WE HAVE A SENSE OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH & ABSOLUTE MORALS SO we want others to treat us in keeping with universal IDEAS ABOUT truth and morality.

          Eph. 5:9 SAYS, “9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;”

SO, BACK TO 1 COR 13:5 WHERE WE HEARD AGAPE LOVE  “thinketh no evil;”

     WHEN WE ARE TOLD TO NOT THINK SOMETHING, WHAT IS ELIMINATED MUST BE REPLACED & WE ARE TO REPLACE WHAT NOT TO THINK WITH WHAT TO THINK & I AM BACK AT THE PRACTICE OF POSITIVE Pondering.  WE ARE TO PONDER THE

A.      Truth & THAN AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS,  whatsoever things are honest¼”

 WE ARE TO

          B. Ponder honest things  & don't dwell on dishonest things or dishonest people such as some in business or government OR OTHER PLACES.  THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO WANT TO ALWAYS TELL ME ABOUT THE BEEF THEY HAVE WITH SOME CROOKED AGENCY OR SOME CROOK & THAT IS ALL THEY SEEM TO THINK OR TALK ABOUT.  . 

I THINK THAT THINKING ON HONEST T

HINGS ALSO INCLUDES things that are honorable & Excludes THE Dishonorable. 

WE ARE TO PONDER THINGS worthy of respect & NOT PAY RESPECT TO DISRESPECTFUL THINGS. 

          WE ARE TO PONDER C.  PHIL 4:8. “whatsoever things are just,…”

             Just things INCLUDES THINGS SUCH AS GOD’S JUSTICE, GOD’S Righteous One & Righteousness.  In the Bible, sometimes 'just' is a synonym for right.  Let us think about and promote THAT WHICH IS 'right', RIGHTEOUS, & JUST. 

         

WE ARE TO PONDER D.  Pure things AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, “…Whatsoever things are pure,” - impurity must be purged from our thoughts because the impure filth of the world constantly bombards our senses with pollutants - Reject impurities by guarding what you see & hear.  Think on clean things & don't indulge in dirt & filthiness[PORN Movies, BOOKS, MAGS] .

 WE ARE TO PONDER OR THINK ON AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, :  whatsoever things are lovely,”

K.     Lovely things - things of beauty as opposed to ugliness & distortion & perversion.  Ponder the pleasing & pleasant, don't dwell on unpleasant things.

L.       

M.     "Slasher videos" { this example, may not need to be mentioned since the mere mention may detract from the sermon, & bring up ugly thoughts.} 

          & AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, PONDER OR THINK ON WHATsoever things are of good report..

LET’S PONDER & THINK ABOUT F.  Good reports - not bad reports or slander, libel, gossip & lies –

& AS PHIL 4:8 SAYS, “if there be any virtue, and

if there be any praise, think on these things.”

 G.  Virtuous things ARE things Holy & Wholesome & THINGS rejecting the vile, foul, depraved & damning influence of base & perverted & depraved things. 

H.      Praise worthy things ARE things worthy of praise and applause.  SO, We must think correctly & guard our minds.

[The following is from Charles Swindoll]

Sow a thought reap an action

Sow an action, reap a habit,

Sow a habit, reap a character,

Sow a character, reap a destiny”

          SO WE ARE TO PROPER PONDERING OR positive thinking in a Biblical way [J. Vernon McGee says this is all contemplation of Christ]

         

NOW BACK TO 1 COR 13: 6 AGAPE LOVE Rejoiceth not in,”

SO FROM Phil. 4:4-8, I’VE PRESENTED PROPER PRAISE, PROPER, PRAYER, PROPER PONDERING, & NOW IN V9, I WANT TO STRESS THAT The Joyful Christian Life at Its Best Can Overcome the problems of life by Proper practice.  Philippians 4:9, “9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” [James 1:22] In the book of Philippians, CH 4 so far, HAS TOLD US TO Practice Unity & Harmony, practice rejoicing in the Lord, practice prayer, practice positive thinking, & ACTUALLY IT APPEARS WE ARE BEING TOLD TO practice everything Paul preached & everything The Bible TELLS us TO DO.

 James 1:22 TELLS US TO “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Our life should be a living object lesson -- Christians need to practice what they preach & the best testimony is both practice with the life & proclamation with the lip.  (E.g., practice this for worry & depression  Stop - Phil. 4:4-9.) 

[a good place to stop]

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Phil. 4:10

V.  A Proper Perspective about A Proper Providence -- helps us overcome & live the joyful & thankful life. 

The joyful Christian life at its best Rejoices & Thanks God for the Proper Providential Provisions of Life.  Simply stated Providence means that God cares for His creatures & His creation in His own way (Matt. 6:33 & Phil. 4:19).

He provides:

Phil. 4:10  A.  Shekels (v.18)  - God will provide what he thinks we need not necessary what we want - don't blame him for our own mismanagement should that be the case. 

4:11           B.  Satisfaction - Only God can grant us the grace to be satisfied in this unequal & unjust world of woe.  Maybe some of you need to pray for God to help you be satisfied with His will, See, too often people compare themselves with others & become discontent, possibly jealous & envious. 

[a place to stop and restate] 

See. God says we are not to compare ourselves with others, humans, either spiritually, materially, mentally, physically or emotionally. When we do --- it can lead to jealousy, ency, hatred, strife, discouragement, bitterness, depression & discontentment --- 2 Cor. 10:12  It is univus?? to compare ourselves among ourselves --- God wants us to be content (1 Tim. 6:6-8).

A discontented & ungrateful Spirit grieves the heart of God & depresses & discourages the hearts of humans.  We need to act life the Optomistic Pilgrim who upon hearing a dismayed & disheartening Report about the needs of the Puritan community reminded his pilgrim friend to yet enjoy and thank God for what they did have and not to become overly concerned with what they did not have.  Evidently, contentment must be learned since it does not appear to be an unnate or inherent characteristic of human nature. 

If we have been griping against God or to God

[the following is a paraphased {by JRP} quote]

and bemoaning our terrible conditions, the following suggestions will help us conquer an attitude of discontent,

          1.  Let us constantly review our blessings every day and give thannksgiving and praise to God for all of His benefits.  Look for small manifestations of God's power as well as the large blessings. 

          2.  Give instead of collecting things.  Get in the habit of giving part of all you get. 

          3.  Do not compare yourself with those you consider to have things better than you do --, but instead make your comparisons to those less fortunate, the hungery, the homeless, the destitute, derelut.

          4.  Let us concentrate on the spiritual, family, and love benefits that we have rather than on the  material, mental, or physical benefits which you may feel you lack. 

          5.  Let us learn how to praise the Lord seven times a day as David did (Psalm 119:164).  Here he was persecuted (verse 161), and yet he rejoiced in the Word of God and knew how to give thanksgiving and praise to God. 

          As we consider these helps in our study of The Word of God, we begin to see the real benefits that God gives us, and love, hope, and faith begin to be manifested in our life [or lives].  The reality of the thanksgiving and praise attitude begins to develop, and the peace of God will flood your soul (Philippians 4:6,7).      [end of article]

Proper Providence helps us overcome by supplying -

4:12   III. Security

Remember -- much so-called security in this world is an illusion.  We don't know absolutely how secure our future, our finances, our health or any such thing is.  Ultimately the bottom line is this -- Real security is only in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many things on which people base security here can be lost - the depression is a good example.  Employment, etc. - Retirement, Earthly possessions, positions & prosperty are not abiding & can be lost. 

But Christ can soothe the saint in poverty - this is against that prosperity truth - (the great apostle "Abased!")

* Christ can shower the Saint with Plenty -- if He wants to.

One secret is to avoid trusting in security in this world's things & be satisfied with whatever Christ gives (or withholds).

God forbid - but some of us may need a little struggle & trial to conform ourselves to the image of Christ to develop as God desires.

The joyful Christian life at its best can be lived in spite of problems -

by proper Praise-

"        "        Perspective

"        "        Prayer

"        "        Pondering

"        "        Practicing & last time I

looked at a Proper Perception about God's Providential Provisions -

God can provide

     shekels

     satisfaction

     security

          Strength & later if not today we'll pick up with sustenance in  v.19.

          The Lord Jesus Christ provides [IV]. STRENGTH: PHIL.4:13,  [PUT IN

passage by Spurgeon   p.916 ON P 11B]

               Isa. 41:10  I will strengthen thee.

WHEN called to serve or suffer, we take stock of our strength, and we find it to be less than we thought, and less than we need.  But let not our heart sink within us while we have such a word as this to fall back upon, for it guarantees us all that we can possibly need.  God has strength omnipotent; that strength He can communicate to us; and His promise is that He sill do so.  He will be the food of our souls, and the health of our hearts; and thus He will give us strength.  There is no telling how much power God can put into a man.  Whren divine strength comes, human weakness is no more a hindrance. 

          Do we not remember seasons of labor and trial in which we received such special strength that we wondered at ourselves?  In the midst of danger we were calm, under bereavement we were resigned, in slander we were self-contained, and in sickness we were patient.  The fact is, that God gives unexpected strength when ususal trials come upon us.  We rise out of our feeble selves.  Cowards play the man, foolish ones have wisdom given them, and the silent receive in the self-same hour what they shall speak.  My own weakness makes me shrink, but God's promise makes me brave.  Lord, strengthen me "according to they word."  C. H. Spurgeon

4:13   IV.  Strength

The Lord Jesus Christ grants the gracious strength to do what He demands.  He gives the resources for His requirements.  No task is too much for the Divine Taskmaster:  He will help us through or deliver us from (1 Cor. 10:13).

This doesn't mean you can go jump over your house or go lift up this building or grow new limbs - but in context it means you can do by God's grace & only by God's grace - whatever God's will for your life includes or permits.

The Christian can handle anything that hapens because of God's strength - Also, because of God's providential provisions -- (See Spurgeon & Isa. 41:10).

Phil. 4  v.13 cont. 

This might mean taking risks.  The Joyful Christian life at its best can take risks resting on the promises of God.  I don't mean being risky as in a poor business investment, but I mean risking worldly security, safety, comfort, etc. for Christ & my risk may not be yours & your risk may not be mine. 

And remember our sufficiency is from the Lord Jesus Christ - our God  2 Cor. 3:5 & 12:9.

[The??] Jesus Christ Provides

4:14   V.  Substance - contributions v.12 people

The word for communicate means to share with & they shared their substance with Paul by way of contribution -

4:15-18   VI.  Support - This church helped support Paul as a missionary.  Is God calling you to be a missionary?  Is God calling you to be a missionary or some other aspect of fulltime service - He'll provide the support _____means - God's genuine call is accompanied by genuine enablement.

v.17&18  Our contributions to the Lord's work, His legitimate ministers & ministries, puts fruit on our account.  Some oof the best return on your money - is investing it in God's Work. 

The Joyful Christian life at its Best

Realizes God's Providential Provisions & Remembers to Thank, Praise & Bless God.  So far in Chapter 4 we have seen God providentially provide

1.  Sheckels

2.  Satisfaction

3.  Security

4.  Strength

5.  Substance

6.  Support

& today we pick up with 7. Sustenance

4:19  VII.  Sustenance - That is what it takes to sustain needs - not greeds.  Some say this verse has some conditions.  Of course,

#1  It is for Christians only -- those who are declared right by God because of their acceptance of God the Son as their payment for sin &

#2  Some say this verse is a promise to those Christians who do waht the Phillipians did -- help God's work by helping one of His legitimate ministers.  Just because religion has its share of crooks, husksters, [Phil. 4:16] shysters, frauto, 13 quacks, and charlations .. let us not think all minsters are wrong .. but let us discern the right ones ..

The Lord God Almighty providential by provides sustenance - (Phil. 4:19 conditions = Saved & doing what the Phillipians were doing (2 Cor. 8:1-12 & 2 Cor. (:1-8).

          A.  The Source of the Sustenance

           - God the Father  

     B.  The Steward of the Sustenance

           - Christ the Son

          C.  The Scope/Spectrum of the Sustenance

                    - All legitimate needs.

          D.  The Standard of the Sustenance

                     - His riches - not out of His riches - His resources will never be depleted.  Eph. 1:7;2:7

v. 20  Paul gets excited listing how God provides Sheckels, Satisfaction, Security, Strength, Substance, Support, Sustenance & ends on a doxological, praise to God. e.g. Rev. 4:8, 11; 5:13

vv. 20 ff -

phil. 4:21 & 22 Saints= Christians, v. 22

 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [49]

Caesars household = probably soldier's that guarded & not necessarily if to empirial family, but from Imperial household of government workers, slaves, etc.

v. 23 - remember we need mercy - not justice, & God's grace (GRACE) undeserved, unearned, unmertited, free favor - & that should give us all confidence, conviction, & courage to commit ourselves to seeking & doing God's will -- regardless!  of the consequences or circumstances we may surmise of actually encounter. 

Hymn _______  Is Your All On The Alter?

 

 

 & "   practice

IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Cor. 15:51,52 [w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.  1 Thess. 4:16,17

next the mid Trib Angelic Trump

but until then we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings (2 Cor. 5:17-20).  We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  As aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

Now this Hope of the imminent return of Christ to take us home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes up home at our death or by rapture.  He'll change these humiliating bodies like unto His glorified body - This body is a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place.  It is mortal, it is corruptible (1Cor. 15: 53,54).  Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury -- how frail we are (2Cor. 4:14-5:4).  Boise, pp. 256 & 257.    

But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into your life that He can't help you handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD. 

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ our help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). BHebrews 4:15-16, A15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.@

 Sometimes no one or no/thing helps - except Jesus.  Too many people today look to the government for help - I never see government in the Bible given the responsibility or the authority to be The Messiah. 

Some look to family or friendsY"your girl friend may let you down..."

& In Phil 3:21 III.  We need to discern our hope.

Philippians 3:21 is about Christ & says, AY[he] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.@

          SEE, our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture. 

John 14:1-6; ALet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father=s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.@  [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, A51 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.@  [ w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.@ [next the mid Trib Angelic Trump]

          NOW, Until WE GO TO BE WITH LORD,  we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires,  or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings .   2 Corinthians 5:17-20 SAYS, A17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2 COR.5:18 & 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.@

           We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  WE ARE aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

          Now this Hope ABOUT [of the imminent return of Christ to take us] OUR home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes home at our death or by rapture, He=ll change these MORTAL Bodies like unto His glorified body.  SEE, This body WE HAVE NOW IS a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place. 

OUR PRESENT BODY  is mortal, it is corruptible .

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 SAYS, A53 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.@   Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury WHICH TELLS US  how frail we are. 2 Cor. 4:14-5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:4, A14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 COR. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 COR. 5:1, AFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 COR.5: 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.@ Boise, p, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed p. 256 & 257.  But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into our life that He can't help uS handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

IN EPHESIANS 6, I WENT THROUGH V 17, & WE WERE STILL ON THE TOPIC OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE WHEN I LEFT OFF IN EPH 6:18 WHICH SAYS, 6: 8 SAYS WE ARE TO BE A18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;@

   SEE, WITH SPIRITUAL WARFARE ALWAYS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES, WE ARE TO BE Praying ALWAYS-AT LEAST WITH AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER & KEEPING OURSELVES IN A WAY SO GOD IS PLEASED TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

          I SHARED A SPIRITUAL WARFARE PRAYER AS AN

SAMPLE PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN WARRIORS.

ALSO, I WANTED TO REMIND US THAT JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY MEDIATOR!  1 Timothy 2:5 A5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;@

          JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR SELVES TO THE FATHER IS HEAVEN & HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR PRAYERS TO THE FATHER IN HEAVEN.  IN John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  A  THAT IS WHY WE MUST MAKE SURE WE SAVED BY CHRIST & LIVING FOR CHRIST.         

         

Now I want to address a problem we are to overcome which is hinted at in Phil 4:1-2, A1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord."  I think these 2 vv. are speaking to

Disunity & Disharmony.  In the body of Christ, OR IN A LOCAL GROUP OF BELIEVERS OR INA A LOCAL CHURCH, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable.  SOMEONE SAID, AIN ESSTIALS-UNITY,

IN NON-ESSENTIALS-LIBERTY,

IN ALL THINGS-CHARITY, I.E., LOVE@ 

          Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is diveRting & destructive & should be avoided. 

          NOW IN PHIL 4:VV3-7, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OVERCOMING [III].  Depression & Discouragement.  Philippians 4:3-7 SAYS, A3 Philippians 4:3

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.  [50]A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.@  One way Christians can overcome Depression & Discouragement.  Is by I.  Proper Praise.  LISTEN TO V 4 AGAIN, A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.@

          Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many PERCEIVED Problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude. Ps. 119:164,165 SAYS, A164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.@

          I THINK ONE WAY THIS aidS to overcoming our problem is by GIVING US A

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective. Philippians

4:5, ALet your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.@ Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.@

          THE ASV OF PHIL 4:5 SAYS, ALet your forbearance be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.@

          THE NEW AM STANDARD SAYS, A5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.@

          THE NIV SAYS, A5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.@

          SO, Let us be FORBEARING, GENTLE, SWEET & REASONABLE & listen to others= opinions & Disagreements & issues.  THIS doesn=t mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

         

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon.  Remember, PHIL 4:5 SAYS, "the Lord is at hand."  HE COULD COME today-- Before the service is over.  & remember if we need help--The Lord is at hand-- He is near to us always & w/ us & in us as believers. 

          YES, HIS COMING IS AT HAND & HE IS AT HANDCavailable RIGHT now. In that regard B LET US NOT mess AROUND with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait FOR THE LORD=S RETURN."  NO WE NEED TO BE LIVING FOR HIM & WORKING FOR HIM AS WE WAIT FOR HIM.  END OF PHIL 4:5.  

NOW ON TO Phil 4:4-19 WHERE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT how WE can overcome the negativity OF LIFE THAT COMES OUR WAY.

          Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

          SEE THERE ARE Many things THAT can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & rejoice!  [Joyful - with

Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude. Philippians 4:4 SAYs,"

          A4 Rejoice in the Lord alway:

           And again I say, rejoice.@

TO ME, REJOICING IN THE LORD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH Proper Praise.

          SEE, Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE OF GOD

CAN BUT lesser THINGS IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

         

WELL, ANOTHER REASON Believers need to Praise God IS THAT Praise aids us in pleasing God & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity. Heb. 13:15 & 16 SAYS, AYtherefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. A

          We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord. Ps. 119:164,165,

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee

Because of thy righteous judgments. 

Psalm 119:165 AGreat peace have they which

Love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.@

            So, PROPER PRAISE CAN GIVE US A PROPER PERSPECTIVE, which is a weapon in our battle against problems.

WELL, ON TO Philippians 4:5, A Let youR Moderation be known unto all men. 

The Lord is at hand.

     II.  I THINK WE CAN PICK OUT SOME MORE ABOUT A Proper Perspective.

IN V. 5 WHEN IT MENTIONS THE WORD, AModeration.@  MODERATION here means a sweet reasonableness, A mild manneredness, forbearance, and yieldingness.          

Now, never yield to the devil=s deceptions, doctrines or disciples,

but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity--

and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness, A bullheaded &

belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

NOW ON TO Philippians 4:6 WHICH SAYS, A6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.@

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

          AS I HAVE BEEN MENTIONING, Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  I SUGGEST A

Proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.

          I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best AS WE GO ON with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

GOD=S ADMONITION TO US IN PHIL.4:6 SAYS, ABe careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.@

          ONE OF THE MAIN INGREDIENTS OF THE JOYFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE IS PRAYER.  IN PHIL 4, Paul has SAID, Arejoice in the Lord and to be patient,@  he ALSO SAID TO take OUR needs to the Lord. A literal translation V 6 "Be anxious about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication... let your requests be made known unto God"  TO TELL US THAT ONE  ingredient WE must get IN PRACTICED in order to receive God's peace is faithful prayer. Instead of worrying, Paul encourages the Philippians to find peace of heart by turning to God and seeking fellowship with him IN PRAYER.

         

WE ALL NEED A PRAYER SHIELD [ September 12, 2001]

      America Needs Prayer Shield,

[ Observers Say By Charles R. MiVille, Washington, D.C., correspondent ]

      As WE continue to recover from 11 SEP 01's catastrophic terrorist attack, [

on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon], the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., has targeted the United States with prayer.

TH E World Prayer Center Pastor Wesley Tullis talked about his mission during the nation's time of crisis.

      "Right now, even as we're asked to pray at the World Prayer Center, our goal is to coordinate strategic prayer for objectives around the world, for the nations, and to mobilize local churches to pray," Tullis said.

      Mel Winger, director of church relations for the World Prayer Center, said America needs  prayer right now.

      "We need to go back to the great defense of this nation, and that's a life that honors God," Winger said. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PS 33:12 ABlessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;

    Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church, which helped give birth to the Prayer Center, said Christians need to pray for their national leaders, their country and the Church.

      "We need to pray that this process will make America stronger and brighter and freer, and our churches more wonderful than ever before, " Haggard said.

      In the New Life Church sanctuary, Ted Shumaker joined others in the prayer watch.

      "We're calling as a Christian nation upon you, Lord Jesus, to heal our land * to bring us back from our idolatry into your worship, Lord," Shumaker prayed. "We just thank You and we praise You now, Lord."

      Pastor Tullis added that "unless we mobilize the Church of America to be prayer‑based, we're going to continue to see ongoing challenges that aren't met by any wisdom of government alone, or any wisdom of the military."

The word "supplication" has to do with specific needs. Paul doesn't want them to talk with God in general terms like, "Lord help me to be better." He asks them to bring their specific needs and desires to God. Paul may be suggesting that the present disorder is an indication that they need to pray. In any event, he wants their requests "in everything" to be brought to God. There is not a greater need in modern Christianity than a more serious approach to prayer. I realize that statement is strong, but so is the evidence for its proof. We too often pray that the Lord will "bless all that it is our duty to pray for." We ask him to "help us to do what we ought to." I believe that if Euodias had prayed by name for Syntyche, there would have been a dramatic change in their relationship. Surely, if Syntyche would have prayed specifically, "Lord, give me the strength to go see Euodias tomorrow and work out our difficulty," it would have helped. And this is exactly our need. When is the last time you have prayed specifically for your needs? Yes, we rattle off the words we've been saying for twelve years, but that misses the boat. When have we prayed "Lord help me to apologize to Sally," or, "Lord, rid me of the habit of sensitive feelings," or, "Lord, chase that grudge from me," or, "Lord, help me to be more friendly with Frank"? If we really want God's peace, we are going to have to speak our true needs to the Father. In so, doing- we will have his help in dissolving or preventing disturbances. A friend of mine in a college pastorate called on one of his deacons to pray the offertory prayer one Sunday morning and suffered through "Lord, accept the gratitude of our hearts for the table you have set before us. Now, bless the food to the nourishment of our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen." That deacon used the wrong prayer because the real needs of his life and church seldom entered his prayer life. We had better stop criticizing those who read their prayer from paper as long as we read our prayers from antiquity and memory. The prayer should change with the needs of each new day. And let us not neglect the element of thanksgiving in our prayers. ".... with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God,," Paul says (Phil. 4:6). Before prayer can become helpful, it must come from a thankful heart. Paul knows that the thankful heart is seldom disturbed, but is one which enjoys God's peace. It may be significant that Paul begins this recipe with "rejoice" and ends it with "thanksgiving." It begins and ends with a sense of joy. If we would stop each day to pray out of a heart of gratitude for God's incalculable blessings, perhaps we would not be tempted to be cross and impatient. The heart that is thankful is not hateful. The same heart cannot dwell on thankfulness and revenge simultaneously. When you are tempted to be other than your Christian best, hesitate a moment, and begin thanking God for each thing that he has done or meant to you. Then when you are finished, see if that heart torn by conflict hasn't found peace again. Izaak Walton said profoundly, "God has two dwelling places: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart." Let me challenge you to commit you life to joy, patience, and prayer. You will then discover God's peace. It will enrich your church, strengthen your happiness, and help your friends. COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this database is protected by copyright and International Law, and is solely owned by it's authors. The reproduction, or distribution of this product, or any portion of it, without the expressed written authorization from the contributing authors is forbidden. Remember, this database is to inspire the development of new messages to further the kingdom's work.

SO, I HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING THAT to overcome SOME OF our problems WHICH CAN ROB US OF JOY, we NEED TO HAVE 

proper praise

   "   perspective &

A@@@   perception

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

 & "   practice

IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

v.21   III.  We need to discern our hope ---

our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture

1.  John 14:1-6; [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Cor. 15:51,52 [w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.  1 Thess. 4:16,17

next the mid Trib Angelic Trump

but until then we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings (2 Cor. 5:17-20).  We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  As aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

Now this Hope of the imminent return of Christ to take us home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes up home at our death or by rapture.  He'll change these humiliating bodies like unto His glorified body - This body is a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place.  It is mortal, it is corruptible (1Cor. 15: 53,54).  Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury -- how frail we are (2Cor. 4:14-5:4).  Boise, pp. 256 & 257.     

But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into your life that He can't help you handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD. 

Look unto the Lord Jesus Christ our help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). BHebrews 4:15-16, A15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.@

 Sometimes no one or no/thing helps - except Jesus.  Too many people today look to the government for help - I never see government in the Bible given the responsibility or the authority to be The Messiah. 

Some look to family or friendsY"your girl friend may let you down..."

& In Phil 3:21 III.  We need to discern our hope.

Philippians 3:21 is about Christ & says, AY[he] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.@

          SEE, our ultimate hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  One day He will take us to our heavenly home - and that will be at our death or at the rapture. 

John 14:1-6; ALet not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father=s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.@  [Acts 1:9-11];

2.  1 Corinthians 15:51-52, A51 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.@  [ w/ Rev. 1:10]

3.   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.@ [next the mid Trib Angelic Trump]

          NOW, Until WE GO TO BE WITH LORD,  we should live like a colony of heavenly citizens on earth.  We should have the characteristics of our homeland, so we don't need to build fortunes, empires,  or names for ourselves down here (we are only passing through) but we do need to live as emperors & empresses in a noble lifestyle to be adequate ambassadors for the Lord of Lords & King of Kings .   2 Corinthians 5:17-20 SAYS, A17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2 COR.5:18 & 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.@

           We need to recover & to remember the heavenly customs, codes, conducts, laws, values etc. & live that way here.  WE ARE aliens -- knowing we already have one way ticket Home! 

          Now this Hope ABOUT [of the imminent return of Christ to take us] OUR home should comfort us (Boise, p.247.)

And when our Lord Jesus Christ takes home at our death or by rapture, He=ll change these MORTAL Bodies like unto His glorified body.  SEE, This body WE HAVE NOW IS a temporary, tent, tabernacle, temple, dwelling place. 

OUR PRESENT BODY  is mortal, it is corruptible .

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 SAYS, A53 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.@   Personally there is nothing that drives this truth about our bodies have more than a sickness or injury WHICH TELLS US  how frail we are. 2 Cor. 4:14-5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:4, A14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 COR. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 COR. 5:1, AFor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 COR.5: 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.@ Boise, p, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed p. 256 & 257.  But until then, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself remains our hope to help us on as our pilgrimage to our Heavenly Home And thru anything - There is nothing that will come into our life that He can't help uS handle!

There again is help to endure in & thru suffering (Boise, pp.249-251).

As we march on to our heavenly home with expectant hope.

Now in view of our heavenly home, our heavenly help & our heavenly hope, we need to discern our holdings.

IV.

Remember, their are enemies of the cross around.  & let us stand our ground - established in & on & for the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

Phil. 4:1-9

The Joyful Christian life at its best can overcome the problems of defeatism, disunity / disharmony, depression & discouragement by proper praise, proper prayer, proper pondering & proper practicing. 

There are many things that can come into our lives that can rob us of joy but the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to overcome & be joyful! 

Read vv. 1-9

Christ can give us victory over problems.

Some of the problems that may creep into the Christian life are listed here for us -

v. 1    I.  Defeatism.  I think we are tempted to give in & give up ground (our position for which Christ bled / died) too soon & too easily.  Don't do it!  (Eph. 6:11-14-18)

Another problem is

v. 2    II.  Disunity & Disharmony - There is room for differences of opinion but to disrupt unity & harmony over non-essentials is unacceptable. 

Oh, How Satan likes to sow discord among the brethren & sistern!  And it is divesting & destructive & should be avoided. 

v. 6   III.  Depression & Discouragement

v. 6&7 III.  Depression & Discouragement

Now how are these overcome?  One way Christians can overcome is by:

v. 4  I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed or realigned attitude (Ps. 119:164,165).

Another aid to overcoming our problem is by

v. 5    II.  Proper perspective

Moderation here best means sweet reasonableness.  Let us be reasonable & listen to others opinions &agreement & issues - Doesn't mean we must believe them or follow them.  Don't be a stubborn bull for minutiae, but be as strong-willed as a Bull for God's will & God's ways. 

And also remember - the Lord is at hand (coming & available, now) - In that regard - don't mess with the haggling that goes on over unimportant things - but don't get fooled into saying, oh, well, no need to go to school, or work - I'll just sit & wait." 

Phil 4:4-19

?Now, how can these negatives be overcome?

Giving Thanks & Praise to God aids in overcoming the problems of defeatism, disunity, disharmony, depression & discouragement. 

[Many things can come into the life of a Christian that can rob us of joy, but the Lord Jesus wants us to overcome & be joyful - with Thanksgiving or Thanksliving and an attitude of gratitude.]

Phil. 4:4

v.     I.  Proper Praise -

Rejoicing in the Lord & Praising Him can cause many of our perceived problems to pale into insignificance because of a renewed and realigned attitude. 

Believers need to Praise God.  Praise aids us in pleasing God (Heb. 13:15,16) & giving testimony about a Praiseworthy God to humanity.  We need to remember to refuse to let any circumstance hinder our praise, adoration & rejoicing in the Lord (Ps. 119:164,165).  This also gives us a proper perspective which is another weapon in our battle against problems (Eph. 4:5).

Phil 4:5

     II.  Proper Perspective - read v. 5.  Moderation here means a sweet reasonableness.  A mild manneredness, a forbearance, a yieldingness.  Mow, never yield to the devils's deceptions, doctrines or disciples, but be ready to yield to things that do not demand a stubborn tenacity -- and even in points that demand a stick-to-it-iveness - bullheaded & belligerent spirit is unacceptable. 

This sweet reasonableness should especially prevail when we reason that the return of the Lord could be soon - (at hand) - today!  Before the service is over, and remember if we need help i this area - The Lord is at hand -- He is near to us - always w/ us & in us as believers. 

Phil. 4:6 ff

[In preparation for Thanksgiving Day, it is my honor & privilege to be given this opportunity to share a message with you from God's Word.]

[Many things can come into our lives and rob us of the joy Christ wants us to have.  We know how a proper perspective on prayer, providence & practical Christianity helps us overcome or prevent the acute distress of discouragement, downheartedness & depression.]

[I want to survey these aids to the Joyful Christian life at its best with Phil. 4:6 & ff.  And Remember the Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these admonitions!

go to p. 4B v.7

So to overcome our problems we can use

proper praise

   "   perspective &

   "   prayer (Phil. 4:6)

The Joyful Christian Life at its Best can overcome problems by

Proper praise

  "    perspective

  "    perception

  "    prayer

& "    practice

          IV.  Paul pursued a more experiential/experimental k of the Position of Christ.  I think this is talking about initial/positional; practical/progressive; perfect/final/ultimate sanctification, -- that entails a progressive denunciation or death as it were of the flesh nature or sin nature. 

I think Paul is saying that Christians are to live as those who have died with Christ and have been raised as new creatures in Christ with a new quality of life here & now (Rom. 6:1-3???).  I think Paul was saying that he wanted to be conformed to the image of Christ & die to everything Christ died for (sin guilt & sin nature ([Rom. 8:28, 29]; 1 Cor. 15:31; "I die daily," Gal. 2:20).  SO Paul isn't saying he wanted to die like Christ (Already in the heavenlies).  [Rom. 6:1-11] (Col. 3:1-3; Eph. 1:1-4). 

Phil 3:11-14

[A.  Description of false so-called Christian PreacherS oR TeacherS. B.  Destination = Destruction, THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR DEGRADATION oe disgrace]

 IT REMINDS ME OF PEOPLE TODAY.  They glory in their permissive attitudes about abortion, euthanasia & mercy killing, homosexuality, immoral heterosexual sex, pornography, they even brag about how open minded they are about the use of booze (wine), dope, smoking, & other destructive or questionable activities.

Their values are perverse & reversed & they declare what God calls evil good or OK or at least allowable - Proverbs 20:1, AWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.@

Isaiah 5:20-23 A20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!@

Romans 1:22-32, A22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

RPM.1:23, A & changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the

[1 Tim. 3:1-3;  2 Tim. 3:1-7]. These words FROM ROMANS are so reflective of our day THAT I am amazed.  The world is preoccupied with dope, booze, sex, porn, ungodly music, selfishness, sensuality & materialism. 

Values & morals are so perverted & reversed that abstinence & virginity are mocked, & godliness is called bigotry & narrow-mindedness.  Abortion is called good for society & ADC.  I recently I heard of a psychologist who said swearing is a good way to vent anger & we should teach our children how to do it.

          [Comment from Jean: This next statement breaks my heart and is too ungodly to mention as people may see my children in an IMpure light].  -- Some people today even advocate having sex with children to teach them about it.  DR. LAURA IS TAKING HEAT FOR PROTESTING THAT NOW.  TODAY THERE IS A CALL FOR OPENMINDEDNESS.  One of the most open things I know OF USED TO BE a garbage dump.  A LOT OF DUMPS ARE CLOSED NOW.

          BUT OUR MINDS DO NOT NEED TO BE DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE SIN & EVIL OF THE WORLD.        IN OTHER WORDS, [E.]  The ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST ARE WORLDLY.

VENGENCE [is] mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord."

          THE AGAPE LOVE THE HUSBAND IS CALLED TO EXHIBIT “Beareth all things."  (1 COR. 13:70.  THE HUSBAND IS TO BEAR THINGS TO PROTECT THE WIFE. THE WORD "BEARETH" ACTUALLY MEANS A TYPE OF ROOFING THAT PROTECTED THE INHABITANTS.  THIS IDEA GOES ALONG WITH 1 PET. 4:8, " And above all things have fervent charity [AGAPE LOVE] among yourselves: for charity [AGAPE LOVE] shall cover the multitude of sins." 

22

AGAPE LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS & DOES NOT UNNECESSARILY EXPOSE THE SINNING ONE TO SHAME, RIDICULE, OR HARM.  PROV.17:9, " He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;…"

 SO, THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR AGAPE LOVE USUALLY COVERS ALL THINGS, AND, AS 1 COR. 13:7 SAYS, “believeth all things."  The husband is not to be PARANOID, OVERLY SUSPICIOUS, JUDGMENTAL, OR CRITICAL, and is to be Believing THE BEST ABOUT the wife—trusting HER.  I AM NOT SUGGESTING THROWING OUT reality, BUT rather to GIVE THE wife the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.  I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT BEING GULLIBLE, THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST THAT--BUT I AM SUGGESTING that agape LOVE HELPS US HAVE A DEGREE OF TRUST IN OUR WIFE -- ESPECIALLY A CHRISTIAN WIFE.

THERE IS A DEGREE OF TRUTH IN TRYING TO FOLLOW AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE IN ASSUMING ONE INNOCENT ‘TIL PROVEN GUILTY.  WE SHOULD ACTUALLY HOPE FOR THE BEST AS 1 COR. 13:7 SAYS, AGAPE LOVE hopeth all things."  THE HUSBAND IS RESPONSIBLE TO HOPE & PRAY FOR THE BEST AND LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THINGS.

AGAPE LOVE, THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY,  WILL HOLD ON TO HOPE AND NOT BECOME HOPELESS FOR AGAPE LOVE "ENDURETH ALL THINGS"

          THE HUSBAND IS RESONSIBLE TO  PERSEVERE EVEN WHEN THINGS LOOK OR FEEL HOPELESS.  AGAPE LOVE HOLDS UP EVEN WHEN THE ODDS SEEM TO BE INSURMOUNTABLE BECAUSE WITH CHRIST, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE REASONABLE! 

HUSBANDS ARE TO PERSEVERE IN THE LOVE OF GOD AS 2 COR. 5:14 SAYS," For the love

of Christ constraineth us..." 

          SO, HUSBANDS, AS CALLED THE “HEAD OF THE WIFE” IN EPH. 5:23, ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF LOVE.

          IN ADDITION TO 2 COR. 6:14, THIS IS ANOTHER REASON A CHRISTIAN FEMALE NEEDS A CHRISTINA MAN.  NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND OR DO AGAPE LOVE UNTIL THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN THE HEART.  ONLY CHRISTIANS HAVE AGAPE LOVE FOR IT COMES FROM GOD.  ROM. 5:5, "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

          (THE PRIORITY & EVERLASTING PERMANENCE

OF LOVE).

1 COR. 13:8

TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE WILL PERPETUALLY SURVIVE AND OUTLAST ALL THE TEMPORARY & TEMPORAL GIFTS, GRACES, & VIRTUES.

THE APOSTLE CONTINUES ON ABOUT THE ENDURING NATURE OF LOVE & ITS SUPERIORITY WHEN COMPARED TO THE TEMPORARY GIFTS, GRACES, & VIRTUES. 

1 COR. 13:13

FOR OUR PRESENT DAY & AGE IN THE MIDST OF A TIME WHEN TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING & LONGING FOR A SPECTACULAR SHOW BOAR RELIGION MORE AKIN TO A SIDE SHOW OR CIRCUS THEN A CHURCH, LET US BE CHALLENGED TO THE 3 PRESENTLY ABIDING ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY.

THE 3 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY ARE FAITH , HOPE, & LOVE.

- W/O TRUE FAITH ONE CAN NOT BE A CHRISTIAN TO BEGIN W/  JOHN 3:16; 6:47; ACTS 10:43; 16:31; EPH. 2:8 & 9,

SO TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH IS AN ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF TRUE BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY. 

-W/O HOPE, EVEN THE CHRISTIAN ___ CAN GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE WORLD'S SLOUGH OF DESPONDENCY & DESPAIR.  TRUE BIBLICAL HOPE IS NOT JUST POSITIVE OR WISHFUL THINKING.  TRUE BIBLICAL HOPE CLINGS TO THE GUARANTEE THAT SOMETHING BETTER IS COMING FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN (1 PET. 1:3 & 4).  FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS -- NOTHING IS HOPELESS. 

1 COR. 13:13

NOW THE GREATEST OF THESE 3 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS LOVE:

1.  YOU COULD NOT BECOME A TRUE CHRISTIAN W/O LOVE -- THE LOVE OF GOD.  ___ ETERNAL LOVE OF THE ETERNAL GOD WAS MOST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED ON CALVARY'S CROSS (ROM. 5:8).

2.  AND WHEN WE RECEIVE THE TRUE GOD'S LOVE GIFT - THE SACRIFICIAL SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THEN HIS LOVE IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS (ROM. 5:5).  WHOSE HEART?  (ROM. 1:6 & 7).  WE ARE WE ARE EITHER SAINTS OR AINTS.  PARDON THE GRAMMAR - BUT IT MAKES THE POINT.  WE ARE EITHER A SAINT OR WE AIN'T (ROMANS 8:8 & 9). 

SAINTS, THOSE TRULY IN CHRIST, WE Are still ABLE TO QUENCH & GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT & BE UNLOVING - BUT I SUGGEST

LOVE IS

 THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE,

THE GREATEST COMMAND OF GOD, AND

SOME SUGGEST

THE GREATEST ATTRIBUTE OF GOD FOR GOD IS LOVE ( 1 JOHN 4:8).

          I THINK one question we can ask OUR SELVES OCCASIONALLY IS ?WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION.  ? WHAT MOTIVATES US OR MOVES US? 

          I FEEL THAT IS WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH PAUL IS GETTING AT 1 Corinthians 13:1, :”Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become

as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

-WHAT IS MY MOTIVATION?

IN MOTIVATION.  """""2D  """"""""""""""""""""""""

JUST AS LOVE IS CONFUSED IN OUR TIME, IT WAS CONFUSED IT PAUL'S TIME ALSO.

? WHAT IS OUR MOTIVIATION?  ? WHY DO WE DO THE THINGS WE DO?  ESPECIALLY SO-CALLED RELIGIOUS THINGS OR SPIRITUAL THINGS.

DO WE DO WHAT WE DO TO IMPRESS SOMEONE, SHOW OFF, OR LOVE GOD & HIS CREATURES?

13:1

I THINK PAUL IS SAYING THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S GIFTS, ELOQUENCE, RHETORICAL & ORATORICAL SKILLS, ETC., IF THEIR MOTIVATION S NOT OUT OF LOVING SERVICE TO THE TRUE GOD & THE CREATURES OF GOD, THEN THEIR ELOQUENCE IS LIKE BANGING ON POTS & PANS -- JUST NOISE!

SO, LET'S MAKE SURE OUR MOTIVATION FOR USING GOD'S GIFTS IS RIGHT, THEN LET US GO ON & SERVE HIM, MAKING SURE WE ARE PROGRESSING IN HOLINESS & MAKING SURE 1ST OF ALL THAT WE ARE REALLY SAVED! 

13:2

I THINK PAUL IS SAYING THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S GIFT OF RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE FROM GOD, IF WE ARE NOT MOTIVATED BY LOVING SERVICE TO GOD & THE CREATURES OF GOD, IT'S VALUE IS DIMINISHED. 

PAUL IS SAYING THAT THIS{?} HE UNDERSTOOD, THE MYSTERIES OF GOD & WISELY APPLIED GODLY INFORMATION -- THAT IF IT WERE NOT DONE TO LOVINGLY SERVE GOD & HIS CREATURES, IT'S VALUE IS GREATLY DIMINISHED.

PAUL IS SAYING THAT EVEN IF ONE HAD SO MUCH FAITH THAT HE COULD TURN MOUNTAINS INTO MOLEHILLS AS IT WERE, IF THAT FAITH IS NOT MOTIVATED BY A LOVING DESIRE TO SERVE GOD & HIS CREATURES, ITS VALUE IS 0, EMPTY, IN VAIN.  W/O TRUE LOVE AS THE MOTIVATION, THE SO-CALLED FAITH HERO OR GIANT IN THE FAITH IS A ZERO -- A NOBODY.  SOME OF THE SO-CALLED FAITH MINISTRIES REMIND ME MORE OF A CIRCUS THAT A WORSHIP SERVICE. 

13:3

THE APOSTLE PAUL IS SAYING THAT THE GREATEST PHILANTHROPY OR CHARITABLE GIVING W/O THE REAL MOTIVATION OF LOVE TO GOD & HIS CREATURES IS OF NO REAL SPIRITUAL PROFIT.  I IMAGINE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BRAG ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY GIVE OR GAVE.  GOD CHECKS MOTIVES.  REMEMBER THE WIDOW'S MITES?  (MARK 12:41-44).        

* THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GIVE TO SOOTH THEIR CONSCIENCE OR TO TRY TO BUY THEIR WAY INTO GOD'S GOOD GRACES!

1 COR. 13:4 cont.

EVEN IF ONE WERE TO GIVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF ONE'S OWN LIFE, IF IT WERE NOT DONE OUT OF LOVING MOTIVATION TO GOD & HIS CREATURES IT HAS NO REAL SPIRITUAL PROFIT.

e.g.  I TALKED W/ AN AIRBORNE PARAMEDIC ONCE & HE TOLD ME ...

I HOPE WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN SAY WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID ABOUT DOING SO-CALLED SPIRITUAL THINGS OR RELIGIOUS THINGS (2 COR. 5:14).

`        SO FAR WE'VE LOOKED AT THE MOTIVIATION OF LOVE NOW IN vv. 4 & ff. WE HAVE WHAT I'VE CALLED

"SELF INSPECTION CHECKLIST TO EXAMINE OUR LEVEL?? OF LOVE IN ACTION."

, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 ENVY IS MUCH LIKE COVETOUSNESS. EXOD.20:17,  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

          Corinthians 13:4) TRUE GODLY BIBLICAL LOVE IS A HI PRIORITY IN THIS LIFE, & WILL ABIDE FOREVER.  SO,  HOW GODLY, GOD-LIKE ARE WE?  HOW LOVING ARE WE?

We ARE TO reciprocate His love, and yet He doesn’t coerce us into loving Him back… or EVEN acknowledging His presence.

God owns everything… even our hearts. The concession He gave is free will to return to the intimate relationship that each one of us is called to with Him.

PART OF THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS THAT AS long as WE ARE REBELLING AGAINST GOD,  there is no way We can ever imagine how satisfying such an intimate relationship with OUR LOVING LORD can be.

So, it boils down to His grace that people actually receive Him into their lives. Ironic… but as I looked at my own life… I wouldn’t have realised this on the day I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. But now… I really can see how that was very much His act of GOD’S grace entirely.

IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT LOVES SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND, VERSE 4 GOES ON TO REMIND US THAT LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

3.   "Charity envieth not." ? ARE WE ENVIOUS & JEALOUS?  IF WE ARE JEALOUS, ENVIOUS, & BEGRUDGING OTHERS THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SUCCESSES, POSSESSIONS, POSITIONS, OR ANYTHING -- THEN THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE IS LACKING.

          IF WE GLOAT OVER ANOTHER'S MISFORTUNES, FAILURES, TRAGEDIES, & DISAPPOINTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY DISPLAYING JEALOUSY, COVETOUSNESS, ENVY, & A LACK OF LOVE.

 - TO WHOM IS GLORY & HONOR FOREVER. 

          WELL, ON TO 1 JOHN 5:4-13 TALKING ABOUT "FAITH IN THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON."  [14 OCT 84 PM  FAITH, FAIRVIEW]

  [MAY 87  1000 MVF CHAPEL  SUN AM]

          MY OBJECTIVE IS TO EXPAND UPON THIS THEME IN THIS CONTEXT AND TRUST THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY IT TO OUR HEARTS & HEADS THAT WE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MAY MATURE IN IT & PRESENT IT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE FAITH, OR NEED TO GROW IN IT UNTO MATURITY. 

1 JOHN 5:4-13 TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:4,5,  1.  ...IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE WORLD.  JESUS SAID THE WORLD WOULD GIVE US TROUBLE.  JOHN 16:33,

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

          SEE, FAITH IS THE VICTORY!  IT IS A SPIRITUAL FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, NOT A CARNAL FITE!  WE ARE NOT TO FITE IN OR BY OR EVEN WITH THE FLESH IN THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.  2 Corinthians 10:3_5, "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,

and every high thing that exalteth

itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every

thought to the obedience of Christ;

(2 Corinthians 10)

FAITH IS ONE OF OUR WEAPONS & OUR SHIELD. CF EPH. 6:10- 18, "10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  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]. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph.6). 

FAITH IS NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHATEVER GOD SAYS IS TRUE, IT IS ACTING ON THOSE FACTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUE.  IN THIS CASE FAITH NAMES & CLAIMS THE VICTORY. 

            v. 5., "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  FROM V5 WE COULD SAY THAT WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD OR WORLDLINESS REIGNS SUPREME OR IS THE VICTOR FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THERE MAY BE MORE THAN AN INDICATION OF CARNALITY - IT MAY BE AN INDICATION OF LOSTNESS.  FOR UNLESS ONE BELIEVES & RECEIVES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION - THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS, ITS INTENTIONS - AND ITS PRINCE HAS POWER OVER THE LOST SOUL. 

            LET ME PUT THAT ANOTHER WAY.  UNLESS WE HAVE A TRUST THAT OBEYS GOD'S WORD, THEN THE WORLD - ITS INCLINATIONS - ITS INTENTIONS - & ITS PRINCE - CAN HAVE POWER OVER EVEN OUR CHRISTIAN SOUL!, AT LEAST ON A MOMENTARY BASIS.

                        NOW, TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS AS GOD THE SON, 1 JN. 5:6,  II.  ...IS VIOLENTLY, VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HERESY. "This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6 PROBABLY REFERS TO THE THE CERENTHIAN GNOSTIC HERESY, A POPULAR HERESY PROMOTED BY CERENTHUS TO WHICH JOHN'S CONTEMPORARIES WERE EXPOSED.  CERRNTHUS  PORTRAYED JESUS AS A MERE MAN ON WHOM 'THE CHRIST' HAD COME WHEN JESUS WAS WATER BAPTIZED & THEN CLAIMED THE CHRIST SPIRIT LEFT THE MAN JESUS ON THE CROSS SO THAT HE DIED LIKE ANY OTHER MERE MAN - INSTEAD OF AS GOD IN THE FLESH BEING A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR A FALLEN RACE. 

            SEE, IF CHRIST HAD DIED AS A MERE MAN, HIS DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE INFINITE VALUE NEEDED TO PAY THE PENALYY FOR SIN AGAINST AN INFINITLEY HOLY & INFINITE GOD.

            SEE, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD & FULLY MAN.  GOD WAS BORN AS A MAN - HE WAS BORN THRU WATER & BLOOD, HE WAS ALREADY GOD THE SON AT HIS WATER BAPTISM, I.e. THE HOLY SPIRIRT DID NOT DEIFY CHRIST AT HIS WATER BAPTISM.  THE THE GOD-MAN DIED AS A MAN & ISSUED FORTH WATER & BLOOD.  (JOHN 19:33-36, "33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35  And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." 

 & IF WE'RE SAVED ITS THRU THE WASHING OF REGENERATION (TITUS 3:5). W/ THE HOLY SPIRIT APPLYING THE WATER OF THE WORD & THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE GOD MAN TO US. 

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON 1 JOHN 5: 7-10,   III.  ...IS VALIDATED/VERIFIED BY TESTIMONY

1 JOHN 5:7   A.  THE HEAVENLY TESTIMONY. 

 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."-

JOHN 1:1-3, "1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:14;"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  

                 DUET. 19:19, JOHN 8:17 & 18  - STILL I THINK WITNESSING TO HIS PERSON AS TRUE GOD/TRUE MAN.

1 JOHN 5:8   B.  THE EARTHLY TESTIMONY -

TO HIS PERSON AS GOD IN THE FLESH.

I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN WITH 1 JOHN ch. 5.  I LEFT 1 JOHN FOR A WHILE TO SEE THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LAST WORDS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS & THEN I DID A FEW LENTEN TYPE MESSAGES & LAST SUNDAY WAS RESURRECTION SUNDAY -

LORD WILLING , I WANT TO FINISH 1 JOHN ch. 5 SOMETIME SOON.

THE LAST TIMEN I WAS IN 1 JOHN, I HAD LOOKED AT vv. 7-10 AND SAW THAT TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE SAVIOR IS VALIDATED OR VERIFIFED BY

HEAVENLY TESTIMONY -

HUMAN TESTIMONY

  THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD &

[noW IN

v. 10??]   

  THE SUBJECTIVE, INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF GOD OR

THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

            TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

1 JOHN 5:7-10  cont.,  iii.  ...IS VALIDATED BY TESTIMONY VERIFIED

1 JOHN 5:9a,  C.  THE HUMAN TESTIMONY

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE OR TRUST, OR PLACE FAITH IN SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, PILOTS, COOKS, BOOKS, NEWPAPERS, DRIVERS - WHY NOT TRUST GOD & HIS WORD?  

            MEN CAN BE DECEIVED OR DECEIVE, GOD CAN'T.  MAN'S TESTIMONY IS FINITE & LIMITED IN POWERS OF OBSERVATIONS & RECALL,

GOD'S IS NOT!

WE CAN NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF HUMAN TESTIMONY, WE CAN ONLY BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN & ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF DIVINE TESTIMONY & THAT WHICH IS RECORDED AS THE RECORD IN THIS BOOK!

1 JOHN 5:10a.  E.  THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY.

THE BELIEVER HAS AN INTERNAL WITNESS (ROM. 8:16 & COL. 4:6).  THIS INTERNAL WITNESS DOES NOT DENY THE FACT THAT THERE IS VALID EXTERNAL EVIDENCE - BUT IT IS ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT CAN CAUSE ONE TO INTERNALIZE THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE (MATT. 16:16-18).

OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL EVIDENCE IS USELESS FOR SALVATION UNLESS IT BECOMES AN INTERNAL SUBJECTUVE CONVICTION ... MUST BE IN THE HEART & NOT JUST THE HEAD (JAMES 2:19) ... AND ONE CAN'T HAVE THE INTERNAL SUBJECTIVE CONVICTION UNTIL THE OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED & THE OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL IVIDENCE CAN'T BE ACEPTED UNLESS THERE IS THE INTERNAL, SUBJECTIVE, CONVICTION, i.e. THE HOLY SPIRIT & HIS WORD & ANOTHER THEOLOGICAL ANTINOMY OR PARADOX. 

[READ 1 JOHN 5:12] 

            F.  TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR

            IV.  IS VOWED TO INSURE ETERNAL LIFE.  GOD VOWS ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON!

THIS PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS TH THOSE TRUSTING CHRIST - NOT IN CHURCHIANITY OR RELIGIOSITY OR IN A CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE, A DENOMINATIONAL RITUAL OR RITE.  [SEE MESSAGE ON GOOD WORKS.]

TRUE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SUN, THE ONLY SAVIOR.

v. 12  NO CHRIST = NO ETERNAL LIFE.  ONE CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION, AND A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & STILL NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE CHURCH, AND RELIGION & A 'GOOD' LIFESTYLE & NOT HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

            THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIFEBOAT - HE'S THE LIFELINE.  ?ARE YOU TRUSTING HIM ONLY FOR SALVATION & IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOTHING CAN SHAKE YOUR FAITH IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE??  ?IF NOT - THEN YOUR FAITH IS SHAKEY!  "ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND -- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"

LET'S FORGET ABOUT CHRISTIANITY & RELIGIOSITY & PREACH CHRIST ?DO YOU HAVE CHRIST?  IF YOU HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR - YOU HAVE AN ASSURED SALVATION - YOU HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY.  LET'S GET RID OF THE DOCTRINE OF INFERNA INSECURITY - TRUE BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE - MAYBE IT IS THE (MAKE-BELIEVERS) THAT ARE INFERNALLY INSECURE. 

           

            ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD.  THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES THE CHILD OF GOD OF SALVATION THROUGHT THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & THROUGH THE EXTERNAL, OBJECTIVE, WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF PERTINENT BIBLE PASSAGES.  THE TRUE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE AND CAN NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.  AS THE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY GRACE, THE RECIPIENT OF SALVATION IS PERPETUALLY PRESERVED BY GRACE.  CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SAVED IN AND OF THEMSELVES, NOR DO THEY PERSEVERE IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

            THE TRIUNE GOD WHO SAVES ALSO KEEPS.  THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS ON:  THE FATHER (JOHN 10:27,[OR-]29, [17:1ff;] ROMANS 8:31, 38, 39; EPH. 1:3-7; JUDE 24 &25), THE SON KEEPS TRUE CHRISTIANS AS THE BELIEVERS' ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR AND KEEPER [JOHN 17:1-26,]  ROM. 8:34, 2 TIM. 1:10-12, HEB. 7:25, 1 JOHN 2:1?) AND HOLY SPIRIT WHO REGENERATES (JOHN 3:3, TITUS 3:5), INDWELLS

(1 COR. 6:19), BAPTIZES (1 COR. 12:13), SEALS (2 COR. 1:22, EPH. 1:13) AND IS THE BELIEVER'S EARNEST (EPH. 1:14, 2 COR. [1:22], 5:5; [EPH. 1:13, 14].

            IN CONCLUSION, THOSE WHO TRULY TRUST THE TRUE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL FAITHFULY PERSEVERE AND BE ETERNALLY SAVED & SECURE.  GOD'S WORD GIVES SUFFICIENET EVIDENCE THAT GOD KEEPS THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN IN HIS SON (1 JOHN 5:11-13).  ALL THE WAY TO

THE CLIMAX OF SALVATION - GLORIFICATION

            THE CULMINATION OF SALVATION IS GLORIFICATION WHICH IS BEING WITH CHRIST, & LIKE CHRIST -- NO SIN NATURE AND A GLORIFIED, INNORTAL BODY.  [SOME,]  HOWEVER, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY TRUE FAITH IN THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE THAT ENDS IN GLORIFICATION. 

            SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AS LONG AS ONE SINCERELY BELIEVERS SOMETHING, THAT IS ENOUGH.  HOWEVER, ONE CAN SINCERELY BELIEVE BUT BE SINCERELY WRONG.

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON

THE ONLY SAVIOR.

1 JOHN 5:13   V.  SO-CALLED BELIEF OR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, THE ONLY SAVIOR IS VAIN UNLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONLY IS THE DIRECT OBJECT & CONTENT OF FAITH.  VOID - NULL & VOID &

VIOLATED

THE LAST CLAUSE ID DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET & TRANSLATE & UNDERSTAND IN THEGREEK, BUT I THIND IT MEANS THE "SO THAT THE CONTENT OR THE DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH, THAT IS THE CONTENT AND DIRECT OBJECT OF YOUR BELIEF, MAY BE BOUND UP IN THE NAME (THE POWER & AUTHORITY & PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST & ONLY JESUS CHRIST). [?end quote?] 

THIS CLARIFIES OR DEFINES TRUE SAVING FAITH - THE BELIEF THAT ASSURES OF ETERNAL LIFE IS AN OBEDIENT TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD THE SON, GOD THE SAVIOR!  IT IS THE ONLY BELIEF SYSTEM OR RELIGION THAT TRULY SAVES - BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST IS SAVIOR .. [CONVERSELY (JOHN 3:36)]

[LORD HELP US TO BE TRUE JESUS PEOPLE TO SHARE HIM & HIS BOOK & HIS SALVATION & HIS LIFESTYLE W/ OTHERS - IN HIS NAME WE PRAY AMEN -

TURN TO HYMN 58 - "MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!"]

SO - THOSE TRULY TRUSTING THE GENUINE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHOULD BE SURE OF ETERNAL SALVATION -- BUT SOME ARE NOT -

[the next passage is from newpaper print]

            "THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." 

            I AM ALARMED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO EXPRESS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.  THERE IS EITHER ONE OF TWO REASONS FOR THAT:  FIRST, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT IT; OR, SECOND, THEY THINK IT IS PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED."  [PS. 107:2]  I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER REASON A PERSON WOULD FEAR TO EXPRESS THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.

            IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO DOUBT SALVATION.  IN II PETER, CHAPTER 1 [:5-8], WE READ WHERE PETER SAID, "ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS' AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY."  HE GOES ON TO SAY,

***[II PETER 1:8-9??]

THAT IS, IF YOU DO NOT ADD THESE THING, YOU WILL GET TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU MAY DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

            [THE ___________] JOHN IS AN EXAMPLE OF DOUBT IN THE BIBLE.  HE WAS IMPRISONED; AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM AND SAID, "LISTEN, JESUS IS HERE DOING MIGHTY WORKS."  JOHN SAID, "GO AND ASK HIM, ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?  I AM NOT SURE."  JOHN SAID, "I HAVE MY DOUBTS." 

            WHEN YOU DOUBT, IT DOESN'T [NECESSARILY] MEAN YOU ARE LOST; IT JUST MEANS YOU LACK ASSURANCE.  [NOW THERE ARE SOME RESULTS FROM DOUBT.]

***      ... 1 JOHN 1:4 

            WHY WAS 1 JOHN WRITTEN?  WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL?  OR WAS IT WRITTEN THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?  BOTH.  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION AND FULLNESS OF JOY ARE SIAMESE TWINS.  YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THEM.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY WITHOUT HAVING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. 

            DOUBT NOT ONLY PRODUCES A LACK OF JOY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; BUT IT HINDERS SERVICE.  D. L. MOODY SAID, "I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A CHRISTIAN WHO WAS ANY GOOD IN THE WORK OF CHRIST WHO DID NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION."

            I'VE READ THAT DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ... [GOLDEN GATE] ... BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO, NO SAFETY DEVICES WERE USED; AND TWENTY-THREE MEN FELL TO THEIR DEATHS.  DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAST PART OF THAT BRIDGE, A SEFETY NET WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE COST OF $100,000.  AT LEAST TEN MEN FELL INTO THE NET AND WERE SAVED.  BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE WORKERS GOT TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MORE DONE ONCE THEY WERE ASSURED THEY WERE SAFE.

            IT IS THE SAME WAY IN CHRISTIAN WORK.  A MAND CANNOT PUT HIS ALL INTO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND REALLY GO AFTER SOULS UNTIL HE IS SURE HE IS SAVED!

            I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I GOT IT SETTLED.  I AM S-A-V-E-D-!  TODAY, TOMORROW, DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND TWENTY YEARS FDROM NOW, I AM SAVED!  AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FALLING [FROM SALVATION & GOING TO HELL.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT HINDERS OUR SERVICE AND]

            WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR JOY.  WHEN WE DOUBT, IT DESTROYS OUR USEFULNESS.  WHEN WE DOUBT, WE CANNOT WIN SOULS.  OVER AND OVER THE BIBLE TELLS OF THOSE WHO, AFTER MEETING THE SAVIOUR, WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES AND BRING THEM TO CHRIST. 

            PHILIP, FOR INSTANCE, IN JOHN, CHAPTER 1 FOUND NATHANAEL, HIS BROTHER.  AND THEN ANDREW FOUND HIS BROTHER SIMON.  AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, AFTER DRINKING THE LOVING WATER, RAN TO TOWN AND SAID, "COME, WEE A MAN, WHICH TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID."  THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO FIRST KNEW THEY HAD MET THE MASTER.  THEY KNEW THEY WERE SAVED.  [AND WE PROBABLY WON'T DO MUCH WITNESSING OR TELLING OTHERS HOU TO GET SAVED UNTIL WE ARE SURE OF OUR OUWN SALVATION.]

            WHEN ONE DOUBTS SALVATION, IT NOT ONLY KILLS HIS JOY AND HIS USEFULNESS AND KEEPS HIM FROM WINNING SOULS; BUT HE NEVER REALLY GETS ACTIVE IN FIGHTING AGAINST SIN.  IT IS HARD TO RESIST THE DEVIL UNTIL YOU KNOW YOU ARE HIS OPPONENT!

[I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN UNTIL THEY HATE EVIL AND BATTLE THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!   PS. 97:10 & ROM. 12:9]

            MARTIN LUTHER'S BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL WAS A REAL BATTLE.  THE DEVIL WAS A REAL PERSON TO HIM.  IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A STAINED PLACE ON THE WALL OF MARTIN LUTHER'S STUDY WHERE ONCE HE TOOK AN INKWELL AND THREW IT WHERE HE THOUGHT THE DEVIL WAS STANDING.

            [MOST] PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING [FOR GOD] ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SETTLED THE MATTER OF SALVATION.  THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED! 

[YES, THERE ARE RESULTS FROM DOUBT & THERE ARE REASONS FOR DOUBT.  THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO DOUBT AND THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT.]

  II.  THE CAUSE OF DOUBT

            WHY DO PEOPLE DOUBT SALVATION?  SOME DOUBT BECAUSE THEY DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE SAVED.  I AN NOT SURE I LIKE THE SONG [I HEARD ABOUT] SONE TIME AGO:

            "I WAS ON A MONDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON ON MONDAY WOULD STAND. 

            THEN [THEY] WOULD SING, "IT WAS ON A TUESDAY..." AND EVERYBODY SAVED ON TUESDAY WOULD STAND. 

            [THEY] SANG UNTIL [THEY] MENTIONED [THEY] MENTIONED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  AND YOU STOOD ON THE DAY OF THE WEEK THAT YOU WERE SAVED. 

[?WHAT IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?  !I DON'T!  I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS IN THE WINTER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS!  BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY!

NOW I KNOW THA SOME PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT IN THEIR BIBLE OR KEEP TRACK OF IT IN SOMEWAY. 

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE TESTIFYING IN]

...CHURCH,  [PRAISE] GOD!  I WAS SAVED OCTOBER 5, 1921, IN THE SOUTH END OF THE CORNFIELD.  I WAS PLOWING OLD ALEX, AND I STIPPED AT TEN MINUTES AFTER ELEVEN AND GOT DOWN ON MY KNEES, PRAYED FOR TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES AND EIGHT SECONDS.  JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO MY HEART, AND I HAVE BEEN SAVED EVER SINCE."

            I THOUGHT, BOY, THAT IS WONDERFUL!

[BUT I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY & TIME & IT WAS AS IF THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY!" 

BUT, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DAY I WAS BORN -- YET I AM SURE I WAS BORN!

HOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOSE THEIR MEMORIES BECAUSE OF AGE OR ILLNESS?  ?ARE THE LOST IF THEY CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THEY ACCEPTED CHRIST?  OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED TO.  JUST SAY "LORD JESUS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY -- BUT I AM SURE I TRUST YOU AND ONLY YOU FOR SALVATION." 

ANOTHER REASON SOME DOUBT THEIR SALVATION IS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EXACT EXPERIENCE AS SOMEONE ELSE.]

...SOMETIMES ... WHEN FOLKS [GET] SAVED, THE [SHOUT].  I HAVE [HEARD OF] FOLKS, AFTER PRAYING AND TRUSTING CHRIST, HUG PEOPLE AND SHOUT "GLORY TO GOD!  HALLELUJAH!"  I...

[KNOW SOME PEOPLE CRY & SOME LAUGH & SOME FEEL RELIEVED.  WELL, I ]

... FOUND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES EITHER.  WHEN MATTHEW WAS SAVED, HE WAS SITTING [DOWN] ... COLLECTING TAXES FOR THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.  JESUS CAME BY AND SAID, "FOLLOW ME."  HE GOT UP AND FOLLOWED HIM - SAVED.  NO BIG EXPERIENCE, NO SHOUTING, NO HUGGING OF NECKS, NO HANDSHAKING, NO VOTING INTO THE CHURCH.

[?HOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL.]  PAUL IS RIDING A DONKEY.  A LIGHT SHINES OUT OF HEAVEN, AND A VOICE SPEAKS OUT OF HEAVEN, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?"  THE GOD KNOCKS PAUL OFF THE DONKEY TO THE GROUND, AND HE GOES BLIND.  A MAN HAS TO LEAD HIM AROUND TO THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.  THEN A MAN COMES IN AND PRAYS WITH HIM.  THE SCALES FALL OFF HIS EYES AND HE CAN SEE! 

            SO PAUL SAYS, "IF YOU WEREN'T  RIDING A DONKEY WHEN YOU GOT SAVED AND IF A LIGHT DIDN'T SHINE FROM HEAVEN, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR A GREAT VOICE SAYING, 'SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?' IF YOU DIDNN'T  GET KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND BLINDED FOR THREE DAYS, YOU ARE NOT SAVED." 

            THAT KIND OF TEACHING IS NOT IN THE BIBLE.  THE BIBLE SAYS IN JOHN 3:36, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  IT DOES NOT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND HAS A CERTAIN FEELING HAS ETERNAL LIFE.'  NOR DOES IT SAY, 'HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON AND REMEMBERS THE DAY AND HOUR HE DID SO HAS EVERLASTING LIFE.'  WHAT IT DOES SAY VERY SIMPLY AND PLAINLY IS, "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE."  FEELING OR NO FEELING, EXPERIENCE OR NO EXPERIENCE, MEMORY OR NO MEMORY.  ONE HAS EVERLASTING LIFE THE MOMENT HE TRUSTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR.      WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.  BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE JUST AS SAVED AS THE FELLOW WHO JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND RAN UP AND DOWN THE CHURCH AISLE.

            I HEARD A FELLOW SAY, "I KNOW I AM SAVED. I FELT SOMETHING COLD GO UP MY BACK, AND MY HAIR STOOD ON END."

            I SAID, "WELL, SOME FELLOWS COULDN'T GET SAVED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR."  (IN FACT I COULD ONY GET HALF SAVED!) 

            ... WE CAN'T ... BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON OUR CHANGED FEELINGS. 

            WE BASE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ON THE UNCHANGED WORD OF GOD.

            FOR FEELINGS COME AND FEELINGS GO,

                        AND FEELINGS ARE DECEIVING.

            MY WARRANT IS THE WORD OF GOD -

                        NAUGHT ELSE IS WORTH BELIEVING.

 

            THOUGH ALL MY SOUL SHOULD FEEL CONDEMNED,

                        FOR WANT OF SOME SWEET TOKEN,

            THERE IS ONE GREATER THAN MY HEART,

                        WHOSE WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN.

 

            I'LL STAND ON HIS UNCHANGING WORD,

                        TILL SOUL AND BODY SEVER,

            FOR THOUGH ALL THINGS SHOULD PASS AWAY,

                        HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

WE CAN'T TRUST OUR FEELINGS -- BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD & HIS ?___________? (ACTS 16:31).

THAT IS THE CURE FOR DOUBT.

WELL THERE ARE CAUSES OF DOUBT & CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF DOUBT, SO TAKE THE CURE FOR DOUBT ?_____? 

TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION,

YE SAINTS OF THE LORD,

IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH

IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!

WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY

THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID,

TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE

TO JESUS HAVE FLED?                                        

2 PET. 1:10 

                                        "MAKING OUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE"

[FROM BOOKLET:  "CAN ANYONE REALLY KNOW FOR SURE?"  RADIO BIBLE CLASS,  p.32.  {Also see note below this checklist.}]

ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

IF YOU RECEIVED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION WILL BE CONTINUALLY STRENGTHENED WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO ANSWER YES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

[]  DO I ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, WITH           CHRIST, AND OTHER BELIEVERS?  (1 JOHN          1:3,4).

[]  AM I TROUBLED WHEN I SIN OR WHEN I SEE IT      IN OTHERS?  (1 JOHN 1:5-10).

[]  DO I TRY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDS OF      THE BIBLE?  (1 JOHN 2:3-5).

[]  DO I REJECT THE WRONG VALUES OF OUR            PRESENT WORLD-SYSTEM?  (1 JOHN 2:15).    []  DO I LOVE CHRIST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS       RETURN?  (2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 JOHN 3:2,3).

[]  DO I PRACTICE SIN LESS THAN BEFORE I WAS A      CHRISTIAN?  (1 JOHN 3:5,6).

[]  DO I SHOW LOVE TO OTHER BELIEVERS? 

    (1 JOHN 3:14).              

[]  HAVE I HAD ANSWERS TO PRAYER?  (1 JOHN         3:22; 5:15).

[]  AM I AWARE OF THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY          SPIRIT TO THE TRUTHS OF GOD?  (ROMANS          8:15,16; 1 JOHN 4:13).

[]  CAN I DISCERN BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRUTH &        ERROR?  (JOHN 10:3-5,27; 1 JOHN 4:1-6).

[]  DO I BELIEVE THE BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE        CHRISTIAN FAITH?  (1 JOHN 5:1).

[]  HAVE I EVER EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION BECAUSE     OF MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS?  (JOHN 15:18-    20; PHILLIPPIANS 1:28).  

(Adapted from Salvation Is Forever by Robert Growmacki.)       

[ANY TESTIMONIES? 

WAS IT COMFORT TO THINK SOMEONE HAD COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR YOUR REQUEST DAILY?]

1 JOHN 5:14 & 15 - (16)

SOME OF GOD'S SOP (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES0 ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER, BASICALLY FROM THIS CONTEXT, WHILE DRAWING UPON VARIOUS VERSES, NOT TO DO AN EXHAUSTIVE WORK ON THE TOPIC, BUT AS ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXAMPLES.  ONCE AGAIN THE TOPIC IS SOME OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE

PRACTICE OF PRAYER,   

                NOT ON THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER                       OR THE POSTURE

                    OR     POWER OF PRAYER

                    OR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER                      OR     PLACE OF PRAYER

THOUGH THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP.  I PRAY THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL APPLY THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEADS THAT WE MAY GROW??? IN OUR OWN PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

READ 1 JOHN 5:14,15

   I.  1 OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED OBEDIENTLY.

PRAY OBEDIENTLY:

"IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL."  THIS IS ONE OF THE NORMS, OR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PRAYER.

JOHN 9:31 GIVES US THE SAME OR SIMILAR QUALIFICATION.  ALSO, 1 JOHN 3:22.

PRAYING OBEDIENTLY, OR PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL IS PRAYER IN ACCORD WITH HIS COMMANDMENTS (MORE THAN 10) AND ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  TO PRAY "LORD LET ME MARRY THIS NON-CHRISTIAN OR UNBELIEVER, OR LET ME HAVE A PREMARITIAL SEXUAL RELATION"  IS ABSURD - BUT WHAT MAY BE WORSE IS THAT GOD MAY ALLOW IT AND THE CONSEQUENCES, e.g. I'VE PRAYED ABOUT IT & IT'S OK.  THE DEVOUT BELIEVER IN ACCONRD WITH GOD'S WILL -- WILL ONLY WANT GOD'S WILL - THE BEST.

WHEN WE DELIGHT OURSELVES IN LOVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, OUR DESIRES WILL BE FOR GOD'S WILL, OVER AND ABOVE OUR OWN WILL IF THERE IS A CONFLICT (PS. 37:4,5).

AND PRAYER IS NOT A BARGAIN WITH GOD "OH GOD - I PROMISE I'LL PRAY 6 x A DAY IF YOU DO THIS FOR ME,  OR GO TO 3 ___ EVENING PRAYER MEETING."

            WE DON'T NECESSARILY EARN OR DESERVE AN ANSWER TO PRAYER BY BEING PIOUS, DEVOUT, OR OBEDIENT, BUT BE SURE THAT DISOBEDIENCE AND/OR LACK OF DEVOTION HINDERS PRAYER (PS. 66:18; MARK 11:25; 1 PET. 3:7, ISA. 59:1 & 2). 

DO 1 JOHN 1:9 -

            OBEDIENT PRAYER IS A MIGHTY INSTRUMENT - NOT FOR GETTING OUR WISHES- NOT TO USE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A 'GENIE IN A LAMP' BUT FOR GETTING THE GOD'S WILL.  PRAYER IS NOT WISHING UPON A STAR. 

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T NAME & CLAIM SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER IN FAITH BELIEVING - WHY? - BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE, TRUST, OR HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD'S WORD - PROPERLY INTERPRETTED AND APPLIED.  SOMETIMES WE LACK AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE - IN THAT CASE WE CAN'T PRAY IN FAITH BELIEVING (NAMING & CLAIMING) X,Y,Z TO BE THE OUTCOME.  WE PRAY IN HOPE, GUESSING & SPECULATING & CONJECTURING & THAT IS NOT BAD IF WE THROW OURSELVES ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GOD ALMIGHTY & SAY "THY WILL BE DONE" & WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DO THE BEST -- ALWAYS!  AND REMEMBER THE LORD JESUS CHRIST PRAYED THE ____________SAME????  e.g. pHIL 4:19 - GOD WILL SUPPLY NEEDS - BUT NOT NECESSARILY GREEDS - ?IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.

            SOME MAY SAY "?BUT IF GOD WILL SUPPLY & PROMISES TO SUPPLY - WHY SHOULD I PRAY?  BECAUSE PRAYER IS THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  GOD COMMANDS IT!  ?WHY PRAY?  TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD!  TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE  ALMOST PRESUMPTIOUS & UNGRATEFUL. 

SO SOME SOPs ON PRAYER ARE: 

                        THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

1 JOHN 5:14              

    I.  con't.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS :-

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL -

& PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS OR SAYING "THY WILL BE DONE" IS NOT A MAGIC LAMP, SECRET INCANTATION, OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO USE ON GOD HOPING TO GET THEIR OUWN DESIRES.  PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO USE GOD FOR HEALTH, WEALTH, & HAPPINESS - THAT IS EGOISTIC HEDONISM FRIENDS.  GOC CAN USE US IN SICKNESS, POVERTY & SORROW -- THO I WISH NONE OF THAT ON ANY OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL & THAT MEANS WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WILL!

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR - NOT FOR SOME CROWD  1 JOHN 5:14

            (MATT. 6:5-7)

                                                a.  e.g.  "FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRY MEN LEND ME YOUR EAR."  "LISTEN"  "LISTEN UP."  THIS TERM FOR HEAR CONNOTES OR IMPLIES OBEDIENCE TO!  ?YOU SAY GOD OBEYS OUR PRAYERS - YES IF THEY ARE FOR HIS WILL & FOR HIS EAR (PS. 34:15). 

                                                b.  FOR GOD'S EAR - ALSO IMPLIES THAT PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY SOME THERAPY TO VENT MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS - THO THERE IS A REAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE TO PRAYER.  PRAYER IS NOT FOR SPIRITUAL SELF-HYPNOSIS - IT IS FOR GOD - 

PRAYER IS NOT PRIMARILY  FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF EXAMINATION THO THERE IS THAT ASPECT e.g. (PS. 139:23 & 24).

READ 1 JOHN 5:15  

                        A.  OBEDIENT PRAYER IS:

                                    1.  FOR GOD'S WILL

                                    2.  FOR GOD'S EAR

                                    3.  FOR GOD'S GIFT

OBEDIENT PRAYER - FOR GOD'S WILL - FOR GOD'S EAR - IS ANSWERED WITH THE DONATION OF GOD'S GIFT.  HIS GIFT IS THE BEST WE CAN RECEIVE!  (SEE DAILY BREAD).  PROV. 3:5,6

            I.  PRAY OBEDIENTLY - ?_________? FOR THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

PURPOSE  "    "

POWER    "    "

PLACE    "    "

POSTURE  "    "

   II.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED DUTIFULLY.  PRAY DUTIFULLY.

PRAY NOT AS A RELIGIOUS RITUAL - BUT AS A GODLY ROUTINE.  DON'T PRAY RITUALLY BUT HABITUALLY.  MAKE PRAYER A GODLY HABIT - NOT A PENANCE BUT AS AN HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WORD.  NOT AS A RELIGIONS EXERCISE BUT AS A RIGHTEOUS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.

                                    A.  I THESS. 5:17 - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.  WE NEED TO STAY IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER.  WE NEED TO KEEP THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN TO GOD.  KEEP THE PIPE CLEAN.  CAN WITH A STRING.  QUOTE SPURGEON.

                                    B.  LUKE 18:1 - IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO PRAY & NOT TO FAINT.  IN THE FACE OF WEARINESS, TIREDNESS, LOOSING HEART, LAZINESS, DEPRESSION, DISPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS - IT IS OUR DUTY TO PRAY!  WHEN WE BEG?? BIND, LAY HOLD ON GOD (WHICH IS OUR DURY) - IT MAY HELP US OVERCOME OR EVEN AVOID LOOSING HEART, DEPRESSION, DESPAIR, ANGST, ANXIETY, NEUROSIS & PSYCHOSIS.  PRAYER MAY NOT BE A PANACEA (UNIVERSAL CURE ALL) - BUT IT MAY HELP THINGS PAN OUT. 

PRAY NOT RITUALLY, BUT HABITUALLY; DUTIFULLY AS A HABIT BASED ON GOD'S WRITTEN WORD. 

 III.  ANOTHER OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BY PRACTICED PARTICULARLY, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY, ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS. 

PRAY PARTICULARLY OR ACCORDING TO ITS PARTS

PRAYER MAY BE:

                        A.  ADORATION OR WORSHIP - (MATT. 6:9)

ADORING GOD, ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORTH, SHOWINT RESPECT FOR GOD'S FONOR & DEITY.  SIMPLY TELLING GOD YOU LOVE HIM & AFFIRMING HIS SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY TO DO HIS WILL IN HIS WAY & IN HIS TIME.  

                        B.  CONFESSION & THIS MAY INCLUDE INTROSPECTION (PS. 139:23,24). 

CONFESSING OUR SINS, OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE APART FROM THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR MEDIATOR! 1 JOHN 1:7,???9, ADVOCATE????, INTERCESSOR - GREAT HIGH PRIEST - JOHN 14:6; & 1 TIM. 2:5

                        C.  PETITION - THIS IS BASICALLY

ASKING GOD FOR HELP FOR US.  TO MEET OUR NEEDS, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ETC.

                        D.  INTERCESSION - PRAYING FOR OTHERS (PART OF OUR PRIESTLY FUNCTION AS BELIEVERS).  1 PET. 2:9  THIS ISTHE MOST COMMON FORM OF PRAYER IN THE BIBLE - OTHERDIRECTED.  YOU ARE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS - OTHERS ARE TO PRAY (INTERCEDE FOR YOU).

*SUPPLICATION - FOR GOD TO BE HELPFUL, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS AS A FAVOR - OR SEEKING GOD'S FAVOR (1 TIM. 2:1).

                        E. THANKSGIVING - FOR SALVATION, FOR PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL HELP, ETC.

THIS IS THE ATTITUDE??? FOR WHICH ALL PRAYER IS TO BE ISSUED FORTH.  (1 THESS. 5:18)  THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.  PRACTICE THANKS-LIVING.

   IV.  ANOTHER ONE OF GOD'S SOPs ON THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICED PRACTICALLY. 

                        A.  USE A PRAYER LIST.  SOME HOW KEEP TRACK OR MARK DOWN REQUESTS, THEN MARK DOWN DATES ANSWERED.  ALL & DELETE REQUESTS REGULARLY.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  DON'T GET SO DETAILED THAT YOU'RE DEISCOURAGED TO START A QUIET TIME OR TO STAY WITH ONE. 

                                    1.  USE HELPS WITH THE PRAYER LIST:

     

LE SEEM TO BE FEARFUL OF ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  

            [4]

[4] ACT 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1CO 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. EPH 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

GOD “takes away the HARD heart of stone, and gives AN heart of flesh;[5]

[5] EZE 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

GOD “renewS the FALLEN will, and, by His almighty power, determines & DIRECTS them to that which is good,[6]

[6] EZE 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. PHI 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. DEU 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. EZE 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

GOD “effectually draws To Jesus Christ:[7]

[7] EPH 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

JOH 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. “

God DOES THIS IN SUCH A WAY THAT PEOPLE come  freely, being made willing by His grace.[8]

[8] PSA 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,…”

JOH 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

ROM 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

II. GOD’S effectual call is of HIS free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man,[9]

2TI 1:9 IS ABOUT GOD “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

 TIT 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

EPH 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). 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.

ROM 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

THIS IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND BUT IT IS AS IF HUMANS, “…ARE passive until quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,[10]

[10] 1CO 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. EPH 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”

 GOD enables PEOPLE to answer His call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.[11]

 [11] JOH 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

EZE 36:37 Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING, IT IS LIKE JOH 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

SO IN REVIEW, CHAP X “OF EFFECTUAL CALLING,” THE WESTMINSTER CATHECHISM.

I. ALL THOSE WHOM GOD HATH PREDESTINATED UNTO LIFE, AND THOSE ONLY, HE IS PLEASED, IN HIS APPOINTED AND ACCEPTED TIME, EFFECTUALLY TO CALL, BY HIS WORD AND SPIRIT, OUT OF THAT STATE OF SIN AND DEATH IN WHICH THEY ARE BY NATURE, TO GRACE AND SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST: ENLIGHTENING THEIR MINDS, SPIRITUALLY AND SAVINGLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS OF GOD, TAKING AWAY THEIR HEART OF STONE, AND GIVING UNTO THEM AN HEART OF FLESH; RENEWING THEIR WILLS, AND BY HIS ALMIGHTY POWER DETERMINING THEM TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND EFFECTUALLY DRAWING THEM TO JESUS CHRIST; YET SO AS THEY COME MOST FREELY, BEING MADE WILLING BY HIS GRACE.

II. THIS EFFECTUAL CALL IS OF GOD'S FREE AND SPECIAL GRACE ALONE, NOT FROM ANY THING AT ALL FORESEEN IN MAN, WHO IS ALTOGETHER PASSIVE THEREIN, UNTIL, BEING QUICKENED AND RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS THEREBY ENABLED TO ANSWER THIS CALL, AND TO EMBRACE THE GRACE OFFERED AND CONVEYED IN IT.

 

SO, I SEE, A PAST WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SALVATION, & I SEE A PRESENT WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR BELIEVERS AS AN AREA OF REVEALED TRUTH THAT COULD SUPPORT THE BELIEVER’S SECURITY ALL BY ITSELF. IN EPH. 1:13–14 THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED AS A SEAL SIGNIFYING THAT OUR DESTINATION IS HEAVEN AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. & TO BREAK AS IT WERE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S SEAL, I THINK IS IMPOSSIBLE.  Ephesians 1:13 & 14 SAYS ABOUT CHRIST  (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, vyou were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:14 (NKJV),who 4is the 5guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of ythe purchased possession, zto the praise of His glory. Eph 4:(NKJV)30 And ldo not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST IS DESCRIBED IN BOTH HEB. 7:25 AND ROM. 8:34.

          IT IS ESPECIALLY CLEAR IN THE FIRST PASSAGE THAT HE IS PRESENTLY ACTIVE TO BRING BEFORE THE FATHER HIS PERFECT COMPLETED WORK AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ELECT. HIS INTERCESSION WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF IT DIDN’T KEEP ITS OBJECTS WITH GOD; IT COULD BE SAID THAT CHRIST FAILED. THREE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT PASSAGES THAT TEACH SECURITY FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS ARE

ROM. 5:1–11, WHERE PAUL UNDERSCORES THE FACT THAT TRIALS CANNOT SEPARATE US FROM GOD; ROM. 8:28–39, WHERE GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE AND THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN THE CHAIN (SEE ABOVE IN THIS CHAPTER ON ELECTION) GUARANTEE THAT WE CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM CHRIST (V. 39);

JN. 10:28–29, WHERE THE FATHER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHEEP, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED (V. 15), TO BE LOST. THE READER SHOULD NOTICE THAT IN THIS PARAGRAPH WE HAVE INCLUDED ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY AS ACTIVE IN KEEPING THE BELIEVER SECURE. ONCE AGAIN, IF A BELIEVER WERE TO BE LOST, THEN THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT THE BIBLE PROMISES THEY WILL DO.

   SPACE DOES NOT PERMIT A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ALL THE PASSAGES THAT ARE ADDUCED IN SUPPORT OF “INSECURITY.” HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT GOD WILL NOT FAIL TO BRING THE ELECT INTO HIS PRESENCE, THE BIBLE STUDENT IS OBLIGATED TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF SUCH SCRIPTURES. FOR EXAMPLE, IN CONTEXT, 1 COR. 9:27 REFERS NOT TO LOSS OF SALVATION, BUT TO FAILING TO GAIN REWARD FOR SERVICE. JOHN 15:1–8, OFTEN USED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD TO SECURITY, IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FRUIT BEARING AND FELLOWSHIP, NOT SALVATION.

SOME WHO HOLD THAT VIEW USE HEB. 6:4–6.  HOWEVER, AS WITH ALL BIBLE INTERPRETATION, A VERSE MUST BE TAKEN IN IT’S CONTEXT OF THE CHAPTER, & THEN THE BOOK IT IS IN, & THE COVENANT IT BELONGS TO.  I SUGGEST THAT WE SEE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE BOOK OF HEBREWS, A REFERENCE TO APPARENT BUT NOT REAL BELIEVERS ARE GIVING UP THE  PRETENSE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST AND ARE TURNING BACK TO EITHER THEIR OWN RELIGION OR SIMPLY TO THEIR OWN UNGODLINESS OR WAY THAT THEY THINK WOULD MAKE THEM LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS OF THAT DAY. 

HEBREWS 6:4-6, “4FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.”

. IT IS “IMPOSSIBLE” TO BRING THESE APOSTATES BACK EVEN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY (HAVING SOME INTEREST IN SPIRITUAL THINGS), SINCE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEMSELVES TO THE THINGS OF GOD. THIS ADMITTEDLY DIFFICULT PASSAGE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS.

LIFE AS POSSESSORS OF SALVATION: SANCTIFICATION

[51]

STRONG, J. (1996). ENHANCED STRONG'S LEXICON. ONTARIO: WOODSIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

 

4267 [PROGINOSKO /PROG·IN·OCE·KO/] V. FROM 4253 AND 1097; TDNT 1:715; TDNTA 119; GK 4589;

FIVE OCCURRENCES; AV TRANSLATES AS “FOREKNOW” TWICE, “FOREORDAIN” ONCE, “KNOW” ONCE, AND “KNOW BEFORE” ONCE. 1 TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE BEFORE HAND. 2 TO FOREKNOW. 2A OF THOSE WHOM GOD ELECTED TO SALVATION. 3 TO PREDESTINATE.[52]

          SO, THE MULTIFACETED WORKS OF GRACE THAT GOD PERFORMS IN HISTORY TO SECURE FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE, A GREAT COMPANY OF INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER, WITH WHOM HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE CAN BE FULFILLED. AND THE WRITERS INSIST THAT AS GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY IN CONTROL IN BRINGING HIS PLAN TO THE POINT IT HAS REACHED AS THEY WRITE, SO HE WILL CONTINUE IN TOTAL CONTROL, WORKING OUT EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL AND SO COMPLETING HIS REDEMPTIVE PROJECT.

IT IS WITHIN THIS FRAME OF REFERENCE (EPH. 1:9-14; 2:4-10; 3:8-11; 4:11-16) THAT QUESTIONS ABOUT PREDESTINATION BELONG.

   PREDESTINATION IS A WORD OFTEN USED TO SIGNIFY GOD’S FOREORDAINING OF ALL THE EVENTS OF WORLD HISTORY, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND THIS USAGE IS QUITE APPROPRIATE. IN SCRIPTURE AND MAINSTREAM THEOLOGY, HOWEVER, PREDESTINATION MEANS SPECIFICALLY GOD’S DECISION, MADE IN ETERNITY BEFORE THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS EXISTED, REGARDING THE FINAL DESTINY OF INDIVIDUAL SINNERS. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORDS PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION (THE TWO ARE ONE), ONLY OF GOD’S CHOICE OF PARTICULAR SINNERS FOR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE (ROM. 8:29; EPH. 1:4-5, 11). MANY HAVE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO ASCRIBES TO GOD AN ADVANCE DECISION ABOUT THOSE WHO FINALLY ARE NOT SAVED (ROM. 9:6-29; 1 PET. 2:8; JUDE 4), AND SO IT HAS BECOME USUAL IN PROTESTANT THEOLOGY TO DEFINE GOD’S PREDESTINATION AS INCLUDING BOTH HIS DECISION TO SAVE SOME FROM SIN (ELECTION) AND HIS DECISION TO CONDEMN THE REST FOR THEIR SIN (REPROBATION), SIDE BY SIDE.

   TO THE QUESTION, “ON WHAT BASIS DID GOD CHOOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION?” IT IS SOMETIMES REPLIED: ON THE BASIS OF HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE GOSPEL THEY WOULD CHOOSE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. IN THAT REPLY, FOREKNOWLEDGE MEANS PASSIVE FORESIGHT ON GOD’S PART OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO DO, WITHOUT HIS PREDETERMINING THEIR ACTION. BUT

TRUE BELIEVERS ARE BEING MOLDED & MADE MORE LIKE CHRIST. 

          NOW I KNOW THAT THESE VV ARE NOT A CURE-ALL OR A MAGIC FORMULA TO ESCAPE REALITY.  THESE VV HELP BELIEVERS FACE HARSH REALITIES.  REMEMBER,

II. GOD [THE FATHER] IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION(ROM.8:28-30)

GOD KNOWS IN ADVANCE WHO WILL REALLY ACCEPT JESUS & THOSE THAT DO MUST BECOME LIKE CHRIST & EVENTUALLY GLORIFIED.  THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. 

IN V 30 WE SEE THAT THOSE GOD HAS DETERMINED TO BE LIKE CHRIST ARE ASSURED OF THAT GOAL JUST AS IF IT HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.  GOD COMPLETES WHAT HE BEGINS(PHIL. 1:6).

  Steve Green. Song: He Who Began A Good Work.
He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you're facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you

 See, GOD STARTED THE PROCESS & HE WILL BRING US TO COMPLETION--GLORIFICATION.

 I KNOW WE'RE NOT THEIR YET, BUT SOMEONE WROTE THIS & I AGREE;

I AM NOT WHAT I OUGHT TO BE , TO MY DISGRACE.

"""""""""""""""'WANT """""""""""""""DISMAY.

""""""""""""""" WILL BE BY GOD'S GRACE,

& BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE,

I AM NOT WHAT I ONCE WAS. & GOD THE FATHER IS SECURING OUR EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION(R8:28-30)

& EVEN THO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK THAT WAY, GOD THE FATHER IS ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.  HE IS ALWAYS FOR US & NOT AGAINST US(ROM.8:31).  & IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS AGAINST US BECAUSE NO FORCE CAN BEAT US.  CHRISTIANS WILL EVENTUALLY WIN!  WE ARE ON THE VICTOR'S SIDE.  "THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS. 

& SINCE GOD THE FATHER HAS SECURED THE ULTIMATE END OF SALVATION--GLORIFICATION, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE THAT HE HAS ALSO SECURED THE LESSER BENEFITS OF SALVATION?(ROM. 8:32).  NOW OF COURSE I THINK THE ALL THINGS DEALS  WITH THINGS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES FOR HOLY, SANCTIFIED LIVING(2 PET. 1:3, & PHIL. 4:13). 

YES, BELIEVERS CAN DO ALL THINGS GOD REQUIRES THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US & WE CAN STAND UP AGAINST ALL CHARGES BECAUSE GOD HAS JUSTIFIED US(ROM. 8:33).

SEE, I.  GOD THE FATHER IS SECURINT THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION,

&  II.  GOD THE SON IS ALSO SECURING THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICFATION.

          SEE, THOSE JUSTIFIED BY GOD THE FATHER WILL NEVER BE CONDEMNED BY GOD BECAUSE OF GOD THE SON, THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST.(ROM.8:34).  THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DRUNK WHO JUMPED OF A BRIDGE TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.  BUT WHEN HE HIT THE COLD WATER IN THE RIVER IT SOBERED HIM UP A BIT & HE HAD 2D THOUGHTS. 

HE YELLED FOR HELP & PASSING MOTORIST JUMPED IN A SAVED HIM.

 HOWEVER, THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM FOR BEING DRUNK & DISORDERLY & DISTURBING THE PEACE.  LOW & BEHOLD HE HAD HIS DAY IN COURT & THE MAN WHO SAVED HIM WAS THE JUDGE.  WHILE THE JUDGE WAS GIVING HIM A STIFF SENTENCE THE DRUNK RECOGNIZED THE JUDGE & SAID, " HEY, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO SAVED ME FROM DROWNING."  & THE JUDGE SAID ,"WHY YES I DID.  THAT DAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOR BUT TODAY I"M YOUR JUDGE & YOU ARE CONDEMNED & MUST HAVE THIS SENTENCE."  WELL , THOSE SAVED BY JESUS WILL NEVER HAVE A SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION(  ROM.                                                                            17 SEE, JESUS PAID IT ALL , BUT WE MUST HAVE THE RECEIPT "PAID IN FULL” STAMPED ON OUR HEART.   ? DO YOU?  YOU CAN IF YOU WILL REALLY BELIEVE & RECEIVE CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  & IF YOU DO,

A. THE PARDON OF CHRIST SECURES THE EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION OF BELIEVERS FROM CONDEMNATION.  CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CONDEMN TO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT. IN JOHN 5:22-27, JESUS SAID,

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

                                                                          18  JOHN 5:27, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”  BUT INSTEAD OF JUDGEMENT & PUNISHMENT, CHRIST GIVES REAL CHRISTIANS EVERLASTING LIFE.

JOHN 3:16 - 19 SAYS,”16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

          WELL, REGARDLESS OF HOW EVIL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IF THEY ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR THEY WILL BE PARDONED, THEN

B.  THE PARDON OF CHRIST ENSURES THE BELIEVERS EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION (ROM. 8 & D.  THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ENSURES THE BELIEVERS' EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION. 

                                                                     19 ROM.4:25 SAYS OF CHRIST THAT HE

“25 …was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

          THIS IN UNBREAKABLE CHAIN WHERBY   ONCE A PERSON IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN

CHRIST, I. E., DECLARED RIGHTEOUS BY CHRIST, THEY WILL BE EVENTUALLY AS RIGHTEOUS AS CHRIST & GLORIFIED WITH A BODY LIKE CHRIST’S GLORIFIED RESURRECTED BODY!

          AS I CAME TO THIS POINT IN THE STUDY, IT STRUCK ME THAT PERHAPS A REVIEW OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH WOULD BE IN ORDER.

          ROM. 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"  THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, JUSTIFICATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN BY FAITH & NOT BY WORKS.  BY JUSTIFICATION I MEAN THAT   REAL BELIEVERS ARE DECLARED "JUSTIFIED OR RIGHTEOUS” AND TREATED AS SUCH BY GOD BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH.  

                                                                  20   JUSTIFICATION ALSO INCLUDES THE IMPUTATION OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS WHAT SOME THEOLOGIANS CALL A JUDICIAL ACT BY WHICH A CONDEMNED SINNER, LIKE A CRIMINAL IN A COURT OF LAW IS PARDONED, FREED FROM THE PENALTY DUE TO A LAW BREAKER, THEN TREATED AS NOT GUILTY, AND ALLOWED TO GO FREE.  SIMILAR TO THAT COURT ROOM SCENARIO, A REAL BELIEVER IN CHRIST IS DECLARED FREE FROM THE PENALTY OF THE LAW BEFORE A HOLY GOD, THE JUST JUDGE, BECAUSE THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST TOOK THE SINNER'S PUNISHMENT AND SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOD AS A SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE. 

THE 1ST PART OF GAL.3:13 SAYS,  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: "

                                                                       21

ALSO,  THOUGH JUSTIFICATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRACTICAL & PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION OF BECOMING HOLIER & SAINTLIER, JUSTIFICATION IN ITSELF IT IS NOT AN EXPERIENCE OF BEING MADE TOTALLY HOLY & righteous BUT A FACT OF DIVINE RECKONING WHEREBY  BELIEVERS ARE DECLARED "JUSTIFIED OR RIGHTEOUS AND TREATED AS SUCH BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST, THE JUST ONE." 

                   WELL, IT SHOULD A REAL COMFORT & ENCOURAGEMENT TO US TO KNOW THAT GOD  IS CONCERNED FOR US & LABORING BEHALF.

          BUT HE IS ONLY SECURING EVENTUAL GLORIFICATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR. ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE BORN AGAIN?  BORN OF THE SPIRIT?  IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, WHY NOT MAKE SURE TODAY?  PLACE YOUR FAITH THE SAME PLACE GOD PUT YOUR SIN--ON THE DIVINE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  BELIEVE & RECEIVE HIM TODAY.

           EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EVERY EYE CLOSED - IF YOU WANT TO BE SAVED, BORN AGAIN, BECOME A CHRISTIAN, I WANT YOU TO PRAY IN YOUR HEART SILENTLY RIGHT NOW-

                                                                             22  "DEAR GOD, I KNOW THERE IS NO WAY I CAN SAVE MY SELF FROM MY SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE, RIGHT NOW I WANT TO ACCEPT THE PAYMENT MADE BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SIN GUILT.  I PUT MY FAITH IN THE PERSON OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIM ALONE RIGHT NOW FOR A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU."  IN JESUS’ NAME: AMEN”

HEADS STILL BOWED AND EYES STILL CLOSED- IF YOU PRAYED THAT PRAYER AND MEANT IT ( YOU CAN FOOL ME BUT YOU CAN'T FOOL GOD) SLIP IT UP, AND TAKE IT BACK DOWN- I WANT YOU TO COME BACK RIGHT HERE WED.  AM AT 10:30.

LET'S PRAY-

HYMN- THANK YOU LORD

PHILE 25

GOD’S PLANNING FOREKNOWLEDGE IS RELATED TO CHRISTLIKENESS.

ROMANS 8:29 “ 29 FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.”

          VERSE 29 LITERALLY MEANS THAT WE ARE ONE DAY GOING TO BE “INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY” LIKE JESUS CHRIST!

          THIS IS REALLY THE GREATEST THING GOD COULD DO FOR US. , ROM 8:29 SAYS GOD THE FATHER “¼DID PREDESTINATE BELIEVERS TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.”

GOD PREDESTINES AND PLANS & WORKS THIS  OUT.

          THE GREEK WORD TRANSLATED “PREDESTINE,” WHEN FOUND WITHOUT THE PREFIX EQUIVALENT TO PRE, CAN MEAN “TO MARK A BOUNDARY AROUND SOMETHING.” SO WE ARE MARKED OUT, WITH A BOUNDARY, KEPT AND GUARDED FOR GOD’S PURPOSE. YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW ARE PART OF GOD’S PLAN TO BRING THE BELIEVER TO THE PLACE OF BEING LIKE CHRIST. TO ME, FOR THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT SOME DOCTRINE HAS NO PRACTICAL APPLICATION--THIS OBVIOUSLY ESTABLISHES FOREKNOWLEDGE AND PREDESTINATION AS VERY  PRACTICAL DOCTRINES THAT CAN AFFECT OUR ATTITUDES, THOUGHTS, & ACTIVITIES, EVERY DAY!.

          SEE, REAL CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF THE KING & ONE DAY WE'LL BE LIKE KING JESUS, GOD, THE BELOVED SON.  SO, LET US THINK, SPEAK, & ACT IN A CHRISTLIKE WAY TODAY & EVERYDAY!

         

THIRD, GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WORD CALLED IN V. 30 MEANS  MORE THAN JUST “INVITE.”

THERE IS A GENERAL CALL TO ELECT AND NONELECT ALIKE, AS SEEN IN MT. 22:14 . ?FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN” 

THROUGH A SPECIAL CALL TO THE ELECT, THOSE FOREKNOWN BY GOD IN A SPECIAL WAY ARE CHOSEN (CF. 1 COR. 1:24.) OR . CALLED BY A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT MOVES A PERSON TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR. THAT IS CALLED BY SOME “THE EFFECTUAL CALL.”  

IN CHAPTER 10 OF –THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH SAYS, “OF EFFECTUAL CALLING

I. ALL THOSE WHOM GOD HATH PREDESTINATED UNTO LIFE, AND THOSE ONLY, HE IS PLEASED, IN HIS APPOINTED AND ACCEPTED TIME, EFFECTUALLY TO CALL, BY HIS WORD AND SPIRIT, OUT OF THAT STATE OF SIN AND DEATH IN WHICH THEY ARE BY NATURE, TO GRACE AND SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST: ENLIGHTENING THEIR MINDS, SPIRITUALLY AND SAVINGLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS OF GOD, TAKING AWAY THEIR HEART OF STONE, AND GIVING UNTO THEM AN HEART OF FLESH; RENEWING THEIR WILLS, AND BY HIS ALMIGHTY POWER DETERMINING THEM TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND EFFECTUALLY DRAWING THEM TO JESUS CHRIST; YET SO AS THEY COME MOST FREELY, BEING MADE WILLING BY HIS GRACE.

II. THIS EFFECTUAL CALL IS OF GOD'S FREE AND SPECIAL GRACE ALONE, NOT FROM ANY THING AT ALL FORESEEN IN MAN, WHO IS ALTOGETHER PASSIVE THEREIN, UNTIL, BEING QUICKENED AND RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS THEREBY ENABLED TO ANSWER THIS CALL, AND TO EMBRACE THE GRACE OFFERED AND CONVEYED IN IT.

[III. ELECT INFANTS, DYING IN INFANCY,  ARE REGENERATED AND SAVED BY CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT, WHO WORKETH WHEN, AND WHERE, AND HOW HE PLEASETH. SO ALSO ARE ALL OTHER ELECT PERSONS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING OUTWARDLY CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.]

IV. OTHERS, NOT ELECTED, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, AND MAY HAVE SOME COMMON OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, YET THEY NEVER TRULY COME TO CHRIST, AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAVED: MUCH LESS CAN MEN, NOT PROFESSING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BE SAVED IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER, BE THEY NEVER SO DILIGENT TO FRAME THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OF NATURE, AND THE LAW OF THAT RELIGION THEY DO PROFESS; AND TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THAT THEY MAY IS WITHOUT WARRANT OF THE WORD OF GOD.

          SO SALVATION IS GOD’S GIFT TO US.

     NOW THE FOURTH, ASPECT I WANT TO PRESENT ABOUT GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE IS THAT IS MORE THAN JUST KNOWING WHO WILL BELIEVE.

 IT IS ACTUALLY INVOLVED WITH GUARANTYING BELIEF IN THE SAVIOR & KEEPING BELIEVERS SECURE.  ROM 8:29 “ 29?FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.

ROM 8:30 “?MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.

31?WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 32?HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS? 33?WHO SHALL LAY ANY THING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD’S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH. 34?WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. 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.”

I THINK WE MUST REMEMBER THAT PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION ARE BIBLICAL CONCEPTS.  OUR SALVATION IS BASED ON JESUS & ACTS 16:31 SAYS BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST & THOU SHALT BE SAVED..”

WITH THAT IN MIND, WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER THAT WHAT WE  BELIEVE ABOUT PREDESTINATION AND/OR ELECTION DOES NOT EFFECT OUR SALVATION.  THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD BE GRACIOUS TO OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO DIFFER WITH YOU ON THIS SUBJECT.

NOW AS FOR THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE REAL BELIEVER,  THE ISSUE IS THIS: ?IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME WHO HAVE GENUINELY BELIEVED IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR TO LOSE THEIR SALVATION THROUGH THEIR OWN SIN OR THE PERHAPS THE ACT OF SOMEONE ELSE (SATAN, FOR EXAMPLE)?

          NOW HERE IS WHAT I THINK IS CORRECT RIGHT NOW, “GOD SAW AHEAD OF TIME WHO WOULD BELIEVE BECAUSE HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE KNOWS BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS  PLANNED IN THE GOLDEN & UNBREAKABLE  CHAIN OF ROM *8VV. 29–30, THEN THE BLESSINGS OF VV. 31–39 ARE CERTAIN.

          IN OTHER WORDS, TO A DEGREE, ONE’S VIEW OF ETERNAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON ONE’S VIEW OF ELECTION,

WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ONE’S VIEW OF GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE, & GOD’S PREDESTINING OF EVENTS, & PEOPLE. 

SO, IF WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING IS CORRECT, ?CAN A PERSON WHO HAS REALLY BELIEVED BE LOST? NO

?WILL GOD EVER LET A REAL BELIEVER GO TO HELL?  “NO!”

   HOWEVER, WE MUST STATE THAT THE ISSUE IS NOT A QUESTION OF THOSE WHO OUTWARDLY APPEAR TO BE BELIEVERS AND SAVED, BUT ARE NOT, AND LATER TURN FROM ANY INTEREST IN THE FAITH. THOSE PEOPLE ARE APOSTATES.

  

IF THERE ARE PASSAGES THAT CLEARLY TEACH SECURITY, THEN THE PASSAGES THAT THOSE WHO FAVOR NONSECURITY CITE AS SUPPORT FOR THEIR VIEW MUST BE CAREFULLY INTERPRETED.

IN OTHER WORDS, SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF. IF IT IS CLEAR IN TEACHING SECURITY, THEN THOSE PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO PRESENT NONSECURITY MUST REFER TO SOMETHING ELSE.

   THE BEST UNDERSTANDING OF SECURITY COMES THROUGH SEEING WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN PROVIDING FOR SALVATION AND HOW HE APPLIES IT. THE BELIEVER IS SECURE BECAUSE OF THE WAY GOD SAVES, WHAT HE DOES WHEN HE SAVES, AND WHAT HE DOES FOR BELIEVERS AFTER THEY ARE SAVED.

   TO BEGIN WITH, THE PROVISION AND APPLICATION OF SALVATION ARE COMPLETELY FREE BY THE GRACE OF GOD & PROVIDED BY GOD’S  SUBSTITUTE, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,

          THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS TO ALL WITH FAITH IN CHRIST (PHIL. 1:29).

SECOND, GOD MAKES EACH REAL BELIEVER A “NEW CREATION IN CHRIST, ” 2 COR. 5:17 “?THEREFORE IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.”

                THIS INCLUDES A  NEW LIFE PRINCIPLE—ACTUALLY THE LIFE OF CHRIST BY REGENERATION.

          IF A PERSON WERE TO LOSE HIS SALVATION, THEN HE WOULD NEED TO BECOME UNREGEREATED & UN NEW LIFED OR RATHER MADE SPIRITUALLY DEAD AGAIN.

          HOWEVER, THE VERY PRESENCE OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST REGENERATION SEEMS TO DISALLOW THE POSSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL DEATH TO EVER TAKE US AGAIN.

          NOW I KNOW SOME VIEW SALVATION AS A REPEATABLE EXPERIENCE. ONE CAN BE SAVED, THEN LOST, THEN SAVED AGAIN, ETC.

IF THAT WERE TRUE, THEN THE CREATION OF A NEW PERSON IN CHRIST, AND REGENERATION WITH ITS INFUSION OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST, WOULD HAVE TO BE UNDONE, THEN REDONE, THEORETICALLY MANY TIMES.

          TO ME, TAKING THE WORDS & WORKS OF GOD IN SALVATION SERIOUSLY SHOWS HOW CONTRADICTORY THE NONSECURITY POSITION IS.

          TO ME, THE PRESENT WORK OF GOD FOR BELIEVERS IS AN AREA OF REVEALED TRUTH THAT COULD SUPPORT SECURITY ALL BY ITSELF.

E.G, EPH. 1:13–14, IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, 14WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. “

ACCORDING TO EPH 1:13, ONCE WE REALLY believe ON CHRIST, WE ARE  sealed with the Holy (Spirit).” The word “sealed” is sphragizō (σφραγιζω).  The Scofield Bible footnote SAYS, “The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a sea signifies (1) A finished transaction (Jer. 32:9, 10; John 17:4, 19:30), (2) Ownership (Jer. 32:11, 12; II Tim. 2:19), (3) Security (Esth. 8:8; Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30).” Thus, God places the Holy Spirit in us permanently IN THE NEW COVENANT, AT LEAST FROM THE DAY OF PENTECOST ON.

”God’s holy Spirit is described IN EPH 1:14 as The earnest of our inheritance.” The word “earnest” is arrabōn (ἀρραβων). A GREEK SCHOLAR, Vincent, defines it as “caution-money deposited by a purchaser in pledge of full payment.” The papyri OF THE GREEK FROM BIBLE TIMES gives us examples that confirm the n.t. sense of An ‘earnest’ is a part given in advance of what will be bestowed fully afterwards.”

The bestowal of the Holy Spirit is God’s EARNEST DOWN PAYMENT OR part payment in the salvation He gives the believing sinner.  IT IS A partial payment guaranteeing the full delivery of all parts.  Salvation is in 3 parts justification, the removal of the guilt and penalty of sin and the declaration of righteousness even the righteousness of Christ, given at the moment the sinner puts his faith in the Lord Jesus as Savior;


ANOTHER PART OF THE SALVATION PACKAGE IS sanctification, a progressive work of the Spirit in the life of the believer, in which The HS works at eliminating sin from the believer and producing  the fruit of the Spirit; glorification, is the act of God transforming the present bodies of believers into perfect, sinless, deathless bodies. The real believer is indwelled with The Holy Spirit as God’s earnest money, guaranteeing the future glorification of his body.”[53]

          S0, WHEN WE REALLY ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR, GOD SETS US APART, SEALS US WITH HIS OWN HOLY SPIRIT all the way through the process that gets us a redeemed glorified body. EPH.4:30 says, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

This all starts in our experience after that we believe & receive CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  EPH. 1:3-14 SAYS, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

EPH 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heavena, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trustedb in Christ.  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, [italics added]  ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

         

& NOTHING CAN EVER ALTER THAT POSITIONAL  GODLINESS/SANCTIFICATION(ROM.8:38&39) & WE HAVE POWER AVAILABLE TO LIVE A SANCTIFIED LIFE--.HALLELUJAH!  BECAUSE ONCE WE ACCEPT CHRIST AS SAVIOR WE POSSESS GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT. 

ROM. 8:9 SAYS, “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.”

ONE ASPECT OF THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO ENABLE US TO LIVE A REAL BIBLICAL-SPIRITUAL LIFE, & ACTUALLY PRODUCE A RIGHTEOUS LIFE BY DOING & BEING WHAT GOD DESIRES BY REFUSING THE SINFULNESS OF THE FLESH. 

          SEE, THOUGH WE ARE NOT SAVED BY ANY OF OUR WORKS, SAVED PEOPLE SHOULD SHOW FORTH SALVATION WITH GOOD WORKS OF OBEDIENCE IN LOVE TO GOD.

James 2:18 SYAS, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

THEN JAMES 2:20 SAYS, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

          THE APOSTLE PETER WAS MOVED BY GOD TO WRITE, IN 2 PET.1:-4, . “Simon  Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

2 PET. 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”

          AND ALL THIS BLESSEDNESS STARTS IN US WHEN ON THE HUMAN SIDE OF THINGS, WE ARE SAVED BY ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  THEN SALVATION, WHICH IS A REAL FAITH IN THE REAL CHRIST WILL SHOW ITSELF TO A DEGREE IN WORKS & IN OBEDIENCE—NOT FULLY BUT TO A DEGREE SINCE SERVING THE LORD BY FAITH OR IN FAITH IS A WAY TO SHOW OR DEMONSTRATE SALVATION.

  THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED AS A SEAL SIGNIFYING THAT OUR DESTINATION IS TO HEAVEN AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. IF LOSS OF SALVATION WERE POSSIBLE, THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD BE DEFEATED (HE WOULD HAVE FAILED AS A SEAL), WHICH OF COURSE IS IMPOSSIBLE.

SEE, WE ARE NOT SAVED BY ANY OF OUR WORKS, BUT A SAVED PERSON SHOULD SHOW IT WORKS OF LOVE & OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

FOR INSTANCE, IN HEB 11 WE READ OF FAITH BEING SHOWN, DEMONSTRATED OR WORKED OUT. HEB. 11:4-6 SAYS, “BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED UNTO GOD A MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE THAN CAIN, BY WHICH HE OBTAINED WITNESS THAT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS, GOD TESTIFYING OF HIS GIFTS: AND BY IT HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.

5 BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH; AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TRANSLATED HIM: FOR BEFORE HIS TRANSLATION HE HAD THIS TESTIMONY, THAT HE PLEASED GOD.

6 BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”  SEE, WE MUST COME TO GO IN FAITH BELIEVING:  HEB 4:1-2 SAYS,

LET US THEREFORE FEAR, LEST, A PROMISE BEING LEFT US OF ENTERING INTO HIS REST, ANY OF YOU SHOULD SEEM TO COME SHORT OF IT. 2 FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM: BUT THE WORDA PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH IN THEM THAT HEARD IT. “

          SEE WE NEED TO MIX WHAT GOD SAYS WITH AN OBEDIENT FAITH.

 

Heb. 4:3 FOR WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED DO ENTER INTO REST, AS HE SAID, AS I HAVE SWORN IN MY WRATH, IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST: ALTHOUGH THE WORKS WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. 4 FOR HE SPAKE IN A CERTAIN PLACE OF THE SEVENTH DAY ON THIS WISE, AND GOD DID REST THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS. 5 AND IN THIS PLACE AGAIN, IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST. 6 SEEING THEREFORE IT REMAINETH THAT SOME MUST ENTER THEREIN, AND THEY TO WHOM IT WAS FIRST PREACHED ENTERED NOT IN BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF: [54]

 

A:\PHIL\4V21Z24 – FOR PROBABLY AFTER thanksgiving  O5 WED AM GRHV. [KEEP AS LATEST RENDITION OF A -EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN [MOVED FROM SUN-WED AM. MORE LIKE THE MASTER; MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS, P 31-THE SOLID ROCK.  WHAT A FELLOWSHIP, WHAT A JOY DIVINE; TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE, O FOR 1000 TONGUES TO SING¼”].

            THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU IN PHILIPPIANS WE WERE WORKING ON CH 4 21, “SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS."  I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THOSE SAINTS IN THAT V WERE LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS & ARE TO BECOME SAINTLIER OR HOLIER & THEY CAN BY GOD’S OWN HOLY SPIRIT GRANTING POWER TO RESIST SIN STILL IN US & THE POWER OF SIN ALL AROUND US, & AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM THE SINS OF THE OLD, SIN  NATURE.         

            I HAVE PRESENTED THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE ON AN INEVITABLE MARCH TO FULL REDEMPTION ENDING IN GLORIFICATION WITH A TOTALLY HEALED, RESURRECTION BODY & WILL STAY SAVED IF THEY WERE EVER REALLY SAVED TO BE BEGIN WITH.

 

            I PRESENTED THAT THE TRULY SAVED CAME TO BE SAVED BY THE WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, & GOD THE SON WHO SAID IN JOHN 6:44, “NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM:”

            THOSE WORDS OF JESUS SEEM CLEAR TO ME,. & IN ADDITION TO THE WORDS OF JESUS, I CLAIM THE PRESENT WORK OF JESUS WILL KEEP A REALLY SAVED PERSON SAVED. 

SEE, AFTER A PERSON IS SAVED WE HAVE THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST  IN HEB. 7:25 WHICH  MAKES IT CLEAR TO ME THAT CHRIST IS PRESENTLY ACTIVE TO BRING BEFORE THE FATHER HIS PERFECT COMPLETED WORK AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ELECT. HIS INTERCESSION WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF CHRIST DIDN’T KEEP HIS PEOPLE SAVED.   CHRIST NEVER FAILS HEB  7:25, “25WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM. “

[55] Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1988). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Previously published as: Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster SAYS, “uttermost HAS WORDS THAT MEAN THE SAME THIG LISTED AS “extreme , farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, utmost. [56]

[57] Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Heb 7:24). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, SAYS “The word “uttermost” is the translation of panteles (παντελες) which is made up of pas (πας) “all,” and telos (τελος) “end, termination.” Thus, we have a two-dimensional salvation spoken of here. By reason of Messiah’s eternal ministry as High Priest, He is able to save the believer in his totality of being, body, soul, and spirit, and do all that to the point of termination, an unending state of salvation in eternity.[58]

NEW REVISED STANDARD HEB 7:25 “ Consequently he is able for all time to savee those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

YOUNG’S LITERAL TRANSLATION: 25 whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God—ever living to make intercession for them. [59]

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD VERSION 25 Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completely  those who come to God through him. [60]

THEN ROMANS 8:34 SAYS, “34WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, YEA RATHER, THAT IS RISEN AGAIN, WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US. “

            BESIDES THE ROM. 8:28–39 PASSAGE WHICH I SEE AS TEACHING ETERNAL SECURITY, THERE ARE 2 MORE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT PASSAGES THAT TEACH SECURITY FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

            ROMANS 5:1-11, SAYS,  1THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: 2BY WHOM ALSO WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND, AND REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. 3AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO: KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE; 4AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE; AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE: 5AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED; BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.

ROM 5: 6 “FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. 7FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE: YET PERADVENTURE FOR A GOOD MAN SOME WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE. 8BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. 9MUCH MORE THEN, BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. 10FOR IF, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, MUCH MORE, BEING RECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. 11AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE ALSO JOY IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.”

             JN. 10:28–29, THE FATHER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHEEP, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED  TO BE LOST.

IN  JOHN 10:27-29 JESUS SAID, “27?My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND. 29MY FATHER, WHICH GAVE THEM ME, IS GREATER THAN ALL; AND NO MAN IS ABLE TO PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER’S HAND.”

THE VV WE HAVE HEARD HAVE INCLUDED ALL THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY AS ACTIVE IN KEEPING THE BELIEVER SECURE. ONCE AGAIN, IF A BELIEVER WERE TO BE LOST, THEN THE FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT THE BIBLE PROMISES THEY WILL DO.

  GOD NEVER FAILS.  TIME REALLY DOES NOT PERMIT A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ALL THE PASSAGES THAT SUPPORT OF “SECURITY.”  HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT GOD WILL NOT FAIL TO BRING THE SAVED ALL THE WAY TO GLORIFICATION,  BIBLE STUDENTS ARE  OBLIGATED TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF SOME SCRIPTURES SOME SAY SHOW BELIEVERS MAY BE LOST.

            FOR EXAMPLE, 1 COR. 9:27 SAYS,  “BUT I KEEP UNDER MY BODY, AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION: LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. “

            THIS MUST REFER NOT TO LOSS OF SALVATION, BUT TO BEING REMOVED FROM  SERVICE TO THE LORD BECAUSE OF SOME DISQUALIFICATION.

            JOHN 15:1–8, IS OFTEN USED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD TO SECURITY. 

 

JOHN 15:1-8, “1I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN. 2EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT BEARETH NOT FRUIT HE TAKETH AWAY: AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARETH FRUIT, HE PURGETH IT, THAT IT MAY BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT. 3NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU. 4ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME. 5I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING. 6IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED; AND MEN GATHER THEM, AND CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED. 7IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU. 8HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED, THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT; SO SHALL YE BE MY DISCIPLES.”

            THESE VV ARE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FRUIT BEARING AND FELLOWSHIP,--NOT SALVATION.        FINALLY, HEB. 6:4–6 IS OFTEN PROMOTED BY THOSE SAYING SALVATION CAN BE LOST. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITH THAT VIEW IN MIND, PLEASE LISTEN TO HEBREWS 6:4-6, “4FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, 5AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, 6IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.”

 

I AM SUGGESTING THAT IF THIS  REFERS TO APPARENT BELIEVERS WHO GIVE UP THE PRETENSE OF BELONGING TO CHRIST AFTER FAKING IT, ARE NOT CALLED IMPOSSIBLE.  NOW I DON’T KNOW WHO IS IMPOSSIBEL TO BRING TO CHRIST, SO I SUGGEST TRY CHRIST ON EVERYONE.  NEVERTHELESS, IT IS THEN “IMPOSSIBLE” TO BRING APOSTATES BACK EVEN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY (HAVING SOME INTEREST IN THE SPIRITUAL THINGS OF THE REAL CHRIST –BECAUSE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEMSELVES TO THE BIBLICAL REALITIES OF THE REAL THINGS OF CHRIST.  SO, I SUGGEST  THIS ADMITTEDLY DIFFICULT PASSAGE CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE WHOLE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS & THEN ELSEWHERE.

.

           

SO, I AM BACK TO THE WORD FOREKNOW. 4267 PROGINOSKO /PROG·IN·OCE·KO/] V. FROM 4253 AND 1097; TDNT 1:715; TDNTA 119; GK 4589; FIVE CCURRENCES IN THE AV TRANSLATES AS “FOREKNOW” TWICE;

“FOREORDAIN” ONCE;

“KNOW” ONCE, AND

“KNOW BEFORE” ONCE.

            I AM SUGGESTING THAT GOD’S  KNOWLEDGE HAS TO DO WITH HIS PREDESTINATING, [vi] & THE  MANY WORKS OF GRACE THAT GOD PERFORMS TO SECURE FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE,  TO WHOM HIS PURPOSE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE CAN BE FULFILLED.  AND I THINK THAT GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY IN CONTROL &  COMPLETING HIS REDEMPTIVE PLAN.

(EPH. 1:9-14; 2:4-10; 3:8-11; 4:11-16).

            SO  PREDESTINATION IS A WORD OFTEN USED TO SIGNIFY GOD’S FOREORDAINING OF ALL THE EVENTS OF WORLD HISTORY, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND THIS USAGE IS QUITE APPROPRIATE. IN SCRIPTURE AND MAINSTREAM THEOLOGY, HOWEVER, PREDESTINATION MEANS SPECIFICALLY GOD’S DECISION, MADE IN ETERNITY BEFORE THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS EXISTED, REGARDING THE FINAL DESTINY OF INDIVIDUAL SINNERS. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORDS PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION (THE TWO ARE ONE), ONLY OF GOD’S CHOICE OF PARTICULAR SINNERS FOR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE (ROM. 8:29; EPH. 1:4-5, 11). MANY HAVE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO ASCRIBES TO GOD AN ADVANCE DECISION ABOUT THOSE WHO FINALLY ARE NOT SAVED (ROM. 9:6-29; 1 PET. 2:8; JUDE 4), AND SO IT HAS BECOME USUAL IN PROTESTANT THEOLOGY TO DEFINE GOD’S PREDESTINATION AS INCLUDING BOTH HIS DECISION TO SAVE SOME FROM SIN (ELECTION) AND HIS DECISION TO CONDEMN THE REST FOR THEIR SIN (REPROBATION), SIDE BY SIDE.

   TO THE QUESTION, “ON WHAT BASIS DID GOD CHOOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR SALVATION?” IT IS SOMETIMES REPLIED: ON THE BASIS OF HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE GOSPEL THEY WOULD CHOOSE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. IN THAT REPLY, FOREKNOWLEDGE MEANS PASSIVE FORESIGHT ON GOD’S PART OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO DO, WITHOUT HIS PREDETERMINING THEIR ACTION. BUT

EEP AS LATEST RENDION OF A

-EMULATIONS=EREIS=A CONTENTIOUS JEALOUSY THAT PUTS PEOPLE DOWN IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD SELF UP.  THIS IS SEEN IN BACKBITING, BACKSTABBING, GOSSIPPING, SLANDERING, LIBELING, NEGATIVE CAMPAIGHNING, & MUDSLINGING. 

-WRATH=THUMOI=THIS HUMAN SIN IS AN EXPLOSIVE & DANGEROUS ANGER.  A PERSON LIKE THIS IS PROBABLY VOLATILE & COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE WHAT CRIMINOLOGISTS CALL"CRIMES OF PASSION." 

-STRIFE=ERITHEIA=FACTIONALISM & DISCORD USUALLY SEEN IN CONTENTIOUS DEBATES WHICH WHICH HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP TO TRUE FACT. 

PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS SIN LIKE TO ARGUE--EVEN IF THEY NO THEY

ARE WRONG OR IF THEY KNOW THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. 

-SEDITIONS=DICHOSTASIA=SEDITIOUS DIVISIONS OR SPLITS. E.G., CHURCH SPLITS OR DENOMINATIONALISM, OR IN A SECULAR SENSE, SPLIITING UP COUNTRIES LIKE YUGOSLAVIA OR CHEKKOSLOVAKIA.

-HERESIES= AIREISEIS= IN THIS CONTEXT, THE THINKING OR MINDSET BEHIND SCHISMS OR DIVIDING OVER THINGS THAT HAVE NO BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE BUT RATHER OVER PERSONAL PREFERENCES OR OPINIONS.  IN THEOLOGY, USUALLY HERESY MEANS A TEACHING OR THEORY THAT IS NOT IN ACCORD WITH THE BIBLE.

-GAL. 5:21, ENVYINGS=PHTHONOI=FEELINGS OF ILL-WILL BECAUSE OF AN EVIL DESIRE TO POSSESS WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS.  THIS IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY & PROBABLY STARTED THE GULF WAR & THE BOSNIAN WAR. 

-MURDER=PHONOI=KILLING PEOPLE. 

the ever-blessed Trinity in unity (John 17:3), the two natures united in the one person of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 2:22, and 4:3),

is finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice (Heb. 5:14), the fall, resulting in our lost condition (Luke 19:10), regeneration (John 3:3), gratuitous justification (Gal. 5:4)—these are some of the principal pillars which support the temple of Truth, and without which it cannot stand. Of old God complained, "My people are destroyed [cut off] for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6), and declared, "Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst" (Isaiah 5:13). When He promised "I will give you pastors according to Mine heart," He described the same as those "which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15), and that knowledge is communicated first and foremost by a setting forth of the glorious doctrines of Divine revelation. Doctrinal Christianity is both the ground and the motive of practical Christianity, for it is principle and not emotion or impulse which is the dynamic of the spiritual life. It is by the Truth that men are illuminated and directed: "0 send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles" (Ps. 43:3). We are saved by a knowledge of the Truth (John 17:3; 1 Tim. 2:4), and by faith therein (2 Thess. 2:13). Pertinently is the inquiry made, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). The Hebrew word for "foundations" occurs only once more in the Old Testament, namely in Isaiah 19:10, where it is rendered "and they shall be broken in the purposes thereof." As it is from our purposes that our plans and actions proceed, so it is from the "first principles" of the Word that its secondary truths are derived; and upon them both, precepts are based. "The principles of religion are the foundations on which the faith and hope of the righteous are built" (Matthew Henry). While those foundations cannot be totally and finally removed, yet God may suffer them to be so relatively and temporarily. In such case the righteous should not give way to despair, but instead betake themselves unto prayer. "Some thing the righteous ones may do, and should do, when men are attempting to undermine and sap the foundation articles of religion: they should go to the throne of grace, to God in His holy temple, who knows what is doing, and plead with Him to put a stop to the designs and attempts of such subverters of foundations; and they should endeavour to build one another up on their most holy faith" (J. Gill).

The cry was raised, "Give us Christ, and not Christianity," and many superficial minds concluded that such a demand was both a spiritual and a pertinent one. In reality it was an absurdity, an imaginary distinction without any vital difference. A scriptural concept of Christ in His theanthropic person, His mediatorial character, His official relations to God’s elect, His redemptive work for them, can be formed only as He is contemplated in His essential Godhead, His unique humanity, His covenant headship, and as the Prophet, Priest and King of His Church. Sufficient attention has not been given to that repeated expression "the doctrine of Christ" (2 John, 9), which comprehends the whole teaching of Scripture concerning His wondrous person and His so-great salvation. Nor has due weight been given to those words "the mystery of Christ" (Col. 4:3), which refer to the deep things revealed of Him in the Word of Truth.

The most conclusive evidences for the Divine origin of Christianity, as well as the chief glory, appear in its doctrines, for they cannot be of human invention. The ineffable and incomprehensible Trinity in unity, the incarnation of the Son of God, the death of the Prince of life, that His obedience and sufferings satisfied Divine justice and expiated our offences, the Holy Spirit making the believer His temple, and our union with Christ, are sublime and lofty truths, holy and mysterious, which far surpass the highest flight of finite reason. There is perfect harmony in all the parts of the doctrine of Christ. Therein a full discovery is made of the manifold wisdom of God, the duties required of us, the motives which prompt thereto. It is in perceiving the distinct parts and aspects of Truth, their relation to one another, their furtherance of a common cause, their magnifying of the Lord of glory, that the excellence and beauty of the whole are apparent. It is because many apprehend only detached fragments of the same that some things in it appear to be inconsistent to them. What is so much needed is a view and grasp of the whole—acquired only by diligent and persevering application.

There is much preaching, but sadly little teaching. It is the task of the teacher to declare all the counsel of God, to show the relation of one part of it to another, to present the whole range of Truth: thereby will the hearer’s mental horizon be widened, his sense of proportion promoted, and the beautiful harmony of the whole be demonstrated. It is his business not only to avow but to evince, not simply to affirm but to establish what he affirms. Of the apostle we read that he "reasoned with them Out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead" (Acts 17:2, 3). He was eminently qualified for such a task both by nature and by grace. He was not only a man of God, but a man of genius and learning. He made considerable use of his reasoning faculty. He did not ask his hearers to believe anything that he averred without evidence, but furnished proof of what he taught. He usually preached on the basic and essential doctrines of the Gospel, which he felt ought to be verified by plain and conclusive reasoning.

"And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks" (Acts 18:4, 19). Because such reasoning may be abused, it does not follow that it should have no place in the pulpit. To reason fairly is to draw correct consequences from right principles, or to adduce clear and convincing arguments in support thereof. In order to reason lucidly and effectively upon the truth of a proposition, it is usually necessary to explain it, then to produce arguments in support of it, and finally to answer objections against it. That is the plan Paul generally follows, as is evident from both the Acts and his Epistles. When he preached upon the existence of God, the first and fundamental truth of all religion, he reasoned simply yet impressively: "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device" (Acts 17:29); "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen" (Rom. 1:20). When he enforced the doctrine of human depravity, he proved it first by a lengthy description of the character and conduct of the whole heathen world, and then by quotations from the Old Testament, and concluded "we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin" (Rom. 3:19).

It is the teacher’s task to explain, to prove, and then to apply, for hearts are reached through the understanding and conscience. When he appeared before Felix, the apostle "reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come" so powerfully that the Roman governor "trembled" (Acts 24:25). But alas, solid reasoning, exposition of Scripture, doctrinal preaching, are now largely things of the past. Many were (and still are) all for what they term experience, rather than a knowledge of doctrine. And today we behold the deplorable effects of the same, for our generation lacks even a theoretical knowledge of the Truth. That which was termed experimental and practical preaching displaced theological instruction, and thus the grand fundamentals of the Gospel were brought into contempt. No wonder that popery has made such headway in the countries once Protestant. It may be that that satanic system may yet prevail more awfully. If it does, none will be able to overthrow it by any experiences of their own. Nothing but sound doctrinal preaching will be of any use.

No wonder, either, that

1 cor 6:19 “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.”

Romans 12:1-2, “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service. 2 And

be not conformed to this world: but

be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

knowing & doing those passages from corintians & romans should make it easier to do

1 cor 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,

 but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I,

not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body,

and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

& THAT IF WE ARE REAL CHRISTIANS WE ARE SAINTS BUT WE CAN  BECOME SAINTLIER. Then I MENTIONED THAT PART OF OUR IMPROVEMENT IN SAINTLINESS HAS TO DO WITH BECOMING MORE LIE THE SAVIOR & LESS LIKE THE SATAN BY

CRUCIFYING OR MORTIFYING OUR OLD SIN NATURE, SOMETIMES CALLED THE FLESH NATURE.

THIS PROCESS OR ACTIVITY OF  crucifYiING OR MORTIFYING OUR SIN NATURE OR FLESH REMINDED ME OF AN OLD TEACHING THAT IS NOT HEARD MUCH ANY MORE ABOUT [pRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY, Part 2: Progress in the Christian Life, Chapter 7,] THE DOCTRINE OF MORTIFICATION.

By MORTIFICATION I MEAN the practice of self  discipline to overcome desires for sin and to strengthen the will against sin, Satan, & the SATANIC WORLD SYSTEM.

THE LAST TIME I WAS ON THIS TOPIC,

I MENTIONED THAT I HAD READ THAT SOME SAY  MORTIFICATION & SANCTIFICATION ARE 2 SIDES OF 1 COIN THAT ARE THE KEYS TO revival AMONG CHRISTIANS AS AN OLD FASHIONED, MOVEMENT OF GOD EVIDENCED IN THE LIFE AS practical godliness, & A  fuller conformity to the holy image of Christ IN RENOUNCING & AVOIDING SIN.

            I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO [PINK] SUGGEST The "revival" we need is a deliverance from thE spiritual apathy and laxity IN HOLY LIVING which now characterizes TOO MANY CLAIMING TO BE Christian. I  AGREE WITH THOSE WHO CALL PROFESSING CHRISTIANS TO DEDICATION OR REDEDICATION,  self-denial, and A closer walk with God TO become More fruitful in the CHRISTIAN LIFE  OF

good WITNESSING & GOOD works.”

WHILE SOME ARE DOUBTING THAT There is a possibility of such a revival, I DO NOT, &

2 things are sure : whatever the future may hold for this world, THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION DEMONSTRATES THAT God will maintain a testimony unto Himself (?Ps. 145:4; Matt. 28:20) and EVEN IN THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME WILL RAISE UP & preserve a godly seed on earth, until the end of THIS EARTH’S history (?Ps. 72:5; Isa. 27:3; Matt. 16:18).

Second, that there must be a return OR RENEWAL  OF BIBLICAL doctrinal preaching before there will be any improvement in practice.

Both the teaching of God’s Word and the testimony of CHURCH history testify clearly to the deep importance and great value of doctrinal instruction FROM THE BIBLE & the DIRE consequences of a prolonged absence of Doctrinal preaching.

Doctrinal preaching WILL enlighten the understanding, to instruct the mind, & inform the WILL FOR GOOD DISCERNMENT, judgment, & CHOICES.

BIBLICAL-DOCTRINAL PREACHING

Will motivate to gratitude and furnish incentives unto good works. There can be no soundness in the Faith if the fundamental articles of the Faith be not known and, in some measure at least, understood.

In a sense The fundamental articles of the faith can be called "the first principles of the oracles of God" as Heb. 5:12 calls the basic truths of Scripture, and some of these are  absolutely necessary for salvation. E.g.,

is finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice , The doctrine of substitutionary atonement by God's grace grace (Hebrews 9) 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spotd to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity bee the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicatedf without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarletg wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

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. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

ALSO, WHAT MAY BE CALLED A FUNDAMENTAL OR BASIC PREMISE OF THE BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THAT THE ATONING WORK OF CHRIST IS APPROPRAITED OR PUT ON A PERSON’S ACCOUNT through  faith.


----

[1]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

b  ordained: or, prepared

c rudiments: or, elements

5 entrusted

c Rom. 1:32; Gal. 6:8

d [John 8:32]; Rom. 6:18; 8:2

7 unto sanctification

d spot: or, fault

e be: or, be brought in

f dedicated: or, purified

g scarlet: or, purple

[2]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

b  ordained: or, prepared

c rudiments: or, elements

5 entrusted

c Rom. 1:32; Gal. 6:8

d [John 8:32]; Rom. 6:18; 8:2

7 unto sanctification

[3]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

[4]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

[5] The Holy Bible : King James Version. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. 1 Ti 6:3

z [Rev. 1:5]

a Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3

b 1 Cor. 1:8

9 strengthen

[7] David Dockery, “Preface” The Challenge of Postmodernism, 14.

[8] Quoted by John Leo, “True Lies vs. Total Recall” U.S. News & World Report, August 7, 1995.

[9] James R. White, The Roman Catholic Controversy (Minneapolis:  Bethany House, 1996), 9.

[10] J. Gresham Machen, Christianity And Liberalism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), 121.

a Mark 13:26; [1 Thess. 4:15–17]

c Matt. 24:4

1 NU the Lord

d 1 Tim. 4:1

e Dan. 7:25; 8:25; 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 13:5

2 NU lawlessness

f John 17:12

g Is. 14:13, 14; Ezek. 28:2

h 1 Cor. 8:5

3 NU omits as God

i 1 John 2:18

4 hidden truth

5 Or he

j Dan. 7:10

k Is. 11:4; Rev. 2:16; 19:15

l Heb. 10:27

m John 8:41

n Deut. 13:1

o 2 Cor. 2:15

p 1 Cor. 16:22

q Rom. 1:28

r 1 Tim. 4:1

s Rom. 1:32; 1 Cor. 13:6

6 under obligation

t Eph. 1:4

u 1 Thess. 1:4

v 1 Thess. 4:7; [1 Pet. 1:2]

7 being set apart by

w 1 Pet. 5:10

x 1 Cor. 16:13

y Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Jude 3

8 letter

z [Rev. 1:5]

a Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3

b 1 Cor. 1:8

9 strengthen

[11]The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Th 2:1-3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

d of Christ: or, for Christ

a reprobate: or, of no judgment

[12] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Php 4:20-23

[13]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

v [2 Cor. 1:22]

4 NU which

5 down payment, earnest

y [Acts 20:28]

z 1 Pet. 2:9

l Is. 7:13

    [14]Karleen, P. S. (1987). The handbook to Bible study : With a guide to the Scofield study system. "This book is intended as a companion to the Scofield Reference Bible"--Pref.;Includes indexes. New York: Oxford University Press.

    [15]Strong, J. (1996). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[16]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament :

 For the English reader (Eph 1:13). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

a heaven: Gr. the heavens

b trusted: or, hoped

[17] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[18]Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1988). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Previously published as: Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster.

[19]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Heb 7:24). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

e Or able to save completely

[21]Young, R. (1997). Young's literal translation (Heb 7:25). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

[22]International standard version New Testament : Version 1.1. 2000 (Print on Demand ed.) (Heb 7:25). Yorba Linda, CA: The Learning Foundation.

[23]American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible : The Good news Translation (2nd ed.) (1 Pe 4:2-5). New York: American Bible Society.

d spot: or, fault

e be: or, be brought in

f dedicated: or, purified

g scarlet: or, purple

[24]  The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995

b  ordained: or, prepared

c rudiments: or, elements

5 entrusted

c Rom. 1:32; Gal. 6:8

d [John 8:32]; Rom. 6:18; 8:2

7 unto sanctification

z [Rev. 1:5]

a Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3

b 1 Cor. 1:8

9 strengthen

[26] David Dockery, “Preface” The Challenge of Postmodernism, 14.

[27] Quoted by John Leo, “True Lies vs. Total Recall” U.S. News & World Report, August 7, 1995.

[28] James R. White, The Roman Catholic Controversy (Minneapolis:  Bethany House, 1996), 9.

[29] J. Gresham Machen, Christianity And Liberalism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), 121.

a Mark 13:26; [1 Thess. 4:15–17]

c Matt. 24:4

1 NU the Lord

d 1 Tim. 4:1

e Dan. 7:25; 8:25; 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 13:5

2 NU lawlessness

f John 17:12

g Is. 14:13, 14; Ezek. 28:2

h 1 Cor. 8:5

3 NU omits as God

i 1 John 2:18

4 hidden truth

5 Or he

j Dan. 7:10

k Is. 11:4; Rev. 2:16; 19:15

l Heb. 10:27

m John 8:41

n Deut. 13:1

o 2 Cor. 2:15

p 1 Cor. 16:22

q Rom. 1:28

r 1 Tim. 4:1

s Rom. 1:32; 1 Cor. 13:6

6 under obligation

t Eph. 1:4

u 1 Thess. 1:4

v 1 Thess. 4:7; [1 Pet. 1:2]

7 being set apart by

w 1 Pet. 5:10

x 1 Cor. 16:13

y Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Jude 3

8 letter

z [Rev. 1:5]

a Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3

b 1 Cor. 1:8

9 strengthen

[30]The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Th 2:1-3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

d of Christ: or, for Christ

a reprobate: or, of no judgment

[31] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Php 4:20-23

[32]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

v [2 Cor. 1:22]

4 NU which

5 down payment, earnest

y [Acts 20:28]

z 1 Pet. 2:9

l Is. 7:13

    [33]Karleen, P. S. (1987). The handbook to Bible study : With a guide to the Scofield study system. "This book is intended as a companion to the Scofield Reference Bible"--Pref.;Includes indexes. New York: Oxford University Press.

    [34]Strong, J. (1996). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[35]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament :

 For the English reader (Eph 1:13). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

a heaven: Gr. the heavens

b trusted: or, hoped

[36] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[37]Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1988). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Previously published as: Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster.

[38]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Heb 7:24). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

e Or able to save completely

[40]Young, R. (1997). Young's literal translation (Heb 7:25). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

[41]International standard version New Testament : Version 1.1. 2000 (Print on Demand ed.) (Heb 7:25). Yorba Linda, CA: The Learning Foundation.

[42]American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible : The Good news Translation (2nd ed.) (1 Pe 4:2-5). New York: American Bible Society.

z [Rev. 1:5]

a Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3

b 1 Cor. 1:8

9 strengthen

[44] David Dockery, “Preface” The Challenge of Postmodernism, 14.

[45] Quoted by John Leo, “True Lies vs. Total Recall” U.S. News & World Report, August 7, 1995.

[46] James R. White, The Roman Catholic Controversy (Minneapolis:  Bethany House, 1996), 9.

[47] J. Gresham Machen, Christianity And Liberalism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), 121.

a Mark 13:26; [1 Thess. 4:15–17]

c Matt. 24:4

1 NU the Lord

d 1 Tim. 4:1

e Dan. 7:25; 8:25; 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 13:5

2 NU lawlessness

f John 17:12

g Is. 14:13, 14; Ezek. 28:2

h 1 Cor. 8:5

3 NU omits as God

i 1 John 2:18

4 hidden truth

5 Or he

j Dan. 7:10

k Is. 11:4; Rev. 2:16; 19:15

l Heb. 10:27

m John 8:41

n Deut. 13:1

o 2 Cor. 2:15

p 1 Cor. 16:22

q Rom. 1:28

r 1 Tim. 4:1

s Rom. 1:32; 1 Cor. 13:6

6 under obligation

t Eph. 1:4

u 1 Thess. 1:4

v 1 Thess. 4:7; [1 Pet. 1:2]

7 being set apart by

w 1 Pet. 5:10

x 1 Cor. 16:13

y Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Jude 3

8 letter

z [Rev. 1:5]

a Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3

b 1 Cor. 1:8

9 strengthen

[48]The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Th 2:1-3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

d of Christ: or, for Christ

a reprobate: or, of no judgment

[49] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Php 4:20-23

[50]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

v [2 Cor. 1:22]

4 NU which

5 down payment, earnest

y [Acts 20:28]

z 1 Pet. 2:9

l Is. 7:13

    [51]Karleen, P. S. (1987). The handbook to Bible study : With a guide to the Scofield study system. "This book is intended as a companion to the Scofield Reference Bible"--Pref.;Includes indexes. New York: Oxford University Press.

    [52]Strong, J. (1996). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[53]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament :

 For the English reader (Eph 1:13). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

a heaven: Gr. the heavens

b trusted: or, hoped

[54] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[55]Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1988). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Previously published as: Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster.

[56]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1984). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Heb 7:24). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

e Or able to save completely

[58]Young, R. (1997). Young's literal translation (Heb 7:25). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

[59]International standard version New Testament : Version 1.1. 2000 (Print on Demand ed.) (Heb 7:25). Yorba Linda, CA: The Learning Foundation.

[60]American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible : The Good news Translation (2nd ed.) (1 Pe 4:2-5). New York: American Bible Society.

d spot: or, fault

e be: or, be brought in

f dedicated: or, purified

g scarlet: or, purple


----

WESTNINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH CH 10 [III. ELECT INFANTS, DYING IN INFANCY, ARE REGENERATED AND SAVED BY CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT, WHO WORKETH WHEN, AND WHERE, AND HOW HE PLEASETH. SO ALSO ARE ALL OTHER ELECT PERSONS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING OUTWARDLY CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.]

IV. OTHERS, NOT ELECTED, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, AND MAY HAVE SOME COMMON OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, YET THEY NEVER TRULY COME TO CHRIST, AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAVED: MUCH LESS CAN MEN, NOT PROFESSING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BE SAVED IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER, BE THEY NEVER SO DILIGENT TO FRAME THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OF NATURE, AND THE LAW OF THAT RELIGION THEY DO PROFESS; AND TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THAT THEY MAY IS WITHOUT WARRANT OF THE WORD OF GOD.

EH 9:13-      “You came down also on Mount Sinai,

     And spoke with them from heaven,

     And gave them just ordinances and true laws,

     Good statutes and commandments.

14     You made known to them Your holy Sabbath,

     And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws,

     By the hand of Moses Your servant.

15     You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger,

     And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst,

     And told them to go in to possess the land

     Which You had sworn to give them.

16     “But they and our fathers acted proudly,

     fHardened their necks,

     And did not heed Your commandments.

NEH :17     They refused to obey,

     And they were not mindful of Your wonders

     That You did among them.

     But they hardened their necks,

     And in their rebellion

     They appointed a leader

     To return to their bondage.

     But You are God,

     Ready to pardon,

     Gracious and merciful,

     Slow to anger,

     Abundant in kindness,

     And did not forsake them.

18     “Even when they made a molded calf for themselves,

     And said, ‘This is your god

     That brought you up out of Egypt,’

     And worked great provocations,

19     Yet in Your manifold mercies

     You did not forsake them in the wilderness.

     The pillar of the cloud did not depart

from them by day,

     To lead them on the road;

     Nor the pillar of fire by night,

     To show them light,

     And the way they should go.

20     You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,

     And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth,

     And gave them water for their thirst.

21     pForty years You sustained them in the wilderness;

     They lacked nothing;

     Their clothes did not wear out

     And their feet did not swell.

22     “Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations,

     And divided them into districts.

     So they took possession of the land of rSihon,

     9The land of the king of Heshbon,

     And the land of Og king of Bashan.

NEH 9:23     You also multiplied their children

as the stars of heaven,

     And brought them into the land

     Which You had told their fathers

     To go in and possess.

24     So the people went in

     And possessed the land;

     uYou subdued before them the inhabitants of the land,

     The Canaanites,

     And gave them into their hands,

     With their kings

     And the people of the land,

     That they might do with them as they wished.

25     And they took strong cities and a rich land,

     And possessed houses full of all goods,

     Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves,

     And fruit trees in abundance.

     So they ate and were filled and grew fat,

     And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.

NEH 9:26     “Nevertheless they were disobedient

     And rebelled against You,

Cast Your law behind their backs

     And killed Your prophets, who testified against them

     To turn them to Yourself;

     And they worked great provocations.

27  Therefore You delivered them

 into the hand of their enemies,

     Who oppressed them;

     And in the time of their trouble,

     When they cried to You,

     You heard from heaven;

     And according to Your abundant mercies

     You gave them deliverers who saved them

     From the hand of their enemies.

28     “But after they had rest,

     They again did evil before You.

     Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,

     So that they had dominion over them;

     Yet when they returned and cried out to You,

     You heard from heaven;

     And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,

NEH 9:29     And testified against them,

     That You might bring them back to Your law.

     Yet they acted proudly,

     And did not heed Your commandments,

     But sinned against Your judgments,

     ‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’

     And they shrugged their shoulders,

     Stiffened their necks,

     And would not hear.

30     Yet for many years You had patience with them,

     And testified against them

by Your Spirit in Your prophets.

     Yet they would not listen;

Therefore You gave them into the hand

of the peoples of the lands.

31     Nevertheless in Your great mercy

     You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;

     For You are God, gracious and merciful.

NEH 9:32     “Now therefore, our God,

     The great, the mighty, and awesome God,

     Who keeps covenant and mercy:

     Do not let all the trouble seem small before You

     That has come upon us,

     Our kings and our princes,

     Our priests and our prophets,

     Our fathers and on all Your people,

     From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.

33     However You are just in all that has befallen us;

     For You have dealt faithfully,

     But we have done wickedly.

34     Neither our kings nor our princes,

     Our priests nor our fathers,

     Have kept Your law,

     Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies,

     With which You testified against them.

35     For they have not served You in their kingdom,

     Or in the many good things that You gave them,

     Or in the large and rich land

which You set before them;

     Nor did they turn from their wicked works.

 uncleanness, lasciviousness,

          THIS LIST IN GAL 5:19 GIVES US THE WORKS OF THE FLESH OR OLD SIN NATURE, WHICH WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REFUSE OR BE DELIVERED FROM IF WE CLAIM TO BE SAVED—NOT SOMRTHING WE SHOULD INDULGE.

          TODAY, SOME PEOPLE HAVE UNBIBLICAL IDEAS ABOUT THE HELLISH PRACTICE OF FORNICATION. 

          THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD IS THAT WE EITHER AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM [MATT 5:31F]  ADULTERY, THE DEED AS WELL THE  DESIRE.

          ONE TIME I PREACHED A MESSAGE SIMILAR TO WHAT I PRESENTED & A GENTLEMAN TOLD ME THAT SUCH A  MESSAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THIS AGE GROUP ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO.  HOWEVER, CHRISTIAN TRUTH IS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.  WE NEED TO GIVE GOD WORD OUT TO SOCIETY AT LARGE, TO OTHER CHRISTIANS, OUR CHILDREN, GRAND CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS, OUR POLITICIANS, & EVERYONE.

                                                                             22  GOD'S WORD IS NOT JUST FOR US TO SIT ON --- IT IS FOR US TO SPREAD.  SO IF YOU EVER FEEL A MESSAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU, GO APPLY IT ELSEWHERE -- SPREAD IT... SHARE IT -- SOCIETY NEEDS IT!

          IN AN AGE OF RELATIVITY, GOD'S WORD IS ABSOLUTELY RELEVANT!! -- ALWAYS.

          AND IN ALL OF MY MESSAGES I ALWAYS WANT PEOPLE WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED SO SINNERS CAN COME TO HIM FOR PARDON AND FORGIVENESS.

=WELL, I’M BACK TO THE LIST TO CHECK TO SEE IF WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT.

GAL 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,

fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

ONE EXAMPLE OF A covenant card reads:

"Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, and my future children to be sexually abstinent from this day until I enter a biblical marriage relationship."[i]

A personal covenant statement I developed has a place to sign and an explanation to prayerfully consider prior to signing.  The covenant reads:

AGAINST IT OR CONFRONT IT. Prov 6:12fff is about “ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. (FROWARD IS CONTENTIOUS, CONTRARY, ORNERY & OPPOSITIONAL) 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he sowetha discord.  15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  17 A proudb look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

FEELING—WHICH MAY NOT TOTALLY BIBLICAL—HINNDER US IS LETTING OTHER PEOPLE BY WHO THEY ARE—WITHOUT SIN. ROM 12: 4 “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.”

SEE, WE ARE TO BE FORMED BY THE serious and solemn words of God (for there are none like them,) and IT IS under HIS Eye, Who is coming to judge the quick and dead—THAT WE MUST THINK & FEEL & DO.

          I had been TALKING ABOUT

oday. “Speaking the truth in love” is God’s standard (Eph. 4:15). If we practice love without truth, it is hypocrisy. But if we try to have truth without love, it may be brutality. Jesus always taught the truth in love. If the truth hurts, it is because “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6).

But keep in mind that humility must come before honesty. A proud Christian cannot speak the truth in love. He will use a brother’s faults as a weapon to fight with and not as a tool to build with. The result will be only greater disharmony and disagreement.

The first internal problem of the New Testament church was dishonesty (Acts 5). Ananias and Sapphira tried to make the church members believe that they were more spiritual than they really were. They lied to themselves in thinking they could get away with the masquerade; they lied to their fellow Christians and the church leaders; and they tried to lie to the Holy Spirit. The result was judgment and death. God may not kill every hypocrite in the church today, but hypocrisy certainly helps to kill the church.

[i]

mat 18:23 – 35, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talentsa.  25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped himb, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pencec: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”

LUKE 7:36FF And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

LUKE 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

PROV. 27: 5 & 6,  5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful…”

REAL CHRISTIANS REALLY YIELDING

TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD & THE SCRIPTURES FROM GOD WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO AVOID BEING AN UNGODLY CAUSE OF SEDITIONS=DICHOSTASIA.

titus 1: 10-16, “ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

N PHILIPPIANS WE WERE WORKING ON CH 4 21, “SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS."

I WAS TALKING ABOUT SAINTS BEING

LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS & ARE TO BECOME SAINTLIER OR HOLIER & THEY CAN BY GOD’S OWN HOLY SPIRIT GRANTING POWER TO RESIST SIN STILL IN US & THE POWER OF SIN ALL AROUND US, & AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM SINNING.

I  HAVE PRESENTED THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE ON AN INEVITABLE MARCH TO FULL REDEMPTION ENDING IN GLORIFICATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE A TOTALLY HEALED, RESURRECTION BODY. 

          PART OF THE PRESENTATION I WORKED ON IN THIS SERIES DEMONSTRATED THAT ALL REAL SAINTS ARE SAVED BY THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, & ALSO GOD THE HOLY Spirit.  THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU, I ENDED TALKING ABOUT God’S

how a saint should have some degree of evidence or some degree of sanctification as in SEPARATING oneself from sinful ATTITUDES, beliefs, behaviors that are usually associated with the old sin nature or the FLESH.

          SO, I’VE BEEN PRESENTING THAT A WAY TO CHECK OUR SELF OUT IS TO CHECK TO SEE THAT WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT IS TO CHECK THAT WE  ARE NOT MANIFESTING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.   

IN GAL 5: WE HAVE WORKED on SOME OF THE works of the flesh  & TO see that we are not OPERATING in the flesh but rather in the spirit.  i ended talking       about GAL 5:20, & ZEROED IN ON THE WORD “strife,” & i was relating that to how a false witness stirs up strife & discord.

          THEN I MENTIONED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE AN APPEAL TO ONE CAUSING STRIFE OR ANY PROBLEM TO THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST & THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST. THE REPUTATION OF CHRIST. & THAT MAY EVEN GENERATE SOME STRIFE—BUT HOPEFULLY NOT NEGATIVE STRIFE BUT POSITIVE STRIFE.  POSITIVE IN THAT IT  MAY RESTORE A PERSON TO A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, SELF & OTHERS INSTEAD OF HINDERING THE WORK OF CHRIST.

          & THEN I TALKED ABOUT HOW

WE ARE TO GO ABOUT THAT USING THE  GUIDING VERSES FROM CHRIST WHICH  SOME CHURCHES USE IN THEIR CHURCH DISCIPLE,  Matt. 18:15–17 READS”

  If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he will not hear them, tell it to the Church. But if he does not hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen man and a publican.

         

Then  I PRESENTED WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE STEPS THE LOVING THE LORD JESUS WOULD WANT US TO TAKE IN ACCORD WITH HIS LOVING WORD, & WITH A CHRIST loving APPROACH [1 PET 3:* & 9 SAYS, “…Of one mind, having compassion one of another, loving as brethren, beING pitiful, beING courteous:  9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that THEY Are thereunto called, that THEY should inherit a blessing:]

BEING careful NOT sin against God OR THE PERSON WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH.

Then once we have done this, MAT 18:17  SAYS, “…if he neglect to hear the church,

let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican”

 HARD CASES FOR FORGIVENESS] ? GO TO P   IN BLUE OF “WHEN FORGIVENESS ?SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. “

?THEN DO INRIG P 158 IN BLUE.

?[P 147- 149. THN 158-163.] 

LUKE 17: 3 & 4 “ Take heed to yourselves: IF thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

          THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU I ASKED WHAT IF SOMEONE WON’T REPENT?  ALSO, HOW CAN WE TELL IS SOMEONE HAS REPENTED OR IS REPENTANT?

          IF THAT ARE  NOT TO REPNETANT, WE ARE NOT TO TREAT THE PERSON NEGLECTING TO REPENT FROM WHAT IS A TRUE SIN AS A spiritual brother OR SISTER BECAUSE THEY have forfeited that position.  IF THEY ARE TRULY IN SIN & UNREPENTANT, THEN THEY can only be treated AS BEING EITHER outside OF CHRIST & THE TRUE CHURCH OR AS OUTSIDE OF  A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST & the ASSEMBLY OF CHRISTIANS ----not hated, but not ALLOWED TO BE CONSIDERED IN  fellowship WITH THE LORD & ESPECIALLY NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A LEGITIMATE LEADER FOR CHRIST.

 

& THAT IS IN ACCORD WITH God’s Word

WHICH SAYS IN MAT 18:17, “…if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

ONE OF THE WAYS WE TELL IF A PERSON IS REPENTANT IS BY IF THEY ARE READY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT T OR MAKE SOME RESTITUTION. 

SEE, FORGIVENESS DOES NOT NEGATE OR ERASE THE NEED FOR Restitution.  RESTITUTION IS A key PRINCIPLE IN THE Bible, yet so many in the Church of God today have never studied this subject nor realize its importance. Repentance without restitution is like faith without works!

This important principle is taught in both the Old and New Testaments. Yet today in the Church of God, it is commonly IGNORED.

TOO MANY TODAY DO NOT PRESS FOR restitution at all.  I FEEL THIS IS A lack of understanding ABOUT GOD’S PRINCIPLES OF

Restitution.  EG.G. in Exodus 22:2-3, A thief caught in his crime "should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold [into slavery] for his theft."

That WAS not just a governmental PRINCIPLE FOR THE nation OF ISRAEL ALONE to administer in its justice system.

THAT is a spiritual principle applicable to New Testament believers today. A thief should restore double. Of the best of his own shall he make restitution, ACCORDING TO Exodus 22:4.

4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

IN EX 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Exodus 22:6 SAYS, “If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.”

For other laws relating to restitution ARE Leviticus 6:1-5 (KJV), “1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

 

LEV 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day  of his trespass offering.”

a in fellowship: or, in dealing

b in the day...: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Numbers 5:6-8 SAYS, “6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

NUM. 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.”

AN excellent Bible example of fulfilling the requirement to make restitution IS IN The Case  Zaccheus in Luke 19:2-10 (KJV), “2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” CHRIST THE LORD AND SAVIOUR SAID IN LUKE 13:3 -  "I TELL YOU, NAY:  BUT, EXCEPT YE REPENT,

YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH."  & perish CAN MENA MORE THAN TO JUST DIE. MetaphORICALLY, OR AS A FIGURE OF SPEECH, IT MEANS to devote or give over to eVerlASTING  misery in hell AS ONE lost & ruined.

SO, TO AVOID PERSIGSHING PART OF GOD’S

[

Zaccheus was MOVED BY the Spirit of God to make restitution. Was there a law compelling him to do this? Yes, we have quoted the law from Exodus. The thief is to make restitution. Did the Messiah quote this law to Zaccheus? No, He did not have to do this. The Spirit working with Zaccheus convicted Zaccheus to do what the Almighty required. Zaccheus did not restore extorted tax money he had squeezed from his victims because the Law of God required him to do so, although it did require him to do exactly that. Zaccheus restored because his conscience could not be made clean without doing what was RIGHT & necessary to clear his guilty, sinned-stained, record. The Messiah congratulated Zaccheus, "This day is salvation come to this house," ZACCHEUS FOllowED UP HIS repentance with restitution (recompense), & WHAT MAY BE CALLED REPARATIONS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSSES …..

rom 12:17-19, “ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place

unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord.”

WHEN WE CHECK TO SEE IF WE LINE UP WITH WHAT GOD SAYS IS LOVING TOWARD PERSONS OTHER THAN GOD.  SO, HOW LOVING ARE WE IN OUR  INTERPERSONAL, HUMAN RELATIONS? THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS START IN THE HOME.

9

          & OF COURSE THE LAW OF LOVE MEANS WE HONOR  OUR PARENTS.

EX. 20:12, "Honour thy father and

thy mother: that thy days may be long

upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

          1. MOTHER & FATHER LOVE DEMANDS RESPECT EVEN IF ONCE WE ARE ADULTS WE CAN’T TOTALLY OBEY THEM OR THEIR IDEAS.  THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN & THAT EVEN INCLUDES PARENTS.

     IN MAT 10:37, CHRIST SAID, “ 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [i]

IN Luke 14:26, JESUS SAID, “26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

          HERE IS CHRIST emphasizing that discipleship is difficult. 

Jesus said that one must hate his own family and even his own life in order to be His disciple.  HOWEVER, Literally hating one’s family would have been a violation of the Law.

          Since Jesus on several occasions admonished others to fulfill the Law, He must not have meant here that one should literally hate his family.

The stress here is on the priority of love (cf. Matt. 10:37 10:37, CHRIST SAID, “ 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.)”  loyalty to Jesus must come before his loyalty to family or even to life itself. Indeed, those who did follow Jesus against their families’ desires were probably thought of as hating their families.”

HERE IS CHRIST emphasizing that discipleship is difficult. 

Mark 2:27-28 (NIV)27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

         

& OF COURSE THE LAW OF LOVE MEANS WE

HONOR PARENTS AS EX 20:12 SAYS, “Honour thy father and thy mother:…”

          NOW LET ME BACK UP & HEAR THE LAW ABOUT LOVING GOD CORRECTLY.

          EX 20:1-3, SAYS, “ And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondagea.  3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

          1. LOVING GOD MEANS HONORING HIM AS THE 1 AND ONLY TRUE GOD.

EX 20:4-6 SAYS, “ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPH 5:1- Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us* and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

REV.  2:1-4, “..to the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

 [ii] Strong, J. (1996). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon.

Ontario: WoodsIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP/

EPH 2 V. 4  “4BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US,

 2:5 “5EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, (BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED;)”

EPH 2:6 AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND

MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS: “

2:7  THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”

EPH 2: 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.”

            & IN V 10, I ENDED TALKING ABOUT HOW THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION REJECTS A GOOD WORKS SYSTEM TO EARN SALIVATION BUT EXPECTS GOOD WORKS AFTER SALVATION..

EPH.2:10 SAYS  10?FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED?B THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. “

            SEE, WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS..."  SEE, WE MAY GAZE UP AT THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S CREATION IN AWE - BUT WE ARE GOD'S BEST HANDWORK! 

WE ARE GOD’S POETIC MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS. 

WE ARE HIS WORK OF ART, BUT HE’S STILL WORKING ON ME, .  & THANKS BE TO GOD--- HE'S NOT THROUGH YET."

GOD HAS ORDAINED, PREPARED SPECIAL WORKS FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN.  WORKS ARE NOT FOR SALVATION OR SANCTIFICATION, BUT ARE A SERVICE UNTO GOD & OTHERS. 

THE BIBLE SAYS, “BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM.” 

PART OF THE FRUIT WE ARE TO BEAR OR PRODUCE IS THE FRUIT OF GOOD WORKS.

1 TIM 6:17 & 18 ?CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, THAT THEY BE NOT HIGHMINDED, NOR TRUST IN UNCERTAIN?E RICHES, BUT IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO GIVETH US RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY; 18?THAT THEY DO GOOD, THAT THEY BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO DISTRIBUTE, WILLING TO COMMUNICATE;

2 TIM 3: 16?ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: 17?THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS..”

TIT 2”7 ?IN ALL THINGS SHEWING THYSELF A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS:”

TITUS 2:14 “?WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.”

TIT 3:8? THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND THESE THINGS I WILL THAT THOU AFFIRM CONSTANTLY, THAT THEY WHICH HAVE BELIEVED IN GOD MIGHT BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. THESE THINGS ARE GOOD AND PROFITABLE UNTO MEN. “

TIT 3:14 ?AND LET OURS ALSO LEARN TO MAINTAIN  GOOD WORKS..

NOW, GOD DOESN'T NEED OUR WORKS OR US -- IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE GOD AND SO HIS WORKS - NOT OURS.  GOD DOESN'T SAVE US FOR WHAT WE CAN DO -- BUT HE WILL DO THINGS TO US & THROUGH US FOR HIS OWN HONOR & GLORY & BY HIS SUPERNATURAL POWER. 

            THE SAME RESURRECTION POWER THAT SAVED US & TOOK YOU OUT OF THE GRAVEYARD OF SIN CAN DAILY HELP US LIVE A RESURRECTED LIFE FOR CHRIST & GLORIFY HIM!  IT IS FAITH ALONE THAT JUSTIFIES BUT THE FAITH THAT JUSTIFIES IS NEVER ALONE.  JAMES 2:18-20. 18?YEA, A MAN MAY SAY, THOU HAST FAITH, AND I HAVE WORKS: SHEW ME THY FAITH WITHOUT?D THY WORKS, AND I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS. 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?”

            GOOD WORKS DO NOT SAVE – BUT AFTER SALVATION, WE NEED TO DO GOOD WORKS.  WE NEED TO WITNESS IN LIFE AND BY LIP.  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER SEE!  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY EPISTLE SOME WILL EVER READ & BELIEVE ME THEY PICK UP ON HYPOCRISY.  WE NEED TO TEACH & LIVE BIBLICAL MORALS & ETHICS.  WE NEED TO BE HOLY PEOPLE, BEFORE AN HOLY GOD, TO BEST WITNESS TO HELL BOUND SINNERS WHOM GOD IN THE FLESH DIED TO SAVE! 

VII.  THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION REQUIRED & REQUIRES  A RESPONSE.   EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS HELD RESPONSIBLE TO RESPOND TO GOD'S GRACE BY BELIEVING AND RECEIVING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR (OR PAY THE PRICE).  JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH & THE LIFE NO ONE COMES UNTO THE FATHER BY WATER BAPTISM, RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS, WORKS, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP OR YOUR PARENTS' FAITH.  GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN!  PASTORS' KIDS WITHOUT JESUS ARE PASTOR'S KIDS, DEACONS' KIDS WITHOUT JESUS ARE DEACONS KIDS: BUT PASTORS' AND DEACONS' KIDS WITH JESUS ARE GOD'S SONS.  JOHN 1:12 SAYS,  12?BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER?B TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME: “

 SALVATION IS A GIFT TO BE RECEIVED

NOT A REWARD TO BE EARNED.  JESUS PAID IT ALL –

BUT YOU NEED THE RECEIPT THAT SAYS "PAID IN FULL." 

 JESUS SAYS COME UNTO ME - THE APOSTLE PAUL SAYS BE YE RECONCILED!

            & IF WE COME TO CHRIST & ARE RECONCILED,   ROM 8:28-30  SOUNDS TO ME AS IF THE FOREKNOWLEDGE

   HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS CHOOSING. REC 22:17?AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY,

COME. AND LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME. AND LET HIM THAT IS ATHIRST COME. AND

WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE

THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.”

john 7:37 7 38, “¼Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst,

let him come unto me, and drink. 38?He that believeth on me,

as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers

of living water.”

IN JOHN 4: 7 -14 IS THE REVELATION ABOUT THE WOMANA AT THE WELL.  “?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.”

DON’T BE LIKE THE JEWS SPOKEN OF BY JEREMIAH IN JER 2:13?FOR MY PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED TWO EVILS; THEY HAVE FORSAKEN ME THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS, AND HEWED THEM OUT CISTERNS, BROKEN CISTERNS, THAT CAN HOLD NO WATER.”  GOD WANTS SOME TO ENJOY HIS SPECIAL LOVE. BEYOND THAT, THE BIBLE DOES NOT TELL US WHY HE SELECTS THE ONES HE DOES.

e.g. HEB 11: 23-26, “By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king’s order.21 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter,22 25because he preferred being mistreated with God’s people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time.23 26He thought that being insulted for the sake of Christh was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

Heb 12: 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom

which cannot be moved, let us have grace,

whereby we may serve God acceptably

with reverence and godly fear: “

john 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendeda it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he powerb to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 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 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reprovedc. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.[ii]

[ii]

luke 14: 26 “If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or

even life—more than me,

he cannot be my follower.”

I WAS SUGGESTING THAT THE HIGHEST MOTIVATION TO DO THE THINGS WE DO

WAS TO LOVE GOD & HIS CHILDREN & HIS CREATURES.

          1 Corinthians 13:3 SAYS, “And though

I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and

though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. “

          I WAS SAYING THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE MOTIVATED BY LOVE TO CHRIST AS OUR PRIMARY OR 1ST LOVE, THEN I MENTONED THE CHURCH IN REV 2 THAT LEFT IT’S 1ST LOVE.

          SEE CHRIST WANTS TO BE 1ST LOVE IN OUR LIFE.

          IN luke 14: 26  CHRIST SAID, “{If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or

even life—more than me,

he cannot be my follower.”

         

SO, I ASKED IF WE EVER HAD CHRIST AS OUR 1ST LOVE & HAD WE PERCHANCE LEFT OUR 1ST LOVE, & STARTED WITH SOME QUESTIONS THAT MAY INDICATE WE’VE LEFT OUR 1 ST LOVE.

GAL 6:9 & 10, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

SO LET US REMEMBER, PHIL. 4:6 & 7,  Be ANXIOUS ABOUT for nothing; but in every thing

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

[1 Corinthians 2:10-13 - The message spoken was given to the men by the Spirit. Then they spoke in words taught them by the Spirit not by man. If the Spirit just gave the ideas and the men chose the words, this would be just the opposite of what this verse teaches.

rom 15:13 Now the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.:..& from the instructions

of THE holy bible, in jesus’s name amen

Word for word + KJV, NKJV, 21ST CENTURY KJV, NASB.  IDEA TO IDEA OR THOUGHT FOR THOUGHT = NIV.

    & BECAUSE THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY CHRIST WHO SAVES. & THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE BELIEVD THE BIBLE & IN Matthew 4:4 SAID “HUMANS must live by every word

from the mouth of God. “ SEE, the teaching OF verbal inspiration MEANS GOD AS IT WERE BREATHED OUT THE WORDS LIKE THEY WERE COMING FROM HIS MOUTH OR PEN OR QUILL.

          2 Timothy 3:16,17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching & furnishing to all good works.”

          IF WE CLAIM TO believe that we should obey everything Scripture, THAT requires of us TO believe THAT it is all God's word.

FOR INSTANCE, WHEN  people begin to say there may be some parts of the Bible that are not from God or not accurate, you MAY soon find there are Biblical requirements that they do not want to obey.

There is simply no reason to believe you must obey all Biblical requirements unless you believe it is all accurately God's word. Bible passages claiming we must obey it all, then are saying that all  THE WORDS ARE inspired.

SEE, IF God just gave ideas and men explained them as they thought best, Scripture would be of private interpretation (like the difference between what the president says and what the news commentators say about what the president said)! But this is not the case with any Scripture or any prophecy. Instead, the men spoke as moved by the Spirit. The Spirit carried them along to a destination of His choosing, not of the prophets' choosing.  

Note especially these VV from 2 Peter:

2 Peter 1:20,21 - No Scripture is of private interpretation; for prophecy never came by will of man, but men spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit. Consider the significance of "interpretation" here. The context shows the reference is to the prophets who SPOKE & wrote the Scriptures, not to the readers of the Scriptures.

SO APART FROM FALSE prophecy

AUTHENTIC PROPHECY

never came by will of man,

but HOLY men SELECTED & SUPERINTENDED BY GOD spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit.

ALSO, The passage OF 1 PET. 1:20-21 IS discussing how REAL prophecy came

and how REAL prophets spoke & WROTE

AS THEY WERE carried ALONG OR BORNE ALONG LIKE a SAILING ship being borne by the wind.

God THE HOLY SPIRIT gave men MORE THAN JUST ideas and THEN LEFT them TO explain them as best they could by human wisdom

[2 Peter 3:15,16 - This concept of inspiration applies to the New Testament as well as to the Old Testament, because later in the same book Peter said writings of Paul in the New Testament are Scripture like "other Scriptures." [Cf. 1 Timothy 5:18 to Luke 10:7John 14:26; 16:13: Deuteronomy 31:9-13; 18:18-22; Josh 23:6; Jeremiah 25:13; 30:1-4; 26:1-4; Acts 3:22,23; Mat. 28:18-20;]

 

 

- God Gave the Words.

God guided the men in the very words they chose so that every word was the word God wanted, not the words the men chose by human wisdom. This is exactly what GOD DID WITH MOSES & WHAT HE PROMISED TO DO WITH CHRIST AS MENTIONED IN Deuteronomy 18:18-22. “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

IN 2 Samuel 23:2 DAVID, THE KING WAS ALSO A PROPHET AT TIMES & HE SAID “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. “

GOD TOLD THE PROPHET Isaiah IN CH 51:16

“And I have put my words in thy mouth,…”

TO Jeremiah IN CH 1:4-9 “..the word of the LORD came HIM saying, 5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”

Jeremiah 30:1-4, “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. 3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. 4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.”

Jeremiah 36:1-3 (KJV)

“ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. “

Ezekiel 3:4 “And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.”

IN Zechariah 7:12, IT SAYS the OT PEOPLE OF ISRAEL  made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. “

What these passages describe is sometimes called "verbal" inspiration. To truly believe the Bible is inspired, one must believe every word in the original is exactly the word God wanted.

HOWEVER, TO To truly believe the Bible is inspired TO THE POINT OF every word in the original is exactly the word God wanted, DOES NOT mean there is no human element in the words.  God used the men as they were with their human language, human vocabulary, human forms of expressions, and sometimes even the knowledge they had gained by research of personal eyewitness, etc. (Luke 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8). THEN t God then used them as they were guided to speak & WRITE the words that accurately expressed His will IN WORDS.

[Exodus 32:15,16; 24:12; 34:1, 27,28; 31:18; 20:1; Numbers 22:35; 23:5,12,16; Ezek 1:3; Hos 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Jeremiah 25:13]

so, The Message does not fit into the category of a word-for-word translation such as the KJV, NKJV, New Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Bible, nor does it fit into the category of a DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCY AS THE NIV, IT IS REALLY NOT EVEN A phrase-by-phrase translation as the Good News Bible (Today's English Version) or the Revised English Bible.

Some of the Message's interpretation is very appealing, but it is not REALLY A translation and much of the wording is not justified by the Greek text behind the verse. For example in John 1:1-13, there is so much that is mere interpretation, with no direct correspondence to the underlying Greek text, even though some of the interpretation is very insightful. Also Peterson's interpretation 1 John 5:20 represents the way he theologically understands the message, but his interpretation greatly differs from the way many other translators and commentators understand that verse."


 

5 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

     3–5     There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

     6–8     Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready.

[ii]

 

Colossians 3:12. SAYS, “Therefore,

as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

“Leading The Way.ORG”

daily devotional publication

Galatians 5:22 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [PATIENCE] 

I ended the LAST TIME I WAS ON THIS SUBJECT BY ASKING, :Are WE seeking to be faithful to God first? ?then OTHERS?   If so,  THEN do what god HAS GIVEN US TO DO here on earth.

          I LEFT OFF BY SUGGESTING THAT IF we wILL ENDEAVOR BY GOD’S GRACE TO BE faithful-- His love and goodness MAY FLOW TO & from our life.

Proverbs 3:3-4. SAYS, “Let love

and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God

and man.”

          Faithfulness HAS BENEFITS:

The psalmist wrote IN Psalm 31:23,

“Love the Lord, all his faithful people.

The Lord protects the faithful,

but punishes the proud as they deserve….”

Because  THEY ARROGANTLY TRY TO IGNORE THE LORD IN THEIR HAUGHTY & HIGHFALUTIN MANNER.  NEVERTHELESS, THO  people MAY BE UNFAITHFUL—GOD IS FAITHFUL.

duet 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God,

He is God, the faithful God,

which keepeth covenant and mercy

with them that love him

and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations;

10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:…”

duet 32:3 & 4, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord;

how glorious is our God!

4      He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.

Everything he does is just and fair.

He is a faithful God who does no wrong;

how just and upright he is!”

18

WE SHOULD NOT BE surpriseD that faithfulness Is one of the fruits of the Spirit WHEN WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SO MUCH UNFAITHFULNESS & UNTRUSTWORTHINESS.

          GOD WANTS FAITHFULNESS, In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and THIS we know FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. 

          SEE, No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, it is infinite, and it is faithful.

SUCH A fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence that we need to repent and accept God’s love for our lives. WHILE There is nothing WE can do to make our self more acceptable to the Lord &  He accepts you just as WE are, He love IS SO  full and complete THAT HE WON’T LEAVE US THE WAY WE ARE.  HE FAITHFULLY WORKS ON US AS WELL AS IN US & EVEN THRU US.

          SEE, THO His love and faithfulness never change—HE WANTS CHANGE IN US TO BE MORE LIKE HIM, MORE LIKE THE MASTER.

GOD WANTS GREAT FAITHFULNESS FROM US & GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS

19

THE OLD HYMN: - Great Is Thy Faithfulness

GOES LIKE THIS:Great is Thy faithfulness,

O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
      Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
     Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
  Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain:  Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

0

& JESUS HIMSELF

IS A FAITHFUL FRIEND WHO “sticks closer than

 a brother”? (Proverbs 18:24)

THAT IS WHY AS THE CHRISTIAN SONG SAYS:  I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk a long
I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives a song
Though the storm clouds darken the sky

o'er the heav'nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail
He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend
I can count on Him to the very end
Though the storm clouds darken the sky

o'er the heav'nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail

I just keep trusting my Lord on the narrow way
I just keep trusting my Lord as He leads each day
Though the road is weary at times

and I'm sad and blue
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will se me through
He's a faithful guide, such a faithful guide
He is always there walking by my side
Though the road is weary at times

and I'm sad and blue
I just keep trusting my Lord,

He will see me through.”

21,

 Jesus is thE type of friend WHO FAITHFULLY remains at our sides even when others abandon us.

I am not an unconditional fan of all contemporary Christian music but I like

“Your Love Oh Lord’  by By Mac Powell,

& Third Day CCLI#: 1894255 Song Key: E Listen      Mp3/Lead Sheet/Chord Chart/Trax/Cut-Capo
Related Products:
There are no Links associated with this song. http://www.greatworshipsongs.com/song_info.asp?return=songlist.asp%3F&SongId=552
Related Verses:
Psalm 26
Themes: God's Love & faithfulness
Lyrics: Your Love Oh Lord

Your love oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the sky
Your righteousness
Is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows
Like the ocean's tide


I will lift my voice
To worship You my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of Your wings

(end)
Your love O Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the sky
23& the  same should OF  true of us. Far too often, we are not faithful to our words, our commitments, our pledges, our vows, & just walk away from our words, our commitments, our pledges, & our vows.GOD IS SERIOUS ABOUT OUR WORDS & OUR VOWS.NUM 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not breaka his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 3 If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth; 4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowedb, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her. 9 But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. 10 And if she vowed in her husband’s house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 11 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. 15 But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.                  DUET. 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. 23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth”                ECC. 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”          At the end of his life, god MOVED Paul TO write and ask Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy & DO IT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,GAL. 5:23 Meekness, & temperance  Against such things there is no law. “Galatians 5:22-23.

[GAL 5:23 -25, “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”]

WESTNINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH CH 10 [III. ELECT INFANTS, DYING IN INFANCY, ARE REGENERATED AND SAVED BY CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT, WHO WORKETH WHEN, AND WHERE, AND HOW HE PLEASETH. SO ALSO ARE ALL OTHER ELECT PERSONS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING OUTWARDLY CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.]

IV. OTHERS, NOT ELECTED, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, AND MAY HAVE SOME COMMON OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, YET THEY NEVER TRULY COME TO CHRIST, AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAVED: MUCH LESS CAN MEN, NOT PROFESSING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BE SAVED IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER, BE THEY NEVER SO DILIGENT TO FRAME THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OF NATURE, AND THE LAW OF THAT RELIGION THEY DO PROFESS; AND TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THAT THEY MAY IS WITHOUT WARRANT OF THE WORD OF GOD.

EH 9:13-      “You came down also on Mount Sinai,

     And spoke with them from heaven,

     And gave them just ordinances and true laws,

     Good statutes and commandments.

14     You made known to them Your holy Sabbath,

     And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws,

     By the hand of Moses Your servant.

15     You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger,

     And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst,

     And told them to go in to possess the land

     Which You had sworn to give them.

16     “But they and our fathers acted proudly,

     fHardened their necks,

     And did not heed Your commandments.

NEH :17     They refused to obey,

     And they were not mindful of Your wonders

     That You did among them.

     But they hardened their necks,

     And in their rebellion

     They appointed a leader

     To return to their bondage.

     But You are God,

     Ready to pardon,

     Gracious and merciful,

     Slow to anger,

     Abundant in kindness,

     And did not forsake them.

18     “Even when they made a molded calf for themselves,

     And said, ‘This is your god

     That brought you up out of Egypt,’

     And worked great provocations,

19     Yet in Your manifold mercies

     You did not forsake them in the wilderness.

     The pillar of the cloud did not depart

from them by day,

     To lead them on the road;

     Nor the pillar of fire by night,

     To show them light,

     And the way they should go.

20     You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,

     And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth,

     And gave them water for their thirst.

21     pForty years You sustained them in the wilderness;

     They lacked nothing;

     Their clothes did not wear out

     And their feet did not swell.

22     “Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations,

     And divided them into districts.

     So they took possession of the land of rSihon,

     9The land of the king of Heshbon,

     And the land of Og king of Bashan.

NEH 9:23     You also multiplied their children

as the stars of heaven,

     And brought them into the land

     Which You had told their fathers

     To go in and possess.

24     So the people went in

     And possessed the land;

     uYou subdued before them the inhabitants of the land,

     The Canaanites,

     And gave them into their hands,

     With their kings

     And the people of the land,

     That they might do with them as they wished.

25     And they took strong cities and a rich land,

     And possessed houses full of all goods,

     Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves,

     And fruit trees in abundance.

     So they ate and were filled and grew fat,

     And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.

NEH 9:26     “Nevertheless they were disobedient

     And rebelled against You,

Cast Your law behind their backs

     And killed Your prophets, who testified against them

     To turn them to Yourself;

     And they worked great provocations.

27  Therefore You delivered them

 into the hand of their enemies,

     Who oppressed them;

     And in the time of their trouble,

     When they cried to You,

     You heard from heaven;

     And according to Your abundant mercies

     You gave them deliverers who saved them

     From the hand of their enemies.

28     “But after they had rest,

     They again did evil before You.

     Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,

     So that they had dominion over them;

     Yet when they returned and cried out to You,

     You heard from heaven;

     And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,

NEH 9:29     And testified against them,

     That You might bring them back to Your law.

     Yet they acted proudly,

     And did not heed Your commandments,

     But sinned against Your judgments,

     ‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’

     And they shrugged their shoulders,

     Stiffened their necks,

     And would not hear.

30     Yet for many years You had patience with them,

     And testified against them

by Your Spirit in Your prophets.

     Yet they would not listen;

Therefore You gave them into the hand

of the peoples of the lands.

31     Nevertheless in Your great mercy

     You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;

     For You are God, gracious and merciful.

NEH 9:32     “Now therefore, our God,

     The great, the mighty, and awesome God,

     Who keeps covenant and mercy:

     Do not let all the trouble seem small before You

     That has come upon us,

     Our kings and our princes,

     Our priests and our prophets,

     Our fathers and on all Your people,

     From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.

33     However You are just in all that has befallen us;

     For You have dealt faithfully,

     But we have done wickedly.

34     Neither our kings nor our princes,

     Our priests nor our fathers,

     Have kept Your law,

     Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies,

     With which You testified against them.

35     For they have not served You in their kingdom,

     Or in the many good things that You gave them,

     Or in the large and rich land

which You set before them;

     Nor did they turn from their wicked works.

 uncleanness, lasciviousness,

          THIS LIST IN GAL 5:19 GIVES US THE WORKS OF THE FLESH OR OLD SIN NATURE, WHICH WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REFUSE OR BE DELIVERED FROM IF WE CLAIM TO BE SAVED—NOT SOMRTHING WE SHOULD INDULGE.

          TODAY, SOME PEOPLE HAVE UNBIBLICAL IDEAS ABOUT THE HELLISH PRACTICE OF FORNICATION. 

          THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD IS THAT WE EITHER AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM [MATT 5:31F]  ADULTERY, THE DEED AS WELL THE  DESIRE.

          ONE TIME I PREACHED A MESSAGE SIMILAR TO WHAT I PRESENTED & A GENTLEMAN TOLD ME THAT SUCH A  MESSAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THIS AGE GROUP ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO.  HOWEVER, CHRISTIAN TRUTH IS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.  WE NEED TO GIVE GOD WORD OUT TO SOCIETY AT LARGE, TO OTHER CHRISTIANS, OUR CHILDREN, GRAND CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS, OUR POLITICIANS, & EVERYONE.

                                                                             22  GOD'S WORD IS NOT JUST FOR US TO SIT ON --- IT IS FOR US TO SPREAD.  SO IF YOU EVER FEEL A MESSAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU, GO APPLY IT ELSEWHERE -- SPREAD IT... SHARE IT -- SOCIETY NEEDS IT!

          IN AN AGE OF RELATIVITY, GOD'S WORD IS ABSOLUTELY RELEVANT!! -- ALWAYS.

          AND IN ALL OF MY MESSAGES I ALWAYS WANT PEOPLE WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED SO SINNERS CAN COME TO HIM FOR PARDON AND FORGIVENESS.

=WELL, I’M BACK TO THE LIST TO CHECK TO SEE IF WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT.

GAL 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,

fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

ONE EXAMPLE OF A covenant card reads:

"Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, and my future children to be sexually abstinent from this day until I enter a biblical marriage relationship."[iii]

A personal covenant statement I developed has a place to sign and an explanation to prayerfully consider prior to signing.  The covenant reads:

AGAINST IT OR CONFRONT IT. Prov 6:12fff is about “ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. (FROWARD IS CONTENTIOUS, CONTRARY, ORNERY & OPPOSITIONAL) 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he sowetha discord.  15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  17 A proudb look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

FEELING—WHICH MAY NOT TOTALLY BIBLICAL—HINNDER US IS LETTING OTHER PEOPLE BY WHO THEY ARE—WITHOUT SIN. ROM 12: 4 “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.”

SEE, WE ARE TO BE FORMED BY THE serious and solemn words of God (for there are none like them,) and IT IS under HIS Eye, Who is coming to judge the quick and dead—THAT WE MUST THINK & FEEL & DO.

          I had been TALKING ABOUT

oday. “Speaking the truth in love” is God’s standard (Eph. 4:15). If we practice love without truth, it is hypocrisy. But if we try to have truth without love, it may be brutality. Jesus always taught the truth in love. If the truth hurts, it is because “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6).

But keep in mind that humility must come before honesty. A proud Christian cannot speak the truth in love. He will use a brother’s faults as a weapon to fight with and not as a tool to build with. The result will be only greater disharmony and disagreement.

The first internal problem of the New Testament church was dishonesty (Acts 5). Ananias and Sapphira tried to make the church members believe that they were more spiritual than they really were. They lied to themselves in thinking they could get away with the masquerade; they lied to their fellow Christians and the church leaders; and they tried to lie to the Holy Spirit. The result was judgment and death. God may not kill every hypocrite in the church today, but hypocrisy certainly helps to kill the church.

[iii]

mat 18:23 – 35, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talentsa.  25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped himb, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pencec: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”

LUKE 7:36FF And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

LUKE 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

PROV. 27: 5 & 6,  5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful…”

REAL CHRISTIANS REALLY YIELDING

TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD & THE SCRIPTURES FROM GOD WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO AVOID BEING AN UNGODLY CAUSE OF SEDITIONS=DICHOSTASIA.

titus 1: 10-16, “ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

N PHILIPPIANS WE WERE WORKING ON CH 4 21, “SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS."

I WAS TALKING ABOUT SAINTS BEING

LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS & ARE TO BECOME SAINTLIER OR HOLIER & THEY CAN BY GOD’S OWN HOLY SPIRIT GRANTING POWER TO RESIST SIN STILL IN US & THE POWER OF SIN ALL AROUND US, & AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM SINNING.

I  HAVE PRESENTED THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE ON AN INEVITABLE MARCH TO FULL REDEMPTION ENDING IN GLORIFICATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE A TOTALLY HEALED, RESURRECTION BODY. 

          PART OF THE PRESENTATION I WORKED ON IN THIS SERIES DEMONSTRATED THAT ALL REAL SAINTS ARE SAVED BY THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, & ALSO GOD THE HOLY Spirit.  THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU, I ENDED TALKING ABOUT God’S

how a saint should have some degree of evidence or some degree of sanctification as in SEPARATING oneself from sinful ATTITUDES, beliefs, behaviors that are usually associated with the old sin nature or the FLESH.

          SO, I’VE BEEN PRESENTING THAT A WAY TO CHECK OUR SELF OUT IS TO CHECK TO SEE THAT WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT IS TO CHECK THAT WE  ARE NOT MANIFESTING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.   

IN GAL 5: WE HAVE WORKED on SOME OF THE works of the flesh  & TO see that we are not OPERATING in the flesh but rather in the spirit.  i ended talking       about GAL 5:20, & ZEROED IN ON THE WORD “strife,” & i was relating that to how a false witness stirs up strife & discord.

          THEN I MENTIONED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE AN APPEAL TO ONE CAUSING STRIFE OR ANY PROBLEM TO THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST & THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST. THE REPUTATION OF CHRIST. & THAT MAY EVEN GENERATE SOME STRIFE—BUT HOPEFULLY NOT NEGATIVE STRIFE BUT POSITIVE STRIFE.  POSITIVE IN THAT IT  MAY RESTORE A PERSON TO A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, SELF & OTHERS INSTEAD OF HINDERING THE WORK OF CHRIST.

          & THEN I TALKED ABOUT HOW

WE ARE TO GO ABOUT THAT USING THE  GUIDING VERSES FROM CHRIST WHICH  SOME CHURCHES USE IN THEIR CHURCH DISCIPLE,  Matt. 18:15–17 READS”

  If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he will not hear them, tell it to the Church. But if he does not hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen man and a publican.

         

Then  I PRESENTED WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE STEPS THE LOVING THE LORD JESUS WOULD WANT US TO TAKE IN ACCORD WITH HIS LOVING WORD, & WITH A CHRIST loving APPROACH [1 PET 3:* & 9 SAYS, “…Of one mind, having compassion one of another, loving as brethren, beING pitiful, beING courteous:  9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that THEY Are thereunto called, that THEY should inherit a blessing:]

BEING careful NOT sin against God OR THE PERSON WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH.

Then once we have done this, MAT 18:17  SAYS, “…if he neglect to hear the church,

let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican”

 HARD CASES FOR FORGIVENESS] ? GO TO P   IN BLUE OF “WHEN FORGIVENESS ?SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. “

?THEN DO INRIG P 158 IN BLUE.

?[P 147- 149. THN 158-163.] 

LUKE 17: 3 & 4 “ Take heed to yourselves: IF thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

          THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU I ASKED WHAT IF SOMEONE WON’T REPENT?  ALSO, HOW CAN WE TELL IS SOMEONE HAS REPENTED OR IS REPENTANT?

          IF THAT ARE  NOT TO REPNETANT, WE ARE NOT TO TREAT THE PERSON NEGLECTING TO REPENT FROM WHAT IS A TRUE SIN AS A spiritual brother OR SISTER BECAUSE THEY have forfeited that position.  IF THEY ARE TRULY IN SIN & UNREPENTANT, THEN THEY can only be treated AS BEING EITHER outside OF CHRIST & THE TRUE CHURCH OR AS OUTSIDE OF  A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST & the ASSEMBLY OF CHRISTIANS ----not hated, but not ALLOWED TO BE CONSIDERED IN  fellowship WITH THE LORD & ESPECIALLY NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A LEGITIMATE LEADER FOR CHRIST.

 

& THAT IS IN ACCORD WITH God’s Word

WHICH SAYS IN MAT 18:17, “…if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

ONE OF THE WAYS WE TELL IF A PERSON IS REPENTANT IS BY IF THEY ARE READY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT T OR MAKE SOME RESTITUTION. 

SEE, FORGIVENESS DOES NOT NEGATE OR ERASE THE NEED FOR Restitution.  RESTITUTION IS A key PRINCIPLE IN THE Bible, yet so many in the Church of God today have never studied this subject nor realize its importance. Repentance without restitution is like faith without works!

This important principle is taught in both the Old and New Testaments. Yet today in the Church of God, it is commonly IGNORED.

TOO MANY TODAY DO NOT PRESS FOR restitution at all.  I FEEL THIS IS A lack of understanding ABOUT GOD’S PRINCIPLES OF

Restitution.  EG.G. in Exodus 22:2-3, A thief caught in his crime "should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold [into slavery] for his theft."

That WAS not just a governmental PRINCIPLE FOR THE nation OF ISRAEL ALONE to administer in its justice system.

THAT is a spiritual principle applicable to New Testament believers today. A thief should restore double. Of the best of his own shall he make restitution, ACCORDING TO Exodus 22:4.

4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

IN EX 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Exodus 22:6 SAYS, “If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.”

For other laws relating to restitution ARE Leviticus 6:1-5 (KJV), “1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

 

LEV 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day  of his trespass offering.”

a in fellowship: or, in dealing

b in the day...: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Numbers 5:6-8 SAYS, “6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

NUM. 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.”

AN excellent Bible example of fulfilling the requirement to make restitution IS IN The Case  Zaccheus in Luke 19:2-10 (KJV), “2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” CHRIST THE LORD AND SAVIOUR SAID IN LUKE 13:3 -  "I TELL YOU, NAY:  BUT, EXCEPT YE REPENT,

YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH."  & perish CAN MENA MORE THAN TO JUST DIE. MetaphORICALLY, OR AS A FIGURE OF SPEECH, IT MEANS to devote or give over to eVerlASTING  misery in hell AS ONE lost & ruined.

SO, TO AVOID PERSIGSHING PART OF GOD’S

[

Zaccheus was MOVED BY the Spirit of God to make restitution. Was there a law compelling him to do this? Yes, we have quoted the law from Exodus. The thief is to make restitution. Did the Messiah quote this law to Zaccheus? No, He did not have to do this. The Spirit working with Zaccheus convicted Zaccheus to do what the Almighty required. Zaccheus did not restore extorted tax money he had squeezed from his victims because the Law of God required him to do so, although it did require him to do exactly that. Zaccheus restored because his conscience could not be made clean without doing what was RIGHT & necessary to clear his guilty, sinned-stained, record. The Messiah congratulated Zaccheus, "This day is salvation come to this house," ZACCHEUS FOllowED UP HIS repentance with restitution (recompense), & WHAT MAY BE CALLED REPARATIONS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSSES …..

rom 12:17-19, “ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place

unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord.”

WHEN WE CHECK TO SEE IF WE LINE UP WITH WHAT GOD SAYS IS LOVING TOWARD PERSONS OTHER THAN GOD.  SO, HOW LOVING ARE WE IN OUR  INTERPERSONAL, HUMAN RELATIONS? THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS START IN THE HOME.

9

          & OF COURSE THE LAW OF LOVE MEANS WE HONOR  OUR PARENTS.

EX. 20:12, "Honour thy father and

thy mother: that thy days may be long

upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

          1. MOTHER & FATHER LOVE DEMANDS RESPECT EVEN IF ONCE WE ARE ADULTS WE CAN’T TOTALLY OBEY THEM OR THEIR IDEAS.  THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN & THAT EVEN INCLUDES PARENTS.

     IN MAT 10:37, CHRIST SAID, “ 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [iii]

IN Luke 14:26, JESUS SAID, “26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

          HERE IS CHRIST emphasizing that discipleship is difficult. 

Jesus said that one must hate his own family and even his own life in order to be His disciple.  HOWEVER, Literally hating one’s family would have been a violation of the Law.

          Since Jesus on several occasions admonished others to fulfill the Law, He must not have meant here that one should literally hate his family.

The stress here is on the priority of love (cf. Matt. 10:37 10:37, CHRIST SAID, “ 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.)”  loyalty to Jesus must come before his loyalty to family or even to life itself. Indeed, those who did follow Jesus against their families’ desires were probably thought of as hating their families.”

HERE IS CHRIST emphasizing that discipleship is difficult. 

Mark 2:27-28 (NIV)27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

         

& OF COURSE THE LAW OF LOVE MEANS WE

HONOR PARENTS AS EX 20:12 SAYS, “Honour thy father and thy mother:…”

          NOW LET ME BACK UP & HEAR THE LAW ABOUT LOVING GOD CORRECTLY.

          EX 20:1-3, SAYS, “ And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondagea.  3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

          1. LOVING GOD MEANS HONORING HIM AS THE 1 AND ONLY TRUE GOD.

EX 20:4-6 SAYS, “ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPH 5:1- Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us* and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

REV.  2:1-4, “..to the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

 [iv] Strong, J. (1996). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon.

Ontario: WoodsIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP/

EPH 2 V. 4  “4BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US,

 2:5 “5EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, (BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED;)”

EPH 2:6 AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND

MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS: “

2:7  THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”

EPH 2: 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.”

            & IN V 10, I ENDED TALKING ABOUT HOW THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION REJECTS A GOOD WORKS SYSTEM TO EARN SALIVATION BUT EXPECTS GOOD WORKS AFTER SALVATION..

EPH.2:10 SAYS  10?FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED?B THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. “

            SEE, WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS..."  SEE, WE MAY GAZE UP AT THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S CREATION IN AWE - BUT WE ARE GOD'S BEST HANDWORK! 

WE ARE GOD’S POETIC MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS. 

WE ARE HIS WORK OF ART, BUT HE’S STILL WORKING ON ME, .  & THANKS BE TO GOD--- HE'S NOT THROUGH YET."

GOD HAS ORDAINED, PREPARED SPECIAL WORKS FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN.  WORKS ARE NOT FOR SALVATION OR SANCTIFICATION, BUT ARE A SERVICE UNTO GOD & OTHERS. 

THE BIBLE SAYS, “BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM.” 

PART OF THE FRUIT WE ARE TO BEAR OR PRODUCE IS THE FRUIT OF GOOD WORKS.

1 TIM 6:17 & 18 ?CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, THAT THEY BE NOT HIGHMINDED, NOR TRUST IN UNCERTAIN?E RICHES, BUT IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO GIVETH US RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY; 18?THAT THEY DO GOOD, THAT THEY BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO DISTRIBUTE, WILLING TO COMMUNICATE;

2 TIM 3: 16?ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: 17?THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS..”

TIT 2”7 ?IN ALL THINGS SHEWING THYSELF A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS:”

TITUS 2:14 “?WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.”

TIT 3:8? THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND THESE THINGS I WILL THAT THOU AFFIRM CONSTANTLY, THAT THEY WHICH HAVE BELIEVED IN GOD MIGHT BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. THESE THINGS ARE GOOD AND PROFITABLE UNTO MEN. “

TIT 3:14 ?AND LET OURS ALSO LEARN TO MAINTAIN  GOOD WORKS..

NOW, GOD DOESN'T NEED OUR WORKS OR US -- IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE GOD AND SO HIS WORKS - NOT OURS.  GOD DOESN'T SAVE US FOR WHAT WE CAN DO -- BUT HE WILL DO THINGS TO US & THROUGH US FOR HIS OWN HONOR & GLORY & BY HIS SUPERNATURAL POWER. 

            THE SAME RESURRECTION POWER THAT SAVED US & TOOK YOU OUT OF THE GRAVEYARD OF SIN CAN DAILY HELP US LIVE A RESURRECTED LIFE FOR CHRIST & GLORIFY HIM!  IT IS FAITH ALONE THAT JUSTIFIES BUT THE FAITH THAT JUSTIFIES IS NEVER ALONE.  JAMES 2:18-20. 18?YEA, A MAN MAY SAY, THOU HAST FAITH, AND I HAVE WORKS: SHEW ME THY FAITH WITHOUT?D THY WORKS, AND I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS. 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?”

            GOOD WORKS DO NOT SAVE – BUT AFTER SALVATION, WE NEED TO DO GOOD WORKS.  WE NEED TO WITNESS IN LIFE AND BY LIP.  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER SEE!  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY EPISTLE SOME WILL EVER READ & BELIEVE ME THEY PICK UP ON HYPOCRISY.  WE NEED TO TEACH & LIVE BIBLICAL MORALS & ETHICS.  WE NEED TO BE HOLY PEOPLE, BEFORE AN HOLY GOD, TO BEST WITNESS TO HELL BOUND SINNERS WHOM GOD IN THE FLESH DIED TO SAVE! 

VII.  THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION REQUIRED & REQUIRES  A RESPONSE.   EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS HELD RESPONSIBLE TO RESPOND TO GOD'S GRACE BY BELIEVING AND RECEIVING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR (OR PAY THE PRICE).  JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH & THE LIFE NO ONE COMES UNTO THE FATHER BY WATER BAPTISM, RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS, WORKS, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP OR YOUR PARENTS' FAITH.  GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN!  PASTORS' KIDS WITHOUT JESUS ARE PASTOR'S KIDS, DEACONS' KIDS WITHOUT JESUS ARE DEACONS KIDS: BUT PASTORS' AND DEACONS' KIDS WITH JESUS ARE GOD'S SONS.  JOHN 1:12 SAYS,  12?BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER?B TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME: “

 SALVATION IS A GIFT TO BE RECEIVED

NOT A REWARD TO BE EARNED.  JESUS PAID IT ALL –

BUT YOU NEED THE RECEIPT THAT SAYS "PAID IN FULL." 

 JESUS SAYS COME UNTO ME - THE APOSTLE PAUL SAYS BE YE RECONCILED!

            & IF WE COME TO CHRIST & ARE RECONCILED,   ROM 8:28-30  SOUNDS TO ME AS IF THE FOREKNOWLEDGE

   HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS CHOOSING. REC 22:17?AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY,

COME. AND LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME. AND LET HIM THAT IS ATHIRST COME. AND

WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE

THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.”

john 7:37 7 38, “¼Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst,

let him come unto me, and drink. 38?He that believeth on me,

as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers

of living water.”

IN JOHN 4: 7 -14 IS THE REVELATION ABOUT THE WOMANA AT THE WELL.  “?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.”

DON’T BE LIKE THE JEWS SPOKEN OF BY JEREMIAH IN JER 2:13?FOR MY PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED TWO EVILS; THEY HAVE FORSAKEN ME THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS, AND HEWED THEM OUT CISTERNS, BROKEN CISTERNS, THAT CAN HOLD NO WATER.”  GOD WANTS SOME TO ENJOY HIS SPECIAL LOVE. BEYOND THAT, THE BIBLE DOES NOT TELL US WHY HE SELECTS THE ONES HE DOES.

e.g. HEB 11: 23-26, “By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king’s order.21 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter,22 25because he preferred being mistreated with God’s people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time.23 26He thought that being insulted for the sake of Christh was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

Heb 12: 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom

which cannot be moved, let us have grace,

whereby we may serve God acceptably

with reverence and godly fear: “

john 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendeda it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he powerb to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 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 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reprovedc. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.[iv]

[iv]

luke 14: 26 “If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or

even life—more than me,

he cannot be my follower.”

I WAS SUGGESTING THAT THE HIGHEST MOTIVATION TO DO THE THINGS WE DO

WAS TO LOVE GOD & HIS CHILDREN & HIS CREATURES.

          1 Corinthians 13:3 SAYS, “And though

I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and

though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. “

          I WAS SAYING THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE MOTIVATED BY LOVE TO CHRIST AS OUR PRIMARY OR 1ST LOVE, THEN I MENTONED THE CHURCH IN REV 2 THAT LEFT IT’S 1ST LOVE.

          SEE CHRIST WANTS TO BE 1ST LOVE IN OUR LIFE.

          IN luke 14: 26  CHRIST SAID, “{If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or

even life—more than me,

he cannot be my follower.”

         

SO, I ASKED IF WE EVER HAD CHRIST AS OUR 1ST LOVE & HAD WE PERCHANCE LEFT OUR 1ST LOVE, & STARTED WITH SOME QUESTIONS THAT MAY INDICATE WE’VE LEFT OUR 1 ST LOVE.

GAL 6:9 & 10, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

SO LET US REMEMBER, PHIL. 4:6 & 7,  Be ANXIOUS ABOUT for nothing; but in every thing

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

[1 Corinthians 2:10-13 - The message spoken was given to the men by the Spirit. Then they spoke in words taught them by the Spirit not by man. If the Spirit just gave the ideas and the men chose the words, this would be just the opposite of what this verse teaches.

rom 15:13 Now the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.:..& from the instructions

of THE holy bible, in jesus’s name amen

Word for word + KJV, NKJV, 21ST CENTURY KJV, NASB.  IDEA TO IDEA OR THOUGHT FOR THOUGHT = NIV.

    & BECAUSE THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY CHRIST WHO SAVES. & THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE BELIEVD THE BIBLE & IN Matthew 4:4 SAID “HUMANS must live by every word

from the mouth of God. “ SEE, the teaching OF verbal inspiration MEANS GOD AS IT WERE BREATHED OUT THE WORDS LIKE THEY WERE COMING FROM HIS MOUTH OR PEN OR QUILL.

          2 Timothy 3:16,17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching & furnishing to all good works.”

          IF WE CLAIM TO believe that we should obey everything Scripture, THAT requires of us TO believe THAT it is all God's word.

FOR INSTANCE, WHEN  people begin to say there may be some parts of the Bible that are not from God or not accurate, you MAY soon find there are Biblical requirements that they do not want to obey.

There is simply no reason to believe you must obey all Biblical requirements unless you believe it is all accurately God's word. Bible passages claiming we must obey it all, then are saying that all  THE WORDS ARE inspired.

SEE, IF God just gave ideas and men explained them as they thought best, Scripture would be of private interpretation (like the difference between what the president says and what the news commentators say about what the president said)! But this is not the case with any Scripture or any prophecy. Instead, the men spoke as moved by the Spirit. The Spirit carried them along to a destination of His choosing, not of the prophets' choosing.  

Note especially these VV from 2 Peter:

2 Peter 1:20,21 - No Scripture is of private interpretation; for prophecy never came by will of man, but men spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit. Consider the significance of "interpretation" here. The context shows the reference is to the prophets who SPOKE & wrote the Scriptures, not to the readers of the Scriptures.

SO APART FROM FALSE prophecy

AUTHENTIC PROPHECY

never came by will of man,

but HOLY men SELECTED & SUPERINTENDED BY GOD spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit.

ALSO, The passage OF 1 PET. 1:20-21 IS discussing how REAL prophecy came

and how REAL prophets spoke & WROTE

AS THEY WERE carried ALONG OR BORNE ALONG LIKE a SAILING ship being borne by the wind.

God THE HOLY SPIRIT gave men MORE THAN JUST ideas and THEN LEFT them TO explain them as best they could by human wisdom

[2 Peter 3:15,16 - This concept of inspiration applies to the New Testament as well as to the Old Testament, because later in the same book Peter said writings of Paul in the New Testament are Scripture like "other Scriptures." [Cf. 1 Timothy 5:18 to Luke 10:7John 14:26; 16:13: Deuteronomy 31:9-13; 18:18-22; Josh 23:6; Jeremiah 25:13; 30:1-4; 26:1-4; Acts 3:22,23; Mat. 28:18-20;]

 

 

- God Gave the Words.

God guided the men in the very words they chose so that every word was the word God wanted, not the words the men chose by human wisdom. This is exactly what GOD DID WITH MOSES & WHAT HE PROMISED TO DO WITH CHRIST AS MENTIONED IN Deuteronomy 18:18-22. “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

IN 2 Samuel 23:2 DAVID, THE KING WAS ALSO A PROPHET AT TIMES & HE SAID “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. “

GOD TOLD THE PROPHET Isaiah IN CH 51:16

“And I have put my words in thy mouth,…”

TO Jeremiah IN CH 1:4-9 “..the word of the LORD came HIM saying, 5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”

Jeremiah 30:1-4, “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. 3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. 4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.”

Jeremiah 36:1-3 (KJV)

“ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. “

Ezekiel 3:4 “And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.”

IN Zechariah 7:12, IT SAYS the OT PEOPLE OF ISRAEL  made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. “

What these passages describe is sometimes called "verbal" inspiration. To truly believe the Bible is inspired, one must believe every word in the original is exactly the word God wanted.

HOWEVER, TO To truly believe the Bible is inspired TO THE POINT OF every word in the original is exactly the word God wanted, DOES NOT mean there is no human element in the words.  God used the men as they were with their human language, human vocabulary, human forms of expressions, and sometimes even the knowledge they had gained by research of personal eyewitness, etc. (Luke 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8). THEN t God then used them as they were guided to speak & WRITE the words that accurately expressed His will IN WORDS.

[Exodus 32:15,16; 24:12; 34:1, 27,28; 31:18; 20:1; Numbers 22:35; 23:5,12,16; Ezek 1:3; Hos 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Jeremiah 25:13]

so, The Message does not fit into the category of a word-for-word translation such as the KJV, NKJV, New Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Bible, nor does it fit into the category of a DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCY AS THE NIV, IT IS REALLY NOT EVEN A phrase-by-phrase translation as the Good News Bible (Today's English Version) or the Revised English Bible.

Some of the Message's interpretation is very appealing, but it is not REALLY A translation and much of the wording is not justified by the Greek text behind the verse. For example in John 1:1-13, there is so much that is mere interpretation, with no direct correspondence to the underlying Greek text, even though some of the interpretation is very insightful. Also Peterson's interpretation 1 John 5:20 represents the way he theologically understands the message, but his interpretation greatly differs from the way many other translators and commentators understand that verse."


 

5 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

     3–5     There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

     6–8     Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready.

[iv]

 

Colossians 3:12. SAYS, “Therefore,

as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

“Leading The Way.ORG”

daily devotional publication

Galatians 5:22 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [PATIENCE] 

I ended the LAST TIME I WAS ON THIS SUBJECT BY ASKING, :Are WE seeking to be faithful to God first? ?then OTHERS?   If so,  THEN do what god HAS GIVEN US TO DO here on earth.

          I LEFT OFF BY SUGGESTING THAT IF we wILL ENDEAVOR BY GOD’S GRACE TO BE faithful-- His love and goodness MAY FLOW TO & from our life.

Proverbs 3:3-4. SAYS, “Let love

and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God

and man.”

          Faithfulness HAS BENEFITS:

The psalmist wrote IN Psalm 31:23,

“Love the Lord, all his faithful people.

The Lord protects the faithful,

but punishes the proud as they deserve….”

Because  THEY ARROGANTLY TRY TO IGNORE THE LORD IN THEIR HAUGHTY & HIGHFALUTIN MANNER.  NEVERTHELESS, THO  people MAY BE UNFAITHFUL—GOD IS FAITHFUL.

duet 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God,

He is God, the faithful God,

which keepeth covenant and mercy

with them that love him

and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations;

10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:…”

duet 32:3 & 4, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord;

how glorious is our God!

4      He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.

Everything he does is just and fair.

He is a faithful God who does no wrong;

how just and upright he is!”

18

WE SHOULD NOT BE surpriseD that faithfulness Is one of the fruits of the Spirit WHEN WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SO MUCH UNFAITHFULNESS & UNTRUSTWORTHINESS.

          GOD WANTS FAITHFULNESS, In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and THIS we know FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. 

          SEE, No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, it is infinite, and it is faithful.

SUCH A fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence that we need to repent and accept God’s love for our lives. WHILE There is nothing WE can do to make our self more acceptable to the Lord &  He accepts you just as WE are, He love IS SO  full and complete THAT HE WON’T LEAVE US THE WAY WE ARE.  HE FAITHFULLY WORKS ON US AS WELL AS IN US & EVEN THRU US.

          SEE, THO His love and faithfulness never change—HE WANTS CHANGE IN US TO BE MORE LIKE HIM, MORE LIKE THE MASTER.

GOD WANTS GREAT FAITHFULNESS FROM US & GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS

19

THE OLD HYMN: - Great Is Thy Faithfulness

GOES LIKE THIS:Great is Thy faithfulness,

O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
      Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
     Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
  Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain:  Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

0

& JESUS HIMSELF

IS A FAITHFUL FRIEND WHO “sticks closer than

 a brother”? (Proverbs 18:24)

THAT IS WHY AS THE CHRISTIAN SONG SAYS:  I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk a long
I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives a song
Though the storm clouds darken the sky

o'er the heav'nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail
He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend
I can count on Him to the very end
Though the storm clouds darken the sky

o'er the heav'nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail

I just keep trusting my Lord on the narrow way
I just keep trusting my Lord as He leads each day
Though the road is weary at times

and I'm sad and blue
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will se me through
He's a faithful guide, such a faithful guide
He is always there walking by my side
Though the road is weary at times

and I'm sad and blue
I just keep trusting my Lord,

He will see me through.”

21,

 Jesus is thE type of friend WHO FAITHFULLY remains at our sides even when others abandon us.

I am not an unconditional fan of all contemporary Christian music but I like

“Your Love Oh Lord’  by By Mac Powell,

& Third Day CCLI#: 1894255 Song Key: E Listen      Mp3/Lead Sheet/Chord Chart/Trax/Cut-Capo
Related Products:
There are no Links associated with this song. http://www.greatworshipsongs.com/song_info.asp?return=songlist.asp%3F&SongId=552
Related Verses:
Psalm 26
Themes: God's Love & faithfulness
Lyrics: Your Love Oh Lord

Your love oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the sky
Your righteousness
Is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows
Like the ocean's tide


I will lift my voice
To worship You my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of Your wings

(end)
Your love O Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the sky
23& the  same should OF  true of us. Far too often, we are not faithful to our words, our commitments, our pledges, our vows, & just walk away from our words, our commitments, our pledges, & our vows.GOD IS SERIOUS ABOUT OUR WORDS & OUR VOWS.NUM 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not breaka his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 3 If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth; 4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowedb, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her. 9 But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. 10 And if she vowed in her husband’s house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 11 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. 15 But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.                  DUET. 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. 23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth”                ECC. 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”          At the end of his life, god MOVED Paul TO write and ask Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy & DO IT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,GAL. 5:23 Meekness, & temperance  Against such things there is no law. “Galatians 5:22-23.

[GAL 5:23 -25, “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”]

WESTNINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH CH 10 [III. ELECT INFANTS, DYING IN INFANCY, ARE REGENERATED AND SAVED BY CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT, WHO WORKETH WHEN, AND WHERE, AND HOW HE PLEASETH. SO ALSO ARE ALL OTHER ELECT PERSONS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF BEING OUTWARDLY CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.]

IV. OTHERS, NOT ELECTED, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE CALLED BY THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD, AND MAY HAVE SOME COMMON OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, YET THEY NEVER TRULY COME TO CHRIST, AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE SAVED: MUCH LESS CAN MEN, NOT PROFESSING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, BE SAVED IN ANY OTHER WAY WHATSOEVER, BE THEY NEVER SO DILIGENT TO FRAME THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OF NATURE, AND THE LAW OF THAT RELIGION THEY DO PROFESS; AND TO ASSERT AND MAINTAIN THAT THEY MAY IS WITHOUT WARRANT OF THE WORD OF GOD.

EH 9:13-      “You came down also on Mount Sinai,

     And spoke with them from heaven,

     And gave them just ordinances and true laws,

     Good statutes and commandments.

14     You made known to them Your holy Sabbath,

     And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws,

     By the hand of Moses Your servant.

15     You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger,

     And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst,

     And told them to go in to possess the land

     Which You had sworn to give them.

16     “But they and our fathers acted proudly,

     fHardened their necks,

     And did not heed Your commandments.

NEH :17     They refused to obey,

     And they were not mindful of Your wonders

     That You did among them.

     But they hardened their necks,

     And in their rebellion

     They appointed a leader

     To return to their bondage.

     But You are God,

     Ready to pardon,

     Gracious and merciful,

     Slow to anger,

     Abundant in kindness,

     And did not forsake them.

18     “Even when they made a molded calf for themselves,

     And said, ‘This is your god

     That brought you up out of Egypt,’

     And worked great provocations,

19     Yet in Your manifold mercies

     You did not forsake them in the wilderness.

     The pillar of the cloud did not depart

from them by day,

     To lead them on the road;

     Nor the pillar of fire by night,

     To show them light,

     And the way they should go.

20     You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,

     And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth,

     And gave them water for their thirst.

21     pForty years You sustained them in the wilderness;

     They lacked nothing;

     Their clothes did not wear out

     And their feet did not swell.

22     “Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations,

     And divided them into districts.

     So they took possession of the land of rSihon,

     9The land of the king of Heshbon,

     And the land of Og king of Bashan.

NEH 9:23     You also multiplied their children

as the stars of heaven,

     And brought them into the land

     Which You had told their fathers

     To go in and possess.

24     So the people went in

     And possessed the land;

     uYou subdued before them the inhabitants of the land,

     The Canaanites,

     And gave them into their hands,

     With their kings

     And the people of the land,

     That they might do with them as they wished.

25     And they took strong cities and a rich land,

     And possessed houses full of all goods,

     Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves,

     And fruit trees in abundance.

     So they ate and were filled and grew fat,

     And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.

NEH 9:26     “Nevertheless they were disobedient

     And rebelled against You,

Cast Your law behind their backs

     And killed Your prophets, who testified against them

     To turn them to Yourself;

     And they worked great provocations.

27  Therefore You delivered them

 into the hand of their enemies,

     Who oppressed them;

     And in the time of their trouble,

     When they cried to You,

     You heard from heaven;

     And according to Your abundant mercies

     You gave them deliverers who saved them

     From the hand of their enemies.

28     “But after they had rest,

     They again did evil before You.

     Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,

     So that they had dominion over them;

     Yet when they returned and cried out to You,

     You heard from heaven;

     And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,

NEH 9:29     And testified against them,

     That You might bring them back to Your law.

     Yet they acted proudly,

     And did not heed Your commandments,

     But sinned against Your judgments,

     ‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’

     And they shrugged their shoulders,

     Stiffened their necks,

     And would not hear.

30     Yet for many years You had patience with them,

     And testified against them

by Your Spirit in Your prophets.

     Yet they would not listen;

Therefore You gave them into the hand

of the peoples of the lands.

31     Nevertheless in Your great mercy

     You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;

     For You are God, gracious and merciful.

NEH 9:32     “Now therefore, our God,

     The great, the mighty, and awesome God,

     Who keeps covenant and mercy:

     Do not let all the trouble seem small before You

     That has come upon us,

     Our kings and our princes,

     Our priests and our prophets,

     Our fathers and on all Your people,

     From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.

33     However You are just in all that has befallen us;

     For You have dealt faithfully,

     But we have done wickedly.

34     Neither our kings nor our princes,

     Our priests nor our fathers,

     Have kept Your law,

     Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies,

     With which You testified against them.

35     For they have not served You in their kingdom,

     Or in the many good things that You gave them,

     Or in the large and rich land

which You set before them;

     Nor did they turn from their wicked works.

 uncleanness, lasciviousness,

          THIS LIST IN GAL 5:19 GIVES US THE WORKS OF THE FLESH OR OLD SIN NATURE, WHICH WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REFUSE OR BE DELIVERED FROM IF WE CLAIM TO BE SAVED—NOT SOMRTHING WE SHOULD INDULGE.

          TODAY, SOME PEOPLE HAVE UNBIBLICAL IDEAS ABOUT THE HELLISH PRACTICE OF FORNICATION. 

          THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD IS THAT WE EITHER AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM [MATT 5:31F]  ADULTERY, THE DEED AS WELL THE  DESIRE.

          ONE TIME I PREACHED A MESSAGE SIMILAR TO WHAT I PRESENTED & A GENTLEMAN TOLD ME THAT SUCH A  MESSAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THIS AGE GROUP ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO.  HOWEVER, CHRISTIAN TRUTH IS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.  WE NEED TO GIVE GOD WORD OUT TO SOCIETY AT LARGE, TO OTHER CHRISTIANS, OUR CHILDREN, GRAND CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS, OUR POLITICIANS, & EVERYONE.

                                                                             22  GOD'S WORD IS NOT JUST FOR US TO SIT ON --- IT IS FOR US TO SPREAD.  SO IF YOU EVER FEEL A MESSAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU, GO APPLY IT ELSEWHERE -- SPREAD IT... SHARE IT -- SOCIETY NEEDS IT!

          IN AN AGE OF RELATIVITY, GOD'S WORD IS ABSOLUTELY RELEVANT!! -- ALWAYS.

          AND IN ALL OF MY MESSAGES I ALWAYS WANT PEOPLE WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED SO SINNERS CAN COME TO HIM FOR PARDON AND FORGIVENESS.

=WELL, I’M BACK TO THE LIST TO CHECK TO SEE IF WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT.

GAL 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,

fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

ONE EXAMPLE OF A covenant card reads:

"Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, and my future children to be sexually abstinent from this day until I enter a biblical marriage relationship."[v]

A personal covenant statement I developed has a place to sign and an explanation to prayerfully consider prior to signing.  The covenant reads:

AGAINST IT OR CONFRONT IT. Prov 6:12fff is about “ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. (FROWARD IS CONTENTIOUS, CONTRARY, ORNERY & OPPOSITIONAL) 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he sowetha discord.  15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  17 A proudb look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

FEELING—WHICH MAY NOT TOTALLY BIBLICAL—HINNDER US IS LETTING OTHER PEOPLE BY WHO THEY ARE—WITHOUT SIN. ROM 12: 4 “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.”

SEE, WE ARE TO BE FORMED BY THE serious and solemn words of God (for there are none like them,) and IT IS under HIS Eye, Who is coming to judge the quick and dead—THAT WE MUST THINK & FEEL & DO.

          I had been TALKING ABOUT

oday. “Speaking the truth in love” is God’s standard (Eph. 4:15). If we practice love without truth, it is hypocrisy. But if we try to have truth without love, it may be brutality. Jesus always taught the truth in love. If the truth hurts, it is because “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6).

But keep in mind that humility must come before honesty. A proud Christian cannot speak the truth in love. He will use a brother’s faults as a weapon to fight with and not as a tool to build with. The result will be only greater disharmony and disagreement.

The first internal problem of the New Testament church was dishonesty (Acts 5). Ananias and Sapphira tried to make the church members believe that they were more spiritual than they really were. They lied to themselves in thinking they could get away with the masquerade; they lied to their fellow Christians and the church leaders; and they tried to lie to the Holy Spirit. The result was judgment and death. God may not kill every hypocrite in the church today, but hypocrisy certainly helps to kill the church.

[v]

mat 18:23 – 35, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talentsa.  25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped himb, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pencec: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”

LUKE 7:36FF And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

LUKE 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

PROV. 27: 5 & 6,  5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful…”

REAL CHRISTIANS REALLY YIELDING

TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD & THE SCRIPTURES FROM GOD WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO AVOID BEING AN UNGODLY CAUSE OF SEDITIONS=DICHOSTASIA.

titus 1: 10-16, “ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

N PHILIPPIANS WE WERE WORKING ON CH 4 21, “SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS."

I WAS TALKING ABOUT SAINTS BEING

LIVING CHRISTIANS & THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS & ARE TO BECOME SAINTLIER OR HOLIER & THEY CAN BY GOD’S OWN HOLY SPIRIT GRANTING POWER TO RESIST SIN STILL IN US & THE POWER OF SIN ALL AROUND US, & AVOID OR BE DELIVERED FROM SINNING.

I  HAVE PRESENTED THAT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL REAL CHRISTIANS ARE ON AN INEVITABLE MARCH TO FULL REDEMPTION ENDING IN GLORIFICATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE A TOTALLY HEALED, RESURRECTION BODY. 

          PART OF THE PRESENTATION I WORKED ON IN THIS SERIES DEMONSTRATED THAT ALL REAL SAINTS ARE SAVED BY THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, & ALSO GOD THE HOLY Spirit.  THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU, I ENDED TALKING ABOUT God’S

how a saint should have some degree of evidence or some degree of sanctification as in SEPARATING oneself from sinful ATTITUDES, beliefs, behaviors that are usually associated with the old sin nature or the FLESH.

          SO, I’VE BEEN PRESENTING THAT A WAY TO CHECK OUR SELF OUT IS TO CHECK TO SEE THAT WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT IS TO CHECK THAT WE  ARE NOT MANIFESTING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.   

IN GAL 5: WE HAVE WORKED on SOME OF THE works of the flesh  & TO see that we are not OPERATING in the flesh but rather in the spirit.  i ended talking       about GAL 5:20, & ZEROED IN ON THE WORD “strife,” & i was relating that to how a false witness stirs up strife & discord.

          THEN I MENTIONED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE AN APPEAL TO ONE CAUSING STRIFE OR ANY PROBLEM TO THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST & THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST. THE REPUTATION OF CHRIST. & THAT MAY EVEN GENERATE SOME STRIFE—BUT HOPEFULLY NOT NEGATIVE STRIFE BUT POSITIVE STRIFE.  POSITIVE IN THAT IT  MAY RESTORE A PERSON TO A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, SELF & OTHERS INSTEAD OF HINDERING THE WORK OF CHRIST.

          & THEN I TALKED ABOUT HOW

WE ARE TO GO ABOUT THAT USING THE  GUIDING VERSES FROM CHRIST WHICH  SOME CHURCHES USE IN THEIR CHURCH DISCIPLE,  Matt. 18:15–17 READS”

  If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he will not hear them, tell it to the Church. But if he does not hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen man and a publican.

         

Then  I PRESENTED WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE STEPS THE LOVING THE LORD JESUS WOULD WANT US TO TAKE IN ACCORD WITH HIS LOVING WORD, & WITH A CHRIST loving APPROACH [1 PET 3:* & 9 SAYS, “…Of one mind, having compassion one of another, loving as brethren, beING pitiful, beING courteous:  9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that THEY Are thereunto called, that THEY should inherit a blessing:]

BEING careful NOT sin against God OR THE PERSON WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH.

Then once we have done this, MAT 18:17  SAYS, “…if he neglect to hear the church,

let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican”

 HARD CASES FOR FORGIVENESS] ? GO TO P   IN BLUE OF “WHEN FORGIVENESS ?SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. “

?THEN DO INRIG P 158 IN BLUE.

?[P 147- 149. THN 158-163.] 

LUKE 17: 3 & 4 “ Take heed to yourselves: IF thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

          THE LAST WED I WAS WITH YOU I ASKED WHAT IF SOMEONE WON’T REPENT?  ALSO, HOW CAN WE TELL IS SOMEONE HAS REPENTED OR IS REPENTANT?

          IF THAT ARE  NOT TO REPNETANT, WE ARE NOT TO TREAT THE PERSON NEGLECTING TO REPENT FROM WHAT IS A TRUE SIN AS A spiritual brother OR SISTER BECAUSE THEY have forfeited that position.  IF THEY ARE TRULY IN SIN & UNREPENTANT, THEN THEY can only be treated AS BEING EITHER outside OF CHRIST & THE TRUE CHURCH OR AS OUTSIDE OF  A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST & the ASSEMBLY OF CHRISTIANS ----not hated, but not ALLOWED TO BE CONSIDERED IN  fellowship WITH THE LORD & ESPECIALLY NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS A LEGITIMATE LEADER FOR CHRIST.

 

& THAT IS IN ACCORD WITH God’s Word

WHICH SAYS IN MAT 18:17, “…if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

ONE OF THE WAYS WE TELL IF A PERSON IS REPENTANT IS BY IF THEY ARE READY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT T OR MAKE SOME RESTITUTION. 

SEE, FORGIVENESS DOES NOT NEGATE OR ERASE THE NEED FOR Restitution.  RESTITUTION IS A key PRINCIPLE IN THE Bible, yet so many in the Church of God today have never studied this subject nor realize its importance. Repentance without restitution is like faith without works!

This important principle is taught in both the Old and New Testaments. Yet today in the Church of God, it is commonly IGNORED.

TOO MANY TODAY DO NOT PRESS FOR restitution at all.  I FEEL THIS IS A lack of understanding ABOUT GOD’S PRINCIPLES OF

Restitution.  EG.G. in Exodus 22:2-3, A thief caught in his crime "should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold [into slavery] for his theft."

That WAS not just a governmental PRINCIPLE FOR THE nation OF ISRAEL ALONE to administer in its justice system.

THAT is a spiritual principle applicable to New Testament believers today. A thief should restore double. Of the best of his own shall he make restitution, ACCORDING TO Exodus 22:4.

4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

IN EX 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Exodus 22:6 SAYS, “If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.”

For other laws relating to restitution ARE Leviticus 6:1-5 (KJV), “1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

 

LEV 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day  of his trespass offering.”

a in fellowship: or, in dealing

b in the day...: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Numbers 5:6-8 SAYS, “6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

NUM. 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.”

AN excellent Bible example of fulfilling the requirement to make restitution IS IN The Case  Zaccheus in Luke 19:2-10 (KJV), “2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” CHRIST THE LORD AND SAVIOUR SAID IN LUKE 13:3 -  "I TELL YOU, NAY:  BUT, EXCEPT YE REPENT,

YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH."  & perish CAN MENA MORE THAN TO JUST DIE. MetaphORICALLY, OR AS A FIGURE OF SPEECH, IT MEANS to devote or give over to eVerlASTING  misery in hell AS ONE lost & ruined.

SO, TO AVOID PERSIGSHING PART OF GOD’S

[

Zaccheus was MOVED BY the Spirit of God to make restitution. Was there a law compelling him to do this? Yes, we have quoted the law from Exodus. The thief is to make restitution. Did the Messiah quote this law to Zaccheus? No, He did not have to do this. The Spirit working with Zaccheus convicted Zaccheus to do what the Almighty required. Zaccheus did not restore extorted tax money he had squeezed from his victims because the Law of God required him to do so, although it did require him to do exactly that. Zaccheus restored because his conscience could not be made clean without doing what was RIGHT & necessary to clear his guilty, sinned-stained, record. The Messiah congratulated Zaccheus, "This day is salvation come to this house," ZACCHEUS FOllowED UP HIS repentance with restitution (recompense), & WHAT MAY BE CALLED REPARATIONS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSSES …..

rom 12:17-19, “ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place

unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord.”

WHEN WE CHECK TO SEE IF WE LINE UP WITH WHAT GOD SAYS IS LOVING TOWARD PERSONS OTHER THAN GOD.  SO, HOW LOVING ARE WE IN OUR  INTERPERSONAL, HUMAN RELATIONS? THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS START IN THE HOME.

& OF COURSE THE LAW OF LOVE MEANS WE HONOR  OUR PARENTS.

EX. 20:12, "Honour thy father and

thy mother: that thy days may be long

upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

          1. MOTHER & FATHER LOVE DEMANDS RESPECT EVEN IF ONCE WE ARE ADULTS WE CAN’T TOTALLY OBEY THEM OR THEIR IDEAS.  THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN & THAT EVEN INCLUDES PARENTS.

     IN MAT 10:37, CHRIST SAID, “ 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [v]

IN Luke 14:26, JESUS SAID, “26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

          HERE IS CHRIST emphasizing that discipleship is difficult. 

Jesus said that one must hate his own family and even his own life in order to be His disciple.  HOWEVER, Literally hating one’s family would have been a violation of the Law.

          Since Jesus on several occasions admonished others to fulfill the Law, He must not have meant here that one should literally hate his family.

The stress here is on the priority of love (cf. Matt. 10:37 10:37, CHRIST SAID, “ 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.)”  loyalty to Jesus must come before his loyalty to family or even to life itself. Indeed, those who did follow Jesus against their families’ desires were probably thought of as hating their families.”

HERE IS CHRIST emphasizing that discipleship is difficult. 

Mark 2:27-28 (NIV)27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

         

& OF COURSE THE LAW OF LOVE MEANS WE

HONOR PARENTS AS EX 20:12 SAYS, “Honour thy father and thy mother:…”

          NOW LET ME BACK UP & HEAR THE LAW ABOUT LOVING GOD CORRECTLY.

          EX 20:1-3, SAYS, “ And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondagea.  3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

          1. LOVING GOD MEANS HONORING HIM AS THE 1 AND ONLY TRUE GOD.

/EX 20:4-6 SAYS, “ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”   

 

 

EPH 5:1- Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us* and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

REV.  2:1-4, “..to the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

 [vi] Strong, J. (1996). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon.

Ontario: WoodsIDE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP/

EPH 2 V. 4  “4BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US,

 2:5 “5EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, (BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED;)”

EPH 2:6 AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND

MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS: “

2:7  THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”

EPH 2: 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.”

            & IN V 10, I ENDED TALKING ABOUT HOW THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION REJECTS A GOOD WORKS SYSTEM TO EARN SALIVATION BUT EXPECTS GOOD WORKS AFTER SALVATION..

EPH.2:10 SAYS  10?FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED?B THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. “

            SEE, WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS..."  SEE, WE MAY GAZE UP AT THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S CREATION IN AWE - BUT WE ARE GOD'S BEST HANDWORK! 

WE ARE GOD’S POETIC MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS. 

WE ARE HIS WORK OF ART, BUT HE’S STILL WORKING ON ME, .  & THANKS BE TO GOD--- HE'S NOT THROUGH YET."

GOD HAS ORDAINED, PREPARED SPECIAL WORKS FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN.  WORKS ARE NOT FOR SALVATION OR SANCTIFICATION, BUT ARE A SERVICE UNTO GOD & OTHERS. 

THE BIBLE SAYS, “BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM.” 

PART OF THE FRUIT WE ARE TO BEAR OR PRODUCE IS THE FRUIT OF GOOD WORKS.

1 TIM 6:17 & 18 ?CHARGE THEM THAT ARE RICH IN THIS WORLD, THAT THEY BE NOT HIGHMINDED, NOR TRUST IN UNCERTAIN?E RICHES, BUT IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO GIVETH US RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY; 18?THAT THEY DO GOOD, THAT THEY BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO DISTRIBUTE, WILLING TO COMMUNICATE;

2 TIM 3: 16?ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: 17?THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS..”

TIT 2”7 ?IN ALL THINGS SHEWING THYSELF A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS:”

TITUS 2:14 “?WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.”

TIT 3:8? THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND THESE THINGS I WILL THAT THOU AFFIRM CONSTANTLY, THAT THEY WHICH HAVE BELIEVED IN GOD MIGHT BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. THESE THINGS ARE GOOD AND PROFITABLE UNTO MEN. “

TIT 3:14 ?AND LET OURS ALSO LEARN TO MAINTAIN  GOOD WORKS..

NOW, GOD DOESN'T NEED OUR WORKS OR US -- IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE GOD AND SO HIS WORKS - NOT OURS.  GOD DOESN'T SAVE US FOR WHAT WE CAN DO -- BUT HE WILL DO THINGS TO US & THROUGH US FOR HIS OWN HONOR & GLORY & BY HIS SUPERNATURAL POWER. 

            THE SAME RESURRECTION POWER THAT SAVED US & TOOK YOU OUT OF THE GRAVEYARD OF SIN CAN DAILY HELP US LIVE A RESURRECTED LIFE FOR CHRIST & GLORIFY HIM!  IT IS FAITH ALONE THAT JUSTIFIES BUT THE FAITH THAT JUSTIFIES IS NEVER ALONE.  JAMES 2:18-20. 18?YEA, A MAN MAY SAY, THOU HAST FAITH, AND I HAVE WORKS: SHEW ME THY FAITH WITHOUT?D THY WORKS, AND I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS. 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?”

            GOOD WORKS DO NOT SAVE – BUT AFTER SALVATION, WE NEED TO DO GOOD WORKS.  WE NEED TO WITNESS IN LIFE AND BY LIP.  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER SEE!  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY EPISTLE SOME WILL EVER READ & BELIEVE ME THEY PICK UP ON HYPOCRISY.  WE NEED TO TEACH & LIVE BIBLICAL MORALS & ETHICS.  WE NEED TO BE HOLY PEOPLE, BEFORE AN HOLY GOD, TO BEST WITNESS TO HELL BOUND SINNERS WHOM GOD IN THE FLESH DIED TO SAVE! 

VII.  THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION REQUIRED & REQUIRES  A RESPONSE.   EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS HELD RESPONSIBLE TO RESPOND TO GOD'S GRACE BY BELIEVING AND RECEIVING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOR (OR PAY THE PRICE).  JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH & THE LIFE NO ONE COMES UNTO THE FATHER BY WATER BAPTISM, RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS, WORKS, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP OR YOUR PARENTS' FAITH.  GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN!  PASTORS' KIDS WITHOUT JESUS ARE PASTOR'S KIDS, DEACONS' KIDS WITHOUT JESUS ARE DEACONS KIDS: BUT PASTORS' AND DEACONS' KIDS WITH JESUS ARE GOD'S SONS.  JOHN 1:12 SAYS,  12?BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER?B TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME: “

 SALVATION IS A GIFT TO BE RECEIVED

NOT A REWARD TO BE EARNED.  JESUS PAID IT ALL –

BUT YOU NEED THE RECEIPT THAT SAYS "PAID IN FULL." 

 JESUS SAYS COME UNTO ME - THE APOSTLE PAUL SAYS BE YE RECONCILED!

            & IF WE COME TO CHRIST & ARE RECONCILED,   ROM 8:28-30  SOUNDS TO ME AS IF THE FOREKNOWLEDGE

   HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS CHOOSING. REC 22:17?AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY,

COME. AND LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME. AND LET HIM THAT IS ATHIRST COME. AND

WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE

THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.”

john 7:37 7 38, “¼Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst,

let him come unto me, and drink. 38?He that believeth on me,

as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers

of living water.”

IN JOHN 4: 7 -14 IS THE REVELATION ABOUT THE WOMANA AT THE WELL.  “?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.”

DON’T BE LIKE THE JEWS SPOKEN OF BY JEREMIAH IN JER 2:13?FOR MY PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED TWO EVILS; THEY HAVE FORSAKEN ME THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS, AND HEWED THEM OUT CISTERNS, BROKEN CISTERNS, THAT CAN HOLD NO WATER.”  GOD WANTS SOME TO ENJOY HIS SPECIAL LOVE. BEYOND THAT, THE BIBLE DOES NOT TELL US WHY HE SELECTS THE ONES HE DOES.

e.g. HEB 11: 23-26, “By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king’s order.21 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter,22 25because he preferred being mistreated with God’s people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time.23 26He thought that being insulted for the sake of Christh was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

Heb 12: 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom

which cannot be moved, let us have grace,

whereby we may serve God acceptably

with reverence and godly fear: “

john 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendeda it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he powerb to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 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 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reprovedc. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.[vi]

[vi]

luke 14: 26 “If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or

even life—more than me,

he cannot be my follower.”

I WAS SUGGESTING THAT THE HIGHEST MOTIVATION TO DO THE THINGS WE DO

WAS TO LOVE GOD & HIS CHILDREN & HIS CREATURES.

          1 Corinthians 13:3 SAYS, “And though

I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and

though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. “

          I WAS SAYING THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE MOTIVATED BY LOVE TO CHRIST AS OUR PRIMARY OR 1ST LOVE, THEN I MENTONED THE CHURCH IN REV 2 THAT LEFT IT’S 1ST LOVE.

          SEE CHRIST WANTS TO BE 1ST LOVE IN OUR LIFE.

          IN luke 14: 26  CHRIST SAID, “{If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or

even life—more than me,

he cannot be my follower.”

         

SO, I ASKED IF WE EVER HAD CHRIST AS OUR 1ST LOVE & HAD WE PERCHANCE LEFT OUR 1ST LOVE, & STARTED WITH SOME QUESTIONS THAT MAY INDICATE WE’VE LEFT OUR 1 ST LOVE.

GAL 6:9 & 10, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

SO LET US REMEMBER, PHIL. 4:6 & 7,  Be ANXIOUS ABOUT for nothing; but in every thing

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

[1 Corinthians 2:10-13 - The message spoken was given to the men by the Spirit. Then they spoke in words taught them by the Spirit not by man. If the Spirit just gave the ideas and the men chose the words, this would be just the opposite of what this verse teaches.

rom 15:13 Now the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.:..& from the instructions

of THE holy bible, in jesus’s name amen

Word for word + KJV, NKJV, 21ST CENTURY KJV, NASB.  IDEA TO IDEA OR THOUGHT FOR THOUGHT = NIV.

    & BECAUSE THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY CHRIST WHO SAVES. & THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE BELIEVD THE BIBLE & IN Matthew 4:4 SAID “HUMANS must live by every word

from the mouth of God. “ SEE, the teaching OF verbal inspiration MEANS GOD AS IT WERE BREATHED OUT THE WORDS LIKE THEY WERE COMING FROM HIS MOUTH OR PEN OR QUILL.

          2 Timothy 3:16,17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching & furnishing to all good works.”

          IF WE CLAIM TO believe that we should obey everything Scripture, THAT requires of us TO believe THAT it is all God's word.

FOR INSTANCE, WHEN  people begin to say there may be some parts of the Bible that are not from God or not accurate, you MAY soon find there are Biblical requirements that they do not want to obey.

There is simply no reason to believe you must obey all Biblical requirements unless you believe it is all accurately God's word. Bible passages claiming we must obey it all, then are saying that all  THE WORDS ARE inspired.

SEE, IF God just gave ideas and men explained them as they thought best, Scripture would be of private interpretation (like the difference between what the president says and what the news commentators say about what the president said)! But this is not the case with any Scripture or any prophecy. Instead, the men spoke as moved by the Spirit. The Spirit carried them along to a destination of His choosing, not of the prophets' choosing.  

Note especially these VV from 2 Peter:

2 Peter 1:20,21 - No Scripture is of private interpretation; for prophecy never came by will of man, but men spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit. Consider the significance of "interpretation" here. The context shows the reference is to the prophets who SPOKE & wrote the Scriptures, not to the readers of the Scriptures.

SO APART FROM FALSE prophecy

AUTHENTIC PROPHECY

never came by will of man,

but HOLY men SELECTED & SUPERINTENDED BY GOD spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit.

ALSO, The passage OF 1 PET. 1:20-21 IS discussing how REAL prophecy came

and how REAL prophets spoke & WROTE

AS THEY WERE carried ALONG OR BORNE ALONG LIKE a SAILING ship being borne by the wind.

God THE HOLY SPIRIT gave men MORE THAN JUST ideas and THEN LEFT them TO explain them as best they could by human wisdom

[2 Peter 3:15,16 - This concept of inspiration applies to the New Testament as well as to the Old Testament, because later in the same book Peter said writings of Paul in the New Testament are Scripture like "other Scriptures." [Cf. 1 Timothy 5:18 to Luke 10:7John 14:26; 16:13: Deuteronomy 31:9-13; 18:18-22; Josh 23:6; Jeremiah 25:13; 30:1-4; 26:1-4; Acts 3:22,23; Mat. 28:18-20;]

 

 

- God Gave the Words.

God guided the men in the very words they chose so that every word was the word God wanted, not the words the men chose by human wisdom. This is exactly what GOD DID WITH MOSES & WHAT HE PROMISED TO DO WITH CHRIST AS MENTIONED IN Deuteronomy 18:18-22. “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

IN 2 Samuel 23:2 DAVID, THE KING WAS ALSO A PROPHET AT TIMES & HE SAID “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. “

GOD TOLD THE PROPHET Isaiah IN CH 51:16

“And I have put my words in thy mouth,…”

TO Jeremiah IN CH 1:4-9 “..the word of the LORD came HIM saying, 5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.”

Jeremiah 30:1-4, “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. 3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. 4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.”

Jeremiah 36:1-3 (KJV)

“ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. 3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. “

Ezekiel 3:4 “And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.”

IN Zechariah 7:12, IT SAYS the OT PEOPLE OF ISRAEL  made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. “

What these passages describe is sometimes called "verbal" inspiration. To truly believe the Bible is inspired, one must believe every word in the original is exactly the word God wanted.

HOWEVER, TO To truly believe the Bible is inspired TO THE POINT OF every word in the original is exactly the word God wanted, DOES NOT mean there is no human element in the words.  God used the men as they were with their human language, human vocabulary, human forms of expressions, and sometimes even the knowledge they had gained by research of personal eyewitness, etc. (Luke 1:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8). THEN t God then used them as they were guided to speak & WRITE the words that accurately expressed His will IN WORDS.

[Exodus 32:15,16; 24:12; 34:1, 27,28; 31:18; 20:1; Numbers 22:35; 23:5,12,16; Ezek 1:3; Hos 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Jeremiah 25:13]

so, The Message does not fit into the category of a word-for-word translation such as the KJV, NKJV, New Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Bible, nor does it fit into the category of a DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCY AS THE NIV, IT IS REALLY NOT EVEN A phrase-by-phrase translation as the Good News Bible (Today's English Version) or the Revised English Bible.

Some of the Message's interpretation is very appealing, but it is not REALLY A translation and much of the wording is not justified by the Greek text behind the verse. For example in John 1:1-13, there is so much that is mere interpretation, with no direct correspondence to the underlying Greek text, even though some of the interpretation is very insightful. Also Peterson's interpretation 1 John 5:20 represents the way he theologically understands the message, but his interpretation greatly differs from the way many other translators and commentators understand that verse."


 

5 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

     3–5     There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

     6–8     Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready.

[vi]

 

Colossians 3:12. SAYS, “Therefore,

as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

“Leading The Way.ORG”

daily devotional publication

Galatians 5:22 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [PATIENCE] 

I ended the LAST TIME I WAS ON THIS SUBJECT BY ASKING, :Are WE seeking to be faithful to God first? ?then OTHERS?   If so,  THEN do what god HAS GIVEN US TO DO here on earth.

          I LEFT OFF BY SUGGESTING THAT IF we wILL ENDEAVOR BY GOD’S GRACE TO BE faithful-- His love and goodness MAY FLOW TO & from our life.

Proverbs 3:3-4. SAYS, “Let love

and faithfulness never leave you . . .then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God

and man.”

          Faithfulness HAS BENEFITS:

The psalmist wrote IN Psalm 31:23,

“Love the Lord, all his faithful people.

The Lord protects the faithful,

but punishes the proud as they deserve….”

Because  THEY ARROGANTLY TRY TO IGNORE THE LORD IN THEIR HAUGHTY & HIGHFALUTIN MANNER.  NEVERTHELESS, THO  people MAY BE UNFAITHFUL—GOD IS FAITHFUL.

duet 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God,

He is God, the faithful God,

which keepeth covenant and mercy

with them that love him

and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations;

10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:…”

duet 32:3 & 4, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord;

how glorious is our God!

4      He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.

Everything he does is just and fair.

He is a faithful God who does no wrong;

how just and upright he is!”

18

WE SHOULD NOT BE surpriseD that faithfulness Is one of the fruits of the Spirit WHEN WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SO MUCH UNFAITHFULNESS & UNTRUSTWORTHINESS.

          GOD WANTS FAITHFULNESS, In fact, one of the first things we learn about God is that He is faithful. When we were young, we often sang the song “Jesus Loves Me,” and THIS we know FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. 

          SEE, No matter what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future, God’s love for us never changes. It is eternal, it is infinite, and it is faithful.

SUCH A fact is not a license for sin. Instead, it is the evidence that we need to repent and accept God’s love for our lives. WHILE There is nothing WE can do to make our self more acceptable to the Lord &  He accepts you just as WE are, He love IS SO  full and complete THAT HE WON’T LEAVE US THE WAY WE ARE.  HE FAITHFULLY WORKS ON US AS WELL AS IN US & EVEN THRU US.

          SEE, THO His love and faithfulness never change—HE WANTS CHANGE IN US TO BE MORE LIKE HIM, MORE LIKE THE MASTER.

GOD WANTS GREAT FAITHFULNESS FROM US & GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS

19

THE OLD HYMN: - Great Is Thy Faithfulness

GOES LIKE THIS:Great is Thy faithfulness,

O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
      Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
     Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
  Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain:  Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

 JESUS HIMSELF

S A FAITHFUL FRIEND WHO “sticks closer than

 a brother”? (Proverbs 18:24)

THAT IS WHY AS THE CHRISTIAN SONG SAYS:  I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk a long
I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives a song
Though the storm clouds darken the sky

o'er the heav'nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail
He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend
I can count on Him to the very end
Though the storm clouds darken the sky

o'er the heav'nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail

I just keep trusting my Lord on the narrow way
I just keep trusting my Lord as He leads each day
Though the road is weary at times

and I'm sad and blue
I just keep trusting my Lord, He will se me through
He's a faithful guide, such a faithful guide
He is always there walking by my side
Though the road is weary at times

and I'm sad and blue
I just keep trusting my Lord,

He will see me through.”

21,

 Jesus is thE type of friend WHO FAITHFULLY remains at our sides even when others abandon us.

I am not an unconditional fan of all contemporary Christian music but I like

“Your Love Oh Lord’  by By Mac Powell,

& Third Day CCLI#: 1894255 Song Key: E Listen      Mp3/Lead Sheet/Chord Chart/Trax/Cut-Capo
Related Products:
There are no Links associated with this song. http://www.greatworshipsongs.com/song_info.asp?return=songlist.asp%3F&SongId=552
Related Verses:
Psalm 26
Themes: God's Love & faithfulness
Lyrics: Your Love Oh Lord

Your love oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the sky
Your righteousness
Is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows
Like the ocean's tide


I will lift my voice
To worship You my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of Your wings

(end)
Your love O Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Stretches to the sky
23& the  same should OF  true of us. Far too often, we are not faithful to our words, our commitments, our pledges, our vows, & just walk away from our words, our commitments, our pledges, & our vows.GOD IS SERIOUS ABOUT OUR WORDS & OUR VOWS.NUM 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not breaka his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 3 If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth; 4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowedb, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her. 9 But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. 10 And if she vowed in her husband’s house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 11 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. 15 But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.                  DUET. 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. 23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth”                ECC. 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”          At the end of his life, god MOVED Paul TO write and ask Timothy to come to him because everyone had left him except for Luke. Through Jesus Christ, you also can learn to be a faithful friend like Timothy & DO IT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,GAL. 5:23 Meekness, & temperance  Against such things there is no law. “Galatians 5:22-23.

[GAL 5:23 -25, “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”]

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