I was listening to Paul Washer again and had to write about something he brings up that is very true:
Belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior isn't what saves us. Even the demons believe..and tremble. Asking Jesus into our hearts isn't what saves us. Jesus never walked up to anyone and said "If you'll just ask me into your heart, you'll be saved!"
When God's Holy Spirit speaks to us and opens our eyes for the first time, so we can see who we really are apart from Him, and how our sin has separated us from Him, but that He willingly paid the price at Calvary for us, then we can respond by REPENTING and FOLLOWING Him. John the Baptist and Jesus both started their ministry by saying "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near". (Matthew 3:2 and 4:17)
Following Him and Doing the same works that Christ did, is proof that we are saved and know Him. Faith without works is dead. A Tree that produces no fruit is fit for the fire. The evidence of Salvation, is that we are DOING what Jesus called us to do. We will be known by our fruit as Christ said "Each tree is recognized by its own fruit".
A Case for Works
Matthew 7:21 says "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but ONLY He who DOES THE WILL of my Father in Heaven"
vs 24 says "everyone who hears my words and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE" is wise.
James 2:20 says "you see then that man is justified by WORKS, and not by faith only"
I think we modern day, super Christians have been quick to retalliate "YOU LEGALIST!!" anytime someone brings up WORKS, but apparently, scripture STRONGLY shows us that the evidence of Salvation is in the fruit we bear. Ray Comfort and Paul Washer have both clearly stated this and it's something that needs to be spoken on more often. The problem is, it's not popular and it makes people uncomfortable. Seems like I remember another Nazarene Man who made people uncomfortable too.
I for one would rather be uncomfortable with the truth, than to be willfully ignorant and on my way to Hell.
There are no do-overs on Judgement Day. Now is the time of Salvation.
We need to get the Gospel message RIGHT and not change it to suit our own desires.
Blessings
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Faithful Servant
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 01-25-2007
If you have a boss, are you the kind of person that is just as faithful when the boss is away as when the boss is near? Can your boss trust you to continue on as if he/she were present? If you are married, do you support your spouse when they are not around and you're in the presence of others? Can you be depended on by others to keep your word? Do you understand loyalty to someone else?
Faithfulness is going to be so important when we stand before God someday. Do you know that God himself has intrusted us with his kingdom and is going to hold us accountable as to how we performed?
Consider this passage of scripture (Jesus is speaking about the End of time and the "last days"). I believe we are in the last of the last days:
Jesus Christ will return again soon and he will expect us to have his 'house' in order. What are we going to do while our Master is away? Are we going to feed his sheep as he commanded us to? Are we going to be found making disciples, seeking the lost, clothing and feeding those who are naked and hungry, and building his eternal kingdom when he gets back? Are we going to take what he commanded us to do seriously?
We all need to remember who it is that we are going to give an account TO. When we know WHO our master is, then we will more likely keep our priorities straight. I'm not going to have to give an account to my Pastor some day, or my church, or the program director, or my wife or kids but ONLY the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. This should really set us free when we understand that. He alone is my High Priest and He alone is my ultimate Master and Lord.
Faithfulness is so important because it's easy to forget what our mission in life is as we're going through the hum-drum of everyday living. Faithfulness is even more difficult when a very high percentage of everyone else seems they could care less about serving a make-believe Master. We'd better be awake and be a modern day Noah as we go throughout this life. Don't pattern your life after what others in this world are doing but rather, follow after Christ and his kingdom and let our minds be renewed by Him.
When the flood came and carried everyone away to their deaths, Noah and his family alone were saved. Everyone had laughed at his preaching of the impending flood and everyone was eating and drinking and partying when it came and swept them away. In the same way will be Christ's coming. He is going to come at an hour when NO ONE is expecting it. Everyone is going to be living it up, eating, drinking, marrying, partying and having a good old time and then in the blink of an eye, He'll be here. There won't be time to adjust or be sorry or anything else, so the time to be faithful is RIGHT NOW.
Jesus said in Luke 12:35: "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning". We have to stay ready as a solider stays ready for battle. To keep our lamps burning we have to be prepared. We have to make a conscious effort to be ready or otherwise we'll be found asleep.
In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus tells 2 parables, both about wise and foolish people. One group prepared, one group not prepared. One group who had made preparations and one group who did not. 5 wise virgins who brought extra oil and 5 who did not. 2 guys who increased their talents and 1 who foolishly burried his and did nothing while his master was away. In both, the master came and the foolish were unprepared, but even worse, they were UNFAITHFUL. They knew what they were supposed to do, and did not do it.
Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is required. We have all been given much and Christ requires much from us. He doesn't require anything that He knows we can't accomplish and He will always be there to help us but we must be faithful to Him.
When Moses went up to get the sacred commandments of God, he spent a great deal of time there and Aaron at one point allowed the people to sway him to build an idol of Gold. Can you believe that? Aaron! He KNEW better. The people persuaded him by saing that "we don't know what happened to this fellow called Moses, so make us some gods who will go before us". Aaron could have easily said "look how far God has taken us so far? Are you crazy!", but he didn't. Moses' return took them all by surprise. When Moses came down off the mountain, he ground the golden calf to powder and sprinkled it in the water and made them all drink it. He then said "Who is on the Lord's side, come over to me!". The tribe of Levites ran over to Moses' side and then Moses had them kill off everyone else with the sword whether they were friends or family. God takes sin seriously and He especially takes serious the handling of his Kingdom. We have been entrusted a great prize and we need to be sure to be found good and faithful servants.
In Him
Original Blog Date: 01-25-2007
If you have a boss, are you the kind of person that is just as faithful when the boss is away as when the boss is near? Can your boss trust you to continue on as if he/she were present? If you are married, do you support your spouse when they are not around and you're in the presence of others? Can you be depended on by others to keep your word? Do you understand loyalty to someone else?
Faithfulness is going to be so important when we stand before God someday. Do you know that God himself has intrusted us with his kingdom and is going to hold us accountable as to how we performed?
Consider this passage of scripture (Jesus is speaking about the End of time and the "last days"). I believe we are in the last of the last days:
Matthew 24:45-51
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NIV)
Jesus Christ will return again soon and he will expect us to have his 'house' in order. What are we going to do while our Master is away? Are we going to feed his sheep as he commanded us to? Are we going to be found making disciples, seeking the lost, clothing and feeding those who are naked and hungry, and building his eternal kingdom when he gets back? Are we going to take what he commanded us to do seriously?
We all need to remember who it is that we are going to give an account TO. When we know WHO our master is, then we will more likely keep our priorities straight. I'm not going to have to give an account to my Pastor some day, or my church, or the program director, or my wife or kids but ONLY the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. This should really set us free when we understand that. He alone is my High Priest and He alone is my ultimate Master and Lord.
Faithfulness is so important because it's easy to forget what our mission in life is as we're going through the hum-drum of everyday living. Faithfulness is even more difficult when a very high percentage of everyone else seems they could care less about serving a make-believe Master. We'd better be awake and be a modern day Noah as we go throughout this life. Don't pattern your life after what others in this world are doing but rather, follow after Christ and his kingdom and let our minds be renewed by Him.
When the flood came and carried everyone away to their deaths, Noah and his family alone were saved. Everyone had laughed at his preaching of the impending flood and everyone was eating and drinking and partying when it came and swept them away. In the same way will be Christ's coming. He is going to come at an hour when NO ONE is expecting it. Everyone is going to be living it up, eating, drinking, marrying, partying and having a good old time and then in the blink of an eye, He'll be here. There won't be time to adjust or be sorry or anything else, so the time to be faithful is RIGHT NOW.
Jesus said in Luke 12:35: "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning". We have to stay ready as a solider stays ready for battle. To keep our lamps burning we have to be prepared. We have to make a conscious effort to be ready or otherwise we'll be found asleep.
In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus tells 2 parables, both about wise and foolish people. One group prepared, one group not prepared. One group who had made preparations and one group who did not. 5 wise virgins who brought extra oil and 5 who did not. 2 guys who increased their talents and 1 who foolishly burried his and did nothing while his master was away. In both, the master came and the foolish were unprepared, but even worse, they were UNFAITHFUL. They knew what they were supposed to do, and did not do it.
Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is required. We have all been given much and Christ requires much from us. He doesn't require anything that He knows we can't accomplish and He will always be there to help us but we must be faithful to Him.
When Moses went up to get the sacred commandments of God, he spent a great deal of time there and Aaron at one point allowed the people to sway him to build an idol of Gold. Can you believe that? Aaron! He KNEW better. The people persuaded him by saing that "we don't know what happened to this fellow called Moses, so make us some gods who will go before us". Aaron could have easily said "look how far God has taken us so far? Are you crazy!", but he didn't. Moses' return took them all by surprise. When Moses came down off the mountain, he ground the golden calf to powder and sprinkled it in the water and made them all drink it. He then said "Who is on the Lord's side, come over to me!". The tribe of Levites ran over to Moses' side and then Moses had them kill off everyone else with the sword whether they were friends or family. God takes sin seriously and He especially takes serious the handling of his Kingdom. We have been entrusted a great prize and we need to be sure to be found good and faithful servants.
In Him
He Must INCREASE and I Must DECREASE
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 03-08-2006
John's gospel is the only one to record this phrase, spoken by John the Baptist. If anyone understood this principle, it was John the Baptist. John literally gave his head, his life, for Christ. He lived his entire life preparing the way for the Lord.
Some men came to him and said "This Jesus, who you testified about..........well, People are coming to Him to be baptized now?!" John basically told them that the Bride (Christ's people) belong to the Bridgegroom (Christ), and that the friend of the bridegroom is full of joy upon hearing the bridegroom's voice. John said "That joy was now his, and is complete!".
He must INCREASE and we must DECREASE or as the NIV puts it: HE must become GREATER and WE must become less.
This is my prayer as I continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and continue my journey in the Lord. I realize that for any thing to be done, for any great work to be accomplished, I must decrease, I must surrender totally to Him and He must become MORE involved, MORE relied upon, MORE focused upon. He must Increase.
Being on the praise team week after week, can sometimes be a struggle to remember this. We as a Praise Team must decrease, so that He can increase. We must forget about ourselves and what we want, and concentrate on what He wants, and focus upon Him.
Pride could have kept John from saying this. He could have thought to himself "I am the one who should be doing the baptizing". He didn't do that though. He knew who Christ was, and he knew his place in the kingdom of God. He humbled himself before God, and he let Christ increase and become more the focal point. He wasn't afraid that the people who once came to him, were now going to the one who was greater than him.
I think that as simple as this idea is, it's SO overlooked. We get to doing something in a church thinking that we're somebody and that things can't go on without us. The fact is, Christ DOES want to use you and will use you, but don't forget who you are and who is doing the work. Put it in proper perspective from the "Kingdom" view point. John knew who was doing the real work, even though he'd been baptizing and preaching for a long time and had become a VERY respected person in the region. As he put it "The One who comes from above is ABOVE ALL".
Remember King David and his sin of pridefully wanting to get a census of 'his' kingdom? He forgot just who it was that was doing the work and blessing him, and he and his people paid dearly for it. Afterward, his perspective was right again, and God could once again use him.
I hope we will all remember this and do our best to keep things in proper perspective.
He Must Increase and I must Decrease.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Original Blog Date: 03-08-2006
John's gospel is the only one to record this phrase, spoken by John the Baptist. If anyone understood this principle, it was John the Baptist. John literally gave his head, his life, for Christ. He lived his entire life preparing the way for the Lord.
Some men came to him and said "This Jesus, who you testified about..........well, People are coming to Him to be baptized now?!" John basically told them that the Bride (Christ's people) belong to the Bridgegroom (Christ), and that the friend of the bridegroom is full of joy upon hearing the bridegroom's voice. John said "That joy was now his, and is complete!".
He must INCREASE and we must DECREASE or as the NIV puts it: HE must become GREATER and WE must become less.
This is my prayer as I continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and continue my journey in the Lord. I realize that for any thing to be done, for any great work to be accomplished, I must decrease, I must surrender totally to Him and He must become MORE involved, MORE relied upon, MORE focused upon. He must Increase.
Being on the praise team week after week, can sometimes be a struggle to remember this. We as a Praise Team must decrease, so that He can increase. We must forget about ourselves and what we want, and concentrate on what He wants, and focus upon Him.
Pride could have kept John from saying this. He could have thought to himself "I am the one who should be doing the baptizing". He didn't do that though. He knew who Christ was, and he knew his place in the kingdom of God. He humbled himself before God, and he let Christ increase and become more the focal point. He wasn't afraid that the people who once came to him, were now going to the one who was greater than him.
I think that as simple as this idea is, it's SO overlooked. We get to doing something in a church thinking that we're somebody and that things can't go on without us. The fact is, Christ DOES want to use you and will use you, but don't forget who you are and who is doing the work. Put it in proper perspective from the "Kingdom" view point. John knew who was doing the real work, even though he'd been baptizing and preaching for a long time and had become a VERY respected person in the region. As he put it "The One who comes from above is ABOVE ALL".
Remember King David and his sin of pridefully wanting to get a census of 'his' kingdom? He forgot just who it was that was doing the work and blessing him, and he and his people paid dearly for it. Afterward, his perspective was right again, and God could once again use him.
I hope we will all remember this and do our best to keep things in proper perspective.
He Must Increase and I must Decrease.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Mary's Praise
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 12-13-2005
Zacharias (or Zechariah) was in the temple, burning incense (as was custom) when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said (in Luke 1:13-17):
John was soon to be born and prepare the way for Christ! Zacharias didn't believe Gabriel when he spoke these words, and so he was struck dumb until John's birth.
In the 6th month of Elizabeth's (Zacharias' wife) pregnancy, Gabriel is sent from God again, this time to Mary in Nazareth:
Even though Mary questions how it was possible she could have a son, she still BELIEVED the word of the Lord. Notice the difference in her response from Zacharias' response. She quickly runs to visit with Elizabeth and upon seeing her, greets her excitedly! As soon as she does this, the baby leaps for joy from within Elizabeth's womb! Elizabeth then tells Mary that she is blessed because she has BELIEVED that which was spoken to her by the Angel Gabriel concerning the Lord.
What follows, is Mary's Praise:
Side Note: I wrote about Hannah's prayer in an earlier blog and there are a lot of parallel's between Mary and Hannah's prayers/praises (see: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 )
Talk about a woman full of faith! No wonder God had searched the earth for a woman of good report and chose her as the Mother of Emmanuel. Talk about someone who knew how to praise the Lord, she really did.
Christmas has been turned into something that consists of 99% of nothing to do whatsoever with Christ. I thought it would be a good idea to go back and read some of the story of the birth of our Savior and Lord. Let's remember to be full of Joy (as Tim preached about) all the time. Sure there is a time for mourning, and weeping, but most of the time we can live with joy for no other reason than Christ has come to us, lived among us, suffered as we suffer - even more so, and then died and rose again to prove that He was who He said He was.
I can go see the supposed graves of Billy the Kid, President Lincoln, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, John Wayne, Albert Einstein, etc and dig up some bones or bone dust. (I'd probably go to jail for this by the way). At Christ's grave though, there is nothing there! There are even 500+ people who witnessed and walked with Jesus after he rose again. (1st Corinthians 15:3-8).
So the birth was the most special event up till that date, but Christ raising from the dead was the most blessed event ever because he just purchased our salvation for all eternity! So everything Christmas has become can not even compare to the joy we can have in this alone if we've put our faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Read through Mary's Praise one more time, and try to imagine what she was thinking as you do. You may have to read it and re-read it to really grasp it as I did. Now it's your turn to give praise!
Merry CHRISTmas,
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 12-13-2005
Zacharias (or Zechariah) was in the temple, burning incense (as was custom) when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said (in Luke 1:13-17):
"Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother's womb. And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
John was soon to be born and prepare the way for Christ! Zacharias didn't believe Gabriel when he spoke these words, and so he was struck dumb until John's birth.
In the 6th month of Elizabeth's (Zacharias' wife) pregnancy, Gabriel is sent from God again, this time to Mary in Nazareth:
Luke 1:28-38
And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be.
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end."
And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God."
And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (NAS)
Even though Mary questions how it was possible she could have a son, she still BELIEVED the word of the Lord. Notice the difference in her response from Zacharias' response. She quickly runs to visit with Elizabeth and upon seeing her, greets her excitedly! As soon as she does this, the baby leaps for joy from within Elizabeth's womb! Elizabeth then tells Mary that she is blessed because she has BELIEVED that which was spoken to her by the Angel Gabriel concerning the Lord.
What follows, is Mary's Praise:
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever." (NAS)
Side Note: I wrote about Hannah's prayer in an earlier blog and there are a lot of parallel's between Mary and Hannah's prayers/praises (see: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 )
Talk about a woman full of faith! No wonder God had searched the earth for a woman of good report and chose her as the Mother of Emmanuel. Talk about someone who knew how to praise the Lord, she really did.
Christmas has been turned into something that consists of 99% of nothing to do whatsoever with Christ. I thought it would be a good idea to go back and read some of the story of the birth of our Savior and Lord. Let's remember to be full of Joy (as Tim preached about) all the time. Sure there is a time for mourning, and weeping, but most of the time we can live with joy for no other reason than Christ has come to us, lived among us, suffered as we suffer - even more so, and then died and rose again to prove that He was who He said He was.
I can go see the supposed graves of Billy the Kid, President Lincoln, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, John Wayne, Albert Einstein, etc and dig up some bones or bone dust. (I'd probably go to jail for this by the way). At Christ's grave though, there is nothing there! There are even 500+ people who witnessed and walked with Jesus after he rose again. (1st Corinthians 15:3-8).
So the birth was the most special event up till that date, but Christ raising from the dead was the most blessed event ever because he just purchased our salvation for all eternity! So everything Christmas has become can not even compare to the joy we can have in this alone if we've put our faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Read through Mary's Praise one more time, and try to imagine what she was thinking as you do. You may have to read it and re-read it to really grasp it as I did. Now it's your turn to give praise!
Merry CHRISTmas,
Kenneth
The Bread of Sincerity and Truth
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 11-03-2005
I was recently thinking about how we extend grace to others; Those who have fallen or who are in sin. When does sin cross the bounds of grace and then have to be 'rebuked'? I believe that as we grow, we will encouter false prophets, false christians, false doctrines who/that will try to lead us away and break the church apart. I hear church's all the time say we should love people where they are. This is very true. There is another side to this though. Inside the church body, we can not excuse sin, and we can not allow brothers or sisters who wish to remain in sin, simply do so. People must have a desire to change. Do we still love them where they are and just overlook their sin and hope they eventually come around to God's way of thinking?
Check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 5:
Here we have immorality going on in the church. The people have just accepted it. It reminds me of the thought that seems to be so prevalent today in that we shouldn't "judge" anyone. As Kelly has already pointed out, there are different types of judgement. I'm not going to go into that, but the point here is, instead of rebuking this fellow from within the church, he was simply accepted.
The problem with this is, that then others can be corrupted through this unwise decision. A little yeast works itself through the whole batch! Paul is saying "get rid of the old" that you may become a "new" lump of dough. Does this sound familiar? Look at Matthew 16:6-12. We must desire the BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH more than we desire 'getting along with everyone'.
The rest of the chapter is dealing with the difference between those INSIDE the church and those OUTSIDE. Those that are INSIDE, are called to a high standard, and we are to judge those that are in the body of believers. If we allow a little leaven, it wont be long and we'll be an entire corrupt pile of dough that gives NO glory to God at all and in fact is a stench in his nostrils.
We are still in this world, and we therefore must be amongst all the sin that goes on, but inside the church, God has created a place where He wants us to be accountable to Him and each other.
Jesus, in Revelation 2:14-16 has this to say to the church of Pergamos (Pergamum):
So, you see. We will be judged by what we allow to happen within the church. I realize this may be obvious, but there really is a false movement going on in America which says "we don't judge anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any reason". Don't believe it. God will hold us all accountable.
Restoration is what God desires, but there is a point where a person makes up his or her mind, that He or She will NOT be restored and will do WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT.
Yes, we will LOVE everyone where they are, we will strive for Restoration, but there is a boundary that can't be crossed within the body of Christ. Let's desire the Bread of Sincerity and Truth.
May the Truth of God's word always guide us. God bless,
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 11-03-2005
I was recently thinking about how we extend grace to others; Those who have fallen or who are in sin. When does sin cross the bounds of grace and then have to be 'rebuked'? I believe that as we grow, we will encouter false prophets, false christians, false doctrines who/that will try to lead us away and break the church apart. I hear church's all the time say we should love people where they are. This is very true. There is another side to this though. Inside the church body, we can not excuse sin, and we can not allow brothers or sisters who wish to remain in sin, simply do so. People must have a desire to change. Do we still love them where they are and just overlook their sin and hope they eventually come around to God's way of thinking?
Check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 5:
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife.
2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?
3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-- as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--
10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."(NIV)
Here we have immorality going on in the church. The people have just accepted it. It reminds me of the thought that seems to be so prevalent today in that we shouldn't "judge" anyone. As Kelly has already pointed out, there are different types of judgement. I'm not going to go into that, but the point here is, instead of rebuking this fellow from within the church, he was simply accepted.
The problem with this is, that then others can be corrupted through this unwise decision. A little yeast works itself through the whole batch! Paul is saying "get rid of the old" that you may become a "new" lump of dough. Does this sound familiar? Look at Matthew 16:6-12. We must desire the BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH more than we desire 'getting along with everyone'.
The rest of the chapter is dealing with the difference between those INSIDE the church and those OUTSIDE. Those that are INSIDE, are called to a high standard, and we are to judge those that are in the body of believers. If we allow a little leaven, it wont be long and we'll be an entire corrupt pile of dough that gives NO glory to God at all and in fact is a stench in his nostrils.
We are still in this world, and we therefore must be amongst all the sin that goes on, but inside the church, God has created a place where He wants us to be accountable to Him and each other.
Jesus, in Revelation 2:14-16 has this to say to the church of Pergamos (Pergamum):
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.(NIV)
So, you see. We will be judged by what we allow to happen within the church. I realize this may be obvious, but there really is a false movement going on in America which says "we don't judge anyone, anywhere, anytime, for any reason". Don't believe it. God will hold us all accountable.
Restoration is what God desires, but there is a point where a person makes up his or her mind, that He or She will NOT be restored and will do WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT.
Yes, we will LOVE everyone where they are, we will strive for Restoration, but there is a boundary that can't be crossed within the body of Christ. Let's desire the Bread of Sincerity and Truth.
May the Truth of God's word always guide us. God bless,
Kenneth
By the Law, We Know Sin
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 08-22-2005
THE LAW OF THE LORD is PERFECT in converting the soul. Psalms 19:7
I've been listening to a couple of CD's lately by Ray Comfort who does the 'Way of the Master' series. The first is 'HELL's BEST KEPT SECRET' and the other is 'TRUE AND FALSE CONVERSION'. I'd like to write briefly on the former. The entire cd is talking about how when we witness to people, we must first show a person that they are sinners and have violated God's law before we can start to show them the 'Gospel'. Although this concept is nothing new, I think we often forget to emphasize this and we 'jump the gun' sort of and try to preach Christ's love and acceptance and his death on the cross before we have even shown a person why that's important and why they so desperately need Him and what is going to happen to them on the day of judgement if they have turned their noses up at God and Christ and rejected Him.
We need Christ because we have broken God's laws and commandments. Just as a murderer will have his day in court and be sentenced under our own laws, so we too have a day coming where (without Christ) we will have no reply to the ULTIMATE, RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, God Himself. God has put into every man a conscience (an understanding of His law - Con "with" science "knowledge"). It is a person's conscience, not their intellect, that we must reach out to. This is where God first moves in an unbeliever, because he's made His laws known to them. It's the law that convicts of sin. God's love can then reach the lost persons heart.
(also look up Romans 1:20 if you get a chance)
So if BY THE LAW, we now KNOW and UNDERSTAND our sin then we must understand that God is a good and righteous judge and He will judge that sin. If He were not good, He would not rightly judge us and give us our just reward, but he IS TRUE and RIGHTEOUS and GOOD, and will most definitely JUDGE SIN very harshly. The penalty for that sin is DEATH.
If you have ever told a lie, then you are a liar. If you have ever put anything above God, then you have made a graven image in your mind. If you have ever looked upon another person to lust after them, you've commited adultery in your heart. If you have ever hated another person (without right cause), you've commited murder in God's eyes.
Now what do you suppose that a true and righteous judge would do to a lying, thieving, adulterer and murderer on the day of judgement? That's right. There would be no hope!
Now, knowing this, the unbeliever has a heart's soil that is ready for the Gospel message. Lay it on them! Tell of what Christ did on the cross, taking our sins and nailing them there if we put our faith in Him. Tell them of the penalty that was paid IN OUR PLACE! Then that person can truly understand the depth of what Christ has done and FULLY APPRECIATE it and come before Christ with a glad and thankful heart.
In 1808, Richard M'Nemar, speaking about the Kentucky Revival, wrote this in what he called a 'preliminary observation':
I would encourage you to listen to this online here:
HELLS BEST KEPT SECRET
And do the study sheet here:
HBKS STUDY SHEET
I hope it will be a blessing and an eye opener.
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 08-22-2005
THE LAW OF THE LORD is PERFECT in converting the soul. Psalms 19:7
I've been listening to a couple of CD's lately by Ray Comfort who does the 'Way of the Master' series. The first is 'HELL's BEST KEPT SECRET' and the other is 'TRUE AND FALSE CONVERSION'. I'd like to write briefly on the former. The entire cd is talking about how when we witness to people, we must first show a person that they are sinners and have violated God's law before we can start to show them the 'Gospel'. Although this concept is nothing new, I think we often forget to emphasize this and we 'jump the gun' sort of and try to preach Christ's love and acceptance and his death on the cross before we have even shown a person why that's important and why they so desperately need Him and what is going to happen to them on the day of judgement if they have turned their noses up at God and Christ and rejected Him.
We need Christ because we have broken God's laws and commandments. Just as a murderer will have his day in court and be sentenced under our own laws, so we too have a day coming where (without Christ) we will have no reply to the ULTIMATE, RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, God Himself. God has put into every man a conscience (an understanding of His law - Con "with" science "knowledge"). It is a person's conscience, not their intellect, that we must reach out to. This is where God first moves in an unbeliever, because he's made His laws known to them. It's the law that convicts of sin. God's love can then reach the lost persons heart.
Hebrews 8:10-11This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.(NIV)
Romans 3:19-20Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (NIV)
Romans 7:7What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." (NIV)
(also look up Romans 1:20 if you get a chance)
So if BY THE LAW, we now KNOW and UNDERSTAND our sin then we must understand that God is a good and righteous judge and He will judge that sin. If He were not good, He would not rightly judge us and give us our just reward, but he IS TRUE and RIGHTEOUS and GOOD, and will most definitely JUDGE SIN very harshly. The penalty for that sin is DEATH.
If you have ever told a lie, then you are a liar. If you have ever put anything above God, then you have made a graven image in your mind. If you have ever looked upon another person to lust after them, you've commited adultery in your heart. If you have ever hated another person (without right cause), you've commited murder in God's eyes.
Now what do you suppose that a true and righteous judge would do to a lying, thieving, adulterer and murderer on the day of judgement? That's right. There would be no hope!
Now, knowing this, the unbeliever has a heart's soil that is ready for the Gospel message. Lay it on them! Tell of what Christ did on the cross, taking our sins and nailing them there if we put our faith in Him. Tell them of the penalty that was paid IN OUR PLACE! Then that person can truly understand the depth of what Christ has done and FULLY APPRECIATE it and come before Christ with a glad and thankful heart.
In 1808, Richard M'Nemar, speaking about the Kentucky Revival, wrote this in what he called a 'preliminary observation':
It will be granted, that God has a particular order and manner of working, in which one thing goes before another. Thus: the law and the prophets were until John, after that the kingdom of heaven is preached. It then follows that all men press into it. The first thing is the law, which convinces of sin. 2. The Prophets who minister the promise and hope of salvation. 3. The kingdom of heaven is preached; the way and method of salvation made manifest in word and doctrine: and last of all we must press into it. This is the order of God, and there is no other.
I would encourage you to listen to this online here:
HELLS BEST KEPT SECRET
And do the study sheet here:
HBKS STUDY SHEET
I hope it will be a blessing and an eye opener.
Kenneth
Hannah's Prayer
Imported from our Harvest Church Blogs
Original Blog Date: 06-23-2005
1st Samuel talks about Hannah and her husband, Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah, and Peninnah. Peninnah had many children with Elkinah, but Hannah had none. It says in the Bible that "the Lord had closed her womb". God did this for a reason, as we will soon find out. Peninnah would constantly make fun of Hannah and irritate her by pointing out the fact that she had no children. This was a BIG deal back then. You weren't considered much of a woman if you couldn't bear children, especially sons. Peninnah would not relent; She was constantly making fun of Hannah. What she was doing was pure evil. It wasn't a joke, and it wasn't funny. The enemy wanted to destroy Hannah. This was such an issue for Hannah, that she would quit eating. Elkanah loved Hannah more than his other wife because it states that he would give a portion of the meat sacrifice to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters, but he would give a DOUBLE portion to Hannah.
At the time of the yearly sacrifice, it states in 1st Samuel that Eli, the priest, was sitting in a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. Hannah, desiring from the Lord prays and vows:
1 Sam 1:10-11 "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." (NIV)
Hannah was telling the Lord she would separate her son for HIS work and HIS glory, as a Nazarite would. Check back in NUMBERS which says:
Hannah prayed all of this "in her heart" and only her lips moved. (This is proof that prayer comes from the abundance of the heart). Eli thought she was drunk and basically told her to "ditch the alcohol". Hannah said she was not drunk:
Guess what? Hannah had faith that God would give her this son. She believed in God's chosen high priest, ELI, and she knew that God would answer. She was expecting Him to from that point on. It says she went her way, she ATE, and her face was no longer downcast! That is awesome. This woman had faith that God would do exactly as Eli had said when he said "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him".
Hannah did have a son, and named him Samuel. Samuel means "asked from the Lord". As soon as the child was weaned, she took him to Samuel and placed him in Samuel's care. This woman, now vendicated from the hackling of Peninnah then prayed and gave glory to God saying:
Hannah's prayer sounds a lot like the words David wrote. She was exalting the Lord because He had given her victory over her enemies (Peninnah, her accuser "as Satan is" ). She was saying the strong would be made weak, and the weak made strong. The Lord lifts up and the Lord brings down. He raises the poor from the dust ( I like that ). He lifts the needy from the ash heap. He has them inherit a throne of honor. Hannah was used to being in a place of dishonor, with no son, but was now in a place of honor.
Hannah not only had Samuel, but 1 Samuel 2:21 says: And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (NIV)
So this woman who's only desire was to have a son, not only had Samuel, but gave birth to 3 sons and 2 daughters. The LORD is gracious isn't He!? God WANTS to bless us. Hannah would each year bring her son Samuel a robe she had made. I bet she had a good time catching up with all that was going on in his life. Because of her faith in God and her obedience to keep her word, the Lord honored her and Samuel. Samuel became a great prophet for the Lord as it says here:
Is there something miraculous you need from the Lord? Something you can't do in your own strength? Do what Hannah did and go to HIM for your salvation. Trust, believe and obey. God will move on your behalf, and WANTS to.
I just had to share some of this. To Him be the glory,
Kenneth
Original Blog Date: 06-23-2005
1st Samuel talks about Hannah and her husband, Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah, and Peninnah. Peninnah had many children with Elkinah, but Hannah had none. It says in the Bible that "the Lord had closed her womb". God did this for a reason, as we will soon find out. Peninnah would constantly make fun of Hannah and irritate her by pointing out the fact that she had no children. This was a BIG deal back then. You weren't considered much of a woman if you couldn't bear children, especially sons. Peninnah would not relent; She was constantly making fun of Hannah. What she was doing was pure evil. It wasn't a joke, and it wasn't funny. The enemy wanted to destroy Hannah. This was such an issue for Hannah, that she would quit eating. Elkanah loved Hannah more than his other wife because it states that he would give a portion of the meat sacrifice to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters, but he would give a DOUBLE portion to Hannah.
At the time of the yearly sacrifice, it states in 1st Samuel that Eli, the priest, was sitting in a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. Hannah, desiring from the Lord prays and vows:
1 Sam 1:10-11 "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." (NIV)
Hannah was telling the Lord she would separate her son for HIS work and HIS glory, as a Nazarite would. Check back in NUMBERS which says:
Num 6:1-5 The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. "'During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long.(NIV)
Hannah prayed all of this "in her heart" and only her lips moved. (This is proof that prayer comes from the abundance of the heart). Eli thought she was drunk and basically told her to "ditch the alcohol". Hannah said she was not drunk:
1 Samuel 1:15-18 - "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (NIV)
Guess what? Hannah had faith that God would give her this son. She believed in God's chosen high priest, ELI, and she knew that God would answer. She was expecting Him to from that point on. It says she went her way, she ATE, and her face was no longer downcast! That is awesome. This woman had faith that God would do exactly as Eli had said when he said "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him".
Hannah did have a son, and named him Samuel. Samuel means "asked from the Lord". As soon as the child was weaned, she took him to Samuel and placed him in Samuel's care. This woman, now vendicated from the hackling of Peninnah then prayed and gave glory to God saying:
1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. "The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. "The LORD brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails; S0 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."(NIV)
Hannah's prayer sounds a lot like the words David wrote. She was exalting the Lord because He had given her victory over her enemies (Peninnah, her accuser "as Satan is" ). She was saying the strong would be made weak, and the weak made strong. The Lord lifts up and the Lord brings down. He raises the poor from the dust ( I like that ). He lifts the needy from the ash heap. He has them inherit a throne of honor. Hannah was used to being in a place of dishonor, with no son, but was now in a place of honor.
Hannah not only had Samuel, but 1 Samuel 2:21 says: And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (NIV)
So this woman who's only desire was to have a son, not only had Samuel, but gave birth to 3 sons and 2 daughters. The LORD is gracious isn't He!? God WANTS to bless us. Hannah would each year bring her son Samuel a robe she had made. I bet she had a good time catching up with all that was going on in his life. Because of her faith in God and her obedience to keep her word, the Lord honored her and Samuel. Samuel became a great prophet for the Lord as it says here:
1 Sam 3:19-21 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (NIV)
Is there something miraculous you need from the Lord? Something you can't do in your own strength? Do what Hannah did and go to HIM for your salvation. Trust, believe and obey. God will move on your behalf, and WANTS to.
I just had to share some of this. To Him be the glory,
Kenneth
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