Approach In Righteousness

 

“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.” - Luke 7:47

 

In this age of communication and abundant information, one would think, we would be closer than ever as a human race, but oftentimes the opposite is true, we are just as guarded and segregated as ever.  If we are divorced from the sufferings of our fellowman and numb to the simplistic call of Christ; perhaps it is not in the channel of communication, but the approach we take to communicate.

 

In Jesus’s day, the Pharisees were the religious elite.  They held the high seats, wore the best robes, and only associated with those who were like them.  Side note, as a church we continually face a constant temptation to become Pharisaical.  When Jesus came on the scene some of them sought this man out, not as though he was the Son of God, but as though he was an equal.  Simon was such a Pharisee (Luke 7), he went so far as to invite Jesus to his home, but the manner in which he approached Christ is not unlike many today (perhaps even some reading now).  He gave him no kiss (a customary greeting), he gave him no basin to wash his feet (a gesture of kindness).  He approached Jesus, yes, but he did it in a guarded and careful manner.  Essentially, he said to his peers, himself, and Christ: “Let there be no mistake, I am intrigued by you, but not invested in you.”  Now, while they spoke, a woman, a sinner, comes up to Jesus and begins to bath his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair (how awkward this must have been for her and those around her); she then proceeds to anoint his head with oil.  How we approach Jesus Christ can determine the destiny of our immortal soul.  How we approach Jesus Christ is a matter of life and death.  Simon the Pharisee saw him as an equal and one that could be accepted or dismissed, he was guarded and full of care towards Jesus.  The women didn't care what anyone thought about her, she was not worried about what others would say or think; she approach Jesus recklessly, fanatically, and completely.  She wasn't just intrigued by him, she was invested, abandoned, and totally devoted to Jesus.  He was her salvation and she treated him as such.  If we are to obtain salvation, we cannot approach Christ like a research paper.  We cannot seek him half-heartedly.  You must not communicate with him like you would a casual friend.  That is to say, I will bash out a little text message every now and again while I surf the web, eat my dinner, and watch TV.  The Bible teaches us that for Christ to forgive and save your soul you must come to him as the women did.  You must approach Christ wholly, completely, entirely, with no regard for the cost or the shame that it may bring you.  You must, I must, we must, love much.  In this is the key to salvation, and the approach that will bring it to pass.

 

It is in love and in sacrifice that we approached God and His Christ.  Is that not the same approach He took?  Almighty God reached way down and loved a fallen man.  He sent His only Son to die for us and take the punishment for sin.  When we repent and give our all to Christ; he not only forgives us, but he sanctifies us wholly.  Now, in this same love we can approach our neighbor with the desire to impart the same love wherewith he loved us.  It is an approach in righteousness. 

The Will Of God

 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

 

“Can a man really live free from sin?  No, not possible.” Said the gentlemen at the desk of the mortgage office.  No doubt, he most certainly cannot under his own power.  However, we can do all things through Christ.  There is freedom from sin, and it is found through being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.  Throughout the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, this doctrine of sanctification is found.  An incalculable amount of literature has been written on the doctrine of sanctification, and the question still lingers: What is Sanctification?

 

What is Sanctification?  I would like to start by plainly stating what it is not:

 

It is not the will of man. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

It is not obtained or sustained by the merit of man. (Ephesians 2:8)

It is not a “magic wand” for all your problems. (1 Peter 2:20)

It is not for a specific group of people. (Titus 2:11 & 12)

It is not after death. (Titus 2:11 & 12)

It is not forgiveness. (Acts 26:18)

It is not something you grow into. (Acts 2: 1-4)

It is not impossible. (Philippians 4:13)

 

           No doubt, most of the confusion surrounding this doctrine can be found based somewhere in the above eight notions; at least four of which are frequently debated among denominations today.  Three are a misconception, and the final one is both.  This last one I would like to focus on for the time being, the notion that Sanctification “is not impossible.”

            Sanctification is very possible and very attainable.  In fact, it is the very reason Jesus came and died on this earth: “Father Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) He went on to say “For their sakes I sanctify myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:19) Jesus died so that we could have holiness of heart and holiness of life.  This rules out “positional or identifiable” holiness.  Meaning that as long as you believe Jesus and identify with his death you're saved.  Saved from all sin, no matter how much or how many sins you commit (this is false doctrine).  When the Spirit of God comes into your life and sanctifies you wholly, he banishes the sin within and exposes every sin without.  He tells you “no, don’t do that.  Don’t go there, don’t partake in that.”  When he does, you obey, and you have the power to obey because of the Holy Ghost living within.  The reigning power of Jesus Christ can indeed live within any willing, forgiven, human heart and give that man or woman the power to overcome sin.  It is possible to live free from sin with Jesus Christ reigning free in your life.  “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8) If God can part the seas, calm the storms, hang the sun, create the world, and raise the dead…. can he not raise you out of the dead works of sin?  Indeed, he can raise anyone out of sin.  He can keep that which is committed unto Him against that day. 

            Sanctification is not a secondary course for a bold few, but it is the primary course for all who will.  It is the will of God for his creation.  For no other reason than this, let us insist upon being sanctified.  Let us encourage the sinner, the converted, and the backslidden to press into the fullness of His grace.  So that we can all boldly say “because as he is, so are we in this world.”

Why Are Ye So Fearful?

 

"And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” -Mark 4:40

 

It would seem we all have a certain level of risk tolerance.  That tolerance varies depending on who or what we are talking about.  You might be willing to go skydiving, but not with your kid strapped to you.  Driving down the road while eating lunch is fine, but driving, eating, and texting; that’s too much.  Risk assessment, and risk tolerance is a both a natural and learned behavior.  It helps keep us alive, safe, and prosperous.  In the natural, we strive to mitigate risk when we can, tolerate what we cannot, and anything above that tolerance most of us simply avoid.  To that I ask (as I have been asking myself), what if what you love brings you to a risk beyond your tolerance? 

 

How would you characterize the risk tolerance of the disciples when they walked with Jesus?  To leave a life they knew, a family they loved, and strike out with a man they never met who may (or may not for all they knew at the time) be the Son of God?  In my mind, that would be characterized as a highly risky decision.  Certainly not smart from a logical standpoint.  Then, the miracles started, and they began to see Jesus in action, and so far, no one’s life was in jeopardy.  In fact, it was just the opposite, the blind could see, the lame walk, and the sick were healed; all because of Jesus.  They witnessed all of this firsthand.  Then, they got in a boat and went out to sea and on the sea a great storm arose.  The disciples were afraid, but Jesus was asleep.  On that boat the disciples found out exactly how much risk they were willing to tolerate, and a sinking boat was it.  In their panic they woke Jesus, and he asked them: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”  They believed in Christ enough to follow him but didn’t believe that he would keep them.  Their fear overwhelmed their faith, the same way the water overwhelmed the boat.  They were put in a situation that they could not control, in the middle of a risk that they could not tolerate nor avoid, and they turned to Jesus because they were not ready to die.  Jesus stepped in and saved them.  Peter would later test his faith, walking to Jesus on water, only to fall to fear once more.  Fear fights faith, and faith fights fear.  The two war against one another.  Concerning mortal peril, the disciples would eventually win that war and overcome by faith and the word of their testimony, loving not their lives until death.  Their risk tolerance exponentially expanded, not because of mitigation, or calculation, but because they eventually found a “perfect love for Christ that casteth out fear.”  Even the fear of death.  The love for Christ and faith in Jesus eventually took them into far more perilous waters and they sailed them confidently, because they had a newfound confidence in Jesus through the blessedness of the Holy Ghost.  They could sleep awaiting death, sing bound in chains, and live every day under threat of torture; all because they were wholly devoted to a Christ they loved.

 

Following Jesus is a risky endeavor.  He is not safe, he is not comfortable, but it does not mean that he is not good.  If we have access to the same power that empowered Christ himself is there any reason to be afraid?  Is there any risk we cannot tolerate for His name?  Not for pride, pleasure, or political agenda; but for Jesus.  All to Jesus I surrender, let us live all to Jesus.     

Restoration

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” -Psalms 51:12

 

 

God is a God of restoration.  He does not choose us the way the world choses us.  If a man walked into a job interview, covered with the stench of alcohol and dressed in tattered old clothing, would he get the job?  How many colleges do you think would admit an applicant that was illiterate?  The world does not accept, or venture to embrace what we could be, but rather what we are.  It loves those who by reason of strength, intelligence, or good fortune have exalted themselves above the rest.  God’s selection process is somewhat different, his cry is “whosoever will.”

 

Imagine with me for a moment if the leader of ISIS walked into your church on Sunday.  Someone known world over for hunting and killing Christians.  His fame, his person, everything that he is, centers on his zeal.  What if this man walked into your church Sunday morning?  What if he strolled right up to the pulpit, opened the Bible and began to read Matthew chapter seven?  What would you do?  Would you believe him?  Would you be terrified of him?  Do you think it can’t happen?  It has already happened.  Paul was a man that vehemently persecuted the church, imprisoned preachers of the gospel; he made it his mission to destroy Christianity.  Then one day the Lord Jesus stopped him in his tracks, and changed his life forever; are we not thankful that God’s selection process is somewhat different than the worlds?  Would you select Saul to be a pastor, or leader of your church?  If God can take a man such as Paul, a man that killed Christians.  If he can sanctify this man, if he can make a: preacher, teacher, minister, apostle, out of this man.  What can he do for you in your life?  He does not see us as the world does.  You might see a filthy, ruined, broken life.  He sees a white, clean, complete testimony.  You see a sin enslaved prisoner.  He sees a prime candidate to be an ambassador for him, and a preacher of the ministry of reconciliation. A person that can proclaim to all who will hear “he did it for me and he can do it for you!”  Simply put, Jesus can change your life, if you give it to him.  Restoration is not about what something is, but what it can be.  What it should be.  God wants to bring us back to complete fellowship with Him.  Pure, perfect, sinless fellowship; divorced from the world and married to Christ. 

 

Any person who gets up from an altar of prayer, after they have truly repented, will not be the same person who knelt to begin with.  That’s why it’s called conversion, and after conversion God will put his Spirit in your heart if you ask Him.  If you yield your life to Him.  His Holy Spirit will burn out the “want-to” part of you.  That part of you that naturally “wants-to” disobey God.  It will take that part out and put in a new “want-to.”  A want-to that wants what he wants, and desires what he desires.  It will make you holy.  That’s the gospel, and it is for whosoever will, not for whosoever is qualified.  You don’t get your life in order so you can come to God; you come to God and he can put your life in order.  

Get Thee A Name

“And showedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them.  So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.” – Nehemiah 9:10

 

It has been said that the star shines brightest in the blackest night.  When darkness is all around the light of the shining star is clearly seen.  The glory of it is promoted in the midst of the darkness.  In that, it manifests a name for itself.

 

Times were tough, when Moses walked into the land of Egypt with his brother Aaron.  His charge was to carry out God's charge to deliver His people.  Life for the average Hebrew was not attractive.  Their lot in life was slavery, with all the toil and struggle that comes with it.  Then Moses walked into Pharaoh's throne room and demanded that he let God’s people go.  Not because Moses said so, but because I AM said so.  In that moment Pharaoh was given a choice, and he was met with a truth he did not want to face.  The choice was to obey God, the truth was that he was not God.  We all are given the same choice.  Pharaoh responded poorly and would not let them go.  He even made their burdens heavier and life harder.  Then, the plagues came.  The wrath of God was poured out on Egypt and the Egyptians, and out of those desperate times the glory and power of God was manifested to the whole earth for generations to come.  His power was so great that the Egyptians were literally giving their valuables to the people they once enslaved as they drove them out of town.  The deliverance was so awesome that there was no doubt of God's mighty hand.  In this God did “get thee a name.”  When Moses walked in, nobody in Egypt knew who this Almighty God was; when the children of Israel walked out; everybody knew.  Out of that darkness, the deliverance of God purchased to himself a name amongst the heathen.  He would once again do the same with the blood of His own Son.  Only in the struggle, fear, and perilous times could His glory be revealed.  God will get a name for himself, but only with people who are willing to believe in Him.  A people willing to trust Him.  The times we live in today are not good times; in the sense that we can purchase to ourselves things that are good.  It’s not times of health, wealth, or leisure.  The world is turned upside down, and people are afraid.  While it is true, we have been stripped of the ability to get a name for ourselves, it is also true that we have been given the opportunity for God to get a name for himself.  There are people (I pray) looking for deliverance, and God's people can offer a gospel that does.  Now is not the time for cowardice, but for boldness.  It is not the time for fear, but for faith.  The charge today is not to navigate the treacherous times without injury, but to surrender all hope to the Lord and magnify His name!  Praying, Lord thy holy will be done.  God commanded Moses, who commanded Pharaoh, “let my people go so they may serve me.”  The deliverance leads to service, and in this God gets glory and a name for himself.  

 

Would to God that once again he would get a name for himself.  He has swiftly shown the fragility of the world around us.  The gods that the people love are no gods.  Within a year the world was brought to a screeching halt, and its citizens struggle today to find answers, and peace.  In the midst of all this let us pray; Lord, get thee a name.  Pray and be willing to follow Him, no matter what the cost; that he may be glorified. 

A Case For Modesty

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.” Genesis 3:7

 

Why should God’s people dress plain?  Why should they be modest and decent?  What is the harm in showing off the physic that God created?  Is there a case for modesty?   

 

Genesis chapter three verse seven is the first time in scripture when man is both aware of his nakedness and feels the need to cover it.  Before they sinned in the Garden, man was naked and was not ashamed.  They felt no shame because they had no knowledge.  Immediately after the fall of man there is an awareness of their nakedness and the reaction is to clothe themselves. The knowledge of good and evil brought about by their sin carried with it the knowledge of nakedness and shame.  God would soon come to them in the Garden and ask Adam and Eve why they hid themselves, they replied “because they were naked.”  The Lord knew where they were, he knew their disobedience, but he called attention to it and revealed it.  He revealed their offence, and their sin.  When they sinned, the relationship with God died in them, but what remained was an unholy act of rebellion and ill-gotten knowledge.  Before man’s sin we had no knowledge and by extension we were unashamed, but after we had knowledge and by consequence shame.  This is evidenced by the covering.  It is in disobedience we know of our nakedness and recognize the nakedness of others, and because of that disobedience we cover ourselves; and not just for the sake of one another, but for the sake of God.  It is well argued that a cause for modesty is the avoidance of inciting lust, but in scripture the root of modesty is the consequence of sin.  You may have a physic worthy of a marble sculpture, and the world may want to see it, but your nakedness still appears as an offence to God because of the fall.  Nakedness without covering shows continual disobedience to knowledge gained by unholy acts, and that is the first reason for covering (not the only reason).  If you need further proof, consider these two examples where the shame of nakedness is done away.  First, a newborn baby.  The second, is found inside holy matrimony.  In both cases, there is no shame before God or before one another.  It is removed because the knowledge that causes it is removed.  In the case of the child by ignorance, and in the case of the marriage by commandment.  All others, nakedness is an affront to God and man.   

 

If you have been redeemed, then you place God back on the throne of your heart, where he belongs and you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We are not the children of the world, but children of God.  The world doesn’t care about sleeve length, skirt length, shorts length, or what bathing suit to wear (or not wear).  They don’t see a need to cover, because the rebellion of their nakedness has not been revealed, and if we look just like them; how can it be?  The case for modesty is much deeper than “the church says so.”  The case for modesty rest’s on obedience to God and denial of yourself.  

Extraordinary Salvation

 

“And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” – Exodus 3:4

 

The ordinary and mundane will not attract the attention of people.  People don’t travel thousands of miles to see a streetlight; but they will see the Northern Lights.  You’re not going to pay hundreds of dollars to visit a shopping mall, but you might visit the Grand Canyon.  These things are extraordinary, they were created that way.  When we are converted and sanctified, God has placed in us an extraordinary salvation, and if we let our light shine it will attract.   

 

Perhaps nothing is more ordinary than shrubbery, especially in the wilderness.  A bush has no extraordinary qualities.  It is not what you would call majestic or stunning.  It is the mascot of ordinary and average.  At the very best a bush is there to accent or edify something else, like a house or an office building.  When you first begin reading in Genesis chapter three you find that Moses (the eventual leader of the Jews) is living his everyday life.  At this point he has settled down, married, and is working for his father-in-law tending sheep.  One particular day, whilst going about his day-to-day business, he comes across something that is supposed to be ordinary, behaving extraordinary.  It is a bush on fire, yet the fire does not consume the bush.  The bush just burns and burns.  This extraordinary sight catches his attention and draws him out of his day to day “task list” (if you will).  Then, the Lord calls to him out of the flaming bush.  God drew him, called him, and instructed him through the use of the ordinary bush that was made extraordinary.  That which was created ordinary was ordained by fire to be extraordinary, for God’s glory.  We live in a busy age, and with all the devices of distraction offered it would seem that the competition for attention has never been higher.  We ask ourselves (I hope) how do we reach our co-worker, friend, neighbor, etc.?  How do we witness in the day to day and get their attention?  As a burning bush.  Whether or not we were created extraordinary means nothing, God can take the essence of ordinary and make something extraordinary out of it.  When you are consumed with the fire of God for God, and it engulfs your life: your lifestyle, speech, and behavior will become a catalyst where God can speak and draw men and women to himself.  It was the ordinary behaving extraordinary that jerked Moses out of the fog of living and caused him to really listen to God.  When you love those that curse you, bless God in times of trouble, and consistently live the sold out, sanctified, Christian life. That is a life God will use and speak through.  I heard a preacher say recently: “God is not looking for new methods, he is looking for new men.”  Men and women who are willing to be made new by God Almighty and abandoned to His will and not their own. 

 

God help us to remember that you are on the throne of all creation, and you can make something beautiful out of our lives.  Lord ignite us with an everlasting fire within that will allow you to call to the hearts of men and women.  Let us live, preach, and testify of a: real, genuine, extraordinary salvation that is the government of our lives and the hope of our soul; and may the glory and righteousness of your Son Jesus consume us to make us lights unto the world, a vessel from which you can speak.  Father help us to live and love with an extraordinary salvation within, the salvation brought by your son Jesus Christ.  

Citizenship

 

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” – Hebrews 11:13

 

            Citizenship in America, even today, is still highly sought after.  If not born to a US citizen or married to one, the application process to become a legal American citizen can take anywhere from six months to a year; sometimes even longer.  A citizen of this country must abide by the laws and statues of this Nation.  Further, most will find themselves assimilating and gravitating towards the customs and traditions that make America, America.  Typically, if an American citizen got on a plane headed to some far away land, the moment you stepped off that plane it would be evident that you were not from that country.  You can tell that just by looking at you; you are not a citizen, you are a stranger, a pilgrim; you don’t belong there. 

To be a Christian is to be a citizen of God’s country, and we are made a citizen not by birth of man, but by the spiritual birth through the power of the Holy Ghost.  Furthermore, if we are a citizen of God’s country then by default, we cannot be a citizen of the world (as defined in 1 John 2:16).  The converse is also true; if you claim to be a citizen of the world then you cannot be a citizen of God’s country.  There is no dual citizenship in God’s kingdom, you are either known there and a stranger here; or you are known here and a stranger there.  The question then becomes, where do you call home?  Where is your citizenship?  If you know that you have not been born again and affirm that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, then no doubt you are a citizen of the world.  Do not despair, for once we were all in this state and by repenting of our sins and inviting the Holy Ghost to come and live within, we were born again.  This made us a citizen of God’s country.  God did it, and he will do the same for you.  What then for those of us who currently claim they are Christians?  We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip (Heb 2:1).  What we say and what we do can often be two very different things.  Cain hated his brother Abel and slew him.  The righteousness of Abel’s heart was fleshed out in the works that he did; and the unrighteousness of Cain’s heart was fleshed out in the works that he did.  Where your citizenship is, is not determined by lip service, but by heart service.  The Holy Ghost will yield fruit that is holy in your life.  Take for example military personnel that are called to serve in a foreign country.  You will find that there are certain things they avoid.  They don’t not buy homes, they typically don’t marry into that country, they don’t willingly assimilate into the culture, they don’t invest a lot of time in gaining the things that the citizens of that country hold dear……. Why is this?   Simply because that’s not where their heart is, that’s not where their allegiance is, and they don’t plan to stay very long.  US soldiers don’t want to live aboard; they want to come home!  One of the devil’s strongest temptations is right along these lines.  He wants Christian’s to believe that this world is our home.  He wants us to get acclimated, plan to stay awhile, build up OUR kingdom, and forget about God’s.  He wants us to live in houses that are more shelter than we need, drive cars that we can’t afford, work, work, work, and buy, buy, buy.  Tempting us to a “better” lifestyle that takes more time and effort to maintain.  Tempting us, wooing us, into loving this world and forgetting about the one to come.

The lie that we belong here is constantly being told to us.  When in reality, if we are truly children of God we will never feel at home in this world, nor endeavor to be at home; we will remain pilgrims.  We must remain pilgrims here, if we seek a home up there.

God Is Love

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” -Matthew 22:37-39

 

Love is not ours but Gods.  God is love, and we love him because he first loved us.  Because this is true, love can never be synonymous with tolerance.  Love must be attributed back to God himself and then consequently given to the creation he first loved.  It is no charge of the Christian to hate, and no more so to accept that which God hates.

 

When the Pharisees asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment.  His reply was “Love the Lord your God, and the second like unto it love your neighbor as yourself.”  I have heard it said on many occasions; the first part of this statement summed up the first four commandments, and the second summed up the last six.  Loving God will cause obedience to the first four commandments, and in doing so cause you to love your neighbor which covers the other six.  This is why Paul writes that all the law is fulfilled in one word: Love.  When you love God, you love what God loves, want what God wants, and you in turn hate what God hates.  God is love, so when you love God and you are filled with the love of God (the Holy Ghost) you are brought into conformity with Him.  Furthermore, you are divorced from everything that is against him.  Idolatry, blasphemy, stealing, murder, adultery, fornication; these are things that God hates, because he loves and is love.  They are against Him, and in truth against us as well.  When we sin, people suffer.  Babies suffer when they are aborted, children suffer when parents’ divorce, people hurt when there is murder, and hardship abounds when we: lie, cheat, and steal.  It is the commission of the Christian to show the love of God and shun the path of sin; in doing so, we will garner the persecution of the world.  Why?  Because the world is of their father the devil.  Virtually every major ideology that is militantly propagated by the world is against God.  Among which include homosexuality, transgender, gender equality, abortion, evolution, capitalist greed, humanism, and many others.  They seek to overthrow Almighty God, even though many who carry these beliefs may not see it that way.  However, because the devil has blinded the minds of them that believe not, they that are of the world want to challenge God’s authority as the Creator/Almighty.  Furthermore, the devil seeks to undermine His hierarchy in the home, in the church, in all places.  The ultimate goal is for us to embrace and worship the creature more than the Creator.  The Pharisees design was to undermine Jesus and try to catch him in his words.  The devils design is the same, he wants to undermine God and try to gain an advantage by destroying His authority.  Satan knows that God is Lord, but if he can convince us that we are lord and we are gods in and of ourselves then we will know no Savior, and in truth we will live without the love of God and the favor of God.  The battle is bigger than politics, land, and country; it is spiritual warfare we are fighting.  In an effort to win souls away for a sinner’s hell.   

 

Love for God, and love for our neighbor will cut through all of this and center us on good things.  We don’t have to have all the answers to all the questions, but we must trust in the Lord and believe His word.  The answer to the world today is the same answer it was to the world then.  Love God and love your neighbor.  This is the whole duty of man. 

Lift Up Your Eyes: Guest Week-Jay Williams

John 4:35 - "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

The road (Highway 300) that connects Albany, GA to Interstate 75 is a rather uneventful drive. You will pass through a few small towns and go by a lake, but for the most part it consists of farm land.

In the 4th chapter of St John, we read a very personal experience involving Jesus and a nameless Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. From the beginning of the conversation, one can sense the animosity that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans. You can also pick up hints of this disdain between the two people groups in the dialogue of Christ's disciples as well. Yet, Jesus had a need to go through Samaria on this particular journey, and I imagine His disciples were much like I was this past Sunday when traveling on Highway 300. Just a few more miles, just a few more minutes, and I'll be through this highway flanked by farmland. But on this certain day something caught my eye. Cotton. Big, fluffy white cotton covering the fields in what appeared like heavy snow that had fallen on bushes. The fields (in my non-agricultural eyes) appeared to be white to harvest (ripe and ready to harvest) just as Jesus spoke about to the disciples in regards to the people of Samaria. While His disciples were perplexed in trying to figure out why he had been speaking to the nameless (and now departed) woman and exactly who had fed him (see John 4:31-34), they completely missed the fields. Not fields of cotton, but rather fields of people. A people who are ripe and ready for harvest. A people desperately searching for help, comfort, guidance and salvation. A people in need of a Savior!

As previously stated, I am not a farmer; therefore, I wouldn't even begin to know the most effective and efficient way to harvest those cotton fields. Yet I know without a doubt that had I stopped along that highway and ventured into the field with a bag in hand, I would have certainly been able to fill the bag, even without any cotton-picking experience. God help us all in our spiritual journeys to "lift up our eyes" and be willing to labor in any field, so that we may reap wages unto life eternal.

Relationship Bedrock: Obedience

 

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:”-Acts 26:19

 

Most any parent will tell you that there are few things as satisfying as an obedient child (especially in public).  When you can give a commandment whether it be a “do” or “don’t” commandment and that commandment is immediately followed; it brings a wonderful feeling.  It should bring a wonderful feeling, because obedience is a fundamental part of the relationship between a good parent and child.  The parent is tasked with the raising of children.  In order to effectively fulfill that task, the children must obey the parent.  The bottom line is the parent knows what is best for the children, and the children must submit to the teaching and in obedience follow the guidance of the parent.  This is a part of the bedrock of the relationship, and the same is true between us and God.

 

Saul, before he was Paul was disobedient.  Although he did it ignorantly and in unbelief; he was still disobedient.  He went about not having his own righteousness but trying to establish it.  He established it by being so zealous concerning the letter of the old law, and in his zeal tried desperately to destroy Christianity.  A Christianity that in his own mind was contrary to the law and his righteousness.  The same is true today, but instead of the law we have social norms, political ideals, consumerism, feminism, gay and lesbianism, and the list goes on and on.  Ultimately, if we don’t heed the commandment of God, we are all trying to simply establish our own righteousness (the church is not exempt either).  This effort to establish our own way leads us and as it led him, to do terrible things against Christ.  This went on in Saul’s life until Christ struck him down on the road to Damascus and called him with a heavenly vision.  Saul responded with “who are thou Lord?”  indeed, it was the same Jesus whom Saul persecuted and so vehemently fought against.  Jesus made this clear by replying “I am Jesus whom thou persecute, it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”  God would soon change his name to Paul and call him to preach.  He was not disobedient to that heavenly vision.  He went forth putting it all on the line and preached the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.  The obedience to the fist vision setting the course for all the many promptings and leadings from the Spirit that would eventually follow.  The same goes for us when God the Father comes to us and convicts us of our own sin; showing us his righteousness and exposing our unrighteousness; it is a vision; it is a statement of truth.  The choice comes to us and now what are we to do with it?  Will we be obedient or disobedient?  Will we reject the truth and turn to our own way again, or submit and follow Jesus?  If we reject him then we face the wrath and judgment of a just God but if we follow him then we can find blessing and a home in heaven.  There is no salvation to the disobedient but only to the obedient.  Furthermore, once you do follow Christ and have received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there is a need to hear His voice and heed His call.  No matter what popular opinion is or what seems logical at the time, do not be disobedient.  The influence of the Holy Ghost is the voice of God that leads His children.  Obedience being part of the bedrock of the relationship.  Like a parent with their child. 

 

When we obey, we find in obedience that he is indeed a loving heavenly Father that is there for us and will: lead us, guide us, bless us, care for us, and give peace.  Obeying God is so much better than serving sin.  For the “wages of sin is death.”  Also, we give glory to the Father when we obey.  As a parent delights in an obedient child because it glorifies the parent, so God delights in us when we obey Him, and he is a good, loving Father worthy of all obedience.  

Local’s Only

 

“Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” – 1 Corinthians 14:19

 

Once upon a time, there were no cell phones, no GPS systems, if you were to find yourself lost while traveling you had a map and if that failed you; it was down to stopping and asking for directions.  There was nothing more frustrating than having to stop, get out, and ask the local’s “how do I get to the interstate?”  Only to find the local respond to your question with: “Well, what you need to do is turn right out of here, that will take you right by where that old bakery used to be, once you pass it hang a left.  Keep a look out for Jimmy’s place, you know Jimmy, because once you pass Jimmy’s you will need to slow down and hang a right at the old dump.  That road will take over the creek, which will lead you to fifty-one north which will take you right to the interstate.”  You then thanked him, leaving with a lot of words and no direction. 

            The local was speaking the same language, yet he was not speaking the same language.  This man was given “directions” to men like him.  “Local’s” so to speak, those who know the area, know the culture, speak the language, and could discern the rhetoric.  By and by, a complete stranger walks into the shop asking for directions he gives him words but no direction.  There was no understanding gained, because the speech was unknown.  The references and landmarks that the local was using, the stranger did not know so the value of what he was saying was lost.  As church going Christians, we must be very careful not to find ourselves falling into the same trap.  If the members are not careful a “language or tongue” can develop within the church; this is not to say that one person is to blame, however, like any small, tight knit community, we can get so comfortable talking to one another it will be difficult for new people coming in the door to understand what we are talking about.  That sermon on Melchisedec may have been really deep, but if no one in the congregation knows who Melchisedec is it might not be so powerful.  The Sunday School lesson that picks up in Exodus chapter twelve might be rich for most of us, but that poor soul who doesn’t know Exodus, or Moses might need a quick summary.  Now granted, there will always be parts of sermon’s, and pieces of conversation that some people listening will not be able to follow (I know this to be true because I am one of them), however the thrust of the message is this; when it comes to speaking, teaching, and preaching let us use great plainness of speech endeavoring to be clearly understood.  Furthermore, let us guard against constant preaching, teaching, speaking to only people who preach, teach, and speak as we do.  As Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”  You might take a down the line, sin killing, Jesus exalting text and preach it with all might; weaving in Romans, Ephesians, and throwing in some Old Testament examples for good measure; however, what good is it if the whole of congregation is saved, and the few sinners that are not can’t follow it?  They have the words but not the direction.  God help us to preach and preach plain.  Church language and rhetoric evolves over time within a compartmentalized culture of church people.  Then, the next generation is raised under the same rhetoric, and conditioned to preach the same way, but if your language has evolved into “local’s only” speech; what good is it to the common sinner whom you should be trying to save?    

It is without question and contention that the Holy Ghost can guide us in this regard as true as any.  Furthermore, a consistent and constant push to reach out to the lost and unchurch will guard against any growth of “local’s only” type speech.  Paul prayed and endeavored to speak the language (that is Hebrew or Greek) to those in the church who spoke Hebrew or Greek, so let us pray and endeavor to speak the plain gospel to the lost; speak so as to give them clear instruction on how to get to heaven.  Do not try to water it down or dress it up; give the gospel directly so that they may have direction.  God help us to tell people how to get to heaven, in words that can be understood.  Even if it costs us our lives. 

Be Ye Reconciled

 

“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.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

 

In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve experienced perfect fellowship with the Father.  When they sinned, that sin entered into the heart of man and the fellowship was broken.  This left them and consequently us without reconciliation.  We were unreconciled to God because of sin.  This is why we need the Son of God.  Christ is the reconciler, and those who are reconciled to God beseech those who are not.  We do this so that the sin question can be settled, and fellowship can be restored. 

 

In the book of 2 Samuel we find the account of the death of Absalom; King David’s son.  A terrible scandal occurred in the kingdom and Absalom’s thirst for vengeance created a rift in the relationship between father and son.  Absalom’s pride and lust only furthered this tare.  So much so that Absalom spent two years in Jerusalem, but never saw his Father’s face.  He never went to him for council.  He never sat at his table for dinner.  They were in close proximity with one another on a daily basis, but they had no fellowship, they were not reconciled.  David wanted reconciliation, but Absalom did not.  The sin in Absalom’s heart had twisted that man into a power-hungry monster until he wanted nothing but the throne.  He desired only achievements, and it ruined his life along with the relationships that matter.  Many people find themselves in a similar state.  Spending their life warring after power and achievement, only to find that in their pursuit they laid waste to the things which matter most.  Absalom lived and died in his sins, unreconciled to his father, never knowing the full fellowship that perhaps once was.  God sent his son Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins so that we will not share in Absalom’s fate.  We find sin and unrest in the world, because there are people in the world; and sin is in the heart of people.  When one has sin in their heart, by and by they will have sin in their life.  Sin separates us from God; if you have sin in your life it will forever separate you from God.  You will never find true: peace, love, joy, happiness, because you are unreconciled to your Father and Creator.  However, it doesn’t have to be that way.  We can be reconciled to God, through Jesus Christ.  If we call on the saving power of Jesus, he can restore us to true fellowship.  We can be settled and saved.  Our life resolved to one single purpose: Love.  The absolute love of God and love for our neighbor.  This reconciliation is obtainable and accessible, but only through Christ.  You must repent of your sins and obtain forgiveness.  Then seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost that will change your old sinful nature to be like unto His holy nature.   

 

When we repent, he forgives, and when we commit, he sanctifies.  We are then accepted as sons and daughters; empowered by the Holy Ghost to reign over sin in this life; and thereby are reconciled.  The fellowship with God is restored through the power of the Holy Ghost, and it is made possible by the death and resurrection of Christ.  “We love Him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)    

Principal Ambition

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” -Matthew 6:33

 

Ambition is like water, too much or too little can be harmful.   A slothful and complacent soul will perish because they are lacking.  The opposite is true as well, the hard driving and assertive person will become choked with the “cares of this life.”  The world will denounce laziness and indifference, and so should the Christian.  However, not many would contend that too much ambition is a bad thing.  Can we really have too much ambition? Is there harm in wanting to achieve?  Is there danger in wanting more?

 

The book of Psalms is a wonderful portrait of human emotion.  It is the heart of David poured out on paper; with prophecy, doctrine, poetry, and exhortation articulated within.  David was the second king of Israel behind Saul.  The reason Saul was no longer the king was because his heart was haughty, eyes lofty, and he exercised himself in matters/things too high for him.  King David saw firsthand the effect of being overly ambitious.  When Saul was instructed to kill the Amalekites, the prophet Samuel told him to destroy all the spoils; leave neither man nor beast.  Saul decided to keep the best of the flock, saying the people wanted to offer it as a sacrifice to God.  He manipulated the commandment of God to suit his own personal desires.  He wanted the spoil, the people wanted sacrifice, and there was little consideration given to what God wanted.  Saul was seeking his own gain for “his” kingdom and put little thought to the kingdom of God.  Saul was the anointed king under God, and he was over the people of Israel, but he spent too much time thinking about how he was over the people, and not enough time considering that he was under God.  His ambition lifted his heart beyond his authority; outside of his occupation, and he lost the kingdom (and eventually his life) because of it.  David took instruction from this and his ambition was only towards the things of God.  The longing to praise him, to worship him, and to fight for him was David’s heart.  He loved God more than the praise of men.  He loved God more than this world.  He loved God and God was the guide of his life.  I believe that if God wanted him to stay a shepherd his whole life, he would have stayed a shepherd.  He was resigned to the will of God (as much as a sinful man could be).  As Holy Ghost filled followers of Jesus, we are called to be dead to the world and alive to God.  Which means that any ambition which would take us outside of the will of God is too much ambition.  You can want a scholarship, job, property, or possession so much that it carries you to a place where you forget God.  You can have ambition to be a pastor, class leader or minister; which would be perfectly acceptable in the eyes of many, but is it in the will of God?  Saul loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.  This clouded his judgment, and ultimately lead to destruction.  We can love ourselves or the praise of others more than we love God and even cloaked in wholesome ambition it is still wrong.  Our principle ambition is the kingdom of God.  The obtaining of it, the promotion of it, and the glorifying of it.  We maintain this course with diligence throughout our life and in this we “live, move, and have our being.”   Our principal goal is that of the Christ we follow, to do always the will of the Father. 

 

Granted, the will of the Father may seem unknown to us at times, but when we wait in prayer and faith, he will make it known to us.  The goal is not to accomplish our goals, but “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.”   Let this be our principal ambition. 

Trust The I AM

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” –Exodus 3:14

 

If you have a chance, I would highly recommend going to cshcl.com and clicking on archived sermons.  My prayer is you will navigate to see and listen to the last two Sunday Morning sermons.  Both are wonderful sermons that have done me so much good.  What follows is what I hope would be considered an extension of the sermon last Sunday. 

 

Moses was called of God to lead the children of Israel out of the Promise land.  The Jews were enslaved in Egypt and Moses (being once an Egyptian himself) was now long removed from that life and forty years a shepherd in the land of Midian.  On this day, he was shepherding his flock on the backside of the desert when God spoke to him from the midst of a bush that burned yet was not consumed.  Moses, one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament, inquired of God what he should say when asked “who sent you?;”  You can imagine, here is a guy they have not seen or heard from for forty years and all of the sudden he walks in and says “God told me to lead you out of slavery.”  God replied to him, tell them the I AM sent you.  I AM, these two monosyllabic words that convey an absolute presence and power.  A presence and power that persist in the past, present, and future.  The I AM.  Only God can make a statement like this, because only he is truly the I AM.  The Godhead exists in the three “tenses” simultaneously and indefinitely.  He was here before the world began, he is here right this very instant, and will be here long after we are gone.  He is the I AM.  The statement that God told Moses to make was a statement of fact, and of unquestionable authority.  God said unto Moses, “I AM THAT I AM.”  He is all that was, he is all that you see, he is everything that will be.  He is “above all, through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:6) You are a grain of sand; I AM the universe.  You are a raindrop; I AM the atmosphere.  You are a snowflake; I AM the Himalayas.  The I AM is both temporal and eternal.  This one statement would give Moses all the ammunition needed to carry out the awesome task that was before him, because the I AM was with him and will be with him.  The Egyptian Pharaoh and all his mighty armies are nothing compared to the I AM.  Moses had the authority and confidence to carry out what God commanded; because he trusted the I AM.  The fact that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are the I AM means that we can now in this day draw courage from the same I AM that Moses met on the hill while tending the sheep that day.

 

            God charged Moses with the task of staring down a tyrant and leading a nation out of bondage.  He performed that task, not because of the man he was, but because of who he trusted.  When you're sanctified, you have the I AM living in you, and with you.  The fullness of the Godhead bodily is manifested with you and in this we can draw great strength and confidence to carry out whatever task God would call us too.  Which certainly would include living holy. 

Crop Rotation

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” -Mark 16:15

 

Crop rotation is the process of rotating different crops in the same field, this in an effort to improve overall soil health.  By rotating your crop year in and year out you are not farming the same seed in the same soil, because doing so will rob the land of beneficial nutrients you need to grow a healthy crop.  A lack of good crop rotation could produce sterile ground and substandard yields.

 

The development of crop rotation was igneous when it comes to trying to improve yields, in the limiting capacity that is found in farming.  No one person owes all the fertile land.  It is segmented, privatized, so where you plant doesn’t change.  Down here in Georgia we have good land down in Seminole County, and even if farmers in Dougherty County wanted to pick up and move down to Seminole County they couldn’t.  They have to work the land they own.  Therefore, in an effort to produce better yields and keep their land fertile they practice crop rotation.  As sanctified people, we don’t have to contend with limiting factors or capacity.  Jesus said “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  The seed is the Word, salvation from sin through Jesus Christ our Lord.  The field we are spreading it in is the whole world.  Everyone, everywhere.  When we go out to spread the gospel, we are all going out into a vast field of labor.  Unlike farmers in South Georgia, we are not bound by land rights, the field is the world and the Father owns it all.  To quote John Wesley (as I am fond of doing) “I look upon all the world as my parish.”  The local Walmart, and the foreign nations are all fields of labor to the Christian.  With so much acreage to cover, it is a wonder why we insist on planting the same seed, in the same field; year, after year, after year.  Preaching to the people we are comfortable preaching too.  Our children, our family, our cousins, our young people.  Church people sowing in the field of church people.  Rich people, sowing in the field of rich people.  White people in the field of white, black in the field of black; the list goes on.  Trouble us not with a wider gaze or broader horizon, lest we find a field that would require immense sacrifice.  Would it not be for the commandment of Christ, we could go into all our folks and preach; but Jesus said, “go to the world.”  If we plant the same seed, in the same field, year in and year out; eventually the beneficial nutrients will be robbed and there will be less and less fruit.  Which will happen because we have no seed to rotate.  Christ knew this and this is why he left this commission for the church to “Go”.  If we just focus on getting our kids sanctified, by and by we might lose them; why?  Because the demonstration of the gospel that they will see is one robbed of one of its great beneficial nutrients, namely the lost/unchurched coming to Christ.  When you see a wretched sinner come to know Jesus it marks you.  Furthermore, when you take part in the spreading of a gospel that saves the sinner, it affirms your faith.  Finally, when you are active in ministry that brings people to salvation from all walks of life; that will bring forth fruit in you, because you are taking part in a salvation that works everywhere.  However, we can’t find that precious to our soul if we are not spreading salvation everywhere!   

 

The early church maintained a militant focus to spread the Gospel.  I believe it was because they loved the lost, but also because they love God.  In loving God, they knew that God loved them and wanted what was best for them.  There is nothing quite so wonderful as the blessing of seeing a soul converted, sanctified, and living for Jesus Christ.  It is a glorious field of labor; Lord send forth laborers.  

Hide Thyself

“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.”-1 Kings 17:3-4

The Christian life is a life of spiritual warfare.  “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.” Our warfare is a spiritual battle on a physical plain with eternal consequences.  While the battle rages, and the tribulation mounts it is important for the Christian to heed the instruction to hide thyself.  Hide thyself, and let God feed thee; not the pastor, the preacher, or your spouse.  Not the television, internet, hobby or vacation.  Hide thyself and let God encourage, strengthen, instruct, and nourish you.

 

Elijah the prophet was a man of prayer, and a man of God.  The prophet of prophets, he fought many battles against the armies of the enemy.  Here we find him just after leaving the wicked king Ahab and telling him that there would be no rain according to my word.  To a ruler, this would be devastating news.  Without rain, crops cannot grow, and the country cannot sustain.  Much like the Coronavirus has virtually shut down our country, so the lack of rain would shut down the nation of Israel.  It is one thing to say there would be no rain, another to say it and there is no rain, but he said there would be no rain but according to my word; and there was no rain.  Which implies that according to his word which was the word of the Lord, he commanded the rain.  Effectively, this put a giant target on the back of Elijah.  So, God took him to the brook of Cherith and told him to hide thyself and the ravens would feed him.  There he stayed, strengthened by the Lord before he would send him to the widow women, and then ultimately to battle with the prophets of Baal and Ahab once more.  However, the commandment was first “hide thyself.”  We must preach the Word of the Lord, and it will put a target on our backs.  However, when the armies of the enemies come to buffet us our strength for warfare does not come through the might of man, or the cunning of man.  The world equates movement with ability, and motion with accomplishment.  The sanctified Christian (is there any other kind?) must learn this is not so.  We must embrace being hidden, separated, and alone with God if we are to stand any chance against the enemy.  Like Elijah, we must find a quiet place, separated from distraction and disturbance to be nourished of God.  There are a great many teachings in the church on movement.  Promoting programs, plans, performance, and passion.  You have youth group, small group, study group, fellowship group, ladies’ group, men’s group, Sunday school, Sunday morning service, Sunday evening service, Wednesday night service, and much more.  Then on top of that we pile on soccer games, dance lessons, video games, mission trips, work, schoolwork, yard work, housework, and who knows what else.  With all this movement and motion, surely, we must be accomplishing something, right?  Hide thyself.  To quote John Church, “we are all running like our eggs are on fire and we haven’t time to get alone with God.”  We haven’t time to sit alone with God and read his Word.  Be nourished by it, shaped by it, and encouraged by it.  We haven’t time to deepen our prayer life, pour out our hearts to Him and wait for a Word from God.  That divine unction that will carry us through and to what is needful to perform his will.  God says to us: “hide thyself, and I will feed thee.”  One of the most difficult things to do is to hide yourself and trust in Christ alone for your nourishment and direction.  Not your spouse, preacher, friends, entertainment, or anything that is worldly; just you and God, alone.  That is when you find out where you get your strength.  

 

Elijah won a mighty victory on mount Carmel when he bested the hundreds of prophets of Baal and proved that God was the one true God.  However, God didn’t prepare him for that battle during the battle, but before the battle.  By the brook of Cherith, while he was hidden away.  If no other reason than this, let us never neglect the blessedness and importance of being hidden.  

Pentecost

Pentecost – 8-26-20

 

“Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” Matthew 26:35

 

 

            The life of Peter (and Paul as well) is a testimony of what the power of God can do for a human being.  Before Jesus’s resurrection, no doubt Peter’s heart is in the right place.  His dedication, zeal, enthusiasm, and love for Jesus was second to none.  Think of him as he leaps from the boat to walk the sea and go to his Master.  Then he refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, but then the Lord rebukes him with the prophetic words “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Peter responds; “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” (John 13:7-9)   We think of him as he answers to Jesus’s probing question after the multitudes turn back “Will you also go away?”  Peter responds “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6: 67-69)   He loved God; he loved Jesus; and when he said “Though I should die with thee”, I believe that in his heart he meant it, but he wrote a check from the heart, too big for himself to cash.

 

           Many people today love God.  These are they who have a desire to do right and a desire to “sin not.”  However, there are thoughts, actions, deeds, that they wish they wouldn’t do; and thoughts, actions, and reactions that they wish they would have done.  Moreover, they promised God that they would never do this or that again.  Furthermore, they promised him that they would try to do better going forward.  Yet, by and by, they find themselves unable to pay up on the checks they write with their hearts.  We each one knows what act of defiance is in our lives that we ourselves want to badly to overcome, but like Peter, we write checks with our hearts that our own will power cannot cash.  So what now?  Do we live in constant disapproval and failure towards God?  “God forbid” Paul writes in Romans, I am glad there is a Pentecost.  About forty days after the resurrection of Jesus we find the disciples in an upper room having a prayer meeting; when the power falls.  The promised Holy Ghost comes on the scene and fills all that were sitting (Acts 2).  Shortly thereafter, Peter stands up and boldly begins to preach and teach Jesus to everyone around.  The man that once denied, now passionately affirms and preaches the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He not only did it on this occasion, but time and time again he affirmed with boldness that Jesus was the Christ (see Acts 3 & 4).  So, what was it that gives power for this man Peter to now cash in on the check his heart wrote about a month prior?........The Holy Ghost. 

 

The Holy Ghost can come into your heart and give you the power to love God the way you want to love him.  He can give you the capital to pay up on all those checks you once wrote in your heart but couldn’t by your own willpower make good on.  The Holy Ghost can eradicate every obstruction and remove that which yields to disobedience.  It is not in your: might, will, or ability; but rather a complete reliance on His.  What is needed is a Pentecost.   

 

“His power can make you what you want to be;

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;

His love can fill your soul, and you will see

’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.”

These Men

 

“Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” -Acts 4:16       

 

There’s a hornet’s nest that exists just outside my front door.  It sits right up in the corner of the awning that covers my patio.  For a couple years I have waged war against these pesky hornets.  They build the nest and I destroy.  They build and I destroy.  Recently, I have discovered that if I leave them alone, they come and go routinely, and I don’t get stung.  There is a chance someone else might get stung, but if I don’t go near them, and they don’t go near me; were good.  So, the truce was called (we don’t get too many visitors now anyway) and everyone is happy.  However, what I didn’t realize is that while I was comfortable, they were busy.  I ignored them for too long and now there are four more nests and another under construction.  So now the choice is, do I continue to try and avoid them, or stir them up?  Enter the fry and kill some hornets; risking the stinging that may follow.

 

Holy living and preaching will stir up the devil’s nest and he will come for you.  However, to leave him be is to risk him advancing and sending more souls into hell.  Satan would keep a person or persons from being converted and sanctified.  Truly, this is the first line of defense.  If he can keep them blinded by sin, they will not seek nor could they witness for the Savior.  How can a dead man be a living testimony?  This is the principle thing, so if you go out there and start telling people about Jesus you are stirring up the devil’s nest.  You are tearing down his kingdom and he will come for you.  Should you persevere, he has other means to stop the saint from contending for the faith.  He will tempt the saint or at the very least cause him to doubt.  Doubt his/her witness, testimony, and ministry.  Satan will throw temptation after temptation, trial after trial, until you are wearied and submissive.  He will also busy the saint.  Keep you so wrapped in the cares of the world that you forget your true vocation.  It is enough for you pass on by him.  He would have you believe that you can have your little bit of the world and he will be satisfied with his little bit.  Not so, the devil is not so lazy, and we not so lucky.  He will labor night and day to destroy souls, always advancing; just because you ignore him and build your own kingdom doesn’t mean he is not out there building his.  With all this said, we have a might force in the Holy Spirit.  When a man or women truly gets ahold of the indwelling Holy Spirit and is daily shining their light, all of Satan’s devices will fail.  What shall he do to these men?  Can he beat them?  Them who count it joy to suffer.  Have them exiled?  Those who entertain the company of Almighty God.  Rob them?  Those who have given up all.  Should he have them killed?  Those who have already lost their life for Christ’s sake!  What can he do?  What can the world do?  What can anyone do to the Christian who is fully persuaded?  They can do nothing.  There is no defense against a man or women who has the perfect love for God and perfect love for man burning on the inside.  It is a consuming fire that will burn brightly in a dark world.  A convicting Spirit that will expose the sin in the sinner.  Satan can do nothing against it, so he will do everything to prevent it.  He will prevent the receiving of the Holy Ghost, the fellowship with the Holy Ghost, and the preaching of the Holy Ghost.  He will threaten, discourage, sow discord, cause strife, and keep us plain busy.  He will cause us to get so wrapped up in this world that we forget the world to come.  He will say, whatever happens, do not let a man become sanctified, and do not let a man live sanctified, and do not let him preach sanctification.  For truly if that happens, he can do nothing against it. The early church was ablaze with love for God by the Spirit of God.  They were sold out to the Christ that sacrificed all for them.  By consequential fact their preaching and teaching were met with persecution and opposition, but it also caused many to be saved. 

 

What shall we do to these men?  Indeed, that is the question that plagues the world, and the devil when confronted with truly sanctified people.  What shall we do?  How can we stop the spread of the gospel, and the furthering of the kingdom of God?  To them, holiness is an open assault on their wickedness.  A light which condemns the darkness within.  It is the person of Christ himself.  Are you one of these men?