Sermons 4.
How shall we escape?
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? The gift of Salvation comes threw faith in Jesus Christ, as the Son of God. Believing in God is not enough to be saved, for the Lord has demanded us all to worship Him in Spirit and Truth, threw His Son. How can we neglect such a great salvation, how can we ignore the Lords command to believe and trust in His Son? Salvation; The redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him everlasting happiness. This is the great salvation. Confirmed; Made more firm; strengthened; established. Neglect; To omit by carelessness or design; to forbear to do, use, employ, promote or attend to. How shall we escape; “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” We have the testimony of the Lord Concerning His Son. He has given us all the tools to be able to bear witness to the truth. We wonder at times, how we can live up to the great expectations that come from the Lord, and the answer is simple. God does not expect great things from the believers in Christ, but rather, He does expect us all to go on to perfection. In other words, the Lord knows that we are week in this flesh, and are prone to make mistakes. He has made allowances for us, that if we sin, we can have an advocate with Him, who is just and rightful to forgive. We have a blood covenant with God. The Blood of His Son, has covered, and allowed us to be clothed in the Righteousness of God. For there is no other way to enter into Gods Kingdom. The redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death. To be redeemed means; the purchase of God's favor by the death and sufferings of Christ; the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law by the atonement of Christ. “In whom we have redemption through his blood.” We are apt to make mistakes, without truth and hope in Christ. Liable to fail or mistake; that may err or be deceived in judgment. All men are fallible. In these last days, men have gone after false gods and prophets. These prophets have violated Gods laws by teaching another way to the Kingdom of Heaven. These are thieves of mans souls, and deceivers. The blood of Christ must be upon all who enter into Heaven. A man must stand before the Lord at the time of his Judgment, and give account of his words, works and actions, preformed upon this earth. Many places in scripture tell us that God was sending down, a redeemer, deliverer and a Son. “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant(Jesus) justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” How shall we escape, if we neglect to believe in the words of the prophets of God. How can we escape if we believe every wind and doctrine offered up by those that say, they are from the Lord, and do not what the Lord commands? Can you not see these so called prophets for what they really are? Sorcerers, witches, prognosticators, deceivers, unholy, unrighteous, and lier's. For as it is written; “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.” Fire and brimstone is the fate of all that turn their back upon the only Saviour. Hell is real and factual. It appears in the Bible 54 times. Jesus spoke more on the subject of Hell than He did on Heaven. Why is this? For Jesus wanted to warn all, 1. Of its existence, and 2. To prove that this is the punishment for all who would not believe. God can no longer accept any other sacrifice, for the Lord stated that He was full of the blood of Bulls and Goats. He has sent a sacrifice worthy to be accepted by all men, and be accepted by Him. Can there be salvation without a blood sacrifice, can you be redeemed by a false belief, can you be saved by these Sorcerers, witches, prognosticators, deceivers, unholy, unrighteous, and lier's? Can you be saved by man made doctrines, false hope, false testimony, false teachers? If so then let them save you from these things that shall come upon you, let them save you from the fire that shall fall upon the earth, the earthquakes, floods, famine, war, and petulance.” “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. “ ars. Heb 2:3-4 Eph 1. Heb 10:29 Heb 10:35- 38 Isa 47:13 Isa 53:10-12 Webster, TSK.
What Does The Lord Mean to Me?
We are to praise the Lord for His excellent Greatness. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” The Lord means to me, Love . He has loved me before I was conceived in my Mothers womb. He has Loved me before anyone ever saw me. He has loved me when no other loved me. He gave His Son, as a sacrifice for me, because He loved me, before I loved Him. I fear the Lord with a reverent fear. His love brings me close to Him, I am able to sit at the foot of Power, and worship Him, in Spirit and Truth. The Lord means to me, Comfort. The Lord has comforted me from the beginning of my life. He has stood by me in times of sickness and injury. He has comforted me threw the death of family and loved ones. He has comforted me when I thought I had no other friend. The Lord has strengthen my mind when I was depressed and feeble. He consoled me in times of loss. He gave new cheer and vigor to my spirit. He has relieved me from depression and my troubles . The Lord means to me, Life Everlasting. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” I worship a God that is, Life Everlasting. He has given me the opportunity to live with Him, to glorify Him, and rejoice with Him, from everlasting to everlasting. He is life, for He gave life, and can take it away. For there was no beginning with God. He has always been. He was, when there was a beginning of the beginning. The Lord means to me, Creation. How could we not love, and fear a God, that was not formed by the imagination of man, not formed in clay, stone, gold, silver, or wood? How could we not love, and fear a God, that has formed all things for His good pleasure, that has formed, and placed, the boundary of the seas, the reach of the mountains, and the sands of the desert? How could we not love, and fear a God, that has thought all things into existence, the Heavens, the earth, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the creeping things of the ground, and the mammals of the land? The Lord means to me, Joy, Gladness, and Mercy. “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.” Why do I rejoice when I suffer for Christ, why do I have gladness in the Lord, when all others fail me, why do I not fear what man can do to me, for it is the Lord that is my right hand and left. The Lord is my comfort and Joy. He fills up my spirit with power and peace in times of all trouble, for I know that there will come a day that I shall live again, not in this flesh of sorrow, but in the new body of spirit that He will give to me. The Lord means to me, Forgiveness. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” When He called, I answered, when He asked, I accepted, when He desired a servant, I was there to obey Him. He forgave me, and I was filled, with His Holy Spirit, with justification, redemption, and was made accepted in the beloved. The Lord means to me, Adoption, Redemption, Forgiveness, Fulness, and Grace. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” What Does The Lord Mean to You? Ars. Php 2:1-2. Psa 90:2 Jer 33:11 Psa 100:5 Act 26:18 Eph 1:5-12. For the: Psa_52:1, Psa_86:5, Psa_106:1, Psa_107:1, Psa_107:8, Psa_107:15, Psa_107:22, Psa_119:68; Jer_33:11 his mercy: Psa_36:5, Psa_103:17, Psa_118:1-4, Psa_136:1-26; Luk_1:50 and his truth: Psa_85:10, Psa_89:1-2, Psa_119:90-91, Psa_146:6; Exo_34:6-7; Deu_7:9; Jer_33:20-21; Mic_7:20; Rom_15:8-9; Tit_1:2; Heb_6:13-18. Webster,TSK.
Spirituality in Christianity.
The Spirituality in the world has a long way to go, and a short time to get there. As we see the signs of the times coming fast upon us, we must look at who we are in Christ and to make our calling and election sure. How do we do this, prayer, fasting, study, witnessing or preaching the word? All of this and more. We have become the end time church, as prescribed in prophecy. We see a great falling away in many parts of the world, and a resurgence in others, of the true value of Christianity. I have seen time and time again, the same type of church service, you go in, they pray for a minute, they sing a couple of spiritual songs, take up an offering, and the preacher preaches for 30 to 45 minutes. This is fine, in a way, but have we become a church of standards, time limits, or a church without heart. The Bible tells us of these times that we live in, a church that believes that it is rich, monetarily and spiritually, but as Christ put it in Revelations, a luke warm church. The passion for serving God is dwindling and fading away, it has become a shadow, or shell, of what it once was. There are many reasons for this, but all told, it was well known by God before the foundation of the world, hence the prophecy. Rev 3:14-18; And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Webster defines the two as; Spiritual; Pertaining to spirit or to the affections; pure; holy. Gods law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man. Spirituality; Spiritual nature; the quality which respects the spirit or affections of the heart only, and the essence of true religion; as the spirituality of Gods law. Much of our spirituality and comfort in public worship depend on the state of mind in which we come. Our spirituality, pertaining to God, is Holy, Reverent, and Loving, as is to the best of our ability. Since we are never able to please God in our flesh, stature, place in mankind, name, wealth, popularity, etc. We must look into our spirits to accomplish the acceptance of God. There is no man upon this earth, neither in the past, present or future, that is above our Lord. No matter how popular, or how men regard them. There is no Holy Father upon this earth, No Rabbi, No Master, we are all servants of the most high, we are brothers. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:13.) When the Church becomes filled with the physical they become carnal and not spiritual. They become seekers of wealth and fame instead of seekers of God. There is room and time to repent, for the signs are here, and the Lord has posted His warning. Jesus tells the weaker church to hold on to that which they have, not speaking of wealth, which will fail all who trust in it, but rather their faith, which will guide them into paradise. Not every church, nor congregation, will be enlightened into the secret matters of the Kingdom of Heaven, nor the insight into all words of the scripture. The reason behind this is disobedience of the pastor, and also the congregation, that fails to read and study the word, this is a tragic loss to all. So much wisdom, so much knowledge, and insight has been lost to many. Many today, do not attend church, or do not attend regularly, because they see a weakness in the teachings, and the spirit of the members. “See then that ye walk circumspectly (Cautiously; with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger.), not as fools (In common language ; one who does not exercise his reason; one who pursues a course contrary to the dictates of wisdom.), but as wise,” “Redeeming(Ransoming; procuring deliverance from captivity, capture, bondage, sin, distress, or liability to suffer, by the payment of an equivalent.) the time, because the days are evil.” Continually seeking out your own salvation day in, and day out. Making sure that what you are doing in the flesh, and the spirit, is pleasing to God. Following the example of Christ and loving Him, and the Church, as you should. How do you love Christ? By following His words. By not only being a hearer of the word but a doer also. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Eph 5:15-21.) “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1Co 14:37.) The commandments of the Lord, are those things that are written in Scripture. We cannot take away, nor add. The truth of the Gospel is like unto a man that has traveled a hard road and has found the end in sight. The burdens of his travels seem small now that his goal is in reach. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Pe 2:5.) Ars. (Ref; Webster,TSK.)
By Faith in God.
In this world of many faiths, we see a drastic change in faith in the true God and His Christ. Many have turned their faith shipwrecked. By faith, we wake in the morning expecting favors from the Lord, by faith we go to sleep at night, knowing that if we do not wake, we have a better place to go to. By faith we step out of our homes and accept the trials of the day. By faith we fight against evil, and temptation. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Act 24:16) Our faith allows us not only to have love among the believers, but also the unbelievers. For as the Bible states, we must also love our enemies as ourselves. Our faith allows this action, for we believe by showing love for those that hate us, we therefore may be able to convert them. This is acceptable with the Lord. Is this saying that, we never offend the unbelievers? No. For by our faith in God and Christ, we naturally offend. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2) For our faith to grow and be established with the Lord, we must remove all offenses, that we have, that the Lord is unpleased by. We must look within ourselves and examine if we have any faults that offend God, and remove them. Not to say that any man is perfect, but we must show the Father that we are willing to accept His way of living. We must seek a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. We do this by believing the word, and accomplish the things, that are written there-in. In other words we must be a doer of the word and not just a hearer of it. Our faith must be exercised and used on a daily basis. If we are slack in our faith, how then can the Lord help us, for by doing this, we show that we have doubts in the power of God. You say, “The Lord has answered our prayers yesterday, but I need help today.” Where is your faith for today? God has shown all the Believers that He is ever present. Have you considered that you may be impatient with God? Have you forgotten that the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, then why should He be in a hurry. God accomplishes His will for you in His time. When you pray to the Lord, He wants you to praise Him. For the Lord inhabits the praise of His people. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15) Our faith is magnified by our praise of the Lord. We do not go to the Lord with a wish list but a mouth full of praise. We know that the Lord will provide for His people, but we must also remember that in times of trial and trouble, the Lord takes care of His people but not those that have rejected Him. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:44-45) When the natural order of things occur, “the rain”, (could be good or bad) falls upon all men, weather they be believers or not. We take for example floods. When a flood appears the just and the unjust are all affected. We take for example rain for croups, the just and unjust both receive the benefits of it. The believers delivered; “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psa 37:25) The unbelievers condemned; “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.” (Pro 1:24-27) Do you see your faith? Do you realize that when the Lord decides its time for Him to send upon you His blessings, He will do so. The problem arises when we seek out things that are not the will of the Lord, or when we seek out the aid of others and loose our faith in the Lord to provide. Ask of others and accept, but remember it still will be the Lord that delivers. 1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. Floods, fire, petulances, earthquakes and all manner of distress is coming upon this world, we who believe will be delivered. “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1Ki 19:11-12) Use your faith and doubt not, the Lord will deliver. Ars
These six things doth the Lord hate.
Has anyone ever told you that God doesn't hate? Well there are sin things, and even seven,that He does. Lets look a little deeper and discover more about God. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:(Pro 6:16) Abomination; Hence, defilement, pollution, in a physical sense, or evil doctrines and practices, which are moral defilements, idols and idolatry, are called abominations. (Webster.) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Pro 6:17-23) 1.A proud look. Having inordinate self-esteem; possessing a high or unreasonable conceit of one's own excellence, either of body or mind. A man may be proud of his person, of his talents,of his accomplishments or of his achievements. He may be proud of any thing to which he bears some relation. He may be proud of his country, his government, his equipage, or of whatever may, by association, gratify his esteem of himself. He may even be proud of his religion or of his church. He conceives that any thing excellent or valuable, in which he has a share, or to which he stands related, contributes to his own importance, and this conception exalts his opinion of himself. (Web.) When man enters into the world, he is of innocence, knowing neither good nor evil. A proud man, who esteems himself above all other, is a learned experience. He, as he grows up, see others that are proud and have many possessions. He looks at these men and starts to desire after what they have accomplished. This is also sometimes associated with lust. 2.A lying tongue. “Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.” (Acts 5.) To exhibit a false representation; to say or do that which deceives another, when he has a right to know the truth, or when morality requires a just representation. False doctrine, false statements, and falsification of ones own religion. Many may say; “Lord, Lord”, but their hearts are on some idolized god. A man will create lies to justify himself without proof of his doctrine. He will create lie”s to hide himself among the populace. He will create lie”s to better himself, when he is not worthy. 3.Hands that shed innocent blood. Free from guilt; not having done wrong or violated any law; not tainted with sin; pure; upright. This happens almost daily. The idiot(a man with no sense of daily life.) A child or baby's, men that tend to cause no harm. War and gang violence is the two main causes of these. We have seen this year alone, 100's of thousands of men women and children being murdered, by others that just don't like them. We call this genocide. They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. (Isa 59:55-57) 4.An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish; as a froward child.(Web) These men, corrupt themselves, thinking of all manner of filth, and devising instruments that are used for filthy ideas. Rapers of children, rapers of men, and women. Men that spend all day devising things to do against humanity. 5.Feet that be swift in running to mischief. Mischief Intentional injury; harm or damage done by design. Perverse men that after they have devised evil, and intent in their hearts, run to accomplish what they desire. 6.A false witness that speaketh lies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. (Psa 27:1) A false witness. In todays world, we have allowed lier's to obtain immunity to answer questions that could vindicate a man falsely accused of a crime, this is call the Fifth Amendment. A man today is not required to answer questions that could incriminate himself, and there-by allowing innocent men to be convicted, and incarcerated. We have men that are called our neighbors, that tell us falsely things that make them appear innocent or make others look guilty. 7.He that soweth discord among brethren. Soweth discord; Spreads Disagreement among persons or things. Between persons, difference of opinions; variance; opposition; contention; strife; any disagreement which produces angry passions, contest, disputes, litigation or war. Discord may exist between families, parties and nations. This is the things that we are seeing today. This all being a part of prophecy of the end times. Leaders spread false accusations against other nations, lying to all, which results in national conflict and war. You have all seen this, but may not have recognized it as fulfillment of prophecy. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8) Satan let loose again; Rev_20:8, Gog and Magog. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. Remember the commandments, and look closely for the return of our Saviour. Do not despair, Our redemption grows closer each minute. Ars.
Will My Children Be Saved?
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Uprightly; honest; just; adhering to rectitude in all social intercourse; not deviating from correct moral principles; as an upright man. Will My Children Be Saved? This is a question that many have been asking for over 2000 years. The answer is sometimes difficult, but open to all for understanding. An upright man, is a man that, is honest, and observant to the will of God, concerning his household. The way many see this is, “as a man is, so shall his children be.” We know that each individual shall be given an opportunity to be saved, according to his faith in Jesus, as being the Son of God. The idea that, if a man raises his household as unruly, his children will also raise their homes the same way. Therefore if this is so, a great deal of the ability for children to accept Jesus as Lord and Christ will be more difficult because of the way they were raised. We can see proof of this in many countries around the world, especially those that hate Christianity. The Bible tells us that we are too; “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” If a child is raised up to believe in God and Christ, this word of truth shall always be with them, weather they are saved before they depart from the home, or weather it is 50 years down the road. A child will not depart from the truth, for in this world of deceit and confusion, the truth is hard to find. But if a child is raised as an unbeliever, his ways will be the ways of his teachers, the mother and father. Could there be a devision among the family concerning the truth of the Gospel? Yes. For not only are the parents teaching the child but others as well outside the home. This would therefore explain this word from Jesus; “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” This variance produces disputes, controversy, disagreements, dissensions, and sometimes discord. Jesus never intended to bring dissensions among the family, but the word, that He brought, did. For a man must choose weather to believe or not. When one member of the family believes and the rest do not, these disagreements between them come to the forefront. For as the one is saved, and the others resist, the spirit of God, and Christ within the saved, is in contention with the spirit of evil, still remaining within the family. We must remember that, as light is against darkness, and righteousness is against unrighteousness, there will be devision among the saved, and the unsaved. There is a lot of responsibility that rest in the hands of the head of the household, this being weather it be a man, (which is the way it should be), or weather it be a woman, (as if the father left, and never returned.) If a man stands uprightly in the sight of God, we believe that God shall save his entire household, this being in references to some scriptures. As it is written; “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” What do I mean by weather the head of the household be a man, or a woman? Because of this scripture; “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” This is showing that even partners, husband and wife, may depart from each other because of their beliefs. A man may die, believing in the Lord, at an early age, therefore the wife may be left to raise her children alone, making her the head of the house. “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart.(This is the variance between the believing and the unbelieving, sometimes it ends with separation.) A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” The head of the household is the director of the family. If a man is upright with the Lord, the family will follow his lead, but if the man hates God, this will also show up within the family. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. A mans household becomes his foes in two ways, 1. The believing father, with resistance from the family and, 2. The unbelieving father, with resistance from the family. The word of God will come to all, the husband, wife, children, and in-laws. It then becomes their choice. We must remember that we can pray, teach and instruct the family with the word of God, but we cannot make their choice. If a man abandons his family for the lust of the world, he will be held accountable for this action. The responsibility to teach the ways of truth then becomes the responsibility of the mother, and if the mother refuses to walk in the paths of the Lord, she also will be held accountable for this action. The children will hear the word and be given a call from the Lord, weather to accept the truth or reject it. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (This showing variance between Job and his wife.) So then, will my children, be saved? Much of it concerns on how a child was taught, how a mother, or a father lives their life. But it all still comes down to the choices they make. If our children choose wisely they will be saved. As it is written; “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” ars. (Psa 84:11-12) (Pro 22:6) (Mat 10:35-38) (Jer 17:14) (Job 1.)(Mat 24:40-41)(Job 2:9-10) (1Co 7:14-16) (Webster)(T.S.K.)
To The Children of God.
The Children of God are those that believe in Him, and keep His commandments. Those that are willing to believe without seeing, without hearing, and without touching. These things come from the faith, in the Spirit of God, that dwells within all believers in Christ. We are all called to be Saints and Children, for by faith are we saved, by confession we admit to the world, that we are more than what we appear to be. We are children in the flesh, but most importantly, we are children in the spirit. We are predestined, called, ordained, justified, and also glorified, in Him, and by Him. Predestined by His knowledge of the future, called by His Spirit, ordained into a particular purpose, justified by His Sons sacrifice, and glorified with His glory, where-by we will be cloked in pure white robes of Victory.Are we then, as believers in Christ, above sin? No, for we are still entrapped within this body of flesh. For if a man says he has never sined, he is a liar, and if a man says he cannot sin, he also is a liar, and the truth is not within him. We see the proof of this here; “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1John 2:1) We do not sin willfully, but we sin by mistake, or by ignorance of the truth. An un-willful sin, is a sin that comes upon us at random, without willful thought, an accident. Many younger Christians have not been taught the lessons of sin, and how to recognize what they are. This comes by their unskillfulness in the Gospel. But with time and study they will become stronger and be able to resist temptation. For whom we serve, we imitate.For if we serve Christ, we talk as Christ talked, and we walk as Christ walked. Even the Apostle Paul stated that we must go on to perfection.For the Christ we serve was the propitiation for our sins. For as it is written; “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” (Luke 11:23) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (1John 2:2-3) For as it is written; Jesus said unto them, “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” (John 8:42-46) For we also proceeded forth, and came from God. We came neither of ourselves, but he sent us. For as we were saved by His grace, we will also be saved from the temptations that surround us. We know the Son and the Father. We are in the flesh but we are of the spirit. “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom 6:2) “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1Jn 3:9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. The seed of God, those that have been begotten by Him, cannot sin. This is the spiritual side of the true religion. This is not to say that there is a contradiction between; 1John 2:1 and 1John 3:9, for they both complement each other. We must still remember, that which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit. We are dead to sin in the spirit, but we are bound in this flesh, until Jesus Christ the Righteous, calls us home, and we are set free of this body. Barnes states of this; (1)that the germ or seed of religion implanted in the soul abides there as a constant, vital principle, so that he who is born of God cannot become habitually a sinner; and,(2)that it will so continue to live there that he will not fall away and perish. The idea is clearly that the germ or principle of piety so permanently abides in the soul, that he who is renewed never can become again characteristically a sinner.And he cannot sin. Not merely he will not, but he cannot; that is, in the sense referred to. (Spiritual. ars.) This cannot mean that one who is renewed has not physical ability to do wrong(a sin of omission. Ars.), for every moral agent has; nor can it mean that no one who is a true Christian never does, in fact, do wrong in thought, word, or deed, for no one could seriously maintain that: but it must mean that there is somehow a certainty as absolute “as if” it were physically impossible, that those who are born of God will not be characteristically and habitually sinners; that they will not sin in such a sense as to lose all true religion and be numbered with transgressors; that they will not fall away and perish. Because he is born of God - Or begotten of God. God has given him, by the new birth, real, spiritual life, and that life can never become extinct.(Barnes.)He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1John 2:4-5) To The Children of God. Sin not, be of good cheer, and have faith in the Father. We sometimes make mistakes, but we do not allow these to overwhelm us, to the point that we forsake all we know, and are, in Christ. God has made provisions for us when we sin un-willfully. Be blessed. Ars.
A Word Fitly Spoken.
We live in a world of words, some are kind, and some, are not so kind. Words start wars, and words start love. We begin our lives with the words; “I Love You.”, and end our lives the same. A word spoken suitably, or properly, will make you friends and open up the hearts of others to what you are saying. The Bible states; “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”(Proverbs 25:11)“Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies(God), which are given from one shepherd.(Christ)The words of a preacher must be words of wisdom, knowledge, understanding and Love. When a preacher, preaches on the torment of hell, does he not still preach in wisdom, and love to the hearers? Yes, most assuredly. For even in the harshness of the Bible, are strong words of love, and desire, to see that all men come into the knowledge of the truth. For with the words of truth many can be set free. But with the words of deception many will never see the face of God, nor His Kingdom.And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecc 12:8-14) For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. (Deu 32:22) Are these the words of harshness, or the words of Love? These are both. Sometimes the words of love take many forms. A warning is also a gift to the hearer, if it is heeded to. But if rejected they become words of destruction.A word fitly spoken, opens up knowledge and understanding of the spiritual, and the physical. We sometimes, especially in these end days, must use proper words to invite and warn of the afterlife that we all must face. This is spoken clearly in the Bible many times.Lets read; Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4)A compassionate word is healing to the hearer. A strong word is sometimes to the saving of the soul. I will therefore put you in remembrance, that Gods word is final, and complete. We need not develop words that are contrary to sound judgment, nor are we to judge out of the chosen time, for can't you remember at the time of God, we shall all judge angels?“And of some have compassion, making a difference: (These are the softer words, chosen by the Holy Spirit to convince the meek in heart.)And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (These are the words chosen by the Holy Spirit to convince the hard hearted.)(Jude 1:22-23) We do not preach with in ourselves but the Holy Spirit preaches threw us.“The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” Preachers seek out the proper words of wisdom and understanding for each and every congregation. For we must be all things to all men, that by some means, we might save some. Words of harshness affect the hardest of hearts, and the darkest of souls. For many souls are so darkened that a light of truth must fight to enter. A word fitly spoken is contemplated before it is delivered. If words of grandeur, and words that are hard to be understood, are delivered unwisely, it has little effect on those of limited knowledge, or could cause the loss of many hearers from the congregation.Just as Paul stated about his words; “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 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.” And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (Feigned words; Deceitful; false. Invented; devised; imagined; assumed.) (2Pe 2:3) Feigned words are many in this end time. We see and hear preachers not contemplating their choice of words. They rather choose words, invented, devised, imagined, and assumed to be the truth. The spirit of anti-Christ is running rampant upon the earth, deceiving some preachers and the deceived are deceiving others. This is the blind leading the blind and they both shall fall into the pit, and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. So just remember before you speak; “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”Ars.Jud 1:23 save: Rom_11:14; 1Co_5:3-5; 2Co_7:10-12; 1Ti_4:16 pulling: Amo_4:11; Zec_3:2; 1Co_3:15 hating: Lev_13:47-59, Lev_14:47, Lev_15:17; Isa_64:6; Lam_4:14; Zec_3:3-5; 1Co_5:9-11; 1Co_15:33; 2Th_3:14; Rev_3:4, Rev_3:18(Ref. Webster, T.S.K.)
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