THE PRINCIPILES OF SOUL WINNING
and
OTHER SERMONS
and
OTHER SERMONS
I am but a Single Voice Amongst A Body Of Many,
Telling the Whole World About JESUS CHRIST,
One Click of the Mouse at a Time.
Telling the Whole World About JESUS CHRIST,
One Click of the Mouse at a Time.
_________________________________________________
THE PRINCIPILES OF SOUL WINNING
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2001
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2001
The subject of soul winning seems to mean different things to many different churches. Some churches have programs to teach young Christians how to do this and some don't.
The generally accepted teaching is to take the student's out into the community, door to door, giving everyone whom will listen to them the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Other's, not wanting to bother their neighbors, leave it up to the souls in their area to find them if they wish to be saved.
Some though well intentioned, keep going back to the same houses the same people day after day, week after week, hoping to wear them down with the message of salvation.
This method, I feel, should be discouraged.
If we as Christians continually harass the ones we are supposed to be saving, they will become tired of us coming around and our opportunity to win them to Christ will be lost.
The scriptures clearly declare that we are to go and preach the gospel of salvation to this lost and dying world. Mark 16: 15- 20; Matthew 28: 18-20, but if we make them sick of seeing us and sick of hearing us how will they be saved?
Instead, a program should be started in the church to teach Christians how to talk and respond to those outside of the body of Christ and a schedule for different areas made and kept updated so the same area is visited no more than once every third or fourth month. God doesn't force anyone to do what they don't want to and yet we as Christians try to do that very thing to those we wish to win to his Son Jesus Christ.
The job of soul winning is to plant the seed of the Gospel in everyone we can as we walk through this life towards heaven. A farmer planting his fields doesn't go out day after day planting seed after seed in the same place. He plants once and then waits for the seed to take root and grow.
The principle is the same with the Gospel. If we try to drive seed after seed after seed into the same ground the seeds will die and the ground, or soul, will produce only death. Plant the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ then wait for the Holy Spirit to water that seed and produce fruit to life everlasting.
Most often those who plant the seed of salvation never see the results of their labors. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will convict a person hearing the Gospel for the first time of their sin and they will accept Christ right then and there. Mostly though those who receive God's gift of salvation when we witness to them have had the seed growing and being watered by the Holy Spirit for some time and are ripe for the harvest.
Speak gently to those you wish to witness to and don't be pushy.
Speak plainly using scripture to plant the seed of salvation, not some story you heard someone else use.
Never argue or try to make them feel guilty. God's Holy Spirit is the one who convicts a soul of sin, not us!
Always have prayer for lost souls before you go out soul winning, or, if you will, seed planting.
Don't expect everyone you talk to to be receptive or even pleasant. Keep Christ in your mind always. What would he do? What would he say? How would Christ himself act in this situation?
Don't go out expecting to rake in new converts, go out planting. If God leads you to someone who is ripe to harvest lead that soul into the Kingdom of God and Rejoice.
It's important in the Christians ministry of soul winning to always remember that you are out to plant the seed of salvation in sinful and unholy ground. You must keep yourself in check all of the time so those you are trying to win won't perceive you as a hypocrite or a phony.
Love is the key.
The parable of the servants and the ten talents that Christ gave is one that all who calls themselves Christians should learn; for it could mean the difference between Heaven and Hell.
What have you done with the 'talent', the salvation the King has given you?
Are you out earning more souls so when the King returns you will be like the Good and Faithful servant in the parable? Or are you like the servant who wrapped his "talent" in a cloth and hid it in the ground so when the King returned he had nothing to give but that which was already his?
The King took away what that servant had and gave it to the one who had been faithful and increased the five that were given him, into ten.
If you are one of those Christians who believe that once you're saved, "that's it", you may be in for quite a surprise when we stand before our Returning King.
Even if, "only being saved" is enough, what are you going to do when others are being rewarded for their hard work? You will stand there in shame as The King of Glory asks you, WHY?
Tell someone each day about Jesus. If you let only one person each day hear the gospel of Jesus Christ you will have the potential of Three Hundred and Sixty Five New Souls per year (times the span of your service to Christ Jesus till your death or his return) and a Gift to give The King (which is all the souls they have won and the souls these have won on down the line as far as time continues on).
Keep your mind focused on our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, bleeding, dying, and remember that he hung there for us all.
Demonstrating love to a lost, loveless, dying world is imperative in the spiritual fight for souls. The world can and does make all kinds of promises to trap all it can in its grip of sin, but it can never provide the one thing that all souls crave; Real Love.
Priorities are a big part of everyday living, they dictate what we do and how we spend our time as we journey through life.
You can tell how devoted a business person is to their company by the amount of time they spend making it grow. The more time spent usually means a healthy, growing company. On the other hand, someone who is in business for a hobby spends as little time as possible working and it shows. This example can be used for every line of work and for every project that has ever been started. Just as with a business, the amount of time a person spends reading God's word and in prayer shows just how devoted they are to fulfilling His great Commission. As a business is successful by long hours, so is the Christian walk and the battle for lost souls.
What are your priorities and whom do you serve?
The Principles of Soul Winning is intended to be a guide in the Christians quest to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every believer has the responsibility of obeying the Masters order to:
Mark 16: 15 - 18. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be dammed. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Proverbs 27: 12
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
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WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2003
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2003
Choices are made everyday that change our lives either for the better or for the worse. We are constantly bombarded by decisions that at times any one of which chosen wrong could ruin us financially, physically and mentally.
We as humans are creatures of habit and as such react more often out of reflex that out of actual thought. This is why some of us are so easily taken in by scammers, cheats and just plain liars.
This is the same within the ’Body of Christ’ also.
The book of Jude warns us of those who are actually from the camp of the enemy integrated into ’The Body of Believers’ purposely trying to draw any they can away from Christ Himself and into the presence of eternal damnation.
1 ¶ Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3 ¶ 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.
4 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.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 ¶ Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
(KJV)
It is imperative that we study the scriptures for ourselves so that we will not be deceived by those that would drag us away from the truth and into the lake of fire where they themselves already have a place of torment reserved for eternity.
2 Timothy 15 - 16 says
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
We MUST study the scriptures for ourselves and plant the words of life within our spirits if we are to be useful to Christ Jesus. The person that has no knowledge of the scriptures can and will be easily led astray from the truth and very possibly burn in the lake of fire forever.
Don’t depend upon someone else to teach you what the Bible says. Read it for yourself and ask Christ Jesus to teach you. If you can’t read very well buy the Bible on cassette tape and listen to it over and over again. If you want to learn the scriptures the Spirit of God will reveal them to you. Without the knowledge of the scriptures we cannot be effective witnesses and if we are not effective then we are not following the commandments Jesus gave to us all.
Matthew 28: 16 - 20
16 ¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(KJV)
Mark 16: 14 - 20
14 ¶ Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 ¶ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
(KJV)
If we do not know the scriptures we cannot complete the assignment we as Believers have been given to do. We cannot depend upon someone else to teach the scriptures to us because they might be from the enemy’s camp and if we don’t know the scriptures how will we know if they are really giving us the truth?
Jesus says in John 14: 12 - 15
12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Tell someone about Jesus today and lay up for yourself treasures in heaven.
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THE SILENCE OF DEATH
(Definition of a Useless So Called Believer)
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood
© 2001
(Definition of a Useless So Called Believer)
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood
© 2001
Tight lipped, self absorbed, ignorant of scripture, too preoccupied with useless trivial matters of life to be of use, "Christians."
These care not for Jesus nor for those He gave His life for.
OTHERWISE;
They would be Spreaders of Life!
Those who tell others everyday about Jesus Christ and Eternal Life through His Blood!
Those who forsaking All, stand in the face of death, not fearing those who can destroy the body but who have no power over the soul.
Mt 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body,
but are not able to kill the soul:
but rather fear him which is able
to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Those first mentioned are; Unfaithful, Unwise, Uncaring and by Christ’s own definition Unsaved!
John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
(KJV)
* * * *
John 15: 1-8
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15: 1-8
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
* * * *
Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
(KJV)
Those secondly mentioned are; All Faithful, Truly Wise, Fully Caring even to the point of torture and death.
By Christ’s own definition, Saved, Heirs of Salvation, Sons of God, Faithful to the end!
Romans 8: 5-17
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
* * * *
Revelation 1: 3-8
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
* * * *
2 Corinthians 4: 1-7
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
* * * *
CONCLUSION
Let not your hearts be troubled
Ye who believe in God,
Even if they lay your shell
Under earth’s grassy sod.
For they only touch the body
Only this outer shell,
And though they think they’ve won the war
Their future’s eternal hell.
So lift your eyes to Jesus
And to Him your life now give,
And worry not what evil may do
Trust Jesus and Ever more Live!
* * * *
John 3: 16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
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Christ’s Love For Mankind
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2002
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2002
This sermon is taken from John chapter 11 and Mark 16. If you are a study of the Bible, then you know that chapter 11 is the one which refers to the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
The scripture upon which I will focus is verses 33 – 36 these verses show us just how great is the Love that Christ Jesus has for all of us. We know that it was Love that sent Christ to the Cross. We know it was because of Love that He arose from the dead. We know it is because of Love that He gives us the Holy Spirit so that we can bring others to His Cross, but do we really know how much He loves us personally? This is what I am trying to show through this teaching.
You need to read the whole chapter so you know the background of this event. Even if you have studied this before, read the chapter anyway so it is fresh in your mind, then focus on verses 33 – 36. These verses demonstrate the true nature of Christ Jesus.
Within these four verses are the reason why Jesus came to this earth, why He suffered as He did to purchase that which was stolen in the garden, us.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Jesus was not weeping for Lazarus because He knew that in a few minutes Lazarus would be walking out of the tomb, He was weeping and troubled because He was moved to tears by the hurting of those He came to purchase. He was weeping because He felt their anguish and pain. He was weeping because He felt the agony of Mary and Martha at the loss of their brother. He groaned within His Spirit because of the unbelief of many who were gathered around that day and also because He knew what lay ahead in the coming days
Christ now sits upon the right hand of The Father and intercedes for us. He feels our pain, our anguish, our fears and our tears. He now as then, weeps with us and for us as He makes intercession to The Father in our behalf.
As His tears flow with ours The Father is moved with infinite compassion and because He will do anything, ANYTHING for His Only Begotten Son, He grants our petitions, our prayers that His Son may be Glorified.
Too many times though we ask for things we don’t need or for things that do not pertain to the Will of God. We also do not pray as instructed by Christ Jesus or do not stay before the throne until we break through the barriers we have allowed to come between God and us. The biggest reason though that our prayers are not answered is that we either don’t believe they will be answered or because we do not pray in earnest.
Look back at the scripture, this time at verses 17 - 27
17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
The key to the whole aspect of praying and having your prayer answered is this; Do you believe in what you are praying for? Do you move Jesus to tears through your earnest prayers? Are you willing to stay before the Throne of Grace until your prayer is answered?
Most importantly though can you say like Martha, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
It is not God’s desire that any should perish, but many will. It is not the will of God that anyone end up in the Lake of Fire that was prepared for satan and the angles that followed him in his quest to make himself as God. We as followers of Christ, we who call ourselves Christians are held to a high standard by Christ Himself. We are given authority through His Name and through His Blood to Heal, Raise the dead, Order demons to vacate their habitation of souls and even the power to command the very elements themselves.
If a person truly believes then there are certain evidences that will be present in their lives. You can tell a believer apart from the world by the way they speak and by the way they live their lives. According to the scriptures if you can’t tell the difference then what is the difference?
Mark 16: 14 - 20
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
They shall speak with new tongues.
If you sound like the world, cursing, arguing, fighting, backbiting, lying and so forth what is the difference? If you do the things of the world and can’t be distinguished by your actions as a Christian, as one who follows Jesus and His teachings, are you?
These are questions only you can answer. If you find that you cannot answer these then perhaps you need to learn how to reach into Heaven itself and touch The Master with your need and pain until He sheds tears before The Father and The Father to Glorify His Son answers your petition.
Cover yourself with the Blood of Jesus Christ which He shed upon the Cross so long ago. Plunge yourself into the depths of His Holiness, grab hold of His Cross and don’t let go until the splinters of Eternal Life are imbedded into the very being of your existence.
If you love Him as He loved and loves you, you will not be able to nor want to rest until you have done all you can to bring the lost unto His Cross, unto His Throne.
You will have one desire one mind with Christ, one need; to win all who are winnable so none perish without first having the chance to choose to either receive or reject our Savior, our Lord, our King.
I leave you now within the hands of the Spirit of God and this one thought:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL,
BUT,
HAVE YOU MADE HIM LORD OF YOUR LIFE?
BUT,
HAVE YOU MADE HIM LORD OF YOUR LIFE?
___________________________________________________________
WHAT IF?
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2003
Today I argued with someone close to me
My Wife, Husband, a child, a parent or a friend I went to see,
Words were exchanged; accusations were cast,
What if these words we had were to be our last?
Heated debate over nothing, nothing that really mattered
But this thing, these words, our understanding, our trust has shattered.
We speak though informally,
Each knowing each is right,
Pride separates us from logic, from apologizing,
And haunts us through the night.
I know what I must do, what Christ wants me to do,
But I push the thought back in my mind, not wanting to.
Suddenly I find myself standing before a portal a doorway,
Its beauty is beyond the ability of mortal description.
I await the decree to enter but only silence greets my anticipation.
Then scripture slowly parades before my eyes, my memory.
Verses about pride and unforgiveness buffet and assail me, as I stand alone before the closed gates of Glory.
Tears flow unchecked down my face and drop to splash upon the crystal floor.
“What have I done?” I cry aloud as I drop to my knees sobbing,
“What have I done?”
Light slowly surrounds me, light brighter than the noonday sun.
There are no shadows cast by those I see moving around me.
I sense the presence of someone near and know
I am in the presence of The King of Kings.
Uncertainty grips me as I look up at the throne and I know I am about to be judged.
I am afraid as I kneel before the throne for I know I did not do everything that was required of me.
I knew what the scriptures said; I had even taught it to others;
But now I knew that knowing and doing was two very different matters.
I wished I could go back and have another chance.
I would do things differently.
I would witness to everyone I met.
I would live the scriptures as Jesus meant for us to.
I would learn to be submissive to the will of others for the sake of their souls
That in my submission they would not see me as weak as I had always been afraid of, but that they would see Christ instead of me.
I fell upon my face before the throne and wept.
I sobbed until I could sob no more then raised my head to await my sentence.
The throne slowly dissolved before my eyes and the light turned into the morning sun shining through my eastern window.
I looked down at the crystal floor and saw instead the rough grained hardwood floor of my living room and began to weep.
“O Lord forgive me for being so stupid and stubborn,” I sobbed heavenward
“Give me the strength to witness everyday for you. Give me the grace to not forget this vision, this lesson you have allowed me to experience. Let not one soul pass me by O Lord without me being willing to tell them of You, no matter the cost.
No matter the cost.”
What if this were to happen to you?
What if this were to happen to you and there was no second chance?
Do you live as Jesus instructs?
Do you witness to all that come your way?
Do people see Jesus when they look at you or does what they see make them say,
“Well, if that is what a Christian is like I don’t want it?”
We are to be the image of Jesus Christ our Lord our King.
He instructs us to present ourselves a living sacrifice to Him.
We sing songs like
“O to be like Him, O to be like Him”
“Jesus Use Me”
“I walked today where Jesus walked”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
and many others.
Are we just mouthing the words or are they coming from our hearts?
Are we willing to do what ever it takes?
Is our mission the mission ordained by God through the Blood of His Only Begotten Son?
It is time to choose whom we will serve.
It is time to take back what has been stolen.
It is time to take a stand for Jesus and speak out into the world of sin and darkness the Life Giving Words of The Shed Blood of Christ Jesus.
“BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND THE AUTHORITY OF HIS NAME STAND UP AND MOVE FORWARD INTO BATTLE.
PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD.
SWING THE TWO-EDGED SWORD OF HIS WORD AND SPEAK LIFE EVERLASTING UNTO THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND DYING.
GIVE FOOD TO THE HUNGRY.
AID TO THE HURTING
CLOTHE THOSE WHO NEED CLOTHING
HOUSE THOSE WHO NEED HOUSING.”
If we supply the hands, He will supply the rest
Step forward in the Spirit
And put our Lord to the test.
Our work will not return empty
Our well will never run dry,
Lift up the banner of Jesus
The Cross on which He did die.
Let not your spirit be troubled
Let not your passion grow weak,
Just do your best for The Master
And His Grace daily seek.
Let the Blood He Shed be your banner
Your stay in the midst of the storm,
His Cross the anchor which holds you
As by the tempest of trials we’re torn
Let all who meet you see Jesus
Speak life to all that you see,
Guide all you find to the foot of His Cross
Where all who kneel are set free.
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2003
Today I argued with someone close to me
My Wife, Husband, a child, a parent or a friend I went to see,
Words were exchanged; accusations were cast,
What if these words we had were to be our last?
Heated debate over nothing, nothing that really mattered
But this thing, these words, our understanding, our trust has shattered.
We speak though informally,
Each knowing each is right,
Pride separates us from logic, from apologizing,
And haunts us through the night.
I know what I must do, what Christ wants me to do,
But I push the thought back in my mind, not wanting to.
Suddenly I find myself standing before a portal a doorway,
Its beauty is beyond the ability of mortal description.
I await the decree to enter but only silence greets my anticipation.
Then scripture slowly parades before my eyes, my memory.
Verses about pride and unforgiveness buffet and assail me, as I stand alone before the closed gates of Glory.
Tears flow unchecked down my face and drop to splash upon the crystal floor.
“What have I done?” I cry aloud as I drop to my knees sobbing,
“What have I done?”
Light slowly surrounds me, light brighter than the noonday sun.
There are no shadows cast by those I see moving around me.
I sense the presence of someone near and know
I am in the presence of The King of Kings.
Uncertainty grips me as I look up at the throne and I know I am about to be judged.
I am afraid as I kneel before the throne for I know I did not do everything that was required of me.
I knew what the scriptures said; I had even taught it to others;
But now I knew that knowing and doing was two very different matters.
I wished I could go back and have another chance.
I would do things differently.
I would witness to everyone I met.
I would live the scriptures as Jesus meant for us to.
I would learn to be submissive to the will of others for the sake of their souls
That in my submission they would not see me as weak as I had always been afraid of, but that they would see Christ instead of me.
I fell upon my face before the throne and wept.
I sobbed until I could sob no more then raised my head to await my sentence.
The throne slowly dissolved before my eyes and the light turned into the morning sun shining through my eastern window.
I looked down at the crystal floor and saw instead the rough grained hardwood floor of my living room and began to weep.
“O Lord forgive me for being so stupid and stubborn,” I sobbed heavenward
“Give me the strength to witness everyday for you. Give me the grace to not forget this vision, this lesson you have allowed me to experience. Let not one soul pass me by O Lord without me being willing to tell them of You, no matter the cost.
No matter the cost.”
What if this were to happen to you?
What if this were to happen to you and there was no second chance?
Do you live as Jesus instructs?
Do you witness to all that come your way?
Do people see Jesus when they look at you or does what they see make them say,
“Well, if that is what a Christian is like I don’t want it?”
We are to be the image of Jesus Christ our Lord our King.
He instructs us to present ourselves a living sacrifice to Him.
We sing songs like
“O to be like Him, O to be like Him”
“Jesus Use Me”
“I walked today where Jesus walked”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
and many others.
Are we just mouthing the words or are they coming from our hearts?
Are we willing to do what ever it takes?
Is our mission the mission ordained by God through the Blood of His Only Begotten Son?
It is time to choose whom we will serve.
It is time to take back what has been stolen.
It is time to take a stand for Jesus and speak out into the world of sin and darkness the Life Giving Words of The Shed Blood of Christ Jesus.
“BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND THE AUTHORITY OF HIS NAME STAND UP AND MOVE FORWARD INTO BATTLE.
PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD.
SWING THE TWO-EDGED SWORD OF HIS WORD AND SPEAK LIFE EVERLASTING UNTO THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND DYING.
GIVE FOOD TO THE HUNGRY.
AID TO THE HURTING
CLOTHE THOSE WHO NEED CLOTHING
HOUSE THOSE WHO NEED HOUSING.”
If we supply the hands, He will supply the rest
Step forward in the Spirit
And put our Lord to the test.
Our work will not return empty
Our well will never run dry,
Lift up the banner of Jesus
The Cross on which He did die.
Let not your spirit be troubled
Let not your passion grow weak,
Just do your best for The Master
And His Grace daily seek.
Let the Blood He Shed be your banner
Your stay in the midst of the storm,
His Cross the anchor which holds you
As by the tempest of trials we’re torn
Let all who meet you see Jesus
Speak life to all that you see,
Guide all you find to the foot of His Cross
Where all who kneel are set free.
___________________________________________________________
IF YOU CLAIM TO BELIEVE IN SALVATION THROUGH THE HOLY BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS
KNOW THIS;
WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH
and
THROUGH CHRIST’S HOLY BLOOD WE CAN GET ALONG
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2003
KNOW THIS;
WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH
and
THROUGH CHRIST’S HOLY BLOOD WE CAN GET ALONG
by
Rev. S.R. Elwood D.D.
© 2003
We as Christians are all children of the Father through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. We are instructed to get along but must understand that this does not come naturally and must be worked at.
Those of you who have children know what it is like when they fight. Sometimes it is over nothing more than control or selfish desire or even because they covet what another sibling has that they don’t.
We as children of God through Christ though adults are still children at heart (humanly speaking) and must strive to control the childish desires and emotions that will arise within us. We so often deceive ourselves into thinking that we are beyond all that and proclaim ourselves holy to satisfy and explain away the feelings that arise. By doing this we placate ourselves into actually believing we are right and the person about whom the feelings arise is wrong.
None of us is beyond doing this because all of us are human. Though we are covered with the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ we are still made of sinful flesh and the flesh will always strive for control. The only way to fight this and to stand a chance of winning is to understand the condition and to stay in the Word of God continually.
Within the Bible God has placed all of the rules we are to follow, the conditions of the flesh that affect us and the remedy by which we can overcome these conditions. The biggest problem is that we so often do not read and strive to understand what these Ordained Scriptures tell us. So often we let our Bible’s collect dust through the week and only open them on Sunday and then at times only so others can see us and think we are ‘holy’.
We can deceive those around us who are as human as we are and also infected with the ‘human condition’, but we cannot deceive God. He knows our thoughts, our desires, our wants and our needs. He knows us as we really are, (spoiled brats that are after anything we can get anyway we can get it), and strangely enough loves us anyway.
Christ Jesus gives us the remedy for this ‘human condition’, His Holy Blood and Eternal Life through His Death, Resurrection and Eternal Kingship. His sacrifice grafted us into the house of Israel and gives to us the ability to become joint heirs with Him as the children of God His Father. The only stipulation to receive this gift is that we simply believe.
1 John 5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
(KJV)
We so often leave it up to the ‘preacher’ to give us our injection of scripture and seldom open The Word any other time. This is a violation of the ordination that Christ Jesus gives to Everyone who believes.
Matthew 28: 16 – 20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(KJV)
Mark 16: 14 – 20
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
(KJV)
Luke 24: 36 – 53
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
(KJV)
John 20: 19 – 31
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
(KJV)
There are many other scriptures that declare the Truth to us and also declare the condition and remedy. The only cure for the ‘human condition’ is the Holy Shed Blood of Christ Jesus our Savior, our Lord and our King. This however is not a onetime injection but a continuing influx of His Blood through the Written Word of God.
2 Timothy 2: 15 – 16
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
(KJV)
We Must know the Word of God if we are to be able to follow the ‘Great Commission’, which was given to all who accept Christ Jesus as Lord.
Matthew 11: 25 – 30
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(KJV)
Are you willing to follow Christ no matter the cost? Are you willing to go into all the world? Are you laying up treasure in Heaven or are the cares and burdens of this present life corrupting your treasure? Is your heart filled with fear?
John 14: 1 – 3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14: 12 – 17
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14: 25 - 27
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
To whom does your heart belong and just Whom do you serve?
Matthew 25: 14 – 46
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
(KJV)
Revelation 1
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
(KJV)
Revelation 22
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(KJV)
Continued study is the only way we can effectively fight and win the war against sin. Without the infusion of God’s Word in our daily lives we cannot stand against the temptations that will assail and buffet us. We must be willing to do whatever it takes and go wherever we are told to go. We must become a living sacrifice so that we might be a light in this world so dark with sin. As a moth is attracted to the light so are souls attracted to the fires of hell. We must therefore shine with the Glory of God if we are to draw them away from death in into the Eternal presence of Christ Jesus who died for all.
Romans 12: 1 – 2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Matthew 5: 13 – 16
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 8: 12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
I close with this one thought.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL,
BUT,
HAVE YOU MADE HIM LORD OF YOUR LIFE?
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL,
BUT,
HAVE YOU MADE HIM LORD OF YOUR LIFE?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Jesucristo es Señor de todo, Pero, usted Lo ha hecho Señor de su vida
* * * * * *
Jésus Christ est le Seigneur de tout, Mais, vous L'avez fait le Seigneur de votre vie
* * * * * *
Ist Jesus Christus Herr von allen, Aber haben Sie Ihn Herr Ihres Lebens gemacht
* * * * * *
Christ di Jesus è il Signore di tutto il, Ma, lei L'ha fatto il Signore della sua vita
* * * * * *
Is jesus Christus Heer van alle, Maar hebt u aan Hem Heer van je leven gemaakt
* * * * * *
Jesus cristo é Senhor de todo, Mas, fezê-lO Senhor de seua vida
* * * * * *
Jesus Christ er Lord av all, But, har De laget Him Lord av Deres liv
* * * * * *
耶稣·基督是全部的勋爵，但是，你使了他成为你的生活的勋爵吗
* * * * * *
耶穌‧基督是全部的勛爵，但是，你使了他成為你的生活的勛爵嗎
________________________________________________________________________________
Jesucristo es Señor de todo, Pero, usted Lo ha hecho Señor de su vida
* * * * * *
Jésus Christ est le Seigneur de tout, Mais, vous L'avez fait le Seigneur de votre vie
* * * * * *
Ist Jesus Christus Herr von allen, Aber haben Sie Ihn Herr Ihres Lebens gemacht
* * * * * *
Christ di Jesus è il Signore di tutto il, Ma, lei L'ha fatto il Signore della sua vita
* * * * * *
Is jesus Christus Heer van alle, Maar hebt u aan Hem Heer van je leven gemaakt
* * * * * *
Jesus cristo é Senhor de todo, Mas, fezê-lO Senhor de seua vida
* * * * * *
Jesus Christ er Lord av all, But, har De laget Him Lord av Deres liv
* * * * * *
耶稣·基督是全部的勋爵，但是，你使了他成为你的生活的勋爵吗
* * * * * *
耶穌‧基督是全部的勛爵，但是，你使了他成為你的生活的勛爵嗎
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