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I long for the Lord’s return and spend my time in preparation to always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks of the hope that is within me with meekness and fear. I love to study the Word of God. I particularly enjoy studying end time Bible prophecy as well as the Day of the Lord. I enjoy sharing the Word of God with anyone who has an ear to hear. Remember: Acts 2:1-4, 36-39 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Faith

Applying the Word of God

July 12, 2010 cpministries 2 Comments

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Apply: 1. to put to use, especially for a particular purpose. 2. to bring into action;

It is important that we as Christians do not find ourselves being a hearer of the Word of God only.

James 1:22-27
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Hear how important it is to apply the Word of God. You don’t want to be one who hears the word and walks off and forgets what manner of man you are because you are not a doer of the Word, but just a Hearer of the Word.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

So if you are a doer of the Word, you shall be blessed in your actions. Also notice that Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep yourself unspotted from the world. This is True and Pure religion.

Matthew 7:12-27
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

As a hearer of the word, it is important that you also be sure that what you hear is truth. We will know every person by the fruit they produce, because a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Likewise a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Take notice of whom Jesus tells us it is that would make it into the kingdom of heaven, those who do the will of my Father. Another words, those who apply the Word of God. It is these people that will gain access to the kingdom of heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

We learn here from Jesus that we need to be a Hearer, a Believer, and a Doer of the Word of God, or you are likened unto a foolish man that built your house upon the sand and as the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon your house; that it fell: and great was the fall thereof.

It is very important that we always verify what we are being taught with the scriptures.

Acts 17:10-12
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

John 5:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 2:7-13
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

So you don’t want to find yourself only being a hearer of the Word of God, but also a doer.

John 14:15 Jesus tells us something extremely important.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Romans 1:1-6
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Obedience Requires Action!!!!

Romans 16:24-27
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Galatians 5:5-6
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

John 15:10
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

At this time I would like to turn your focus upon Abraham, the father of all them that believe.

Genesis 22:1-14
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Notice that Abraham did not question God, nor did he hesitate to do what the Lord had commanded of him.

4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Abraham had faith that not only would he return, but also his son Isaac would also return with him.

6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Abraham was confident that God would provide the sacrifice, and believed that he and his son would return back to his camp.

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

James 2:20-26
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

What James is trying to expound to us, was that Abraham’s faith, wrought with his works, brought him to the place of offering up the child of promise; trusting that God was able to rise him up again from the grave. This showed that Abraham truly feared the Lord and fully trusted in the Lord.

Hebrews 11:17-19
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Faith produces actions of obedience in accordance of what you believe. Thus Abraham believed God, obeyed God, and God then imputed unto him righteousness for his faith in God.

Genesis 22:12
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Abraham believed God would provide Himself a sacrifice. He knew that God would do what He had promised him. A father of many nations through his seed Isaac. He put forth actions of obedience to God. This was how faith was made perfect. It is one thing to say I believe God will keep His promise. It is another to walk up a mountain, tie your only son up, place him on an alter you made, and then take a knife and begin to strike him dead. It was the obedient actions of faith taken that made faith complete. Because faith without works is dead being alone. If Abraham would have said I believe God will keep His promise, but did not obey what the Lord told him to do, His faith would have been dead and nothing more than that of words.

Let’s be sure that we are not only Hearers of the Word of God, but also Doers of the Word of God!!!

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Christian Living

The Power of Unity

July 5, 2010 cpministries 3 Comments

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I’m sure everyone has heard the phrase, United we stand and Divided we fall. This phrase has been used in mottos, from nations, states, and songs. The concept is that unless the people are united as one, then it is easy to destroy them.

This is in direct contrast to the phrase, Divide and Conquer, which is a combination of military, political, and economic strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into smaller concentrations of power that is less powerful than the one trying to conquer.

The idea of being a united people and standing or being a divided people and falling has its root in the Bible.

Mark 3:22-26
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

As you can see from Jesus’ own words there is Power in Unity!

Psalms 133:1-3
1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

David has told us how precious it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. He compared brotherly unity, to the holy anointing oil that was poured upon the first priest Aaron, and which anointed the tabernacle.

Brotherly Unity is priceless!!!!

We find that brotherly Unity, was an absolute necessity of the Apostles and their work for the Lord.

Acts 1:12-14
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

There is Power in Unity!!!!

Matthew 18:18-20
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

There is Holy Ghost Power in Unity!!!

Acts 2:46-47
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

There is Revival in Unity!!!

Acts 4:19-33
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

There is Holy Ghost Power in Unity!!!!!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

There is Strength in Unity!!!

Acts 5:12
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

Acts 15:24-27
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

As the Apostles lived in Unity, they also instruct us to do the same!!!!

Romans 12:16-19
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

We must be of the same mind to be in Unity!!!!

Romans 15:1-7
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 1:10-11
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

There is No Division in Unity!!!

2 Corinthians 13:11
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Unity comes from the 5-fold Ministry!!!

Philippians 1:27
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

We must be likeminded to have Unity!!!!

Phillippians 2:1–3
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Unity seeketh not her own!!!!!!!

1 Peter 3:8-11
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

1 Peter 4:1
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

When there is Unity, There Will Be Revival!!!!!!!

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Christian Living

Cast Out the Bondwoman!!!

June 29, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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Galatians 4:1-31
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Apostle Paul is speaking to the Church of Galatia. He is reminding all of them that they were once a servant of sin. In bondage to the world!! But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, as a propitiation to conciliate God and man once again. To lift us from the curse of the law, and to restore sonship unto man through the Spirit of God, which is Christ Jesus. As a son of God we are no longer a servant to sin, but an heir of God through Christ.

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

At this time, Apostle Paul is questioning the Jewish people as to why it is, that they have turned from following after the Spirit of Christ, and instead are now following again after the old Mosaic Law. Once again observing days, times, and customs. Basically asking them why they have brought themselves back into bondage wherein they were delivered from.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

This is important to understand. The Apostle is teaching us by their example that there is people, who will zealously affect you, so that it might affect them. This is not profitable for you.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Here we are taught that being zealous in good things is great. But now the Apostle is going to question those who are teaching that the customs and traditions of men, which were practiced under the Mosaic Law, must still be upheld.

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

This is of the utmost importance. The covenant of the Mosaic Law given by Moses in Mount Sinai, makes you a servant of the law, and into bondage, which is an allegory of the handmaiden Agar, the bondwoman of Sara, who also had a son by Abraham. But she was not the freewoman, nor was her son the child of promise.

Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

(Continuing from Galatians 4:28)
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Cast out the Sin in your Life!!! Cast out the Bondwoman!!!

Romans 6:16-18
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

What form of doctrine. The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!!!

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

How did you become free from sin? By being obedient to the doctrine of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!! We became the servants of righteousness.

By becoming a Son of God, partaking of being born of Water and of the Spirit as the Apostle Peter told us in Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This is the restoration of Sonship!! Being Born Again!!

Galatians 5:1-26
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

It is our obedient faith in Christ that leads us to the free gift of God, the imputation of righteousness!

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Listen Carefully to what Apostle Paul has spoken!!! This faith works by love!!!

What do you mean Brother Ronnie?? I mean this faith works by the action of love!!!

I John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Notice that again we are told to take an action. We are told to Keep His Commandment, and that they are not grievous. What!!!!????? Are you telling me I have to work for my salvation?? No, I am certainly not telling you that you must work for your salvation, but I am telling you that faith works by love, which is an action word. And we were told how to fulfill this action of love, through the Keeping of God’s Commandments? I thought we weren’t under the Law? We are not under the Mosaic Law, but we are under the Law of faith!!! The Law of Righteousness!!! The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!!!!! The Perfect Law of Liberty!!!!!

Cast out the Bondwoman!!! Come out from among Her my people!!!

(Continuing Galatians 5:7)
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

A little Sin leavens the whole loaf!!!

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Romans 13:10
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

(Continuing Galatians 5:15)
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Luke 13:23-24
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Strive or Fight Vigorously to enter in at the strait gate.

Matthew 16:24-26
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Cast Out the Bondwoman and Live!!!

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Salvation

The Plan of Salvation – Advanced

June 23, 2010 cpministries 1 Comment

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In our last teaching of the plan of salvation, we learned that the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also learned that to be saved we must partake of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection.

To apply this in one’s life one must believe, repent, be born again of water and of the Sprit, and finally we must endure to the end. We learned that to be born of water was being baptized into Jesus Christ’s Death, and we learned that being born of Spirit, was the indwelling Spirit of God, that is received with the evidence of speaking in another tongue as the Spirit of God gives the utterance.

So to fulfill the partaking of the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, one must do what the Apostle Peter instructed us on the day of Pentecost. Which is found in…

Acts 2:37-39
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

So what we see is:

Death…………………Burial………………………………..Resurrection

Repentance…………..Baptism in Jesus Name……………..Receive the Spirit of God

1 John 5:6
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.

This verse tells us how Jesus Christ came. Which was by water and blood. Not water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Who is the Spirit that bears this witness?

John 14:16-18
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.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

So we now see that Jesus Christ came by water and blood and the Spirit of truth, the Comforter, who the world cannot receive, because it can’t see Him, but you the disciples could see, because He dwelleth with you and shall be in you, bore witness. Jesus then tells them I will not leave you comfortless but I will come to you. So then Jesus Christ is the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth.

So this Spirit, which is the Spirit of Truth, bears witness that Jesus came by water and blood.

How did he come by water and blood?

John 19:32-35
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

We have just learned in 1 John that the Spirit, which is the Spirit of Truth, is he that saw and bore record and here in John we learn it is so that we might believe.

1 John 5:8
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Now we are told that there is three that bear witness on Earth. The Spirit, the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. We know that the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost; and that when the soldier pierced His side, there came out blood and water. So the question is what do these three agree in?

They agree in how to be Born again. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Death…………………Burial………………………………..Resurrection

Repentance…………..Baptism in Jesus Name……………..Receive the Spirit of God

Blood…………………..Water…………………………………Spirit

If the Spirit, water, and the blood agree in one, and it is Salvation, how then?

(John 19:34) Showed us the blood and water represents Jesus’ death.

So when you apply Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost…..

The blood represents your repentance, the dying out to ourselves, and we now live unto the Lord.

Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The water represents burying yourself into the death of Jesus and this puts sin to death, through the faith of the operation of God, that we may become a new creature in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:3-7
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 6:12-13
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

The Spirit represents the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost that is promised to you after taking on the name of Jesus Christ in baptism, as read above from John 14:16-18 .

Galatians 3:22-24
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

We learn from Apostle Paul that the mosaic law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith and not the works of the law.

What we are going to learn now, is that the Old Testament Tabernacle was a shadow of things to come. We are going to focus upon the brazen altar, the brazen laver, and the Holiest of Holies.

Hebrews 8:1-131 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

The Lord offered himself as the sacrificial lamb, without spot or blemish unto God.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.

The earthly tabernacle was only a shadow of the heavenly.

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

This is a reference of the Old Testament Covenant – the Law, to the New Testament Covenant – Grace

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

This is the New Testament Covenant…….

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Death…………………Burial………………………………..Resurrection

Repentance…………..Baptism in Jesus Name……………..Receive the Spirit of God

Blood…………………..Water…………………………………Spirit

Brazen Altar…………..Brazen Laver…………………………Holiest of Holies

In the Old Testament, when someone committed a sin, they offered a sin offering unto the Lord. Each person had to bring a sacrifice, a young lamb or goat. The Brazen Altar was where the sacrifice was placed. It was here that the person who had sinned confessed their sin unto God and asked for atonement, which is to make amends for a wrong, and then they would slit the animal’s throat.

The Brazen Altar, where the sacrifices were done, was a shadow of Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb of God, which was sacrificed as our atonement, to reconcile, which is to restore friendly relations, between us and God.

The Brazen Laver was used by the priest as a ceremonial washing before the offering of the sacrifice and before he was allowed to enter into the Holy Place.

The Brazen Laver was a shadow of the water baptism in Jesus name, where are old man is buried with Christ, and His blood remits or washes away our sins.

The Holiest of Holies was a special place that only the high priest bearing sacrificial blood, once a year, had access to. It also was where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. Inside the Ark was the law written on two tables of stone, a golden pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded and blossomed. The lid of the Ark was known as the mercy seat. It was made of solid gold and on either end was a cherub facing the other, with wings extended, looking down toward the mercy seat. This is where God would manifest Himself to the high priest.

The Holies of Holies was a shadow of our access to the Spirit of God. However, after the death of Jesus Christ the veil was rent in two, and the way to the Holiest of Holies became available to all, not to the high priest alone. We have this access by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ, and by His indwelling Spirit of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 27:50-51
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Hebrews 10:12-23
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)

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Salvation

The Plan of Salvation – Basic

June 23, 2010 cpministries 3 Comments

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What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

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

How important is it for us to be obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

2Thessalonians 1:7-10
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

So it is of the utmost importance that we be obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So how are we to be obedient to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? It is important at this time to recall 2 Timothy 3:16, which reads…..

2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Jesus gives us instructions in the gospels.

Luke 13:1-5
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

According to Jesus we must repent or we will perish.

Mark 16:15-16
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.

We are told by Jesus here that we must believe and be baptized in order to be saved.

John 3:1-7
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Here we find out by Jesus that we must be born again or we cannot see or enter into the kingdom of God.

Matthew 10:22
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

And finally we learn that we must endure to the end to be saved.

So to sum up what we were told, Jesus tells us that we must believe, repent, be born again of water and of the Sprit, and finally we must endure to the end.

So to be obedient to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we must believe, repent, be born of water, be born of Spirit, and then endure to the end.

In Acts chapter 2 we learn….

Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

As we continue reading we find that there were Jews present out of every nation under heaven. They questioned, what meaneth this? Apostle Peter explains to all that are present this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. That it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.

And then in……

Acts 2:36-41
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

The people there believed that what the Apostle Peter spoke was the truth, and it pricked their hearts, and brought forth conviction, and they asked, Men and brethren, What shall we do????

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Notice that the people believed, then the Apostle Peter tells them to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and then tells them that they will receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the fulfillment of what Jesus instructed us to do in the gospels.

Notice verse 39 tells us that this promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. This lets us know without any doubt that this promise was to everyone throughout every generation that is to come.

So to partake of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, or to be born of water and of the Spirit, one must do what the Apostle Peter instructed us. We must repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

To repent, one must acknowledge their sins, be sorrowful for them, and then tell the Lord, that I no longer want to walk after my own will, but after the will of God. Showing by action the changing of one’s mind or direction. This is the first part of how we partake of the death of Jesus Christ. We die out to ourselves, and we now live unto the Lord.

This is the second part to how we partake of the Lord’s death, we must be buried with him in baptism. A submersion into water that represents the burying of one’s body.

Galatians 3:26-27
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:

Here we learn that to put on Christ, we must be baptized into Christ. It is of the utmost importance that when you are baptized, that you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, this is how we put on Christ, by taking His name. This is when your sins are remitted.

Colossians 2:11-15
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

It is in the baptism, that you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands. It is in the baptism that your sins are cut away.

After you have partook of the death and burial of Jesus Christ, you are then promised the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is important to realize however, this is not an automatic process. When your receive the free gift of the Holy Ghost, it will be evidenced by the speaking of another tongue as the Spirit gives the utterance.

Acts 8:12-17
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

We can see clearly here from verse 16 the Holy Ghost had fallen upon none them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 19:1-6
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Again, we can clearly see that the Holy Ghost was not automatic, and the baptism that one receives is important. Apostle Paul re-baptized these disciples in the name of the Lord Jesus. It was not until Apostle Paul laid his hands upon them, that the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spoke with other tongues and prophesied.

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Christian Living

We are His Witnesses

May 31, 2010 cpministries 1 Comment

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Isaiah 43:10-11
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

1 Peter 3:12-15
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

It is of the utmost importance that we as the witnesses of Jesus Christ, are always ready to give a scriptural account of the hope we have within us. This hope not only pertaining to the plan of salvation, but to everything that witnesses of the hope that lies within us.

Some examples could be: how you overcome trials and tribulations, why you live a separated life from the world, I thought once you were saved, you were always saved, etc.

As you can see, to be an effective witness, one must have a knowledge of the Word of God, and then they need to be a humble servant of Christ and present this information with meekness (quiet, gentle, and submissive) and (in the) fear (of the Lord).

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

As we learn here from the Apostle Paul, we must not strive or fight vigorously against those who oppose themselves. We must be gentle and patient. And again in meekness as we give instruction. And then perhaps, or maybe, God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

Remember the parable of the sower……

Luke 8:11-15
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

We need not strive or debate the Word of God with anyone. As you can see by the Word of God, the receiving of the Word is a heart condition. Those who hear the Word with an honest and a good heart, and keep the Word, will bring forth fruit with patience.

As a witness of Jesus Christ, one of the first and most important scripture verses for opening up someone’s eyes to the possibility of being misinformed with the knowledge of Christ that they have been taught, is….

2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, Not some scripture is and others are not.

This verse clearly states that All scripture is profitable for doctrine. All scripture is profitable for reproof. All scripture is profitable for correction. All scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness.

This teaches us that we can not stack one scripture against another to justify why we choose to only apply certain Bible verses in our walk with God. I would like to give 3 examples of how people commonly use one scripture to reject another.

Example 1

John 3:16 (accepted)
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.

Mark 16:16 (rejected)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Yet we have learned that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine.

Example 2

Romans 10:9 (accepted)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Acts 2:38 (rejected)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Example 3

Ephesians 2:8 (accepted)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Acts 22:16 (rejected)
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

When you are witnessing to someone, be sure to introduce 2 Timothy 3:16 into the conversation so that you can show the person that we should never use one scripture against another, but rather all scripture will work together.

After you have opened up their eyes to the acknowledging that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, a great follow up is to explain to them, how the scriptures are set up.

Isaiah 28:9-13
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

The prophet Isaiah is telling us that knowledge and the understanding of doctrine, comes by studying the scriptures one line at a time. Which is line upon line. And also by one precept at a time. Which is a rule that governs one’s behavior or thought, which would be a commandment. So, he is saying we learn by one commandment at a time, and by studying the scriptures one line upon another line, one commandment upon another. Gaining knowledge here a little and there a little.

Meaning part of the information you need for a particular subject is found in one book of the Bible while more of the information you need is found in other books of the Bible.

God purposed this for man so that we would study the scriptures. God is looking for someone who truly loves Him and is seeking Him. These type of people, will search the scriptures, pray about them, learn from teachers, and will always consider all possible meanings of the verse at hand, because they want to make certain, they are obeying the Gospel correctly. It is to these people, that God will open the scriptures up to, because the scriptures are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:12-15
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 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.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Now I would like for you to take notice of Isaiah 28:13 again.

Isaiah 28:13
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

This verse here is speaking of the Jews. The Jews had been disobedient over and over to the LORD. In His Jealousy, He decided that He would go to another people who were not a people. This being (us) the Gentiles.

So Isaiah tells us that the word of the LORD to the Jews was one commandment upon another, one line upon another, until it caused them to be snared. It became a trap to them. The Word of God is written in a way, that God reveals to some, while concealing it from others. The answer for why, is because of seeing whether you have an honest or a dishonest heart. Do you truly love Him and will you obey what he says, or will you not truly love Him and decide to build your own plan of salvation from the scriptures. Listen to Jesus give the answer to His disciples.

Matthew 13:10-15
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

You may have read this just now, and missed the answer to why this happens. The answer is verse 15. Jesus tells us, their hearts is waxed gross, their ears are dull of hearing, and here is the answer to why they don’t see, for their eyes they have closed. Least at any time they should open their eyes and see, which would allow them to open their ears, to hear, which would bring understanding to their heart, which would bring repentance and conversion, and then Jesus would heal them.

Jesus is looking for a bride that truly loves Him. Someone Obedient and Faithful to Him. Thus scriptures were deliberately set up to either ensnare you if you love not the truth, or if you do love the truth, the spirit will open your understanding. Let me show you who the gospel is hid from and who it is revealed to.

Matthew 11:25
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.

2 Corinthians 4:1-4
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.

This goes right along with what Jesus answered to His disciples concerning them that had shut their own eyes. Now we find out that because they believed not, the god of this world has blinded their minds. So the Gospel is only hidden to the Wise, Prudent, and to them that are lost. Yet it is revealed to babes.

2 Peter 3:13-18
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

As the witnesses of Jesus Christ it is important to understand how the scriptures are set up and that all scripture is inspired by God. This knowledge will allow you to quickly assess whether the person you are speaking with is hungry for truth. If they are, this will lead to many other questions from them. As the Lord’s witnesses we must be prepared to answer these questions by growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as we have just been instructed.

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Holy Spirit

The Power of Pentecost!

May 23, 2010 cpministries 1 Comment

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The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

The voice of John the Baptist

Matthew 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

What is this fire? This Pentecostal fire?

Acts 2:1-8
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Pentecostal Power!!

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Acts 2:13-18
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

I’m talking about ……..The Power of Pentecost!

Acts 2:3
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

I say this fire is a purifying fire!! A Godly fire that purges out our ungodliness and it sanctifies us!

This is Pentecostal Fire! – Godly Fire!!

Let Me Speak To You About The Mystery of the Human Tongue

James 3:6-10
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Devilish Fire – Sensual Fire

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

With our tongue we praise God and curse our brother who is made in the image of God. But when the Holy Ghost comes in, God’s Spirit unites with our Spirit and cries out Abba Father in recognition that you have became a child of God. God only can tame your tongue! When you receive the Holy Ghost God does sanctify and tame your tongue.

Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues is the Power of Pentecost!

Church the Power of Pentecost is not a one time experience!

Acts 1:5-8
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Power to Witness; Pentecostal Power!!!

Isaiah 43:10-11
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Power over death, hell, and the grave! Power over sin! Power over our trials, tribulations, sorrows, and persecutions.

With Pentecostal Power-comes persecution!

The early church after the day of Pentecost was persecuted for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the Power of Pentecost!

(Peter and John taught and preached Jesus to the people in the Temple after healing the impotent man at the gate Beautiful. )

Acts 4:1-10
1 And as Peter & John spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. (What a revival in a single day!)
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? (By the power of Pentecost!)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

The Name of Jesus Christ Invokes the Power of Pentecost!

Acts 4:15-21
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

Acts 4:29-31
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Pentecostal Boldness!

The Holy Ghost is the Power of Pentecost! (The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost is Pentecostal Power!)

These scriptures prove that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is not a one time experience, but continuously moves on His people. That is they were all refilled with the Holy Ghost, they already had the Holy Ghost yet they received a refilling when they prayed and asked God for boldness to preach His word.

Again I say Church Pentecostal Power is not a one time experience!

Church, saints hear me! The Holy Ghost is not a one time experience, we can be refilled over and over again! As a matter of fact- we must be refilled over and over again, lest we grow feeble and weak, spiritually sick. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and that joy is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

Speaking in other tongues is a miracle, it is Pentecostal Fire!

Speaking in tongues is not a one time experience!

Do not let Satan lie to you and tell you, that you cannot speak in tongues anymore. Every time that you allow the Holy Ghost to move upon you, move in you; the gift of speaking in tongues will well up within you as a well of living water. It will bubble over, it will overflow you. For out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Stir up the gift within you! The gift of the Holy Ghost!
Stir it up! Get beside yourselves!
Crucify your flesh!
Bring your flesh into subjection to the Holy Ghost in you!
Let God have reign in your life!
Submit yourselves unto God!
Give God a spiritual sacrifice of praise! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Begin to worship God!

Pentecostal Power – You shall receive Power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you!

Raise your hands and worship the Lord! Cry out to God like you did when you first repented and earnestly sought God. You can have a Pentecostal experience right now! This very moment! Draw nigh unto God, lift Him up and God will draw nigh unto you. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever!! He changes not!!

Worship God, love God, praise God, lift up Holy hands unto God!!

The Holy Ghost is a continual blessing of eternal life! Renewed in your heart daily!! Day after day, after day, forever and ever!

Pentecostal Power is the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Lesson written by Perry Harris.

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Faith

Lord If Thou Wilt Thou Canst Make Me Clean

May 17, 2010 cpministries 1 Comment

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Matthew 8:1-2
1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

A leper cried, “Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean!” The leper spoke of a physical corruption of his fleshly healing of his body, he suffered from a natural, physical corruption of his flesh. This desire terrified the people of Jesus’ day, there was no cure – for it was highly contagious in some cases.

People with leprosy were cast outs separated by themselves, not able to live with their families. Their very flesh rotted, their fingers fell off from rot, their toes fell off, their lips, nose, and ears rotted off. It was horrible beyond our imagination. It was a “living death”. If I were this leper and saw Jesus coming by, I too would have worshipped Him and cried, “Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean!”

Today, Church, sinners are suffering from “Spiritual Leprosy.” Spiritually in the eyes of God they are corrupt, rotten, decaying, already spiritually dead. But Praise God, Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly.

When we hear His voice (“Jesus)” harden not your heart, “for today is the day of Salvation.” Jesus will save and cleanse and make clean and whole all sinners who cry out to him “Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean!”

Now let me speak of us, the Church; the saved, the body of Christ, his sons and daughters.

Yes, Lord I have repented.
Yes, Lord I have been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of my sins.

And thank God, I have received the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the spirit giveth the utterance! Thank you Jesus, praise your name! Hallelujah, I have been born again!

But, oh, Lord I have not been perfect since that wonderful day of Salvation. I have fallen short. I have failed. I have sinned. Church we have fallen short, we at times have failed, we are guilty of sin!!

We must cry out “Son of David have mercy on me!”

Thank God for His Word, “the Bible” wherein lies our Salvation our hope.

I John 1:5-10
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Then this is the message, verse 9, If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is after being saved, being born again!

I John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

We have an advocate.
He is our propitiation for our sins.
Walk as He walked.

Matthew 8:3
3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him “the leper”, saying, I Will Be Thou Clean, and immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Church today; right now, Jesus is stretching out his hand to the sinner and to us the saved, saying come; repent. I will be thou clean!

Lesson written by Perry Harris.

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Christian Living

The Beauty of Contentment

May 10, 2010 cpministries 3 Comments

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To truly find contentment in one’s life, one must become acceptant to everything that happens in your life at all times. The Bible States it like this….

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Did you hear that?? Rejoice at all times and in every thing give thanks. Not in some things. Not only when things are going the way that you like them or wish them to be. But In Every Thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The Lord wants us to be thankful at all times!!!

So how does one become thankful at all times?

First one must recognize that……

Romans 8:28-31
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Amen!! So all things work together for good to them that love God and our called according to his purpose. We also learn something else of interest. Those whom God foreknew he also did predestinate.

Would this eliminate choice? Of course not. God knew the end before the beginning. So through this foreknowledge God already knows the choices you will make and who then are His. So those that were His, he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. And so those that He predestinated, He called, and those He called, He justified through His Son, and those whom he justified, He then also glorified. This is why the Apostle Paul states, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Our Job as the children of God is to Press on!!

Remember…….

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

We must also fully Trust in God, having Faith in His Word, and have an understanding of trials, tribulations and the final outcome.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Do you believe it?? Do you want your path directed by God?? Then one must apply a few things. First, one must trust in the LORD with all of your heart. Does this sound familiar???

Mark 12:29-31
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Second, one must learn not to lean upon your own understanding. Why??

Proverbs 20:24
24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

And Finally, in all of your ways, you must acknowledge God. If you will apply these three things, then God will direct your path.

So what about trials, temptations, and tribulation?

James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

So here we see that temptations, try our faith. And this trying of our faith will teach us patience. If we then let patience have her perfect work, then we will learn to want nothing.

So the understanding of trials and temptations is a big part of understanding how we can become content.

But I will forewarn you. Don’t find yourself content without God. For contentment without God is the path of a fool.

1 Timothy 6:6-12
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

So what about Tribulations?

Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

We as Christians must learn that……

Philippians 1:21
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

This is a key ingredient for how the apostles achieved contentment through their persecutions. They were aware that to be absent from our bodies is to be present with the Lord.

Remember what Jesus tells us…..

Matthew 10:28
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.

Up to this point we have found that for one to find contentment and Godliness, one must become acceptant of everything that happens in one’s life at all time, by acknowledging that all things work together for good to them that Love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. We must Trust in God with all of our heart, having faith in His Word, leaning not on our own understanding. We must acknowledge God in all of our ways, and then God will direct our paths. We must also remember that the trying of our faith works patience. And if we let patience have her perfect work, then we will be complete and lacking nothing. Because it is through our trials and tribulations that we gain patience, then we gain experience, which leads to hope. And this hope makes not ashamed. Why? Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which has been given unto us.

And what is this hope??

Colossians 1:26-27
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Finding Godliness with contentment also requires Temperance or Self Control. Want Peace in the midst of your Storm? You Must find Contentment. Without Contentment, there is no Peace.

Philippians 4:4-13
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Here what Apostle Paul tells us??? I can do all things through Christ. Not through his self, but through Christ which strengthens him. Remember….

2 Corinthians 12:10
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

How is he strong?? Through Christ that strengthens him.

Mark 9:23
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Do you believe today???

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Heaven

I Will Give up Everything to be Caught Up in the Rapture

May 3, 2010 cpministries 1 Comment

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Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7-14,

Philippians 3:7-14
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I will give up everything and count the loss of those things as less than nothing that I may gain Jesus Christ and His righteousness which is of God by faith. That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. Being buried with Him in baptism, partaking of His death, burial and resurrection. If by any means I may attain unto the Resurrection of the dead. (the dead in Christ). I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I – Christ lives in me.

I am willing to give up everything to be caught up in the Rapture!!!!!

Church! Jesus spoke of two Resurrections in John 5:25-29

The Resurrection of Life and the Resurrection on Damnation.

John 5:25-29
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

The First Resurrection is the Resurrection of Life. The Resurrection of the Just, The Resurrection of the Saved; the born again Christian, the redeemed of Christ, those bought with a price, those washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Apostle Paul said, “I will give up everything and count it as nothing to attain this first resurrection, the resurrection of eternal, everlasting life. Apostle Paul warned the Church that there are those who falsely say that there is no Resurrection of the Dead. But if there be no Resurrection of the dead, then Jesus has not risen and we are still in our sins and our religion is vain.

But thank God that Paul declared that Jesus has risen and that there is a Resurrection.

The Resurrection of Life has two parts.

The first part—-Jesus was crucified, Jesus did raise from the dead on the 3^rd day. Jesus did give up the ghost on the cross. His soul did descend into the bowels of the earth. Jesus did descend into hell, there he did preach to the imprisoned souls. There the dead did hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Jesus rose from the dead on the 3^rd day, the righteous dead also rose with Him. The graves were opened up and the saints of old did walk the earth and were seen of men in Jerusalem and they did ascend into Heaven when Jesus ascended up.

These Saints are the first fruits of the first resurrection.

The second part of the first Resurrection is the Rapture!

Apostle John wrote in Revelation 20:6,

Revelation 20:6
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:51-57,

I Corinthians 15:51-57
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Rapture is the second part of the Resurrection of Life!

Jesus is coming again, the trumpet of God is going to sound and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive shall be changed in a twinkling of an eye from mortal to immortal, from corruptible to incorruptible and we shall be caught up into Heaven with Jesus. Praise the Lord! Praise God we are the present day fruit of God, His righteous people; His Church, that shall be caught up in the Rapture of the Saved that began when Christ arose 2000 years ago.

Again Paul speaks of the Rapture in I Thessalonians 4:13-17,

I Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Saints I will give up everything to be caught up in the Rapture!

Now let us speak about the Second Resurrection-The second death; the Resurrection of Damnation.

Apostle John wrote in Revelations 20:7-15

Revelations 20:7-15
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
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.

After the one thousand year reign of Jesus and His Saints which is the Thousand Year Millennium, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and he shall go up against Christ and his Saints in the beloved city of Jerusalem and God will rain fire down from Heaven and Devour them!

Praise God Hallelujah!!! Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire!!!

This is the Great White Throne Judgment!

This is the Second Death, the Second Resurrection; the Resurrection of Damnation and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire!

Saints, blessed and Holy is he who taketh part in the First Resurrection, upon him the second death; the lake of fire and brimstone; hath no power!

All who come up in the first resurrection shall not be in the Great White Throne Judgement but shall stand before the judgement seat of Christ to receive their reward for the works done in their body. This is the Church, we that are saved by grace, through the faith in Jesus.

Apostle Paul expounds upon this in Romans 14:10-12

Romans 14:10-12
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The 2^nd death is the lake of fire prepared for satan and his angels. Thank God we are not doomed to that terrible place. God did not prepare that place for us, for mankind, but it was prepared for satan and his angels!!

But Church be warned: Hell hath enlarged itself, its mouth has become a great abyss, a great chasm, to receive all the ungodly, all the unthankful, all the proud, all the vain, all the liars, all adulterers, all murderers, and all who have refused Jesus Christ and his Salvation.

Mankind cries out, how can a just and loving God send us to such a terrible place, a place where Jesus said: There shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Where the worm-the soul-dieth not and the fire is never quenched. Being burned for eternity in fire, but never consumed-knowing who you are and where you are, Eternal-Living Death!

Know today; our God is love. Our God is merciful, our God is compassionate. Jesus hasn’t, doesn’t, and never will send a soul to Hell! Praise God!!!

We send ourselves to hell by refusing God’s blessed plan of salvation, by refusing to repent, by refusing to be baptized in Jesus name, by refusing the precious cleansing blood of Jesus to wash away our sins. By rejecting the Holy One of God, by turning our backs on Jesus and the cross of Calvary and counting the shed blood of Jesus as nothing and the death of Jesus as vain.

But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son; put our sins upon Him “Jesus”, He who knew no sin-God made him to become sin for us that through His death, burial, and resurrection; that whosoever believeth on Him, Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life. God has done all that is humanly possible, God has done all that is godly possible to save us.

What more could He do, what more can He do that He has not already done.! God became a man, one of us, took on the seed of Abraham; became flesh so He could put sin to death in the flesh, defeated Satan’s power over us took back the keys of hell and death, brought salvation to light, and gave us eternal life.

As it is written, Oh death where is thy sting, oh grave where is thy victory. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord-where by we have now received the atonement.

I will give up everything to be caught up in the Rapture!

Do you want to make your calling and election sure?

Will you give up everything, every sin to make heaven your home?

Heaven is going to be a wonderful place!!!!

Do you want to go?

II Corinthians 13:5a
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

What is the faith??? The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!!

What must you do to be in the faith???

Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What must you do after completing this New Spiritual Birthing Process???

II Corinthians 7:1
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Lesson written by Perry Harris.

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