Tag Archives: Christian

Are you Blind?

October 5, 2016 cpministries 2 Comments

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This is a spiritual question of great importance. Unlike being naturally blind in the flesh, where one can not see anything, spiritual blindness can happen to a person, and that person be completely unaware that they can not see. Never the less, these people are blinded to the understanding of the scriptures of the Word of God. This is a very scary place to be. For you are in the darkness of this world, but yet believe you are in the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ.

The question today is, are you one of these people that are spiritually blinded and unaware? This question is of eternal consequences. For if you are spiritually blinded you are lost.

You may be recalling,

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The question that may be coming to your mind is, why would anyone be spiritually blinded if the Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish, but that all would come to repentance?

To understand the answer to this question, will take an understanding of whom the Lord will teach doctrine, how scriptures are discerned, what causes spiritual blindness, and finally to whom the Lord will reveal the doctrine of Christ to and to whom it is hid from?

The answer to the first question, “To whom will the Lord teach doctrine”, is found in the book of:

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, 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.

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 their pastor, preachers, and 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.

So the answer to the second question which was, “how are the scriptures discerned”, is by the Spirit of Christ, which is the Spirit of God.

To answer the third question, which was, “What causes spiritual blindness”, we will need to look at some of the examples given to us. We will start with taking notice of what verse 13 of Isaiah 28 above has told us.

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 through out the reading of the Old Testament. 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.

Hear the Parable of the Sower and take notice of whom the Lord tells us it is that receives the Seed.

Luke 8:4-18
4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
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.
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

We have learned some life essential Words of Wisdom in this parable and from the snare which has befallen upon the Jews. To better understand these Words of Wisdom concerning why the Lord spoke in parables, let’s listen to the Apostle Matthew as he has recorded for us why the Lord spoke in parables.

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:

Why??

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/heard) 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’s compare this to the natural. When you are about to be married, how do you want your spouse to love you? Do you want them to love you with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength? Or do you prefer them to somewhat love you, and every so often cheat on you? Or would you rather if they were going to half way love you, that you had never even met this person?

Revelation 3:14-16
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom. The Church is the Bride of Christ. So then if you are a person halfway serving the Lord, we are told that your ending will be that you are spued out of the Lord’s mouth.

Luke 10:25-28
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Matthew 22:40
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

You may be wondering how love will save you? The answer is, LOVE fulfills all the law and God is love.

Romans 13:8-14
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Apostle John continues in:

1 John 4:16-21
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

So now that we understand to whom the Lord will teach doctrine, how the scriptures are discerned, and that the Gospel is deliberately set up to either ensnare you if you love not the truth, or to be opened to you by the Spirit if you do love the truth, we will continue by seeing to whom the gospel is hid from and to whom 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 4:4
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.

The answer to the question of, “To whom will the Lord reveal the doctrine of Christ to and to whom is it hid from”, is to them that are wise and prudent, and to them that are lost. The gospel of Christ is not intended to be hid. The gospel is revealed unto babes. Which are those that have an honest and a good heart as the parable of the Sower revealed, they not only hear the Word of God, but also keep it, by applying what they have learned, and these bear fruit with patience.

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.

Here Apostle Peter tells us what to do in verse 18 so that we be not blinded. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus tells us,
Matthew 7:7-8
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

In closing,

With this new found knowledge we can now understand why there are so many divisions of Christianity that have led to so many different denominations. Now that you can see that the gospel was designed to either ensnare one, or to be open to one, you want to make sure you are somebody that the scriptures are open to. This comes by making sure what you are taught is correct. And growing in the grace and knowledge of God as Apostle Peter has spoken. And in conclusion Apostle Peter gives us the instructions very clearly on how to make sure we never fall and that we will not be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:1-12
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

I urge everyone that has read this message to cry out to God with an honest and a good heart, and make sure that you are not one that has become spiritually blinded and your thoughts being overtaken by satan unbeknown to you at his will.

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Bible study, Faith

Obedient Faith

September 30, 2016 cpministries 5 Comments

Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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Hebrews 11:1-2
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Faith is an action word! Faith is something that you believe will take place! The result of this belief by faith produces a hope of what one desires and believes will take place. Thus you place your trust into this hope that you desire to take place by your faith.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was revealed to all people and nations for the obedience of faith.

Romans 1:5-6
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 actions on your part. In order for you to be saved through faith you must put forth actions necessary to be obedient to the faith that was once delivered to you.

Romans 16:25-27
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.

Again, we see the Apostle Paul has told us that the gospel was made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. So, what is the gospel that the Apostle Paul preached?

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:

So the gospel that the Apostle Paul preached was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of which he tells us that we are saved by this gospel if we keep in memory what he preached to us.

Romans 3:19-25
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.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Remember the Apostle Paul said above that we are saved by the gospel, “if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” So you can believe the gospel in vain and be lost!

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Here the Apostle Paul is explaining to us the process of how we are justified freely by God’s grace.

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

It is important to recognize what the Apostle Paul is referring to in this explanation. Here the Apostle Paul speaks of the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God. So what does it mean to have faith in the blood of Jesus and how does this tie in with the remission of our sins?

We are speaking about being obedient to the faith that was made known to all nations. We are speaking about the gospel of Jesus Christ that was revealed to us by the Prophets and the Apostles. This gospel being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how we are to be obedient to this gospel that is able to save our souls if we keep in mind what was preached to us.

Remember we have learned that faith is an action word that one believes will take place producing a hope in the belief that one has, ultimately leading to the placing of your trust into what you have believed. And we can believe in vain. So how do we make sure we are obedient to the faith that was delivered to us and not be as one the believes in vain?

One must search the scriptures daily and see if what he hears is so by remembering that all scripture is inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

So what does it mean to have faith in the blood of Jesus and how does this tie in with the remission of our sins?

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

Luke 22:19-20
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood is what allows us to have our sins remitted.

Hebrews 8:10-13
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.

So how do we have our sins remitted according to scripture?

Acts 2:38-39
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.

This is how one partakes of the gospel of Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul preached about.

The Apostle Paul, Saul of Tarsus, testifying of his conversion before the jews.

Acts 22:12-16
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Immediately Ananias told the Apostle Paul to be baptized and wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord. This is because the blood of Jesus Christ is applied to your sins when you are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins.

Remember we are speaking of being obedient to the faith that was once delivered to us. The gospel of Jesus Christ of which was made know to all nations for the obedience of faith.

We have learned that this gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the New Testament Covenant that was given to us by God required the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. Our faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ causes us to take actions of obedient faith in accordance to how we partake of the plan of salvation of which we believe by faith. This causes us to then apply what the Apostles and Prophets taught us to do to partake of this new testament covenant that the shed blood of Jesus Christ purchased for us.

We were told by God concerning the New Testament Covenant that he would be merciful to our unrighteousness, and our sins and iniquities would he remember no more. So in order for us to receive the remission of our sins according to the scriptures we found that we must repent of our sins and be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins and that we would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That this promise was to all that was afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

So what are you waiting for? Let us be obedient to the faith that was once delivered to us.

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Faith, Salvation

Are you a Berean at Heart

September 21, 2016 cpministries 2 Comments

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Acts 17:11
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.

A. Understanding How Faith and Grace Operate

James 2:18-26
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
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?

The word wrought means to be a fellow-worker, i.e. co-operate.

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.

Galatians 5:4-6
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.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

To be saved by grace you have to apply what grace teaches you. To be saved through faith you must apply how faith operates.

Grace teaches us: denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Faith works by love and Faith without works is dead being alone.

Jesus said,

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments..

So to fulfill what the Apostle Paul spoke in:

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

You must then apply the process of each into the verse.

Ephesians 2:8 Brackets inserted by me
8 For by grace [which teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world] are ye saved through faith; [which worketh by love.] and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

So if faith works by love, and Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments; then you are saved by grace through obedient faith which works by love, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of grace given by God.

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

With this understanding of how grace works and how faith operates

You then remember that….

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:

Then we all follow after what Jesus tells us to do, which is….

Jesus told us we must repent.

Luke 13:3,5
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Jesus told us we must believe and be baptized.

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

Matthew 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus told his disciples what to do and revealed the name to them.

Luke 24:47
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The disciples were obedient and fulfilled both Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47.

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

This would include the baptism.

The foundation that the Gospel stands on….

Ephesians 2:20
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Jesus was both an Apostle and Prophet.

Hebrews 3:1
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Deuteronomy 18:15-19
15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

And the scriptures agree that we must be obedient to the faith.

Romans 1:5
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 16:25-26
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:

And how do we partake of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? By being born again of water and of the Spirit. (John 3:1-7). This is fulfilled by applying Acts 2:38 which reads, “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.”

B. Understanding the Difference between the Works of Faith and the Works of the Law

John 5:39
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

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.

Romans 3:24-28
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

But remember faith without works is dead being alone. The works of faith is not the works of the Mosaic Law. Faith is an action word that requires an action in accordance to what you believe.

James 2:21-23
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.

Romans 3:31
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Matthew 5:17
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Galatians 3:21-22
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

And if you believe, then we must be obedient to the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the keeping of God’s commandments in accordance to our faith that we believe that God raised up Jesus our Lord from the grave.

Remember that under the Old Testament Covenant there was no remission for sins and the penalty of death was not yet taken back by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 10:9
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 2:14-16
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Romans 4:1-3
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

This is important to understand. Remember the Apostle James said, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works.”

The Apostle Paul and the Apostle James are talking of different works. The Apostle Paul asked a question in verse 1 and answered it in verse 3. The answer was by faith and the Apostle James gives us further explanation of the Apostle Paul’s words.

James 2:20-23
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The topic is faith!!

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.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul said above. He asked the question in verse 1 and in verse 2 said, “if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God” This is because the topic from verse 1 is found in the prior verses which is speaking of the Mosaic Law versus faith.

Even though the Mosaic Law had not yet come during Abraham’s lifetime, the Apostle Paul is speaking to people who understand the Mosaic Law and is telling them that Abraham was not justified by works of the flesh, but was justified by the works of faith.

Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

But this does not make void the works that accompany faith. The works that accompany faith are not the works of the flesh nor of the Mosaic Law.

James 2:20-23
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.

Galatians 3:16-18
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Romans 4:13-14
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Galatians 3:12
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Romans 4:16
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Galatians 3:23-24
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.

Galatians 3:12
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

C. The True Tabernacle in the Heavens

Hebrews 6:13-20
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 8:1-2
1 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.

Hebrews 9:8-12
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 8:3-4
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.
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:

D. The Earthly Tabernacle Served as an Example and Shadow of Heavenly Things

Hebrews 8:5-7
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.
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.

Again, this being because remission of sins had not yet come and the penalty of death was still upon mankind.

Hebrews 8:8-13
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.
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.

Hebrews 9:1-9
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

Mark 15:37-38
37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Upon the death of Jesus Christ, the way into the Holiest of all was now going to be by the blood of the Lamb, which was shed for the remission of sins.

The services as pertaining to the worldly sanctuary….

Hebrews 9:10-11
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Hebrews 8:2
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Hebrews 9:12
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 9:24
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Hebrews 9:13-15
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Dead works referring to the works of the Mosaic Law.

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:16-22
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Likewise the New Testament!

Matthew 26:27-28
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:23-28
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Isaiah 50:6-9
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Hebrews 10:1-23
10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Why? There was not yet remission of sins.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
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;)

E. Justification unto Life Eternal

Hebrews 10:38-39
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Romans 4:17-25
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 3:21-28
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

F. The Righteousness which is of Faith

Romans 9:30-33, 10:1-4
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Galatians 3:12-14
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans 10:5
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Galatians 3:6-14
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:25-27
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
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.

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Behavior, Christian Living

A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber

September 7, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

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The Bible says in Proverbs Chapter 6:9-12
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 24:30-33 Says it like this:
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

A Nettle is a plant having jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs.

32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Church we don’t want to be caught Asleep!!

We look around at our World today, and we see the signs of His coming!! And we look around and we see that our families and our friends still need Salvation. We see that our Nation has become a Nation of Abominations.

Every where we look, the stench of Sin is rising up to Heaven before the nostrils of our God. We see so called Homosexual marriages. We see a Nation of people that are acceptant of their behavior and in many cases standing along side of them, protesting with them to help them achieve their goal. We see our Retail Store Outlets taking Christ out of Christmas and replacing Him with silly Holiday Slogans. Every where we look in our World we see the March of the Anti-Christ spirit. As they proudly declare, We want Christianity erased from History.

Luke 17:26-30 says it like this…
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Church, Where is your Burden for the Lost? Where is your desire to see one saved? Have you become so Sleepy in this world of filth that you no longer care about the Lost?

The wicked man is saying, what we see in II Peter 3:3-7
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

These SIX things DOTH the LORD HATE: yea, seven are an ABOMINATION unto HIM:

In Proverbs 6
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

A Proud look: Are you arrogant? Are you Stuck up? Do you have a haughty spirit?

A Lying Tongue: Do you say one thing and in your heart another? Do you speak deceit to spare yourself of troubles? Do you think white lies are not lies?

Hands that Shed innocent blood: Are you killing someone just because of their ethnic background? Having abortions? Are you slaying your brother because of his Beliefs?

Heart of Wicked Imaginations: Do you allow yourself to fantasize on causing harm to others? Do you allow yourself to imagine lustful desires? Do you imagine what life would be like if there wasn’t a God?

Feet swiftly running to Mischief: Are you quickly running to watch a fight at School? Are you running to be with the in crowd while they make hurtful jokes toward others? Are you running to make sure you get to take your best shot out on another fellow man, since everyone else is doing it?

A false witness speaking lies: Do you speak lies against another because they have offended you? Are you making up lies to purposely see another person get punished? Are you speaking lies against another because you don’t want to tell on your lying friends?

He that sows Discord among Brethern: Are you starting rumors at Church? Are you gossiping on the telephone of what you saw your Brother or Sister do last week? Are you back biting or stabbing your fellow man because you will not offer up Forgiveness for something that they had done to you?

Church, Are you doing one of these sins that God hates? If so REPENT. Do you see our Nation doing any of these things that God Hates? Then Why, are you not speaking out against them and showing them the error of their ways? Are you not the salt of the Earth? Are we not the Light of the World. How then, do you expect them to know their own way?

Romans 13:8-14 Reminds us How we should be Living
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

If you Love one another, Then why are you not out spreading The Word of Truth to your neighbors? Why are you not taking Salvation to the Lost? Have you become the Sluggard? Are you the slothful man with thorns and nettles over your face?

Oh A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber. A Little Folding of the Hands to Sleep.

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 says,
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Church, Do you recognize the season? Then why are you not out in the highways and the byways compelling them to come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Why are you willing to make excuses such as I do not have the time? Are you more wrapped up in this World, that you are not supposed to be taking part with, that you are going to be one of the Five Silly Virgins that didn’t have enough Oil burning in their Lamp? Do you feel it’s more important to watch TV, listen to ungodly radio music, or go shopping than it is to see a man saved? Are you to busy making sure your belly stays full, than making a commitment to God, and becoming a laborer in the harvest fields?

Luke 21:34-36
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Church, Are you to SLEEPY to have Revival?

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Christian Living

Passion, Compassion, Fire & Zeal

January 5, 2011 cpministries 4 Comments

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As the bride of Christ and the servants of the Most High King, it is essential that we have an intense enthusiasm and sympathetic pity for reaching out to the lost, as well as a deep, burning fervor for the Lord Jesus Christ.

We Must have a Passion for the Lost!!!

As the witnesses of Jesus Christ, we must be diligent about the work of the Lord.

Luke 14:33-35
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Romans 9:1-5
1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

O Lord, Give us a Burden for the Lost!! Let us learn from the Apostle Paul, of this kind of passion. Pray and seek the Lord, that you too, would have a burden for the lost!!

Matthew 18:11-14
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

We Must have a Compassion for the Lost!!!

Matthew 9:35-38
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Let us pray to be labourers in the Lord’s harvest.

John 4:35-37
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

Ephesians 5:14-16
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Romans 13:11-12
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Jude 1:20-23
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

We Must have a Deep, Burning Fire for the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Jeremiah 20:7-9
7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

HALLELUJAH!!!! Do you have the Fire shut up in your bones????

Luke 3:16
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Praise God!!!! We have the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost Fire!!!
Joy unspeakable!! Full of Glory!!

Hebrews 12:29
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Let your light so shine before men!!
O Lord Consume us with the Holy Ghost Fire, and Let your Word Burn in our Hearts!!

We Must be Zealous for the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

The Lord Jesus Christ is looking for a red hot Church that is desirous of pleasing Him and fulfilling His will of being His witnesses.

Revelation 3:13-22
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Let us not be caught cold or lukewarm. For we have been told the result of this path. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Romans 10:1-4
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Hear the story of the Zeal of Apostle Paul!!

Acts 7:55-60; 8:1-4
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts 9:1-6
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

What this illustrates is the Zeal of Apostle Paul for doing the work of the LORD, though he did not yet understand that the LORD was Jesus Christ!! He was so zealous for God, that he went house to house wreaking havoc on the church. He persecuted the people of God. He was so zealous for the Lord, that he went unto the high priest and sought letters that he might be able to continue his pursuit of the Christians as they fled from him.

Acts 9:7-16
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Philippians 3:4-17
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
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.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Hebrews 12:1-2
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.

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God

The Birth of the Trinity Doctrine

December 29, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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In this lesson we will be discussing when the Trinitarian doctrine first came into existence, by briefly explaining to you the two councils which eventually brought forth the Trinitarian Doctrine, and pointing out some key elements about the people of those councils and the Emperors influence within those councils.

This can be found by reading and studying the two councils that ultimately brought forth a Trinitarian point of view. The first council, The Council of Nicea took place in 325 AD. Unlike what you may be thinking, this Council was not over a debate of a Oneness point of view versus a Trinitarian point of view. However it was because of a man named Arius who believed that the Son (Jesus) was created out of nothing before the world was called into being, and for that very reason was not eternal nor of the divine essence. For his argument he referred to Proverbs 8:22, which reads, 22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. The Hebrew word translated for possessed, he said, could also have meant created or brought forth. Thus Arius, interpreted the passage that the Son was created at some point by God before the creation of the world. This was the reason for the first council.

The council convened in 325 AD in Nicea. It lasted for just about six weeks. It has been said that 318 persons attended, but a more likely number is 225, including every Eastern bishop of importance, four Western bishops (among them Hosius of Córdoba, president of the council), and two papal legates.

Papal: Of, relating to, or issued by a pope.

As the Council began to unfold, it was found that there was mainly three points of view. The first group was a minority led by Athanasius who argued that the Father and the Son were of the same substance. The second group was the Arian group which believed the Son was of a different substance from the Father. And the third group was the majority, in which case the majority of them never fully understood the issues at hand but wanted peace. The majority of them never agreed with Arius, but they also never agreed with Athanasius. Thus later in history they received the nickname of Semi-Arians.

Finally Emperor Constantine, hoping to obtain the most unanimous decision possible, introduced a word called homoousios, which means of the same substance. This was considered controversial because it was used by some people to support a Oneness doctrine of the Godhead, known as Sabellianism, against those with a Trinitarian position.

Upon conclusion of this first Council, the position of Athanasius prevailed. At this time Emperor Constantine sealed the victory by threatening to banish all dissenters. However there were two Bishops who would not sign the creed along with Arius. One of the two Bishops was Eusebius of Nicomedia and these men were placed in exile.

Emperor Constantine then declared that the decrees of the council were divinely inspired, declared them as laws of the empire, and made them punishable by death. The creed that was created from the Council of Nicea was not, however, the creed generally circulated today as the Nicene Creed.

In summary up to this point, this council was mainly those of a Trinitarian mind set concerning the Father and the Son being of the same substance, where as the Arians were of the mind set that the Father and the Son were of a different substance. During their debates, the Emperor Constantine introduced a word that those of the Trinitarian mind set did not like, because a group of people of the mind set that God was not only of one substance, but he manifested himself as the Son, so he was not two separate persons of one substance, but rather one person who manifested himself as the Son and the Father. These people were known as Sabellianism or Oneness people.

The original Nicene Creed that came out of this Council stated: We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible. And in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, the only begotten of the Father; (they then clarify what they mean concerning Jesus Christ) that is (He, Jesus is) of the essence of the Father, (He is) God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, (He was) begotten, not made, from the substance of the Father, by whom (Jesus) all things were made both in Heaven and on Earth; who for us men, and for our Salvation, came down and was incarnate (that means he was robed in flesh) and was made man; he suffered, and the third day he rose again, (He) ascended into heaven; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost.

Remember this creed was to refute Arianism. And again, Arianism was those who believed that the Father and the Son were of a different substance. Due to the fact that during this council, the Trinitarian people as they were trying to refute Arianism, were speaking in a manner that actually was supportive of the Oneness or Sabellianism people; this led to the bishops signing the creed so that they would not be exiled, but to continue teaching the Godhead the way that they always had, which was somewhere between the teachings of Arianism and Trinitarianism. This also sparked the Arians to continue to pursue their doctrine, thus in 381 AD there was a second council that convened.

The second council that convened was the council of Constantinople. This council was summoned by Emperor Theodosius I in 381 AD. Theodosius was a staunch supporter of the original Nicene Creed. So he was biased already. Only Eastern bishops were summoned to this council, but the Greeks claimed that it was ecumenical. Even though they never invited anyone from the West.

Ecumenical: Of or relating to the worldwide Christian church.

So basically the people of this council were claiming that it represented the worldwide Christian Church, even though no one from the Western portion of the Mediterranean was invited.

This council was not truly ecumenical and there were only about 150 bishops in attendance. It gave the bishop of Constantinople honour second only to that of the pope. Even though the Western church did not accept the ranking of Constantinople as second to Rome until the 13th century. Hear what was just said. It took close to nine hundred years before the West finally agreed that the bishop of Constantinople was second only to that of the pope. This Council declared, and the Emperor made it law, that there is one Godhead, Power and Substance of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; the dignity being equal, and the majesty equal in three perfect persons. This is how the Trinitarian Doctrine was born and was the first time the Holy Spirit was even considered a third person in the Godhead.

However it wasn’t until some time in the fourth century that the Nicene creed that we use today, came into existence. That’s right. Four hundred and some odd years after Jesus’ death, the Nicene creed we use today, based off of these two councils that were both completely biased and declared law by the Emperors of Rome, with adjustments to the creed as late as 589 AD at the Synod of Toledo, became the common doctrine of the Trinitarian today.

The Nicene creed in use today omits (that means that they removed it from) the original clause in the first Council of Nicea that stated that Jesus was of the essence of the Father, because it left open the possible interpretation of a Oneness point of view. Yet everyone was taught that the first council was divinely inspired and here they are making adjustments to it, to continue to support their doctrine.

And then they added to the original creed, concerning the portion that stated, And in the Holy Ghost.

The addition reads: And [I believe] in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceedeth from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified.

It also confessed one Baptism for the remission of sins.

This information is readily available at any library or by searching online about these two councils. Due to the fact that there is no mention of Trinity or Triune in the Bible, and the fact that these councils were not divinely inspired, there is no reason to believe our God is three co-equal persons.

In an in-depth study of these two councils, you will find that many scriptures Athanasius used in the original council of Nicea, and explained their meanings according to the Godhead, to establish his stance against Arianism, that the Trinitarians of today use those same scriptures, to substantiate their arguments against Oneness believers; yet they have already been defined by Athanasius in the council of Nicea stating the opposite meaning that the Trinitarians of today are using to defend their stance against Oneness believers.

In conclusion, what we should have learned from this condensed version of how the Trinitarian Doctrine was born, is that these councils were not divinely inspired, but rather were conducted in a very controlled environment, with Emperors of Rome establishing them as laws, and they are the people who claimed these councils were divinely inspired.

We also learned that the first council had nothing to do with Oneness versus Trinitarianism, and for this very reason, the original council defined scriptures, and built a defense system, that ended up supporting a Oneness point of view. So in the next council, they made the necessary changes to try to alter this point of view, even though they claimed the first council was divinely inspired, it never stopped them from altering it. They also claimed that the second council was ecumenical, yet they did not even invite the bishops from the Western Mediterranean area, who never fully accepted what they concluded at this council until the 13 century, some 900 years later.

And finally, due to the amount of time that has now elapsed since these councils and in our present time, the Trinitarians of today don’t even hold true to their original roots, but have changed the meaning of the scriptures around that were already defined in the council of Nicea, to mean something else that was not established in this council. Thus, if you will, the Trinitarians of today would not even agree with the Trinitarians of 400 AD.

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God

Understanding the Godhead – Part 2

December 22, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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At this time if you are still having trouble seeing the Oneness of God, I would like to give you a run down and some more questions to further explain the Oneness of God. For this I would like to give a condensed example.

God the Word (John 1:1) became flesh (Jesus) (John 1:14) upon being conceived by Mary, whom the Holy Ghost hovered over. (Luke 1:35) Notice that 1) the Holy Ghost does not have a name. Yet all Angels, Man, and God have and had names. So then why would the Holy Ghost be a third individual without a name? And 2) the Holy Ghost hovered over Mary and not the Father so this would make the Holy Ghost the father of Jesus and not God being the Father of Jesus. Also, if the Holy Ghost can be in every person on planet Earth; that wouldn’t make the Holy Ghost 6.5 billion Individuals that make up the Holy Ghost. So then, if the Holy Ghost can be one, yet in 6.5 billion different people, how then is it hard to see that one God can manifest himself as an infinite number, yet still only be one God.

At this time I would like to bring your attention to one called Melchisedec.

Genesis 14:18-20
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Here we read of a Melchizedek, who is the king of Salem and that he was the priest of the most high God. We also learn that Abram pays tithes to Melchizedek.

Now let’s read about Melchizedek in the book of Hebrews to better understand who he is.

Hebrews 6:20
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

We now see that Jesus has been made our high priest after the order of this Melchisedec.

7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Here we are told some very important things concerning Melchisedec. He was the King of Righteousness, the King of Salem, the King of Peace. Without father, without mother, without descent, having no beginning of days, nor end of life; and made like unto the Son of God; and abides a priest continually.

Many people try to pass off Melchisedec as being just a man, and try to say that he was without mother and father because they didn’t know his lineage. This is a very naive statement for many reasons. Lets discuss a few.

The Holy Ghost can easily reveal lineage. Since in the book of Luke 3:23-38, they give the lineage of Christ clear back to Adam, the son of God. This belief system completely ignores the wording of this verse which tells us he was without beginning of days, nor end of life. That is very clear, that he never had end of life. The verses also tell us that Melchisedec was made like unto the Son of God. What natural man could be like unto the Son of God? What man could fulfill being the King of righteousness, the King of Peace? Since the prophet Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Let’s continue to read about Melchisedec.

(Continuing) Hebrews 7:4
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

In verse 6 we were just told that Melchisedec received tithes of Abraham and then blessed Abraham which had the promises of God. Then in verse 7 we are told that without contradiction the less, meaning Abraham, was blessed of the better, meaning Melchisedec. What natural man could have been more important than Abraham, which had received the promises of God. The answer is no one. That is why it was said that without all contradiction. The answer was because Melchisedec was not just a man, he was God.

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Again, it was stressed that men here that receive tithes die, but there Melchisedec received them, and it was witnessed that he lives.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

These verses tell us that the sons of Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec even though they were yet in the loins of Abraham.

Continuing

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

These verses explain to us that God changed the priesthood, and since he changed the priesthood, out of necessity he also changed the law. That new law is the Law of Liberty, of which we now are free from the law of sin and death because Jesus died on the Cross and took back the keys of death and hell, and as many that are born again, and obey the New Testament and it’s commandments, through the Faith of Jesus Christ, we have eternal life.

This next verse is extremely important concerning the belief system that Melchisedec was just a man. It reads

15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

That priest was Jesus Christ. And this verse just told us that Jesus was after the similitude of Melchisedec. How then seeing that Jesus was Emmanuel, being interpreted God with us, can you compare him to only a flesh and blood man?

Since Emmanuel was God with us, we know that God had no beginning of days, nor does he have end of life. The only way that Melchisedec could be similiar to Jesus Christ would be that Melchisedec never had beginning of days, nor end of life, which was clearly stated as well as the fact that verse three also tells us that he was made like unto the Son of God.

Let’s reread Hebrews 7 verses 2 & 3.
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Since we know that Jesus is in the similitude of Melchisedec. Notice Melchisedec was the King of Peace, and that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

Verse 3
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Notice that it tells us that he abideth a priest continually. That means that he still is a priest. And since it also tells us he neither had beginning of days nor end of life, that means that if you are of a Trinitarian mindset you will either continue to say that Jesus came after the order of a man that was King of Righteousness or that now there is a fourth deity in the Godhead. Just because in 1 John 5:7 it says there are three that bear record in heaven, does not mean that Melchisedec ceased to exist.

Continuing at verse 20 and it reads.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he (Jesus) was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

1 Johne 5:7
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Notice that verse 7 said that the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost are one. It did not say these three are one made up of three. Because that would no longer be one, but three. And this is exactly what the Trinitarian does. They add to this scripture to make their doctrine fit.

If the Lord chose to list twenty different things and told us that these twenty things bear record in heaven, and these twenty are one, we would not conclude that they are one made up of twenty. The reason: because the verse said these are one. If we were to have concluded twenty, then we would have been told, and these twenty are one made up of twenty. So the Trinitarian person has added to the Word of God by teaching that these three are one, made up of the Holy Trinity, which consists of three co-equal individuals made of the same substance but each with the ability to think separately and make decisions.

So there are three that bear record in heaven: the father (God), the Word (God), and the Holy Ghost (God), and these three are one God named Jesus. Just as Melchisedec (God) is another manifestation of God. This means he is still alive even though he doesn’t bare record. He is alive as God.

Melchisedec can not be overlooked or ignored. He was a manifestation of God. Many Trinitarians call Oneness people heretics for saying that, God is one God, who manifested himself in different roles, as the Father, the son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one whose name is Jesus. Melchisedec was existent not as a fourth individual in the God head, but as the One God who is capable of manifesting himself as anything, anywhere, in any number, at any time. Just like he appeared as the burning bush (Exodus 3:5) and as a Rock in the wilderness that followed Moses. (1 Corinthians 10:4) These just being more examples of how He is all powerful, just as he appeared in the fiery furnace in Daniel. (Daniel 3:25)

We look at our own body made in his image. And I see one body that is made up of three: Body, Soul, and Spirit. Yet I am only one person. Just as spiritually Jesus was one body made up of three: God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.

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God

Understanding the Godhead – Part 1

December 15, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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Deuteronomy 6:4-6
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Deuteronomy 32:39
39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

So up to this point, we see that the Lord our God is one Lord and there is no god with Him.

2 Samuel 7:22
22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee,

Deuteronomy 4:35 {it also says that there is no god beside Him.}
35 Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

This is very important to understand. Now we know that God is one Lord, and there is no god with him, neither is there any god beside of Him.

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

Here we see that not only is there no god with Him, or beside of Him, there also was no God formed before Him, neither shall there be any god created after Him.

James 2:19 {reinforces that the Lord is one God. It reads,}
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

So, we have just read in Isaiah that the Lord said beside me there is no saviour. Now listen to what it says in,

Acts 4:10-12
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.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Here we see that God said beside me, there is no saviour, and we just read in Acts that there is no salvation in any other name but Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

This verse tells us that God manifested himself in the flesh as Jesus.

Colossians 2:1-9 (Apostle Paul Explains Jesus Christ’s role in the Godhead.)
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Notice in these verses that Paul desires all the people to be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto the riches of the understanding of the mystery of God, the Father, and of Christ. The three things he mentioned was the mystery of God, the Father, which is God, and of Christ, which is the anointed one of God.

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I (Paul) be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Hear the Reason to be rooted in the faith!!!

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

This is very important. We have just learned that in Jesus is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

An example of what Paul was referring to when he said in verse eight, beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, would be the Trinitarian doctrine. One can go research the two councils that were responsible for this change in the teaching of Christ. They are the Council of Nicea and the Council of Constantinople.

This is a prime example of being spoiled by man’s philosophy and vain deceit. They took place hundreds of years after Jesus’ death and the teachings of the gospel. They were presented in a controlled environment in a biased group of men, and enforced by Emperors of Rome.

So the next question is, Is it possible for anyone to know the mystery of the Godhead? The answer to this question is yes according to:

Romans 1:19-22 (Apostle Paul is addressing all the people in Rome)
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Again verse 20 very clearly states that even his eternal power and Godhead can be understood.

So to recap what we have learned thus far. We now know that God is one Lord, that there is no god with Him, or beside of Him, that there was no God formed before Him, neither shall there be any god created after Him, and that beside Him there is no Saviour, and that there is no other name, but Jesus Christ, given under heaven where by we must be saved. We also learned that in Jesus Christ is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and that the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ can be understood.

The next scripture that will help to better understand the Godhead is,

Matthew 1:23
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Now we see that Jesus Christ is God with us.

John 14:9 (listen to Jesus’ reply to Philip.)
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

Now listen to something very important!!!

In John 16:23-25 we find out that Jesus spoke in proverbs concerning the Father.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.

You may be wondering what a proverb is,

A Proverb is: a short saying stating a truth or piece of advice.

To better understand this proverb concerning the Father, let’s read,

Isaiah 9:6
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

This was a Bible Prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus Christ, stating that he would be The mighty God and The everlasting Father. Now, Recall Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

There is only One….

Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There is only One body,
The Body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:5
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

There is only One Spirit,
The Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ.

Romans 8:9
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

There is only One hope,
Eternal life through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

There is only One Lord,
Jesus whom God made both Lord and Christ.

Acts 2:36
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.

There is only One Faith,
The teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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;

There is only One baptism,
The baptism into the death of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

There is only One God,
His name was manifested by Jesus Christ.

John 17:6
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

There is only One Father,
His name was declared by Jesus Christ.

John 17:26
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

There is only One door,The door which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 10:7
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

There is only One name,
Every knee shall bow before Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:9-10
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

I would like to pose to you a question……

1 John 3:8
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

If Satan had not sinned and the son of God then not manifested, would you have any reason to believe that there is a Trinity?? Of course not. Why? Because God wouldn’t have had to manifest himself as the Son of God to remove sin from the world.

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Christian Living

Standing on the Precious Promises of God – Part 2

December 7, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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This life is about Trials, Tribulations, and Persecutions!!!

John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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.

Are we being led by the Flesh??? Or the Spirit???

Romans 5:3-6
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.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

These are the Scriptures you need to overcome your Trials, Tribulations, and Persecutions!

Romans 8:33-39
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalms 126:5-6
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Job 1:21
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

James 5:7-11
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Psalms 34:15-19
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

The Word of God is Truth!!! Let All Men Be a LIAR!!!

Romans 8:28-32
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?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Matthew 6:31-34
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; andall these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Hear the Words of the Lord All Ye People!!!

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Come unto me and I WILL GIVE YOU REST!!! Not maybe! Not I might! But I WILL GIVE YOU REST!!!

Take My Yoke upon you!!! LEARN OF ME!!!

My YOKE IS EASY!!! My BURDEN IS LIGHT!!!

The Word of God is Truth!!! Let All Men Be a LIAR!!!

It is not hard to serve the LORD!!! The LORD said all ye that labour and are heavy laden come unto me and I will give you REST!!!! REST!!!! For My yoke is EASY!!! Not HARD!!! My Burden is LIGHT!!!! NOT HEAVY!!!!!

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The WAGES of SIN is HARD!!! The LABOUR for DEATH is HEAVY!!!

He that hath an EAR to Hear, Let Him Hear, what Thus Saith the LORD!!!

Psalms 55:22
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalms 9:9-11
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalms 37:23-25
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Wait Upon the Lord!!!

1 Peter 5:6-10
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Psalms 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 30:18
18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

The Word of God is Truth!!! Let All Men Be a LIAR!!!

Everything has a time!!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Hear this again!! {Re-read}

Not some things. But to Everything there is a season and a time to every purpose!!

This is so important!!!!!! Everything has a TIME and SEASON!!! Did I mention to EVERY PURPOSE THERE IS A TIME AND A SEASON??!!!!

Never forget this important scripture!! God has a TIME and a SEASON for every purpose and for everything.

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;

To Everything there is a season and a time to every purpose!!!
Almighty God has a purpose and a time for everything in your life!!!
God is in 100% control of everything at ALL Time. Everything must unfold according to the Purpose in which the Will of God has for it!!!! Including YOUR LIFE!!!!

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time for Trials, and a time for Victory; a time to see through a Glass Darkly, and a time to Know All Things!
A time for the trying of your Faith, and a time to hear the words, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

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.

Galatians 4:3-5
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.

Even Jesus Christ had a Time to come!!! And when the Time had come for him to be born and to begin to fulfill all the prophecies concerning the Christ…..

The whole World was set into motion!!!!

Luke 2:1-11
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

John 2:4-5
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

The Word of God is Truth!!! Let All Men Be a LIAR!!!

John 7:30
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

Why??? Why can’t I get the help I need to overcome this trial in my life??? Why??? Why can’t I figure out what needs done???

Has Your Time For the Understanding you seek come???? Has Your Time for Suffering in this Trial brought you to the place that God has designed for you???

Romans 9:20-24
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

The Word of God is Truth!!! Let All Men Be a LIAR!!!

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven!!!

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Christian Living

Standing on the Precious Promises of God – Part 1

November 29, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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In these lessons, we will be discussing many scriptures that we as Christians should be applying in our daily walk with the Lord, to help us to stand against the tricks of the enemy.

Romans 3:3-4
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

First and Foremost. God’s Word is Truth! Let All Men Be a LIAR!

What is Truth? You may ask? You are not the only person who has asked this question.

John 18:36-38
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Here we learned from Jesus that He came to bear witness of the truth, and that every one that is of the truth will hear His voice. So what is the truth?

John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus Christ is the Way! Jesus Christ is the Truth! Jesus Christ is the Life!

John 17:17
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Word of God is Truth! Jesus Christ is the Word of God!

John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

God is the Word. We then learn that the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So can we still know the Truth today? Or has it been distorted through out the ages?

Psalms 100:5
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

If the Lord’s Truth endures to all generations, then we today, can still have full faith and full trust in the Word of God.

Let’s turn our attention on the topic of faith. How important is our faith in God’s eyes?

Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1 John 5:13-15
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Without Faith we can not please God. We must exercise our faith in God through our obedience to Him. If we are born again believers in Jesus Christ, we know that if we ask anything according to his will, He will give us what we have desired.

John 20:29
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Philippians 4:11-13
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.

It is not by our strength nor by our might, but by the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ. It is the Spirit of Christ that strengthens us as the Apostle Paul has told us. I can do all things through Christ! What a promise.

Hebrews 6:9-12
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

We have full assurance that if we be followers of those before us, that we too through faith and patience will inherit the promises of God. Eternal Life with Jesus Christ the Righteous!

How do we increase our Faith?

Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

Romans 10:14
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

You must be under subjection to a preacher to increase your faith in the Word of God!

Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

What day approaching? The day of the Lord Jesus Christ! We are told to assemble ourselves together. We are told we need a preacher to hear the Word. We were told that Faith comes by Hearing the Word. So we must attend Church and be under subjection to the preacher, whom the Lord has appointed to be over His flock.

Let All Men Be a LIAR, God’s Word is Truth. We must assemble ourselves together! We must go to Church!

Put Your Trust in the Lord!

Psalms 37:3-5
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5-7
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.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Do you want the Lord to direct your path and to give you the desires of your heart? Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Put your faith in Him and not in anything else. Commit your ways to the Lord, acknowledging Him in all your ways, and He will direct your paths and give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 34:8
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalms 145:18-20
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Luke 12:29-32
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Be not of a doubtful mind.

Romans 14:23
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Proverbs 29:25
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

The fear of a man will bring a snare.

Matthew 6:34
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Proverbs 16:3
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Become a Laborer for the Lord!!!

Matthew 9:37-38
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Desire the Word of God and Purge yourself from Sin!!

Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 40:28-29
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Matthew 5:6
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

God’s Word is Truth!!! Let All Men Be a LIAR!!!

If you continue in His Word you are His Disciple. If you do not continue in His Word, you are none of His!! If you do live by the Word, you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you FREE!!!

Are you Hungry?? Are you Thirsty??

Isaiah 12:2-3
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

John 4:10
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

John 7:37-38
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

O Give me to Drink! Is this gift for everyone??

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Mark 8:34
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

2 Timothy 2:19-21
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

The choice is yours!!!!
Purge yourself from Iniquity, Follow after Jesus Christ, and LIVE.
OR Follow after yourself, and DIE!

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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