Fresh Bread

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

(I am truly sorry for the sloppy appears of these articles. I space them properly and try to make them look right but when I post them for some reason or the other the site posts them totally differently then I format them, but, I cannot seem to correct it, so please forgive the sloppy appears of it. The meat is the point anyway.)

The Praying Church Oh, no, not another article on prayer! Yes, another article on prayer. I've preached this sermon a couple of times lately and I feel it should be drawn to the attention of serious Christian people. Please give it your consideration.

Acts 1:24 “And they prayed, . . .”
Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in. . . prayers.. . .”
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, . . . “ Acts 4:24 “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord. . . .”
4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. . .”
Acts 6:4 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer . . .”
Acts 6:6 “whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”
Acts 8:15 “prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:”
Acts 8: 24 “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me,. . . “
Acts 9:11 “. . .behold, he prayeth, . . .”
Acts 9:40 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; . . .”
Acts 10:2 “A devout man,. . . prayed to God alway.”
Acts 10:4 Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Acts 10:9 ”. . .Peter went up upon the housetop to pray. . . :”
Acts 11:5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, . . .”
Acts 10:30 “. . .I prayed in my house,. . .”
Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. “
Acts 13:3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 14:23 “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting,
they commended them to the Lord, . . ..”
Acts 16:16 “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer,…”
Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
Acts 20:36 “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.”
Acts 21:5 “. . .and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.”
Acts 22:17 “. . .even while I prayed in the temple,. . .”
Acts 28:8 “. . .Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.”

Without a doubt one of the marks of the Church in the Book of Acts was it’s prayer life.

Some form of the word “pray” (pray, prayer, prayed, prayers, prayest, prayeth, praying) is used 545 times in the Bible and 34 times in the book of Acts.

From Gen 4:26 to the prayers in the book of The Revelation, prayer is a part of the book of God.

A. Luke 11:1 “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” They never ask Him to teach them to preach, nor to teach, nor did they ask Him to teach them how to draw a crowd. They ask Him to teach them to pray. 1. From the last words of the verse we learn that John also taught his disciples to pray.

B. The place of worship, which we call The Church, should be known of as a place of prayer, Matt 21:13 “. . .It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

1. I’m afraid we have made it lots of things besides a house of prayer.

- Karate Studio - Fund Raising Center - Work Out Room - A Platform for the display of our talents - A cafeteria, a place known far more for our dinners than for our prayer power. -A place of extreme social functions, parties, showers and bazaars

C. Matt. 6:5-7 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Notice . . .He did not say “if you pray” He said “When you pray.” This wording indicates that prayer is an expected part of the Christian faith.

1. Not praying only in desperation, though that is all right too, but having a prayer life.

D. Learn some wonderful benefits from prayer by the following verses.

Mt 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”

Mt 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Lu 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

Lu 21:36 “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”

John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. . .” The place was not shaken by programs, personalities, music nor even by preaching but by “praying.”

Php 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Jas 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.” (Afflicted in Strong’s Concordance is defined as “to undergo hardship:--be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), suffer trouble”

E. Prayer in the Pentecostal Church takes on a component not found, nor endorsed, by other denominations, yet from our perspective a Biblically sound practice, praying in tongues. 1 Cor 14:2 “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Cor 14:14 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

Rom. 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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.”

Isa 28: 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.”

Jude 20 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,”

F. May the call to prayer issued by the Pastor no longer be an exercise in futility, but may it be a call to arms for the Pentecostal believer.

- posted by Sam @ 1:47 PM

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

For Whom Is Jesus Coming? 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Paul, the Apostle, in this letter to the disciples at Thessalonica outlines an event that we have heard a good deal about, the rapture of the church. While the word “rapture” is not used in the Bible it’s doctrine is taught in several passages. The one before us is perhaps the most familiar. 1 Th 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Those in the rapture of the church will be “The Church.” But who is The Church? There’s a church below the ground, "the dead in Christ" and a church above the ground, "we which are alive and remain", as is evident from the text verses. However, I wonder if the church beneath the ground and the church above the ground, could be identified as the same organism if compared side by side. I think that it would be hard to argue that the Church has become pretty worldly in this hour and the world has become pretty churchy at the same time. It just seems to me that if the Lord’s trumpet lifts this homosexual ordaining, pleasure loving, lukewarm, itchy eared, liberal, willfully Sunday morning only crowd off the ground along with those who have been beneath the sod from the days of the Book of Acts, to the martyrs, the conservative living, Bible believing, holy living crowd He may very well have to apologize to the early believers because he required some much from them and so little from us. A Particular church that I know of no longer has a Sunday night service. But on a Sunday night some months ago the Pastor took his Board on a retreat to a Sunday professional football game. From the information I have they had their own skybox with entertainment. Not able to have Sunday night service but well able to attend a professional football game in a skybox with entertainment. I was told by a friend a few months ago who's son is a Youth Pastor in a large church in a distant state, that they have a reserved section for smoking during the service. I have heard that Bro Trask, the former General Superintendent of the Assemnblies of God in teh United States has said in a book, “The Choice,” when ask why Christianity in America seems to be the failing religion (All other forms of religion are on the rise and even Christianity is on the rise around the world but in America it seems to be on the decline.) replied, “The American public looks at what represents the church in this hour and can see nothing that makes them believe that Christianity is worth dedicating their lives too.” I as a preacher of the gospel certainly must not require “more” of anyone than the Word of God requires. However, neither should any man think that he can slip under the wire of God’s judgment having done “less” than the Word requires. Who will point out the measure God requires if the preacher doesn’t? Who will draw our attention the righteous standards of a loving just God if His messengers prophecy smooth things and tell us only what we want to hear? Some have traded truth for attendance figures, budget accomplishments and social status. However, what shall we say when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Or even more drastic yet, what if I have to try to explain when I stand at the Great White Throne judgment. Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. If Jesus should come back today for “The Church” will it have been built or will it have declined? I suppose it depends on how you look at it. It is certainly stronger in numbers, i.e. it is larger now than when He left it. According the web site “www.adherents.com” there are some 2.1 billion Christians on the planet. So beyond a shadow of a doubt the Church has grown in numbers. (However a person can go stand in the garage and call himself a car but in reality he is not a car just because he says he is.) What about the quality? Has that been built upon? I doubt it. Church has become a lot less than what it is advertised as in the New Testament. Some might say that is by the design of God. Surely those who want us to believe that healing the sick, casting out devils and people being filled with the Holy Spirit are all things of the past, must feel that all that, by the design of God, was a part of what the church did in the beginning but is no longer a part of It’s mission today. However, if that is true it seems to me that the church has not improved to serve sighing, dying, crying humanity but it has slipped away from those noble missions of the past. If there ever was a day when The Church needs the power of God to heal it is today! If there ever was a day when demons needed to be cast out it is today! If there ever was a day when The Church needed to be filled with Holy Ghost power it is the day in which we live. Perhaps my perspective is all off but it appears to me if The Church is doing less, except for increasing in numbers who profess to be Christians (and by the way in that number of 2.1 billion who call themselves Christians are Jehovah Witnessess, Monophysite, Latter-Day Saints and many other off the wall belief systems that could not possibly meet the Bible standard for being a part of the true Christian faith, so not even the statistics really reflect what is truly happening.) than the early Church was doing it has not in fact built but declined. And according to the report of the web site Christianity is now on the decline world wide. So, is it possible that there is a Church inside what is called The Church, that will be ready to rise to meet the Lord in the air when the trumpet sounds? I believe there is. I believe there is in every church body a group of dedicated, consecrated believers that can stand with the redeemed of long ago and lift their hands and voices together and sing, “Victory in Jesus, my savior for ever. . .” I think you can see this truth in the letters to the seven churches of Asia minor in Revelation 2 and 3. The Lord Jesus sent messages to them all and at the end of each letter he made a promise to the overcomers in that church, see Rev. 2:7, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21. Revelation 3:21 indicates that even in the lukewarm compromising church of Laodicea there were those who would overcome that horrible condition that stimulates even God’s (who loves everyone) gag reflex. However, when John looked into the city he saw and heard what he numbered as ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, Rev. 5:11. This vast number was made up of three groups angels, the living creatures and the elders. I’ve been taught, and believe, that the elders are the redeemed saints of all ages, so that vast number is added too by The Church that is below the ground, 1 Thess 4:16 “the dead in Christ” and The Church that is above the ground 1 Thess 4:17 ”we which are alive and remain” What did that Church that was from the beginning (the Book of Acts Church) that is now below the ground, which we know was a Church the bore Christ stamp of approval with signs, wonders, divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, Heb. 2:4, actually look like? Acts 2 is an accurate reflection of that church that bore the witness of the Holy Spirit’s approval. What hinders us from striving to imitate those early approved of disciples? The dead in Christ will get the go ahead before we that are alive and remain and when we join together at ground level I cannot believe that Jesus will spend the first minutes of our reunion apologizing to The Church that has been below the ground for the condition of The Church above the ground. If I do not miss my guess The Church above the ground will not be made up of the 2.1 billion professing Christians, but will be those who have contended for the faith once delivered to the saints, Jude 1:3. John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Eph 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

- posted by Sam @ 1:03 PM

Saturday, March 15, 2008

A GRIEVED HOLY SPIRIT

In a number of different palces the Holy Spirit is referred to by personal pronouns, John 16:13 being one of them, there Jesus said "When "he" the spirit of truth is come. . ." Now perhaps Jesus didn't know what he was talking about but He referred to the Spirit of Truth (which is the Holy Spirit) as a "he".

Rom 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit “itself “ maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” This verse from the KJV has added to this misrepresentation of the Holy Spirit as an "it". He is not and “it” He is a “He” and should have been translated “Himself” and not “itself”. Almost all other translations translate it “Himself".

If He is a personality could He be offended? Read the following verses, Eph 4:29-32 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Now listen to Hosea 5:15 “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: . . .” Now consider the cost of a grieved Holy Spirit, He can, and does I believe, "return" to His palce because of our offenses. Now just briefly consider the cost of a grieved Holy Spirit withdrawing Himself.

1. Since He brings conviction (John 16:8) our loved ones will go without conviction. Our own personal lives will run out of control because there is no convicting power of the Spirit to draw us to holy living.

2. Since He is the teacher of the Chruch (John 16:13) we will not be taught properly. And not being taught properly some folks can come up with some weird ideas.

3. Our pray life will go lacking (Rom 8:26) for the Spirit Himself helps us there.

4. There will be no gifts nor fruit of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:8-10, Gal. 5:22-23).

I could go on and on here with what we will be lacking because of a grieved Holy Spirit that has withdrawn Himself "until" Hosea 5:15 "until they acknowledge the offense and seek my face."

Could this, the offense of the Holy Spirit, and our lack of acknowledging it, explain our powerless lives, church services etc?? I'm just asking, I'm not accusing, just asking. . . .consider it but don't get mad at me. As an old time evangelist Bro. J.C. Nichols used to say, "I didn't write, I just preach it."

See you next time!!

- posted by Sam @ 7:56 PM

Monday, November 12, 2007

Rev. 2:1-7 First Love Left

The book of Revelation is a most intriguing book. It is a very much studied book.

Listen to the promise of Rev. 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: . . .”

Then read Rev 22:18-19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

Everyone should agree that this book is extremely important to the plan of God. Rev 1:19 “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” Gives the outline of the book in short form:

-The things that you have seen, Rev. 1:1-20. -The things which are , Rev. 2:1 – 3:22. -The things which will take place after this, Rev. 4:1 – 22:21.

It is my observation that most people read and study the The Revelation in conjunction with end time events, and that certainly is no doubt a noble endeavor. It is very interesting to try to figure out the end time scenario, the mark of the beast, the timing of the rapture, who the antichrist might be etc. I also enjoy those studies and engage in them from time to time. However, it has occurred to me that Rev. 4:1 – Rev. 22:21 is set. It is going to happen! If we figure out to the very minute (which we will not do, but if we did) when the rapture is going to take place, what will it accomplish? I mean it will not be verified until it happens and there have been so many people predict the date that no one much pays attention to the date setters anymore, even if they are right.

Then too, if we figure out who the antichrist is going to be, how is that going to benefit us? While it is very interesting try to watch these things unfold it is not going to affect our eternal destiny if we figure it out before hand.

On the other hand the second division of the outline brings to our attention conditions that could very well alter our eternal destiny and we pass over them very quickly or assign them to a by gone day and feel they have no effect on us today. It is my opinion that we should pay just as much attention, if not more attention, to the first two chapters of the book as to the later part. Oh, you will not sell as many CDs and it will not be as spectacular, nor will it be the subject at the coffee shop the next morning but a better understanding of the conditions of these churches will help us take a corrective look at our own lives and could very well mean heaven or hell for us.

The letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor, Rev. 2:1 – 3:22 address issues in the church from three different perspectives.

1. A local application to the churches in John's day. The letters portray actual conditions in seven local churches in Asia Minor, the western coast of modern Turkey. This is clear from the messages themselves, as well as from Rev. 1:4,11,20

2. A prophetic application to the churches throughout this dispensation to the rapture, revealing spiritual conditions in local churches and in individuals in churches.

3. An individual application, so that the individual in any church in any generation may be warned and profit by the failures of the seven churches Rev. 1:3; 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21. With these things in mind let us gaze at the text and the church at Ephesus for a few minutes. Ephesus was the capital of Ionia, a celebrated city of Asia Minor. It was chiefly celebrated for the worship of and temple of Diana, which last was, accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. Paul first visited Ephesus about A. D. 54, Acts 18:19,21. This first brief visit was followed by a longer one towards the close of the same year, and continuing through the two following years, Acts 19:10; 20:31. The church thus early established, enjoyed the laborers of Aquila and Priscilla, of Tychicus and Timothy. It was favored with one of the best of Paul's epistles; its elders held an interview with him at Miletus, before he saw Rome, and he is supposed to have visited them after his first imprisonment. Here the apostle John is said to have spent the latter part of his life, and written his gospel and epistles; and having penned Christ's message to them in the isle of Patmos, to have returned and died among them. So, it is a highly favored city, Luke 12:48 “. . .unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: . . .”

The letter is addressed to 2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus. . . “ All who have studied the book agree that this designation is a reference to “the Pastor.” The Greek word is “aggelos” (to bring tidings); a messenger. . .by implication a pastor:--angel, messenger. Ultimately the Pastor is on the line. Conditions exist in some churches in spite of the Pastor, while other conditions exist because of the Pastor. Apparently the one who holds the seven stars (again a reference to Pastors, Rev. 1:16, 1:20, Pastors are represented by stars and designated as “angels” or messengers in these seven letters) saw some responsibility laying with these Pastors or at the very least issued the message to be delivered to the people to and through the Pastor. Notice the commendation of the Lord to this body of believers. . .

I know your

1. Works (what you have done) 2. Your labor (what you are doing) 3. Your patience (long waiting, endurance, stedfastness) V.3 “. . .you have persevered an have patience” 4. That you cannot bear those who are evil, V.6 ‘you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans. . .” (Nicolaitans were a heretic. They are thought to have been a sect of Gnostics who practiced and taught impure and immoral doctrines, such as the community of wives, that committing adultery and fornication was not sinful, and that eating meats offered to idols was lawful.) Ephesus was a “holiness church.” 5. You have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars. 6. You have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

If we stopped there, or if He has stopped there, everything would be great, but it did not stop there. The bomb fell . . .

V.4 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” If you will notice the word “somewhat” is in italics. That means the translators added this word to aid the flow of the sentence. In the original it was not there. The NKJV and many others have it this way, “. . .I have this against you,” A specific article “this” “you have left your first love.” To add the word “somewhat” seems to weaken the assertion, or at least it does to me.

The Revised Standard Version has it “you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

Weymouth’s Translation says “you no longer love Me as you did at first.”

The Bible In Basic English says “you are turned away from your first love.” The mechanics were working, everything was going smooth, church was functioning in the community, standards were held high, expectations were high for church members. The problem is the love is gone! Remember the church is his Bride, not his maidservant. There is to be more here than just motion out of a sense of obligation. There should be some intimacy between the church people and the Lord of the church. Perhaps there is help here to understand it this way. The scriptures say that Adam knew Eve, his wife and she conceived, Gen. 4:1, Cain knew his wife and she conceived, Gen 4:17, Adam knew his wife again and she bare a son, Gen 4:25. In Matt 1:25 we are told that Joseph knew not Mary until Jesus was born. Now, all of us know what these verses are talking about. With that thought in mind listen to Matt. 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” There simply was never any intimacy there. To the church at Ephesus He is not saying there was never any love there, in fact He is saying just the opposite, there was once love there but now it has all become mechanical. The truth is, the fights that break out in churches are usually about the mechanics, not the intimacy. Will simple mechanical love make for a warm marriage? It might get by, but it can be far better if there is more intimacy and less mechanics. The point here that makes their action even more dreadful is the fact that it was not that the people of Ephesus has “never known Him,” they had known Him, intimately apparently but now they had “left” that point of intimacy with Him. That seems to be even worse to me. To never have know His love and favor you may walk away, but to have known it and then walk away is very hurtful. His admonition. . .V.4 “Remember. . .” Some people do not want to take time to remember because the memories will serve as an indictment against them. Secondly V.4 “repent” – The Greek word means “to think differently.” Thirdly V.4 “do” – Fall back in love with Him again. It can be done, V.7! Those who overcome this lovelessness will be given the opportunity “to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” To eat of the tree of life according to Gen 3:22 will permit you to live forever. Where will you be living forever? According to V.7 “in the Paradise of God.” Not in a troubled world but the overcomer will live forever in the Paradise of God!! Listen to this judgement if Ephesus fails to “remember, repent and do” – V.5 ”. . .or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from it’s place-. . .” I see two things working here. . . 1. The lampstand is the Menorah, the candle stick, or the light in the Holy place, Ex. 25:31-40. It is a symbol of the Word of God (Ps 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”). So His prediction is if you do not repent your darkness will grow greater and greater. Without the light of God’s word great will be the darkness of those who love not the Lord. They will begin to call evil, good and good, evil. 2. I see their final extinction announced. Apparently they did not heed the warning. Though it remained in existence six hundred more years (even six hundred years in light of God’s eternity is “quickly”) it’s candlestick is indeed removed out of its place. The site of that great and opulent city is desolate. Its harbor has become a marsh causing pestilence and infection; the lovely and fertile level ground now languishes under Turkish misrule; and the heights upon its border bear only shapeless ruins. Remember Repent Do If you have specialized in the mechanics of Christianity and have failed to love the Christ of Christianity these three words of admonition are clearly for you.

- posted by Sam @ 1:30 PM

Saturday, August 18, 2007

2 Cor 11:1-4 Another Gospel, Another Jesus and Another Spirit

Paul is very jealous for the Corinthian church. His desire was that they might make it to the city of God in eternity and maintain a victorious posture all along the way. However, a fear concerning this had creep into his consciousness. He saw a naivety in them that might be compared to that of Eve in the Garden of Eden when the serpent deceived her into eating of the forbidden fruit. As she was corrupted, he feared the Corinthians would be corrupted concerning the simple message of the Gospel. His apprehension is sounded forth loud and clear in V.4 “if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it.” I also fear that this modern day church “may well put up with” another gospel, another Jesus and another Spirit.

Last week's “Fresh Bread” dealt with (see the article below this one on this blog) these verses from the aspect of another Jesus being presented in our lives. I want to continue this week with some thoughts about "another Spirit."

The final point of Paul’s concern in this text passage concerns toleration of “another Spirit.”

Now, I’m just a simple preacher with simple ways. I’ve never claimed to be theologian and I’m certainly not professing to be an expert on the Bible nor do I know that much about the various denominations. However, to this simple preacher it seems to me that there is a different Spirit being preached, taught and portrayed, by some, other than the one Paul and Jesus set before us in the Gospels, the Book of Acts and the Pauline revelation. Some go a little ways in their presentation of Him but stop short of embracing the full revelation. Or at least based on the information I presently have that’s the way it appears to me. Let’s see a bit of the Holy Spirit of the Bible. The Bible Holy Spirit convicts of Sin, John 16:8 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:" He puts us all into the Body of Christ, 1 Cor 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

The Bible Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and reveal to us things to come, John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."

Paul points out to us that the Holy Spirit in us will produce certain fruit, Gal. 2:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: . "

The Bible also talks about the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, Mat 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" Acts 1:5 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

When that baptism with the Holy Spirit occurred (Acts 2:4) it was accompanied by the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues. When this baptism occurred further in the Book of Acts the scriptures clearly say those who experienced this outpouring spoke in tongues (Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6). On two other occasions when people were baptized with the Spirit, Acts 8:17 and Acts 9:17 it is clear that something phenomenal happened. I have reason to believe that it was the same thing that happened in the other references.

Yet this aspect of the Holy Spirit, the baptism with the Holy Spirit that was accompanied with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, is ignored and even condemned by many in this hour. As I write this article it comes to my mind that if you found a man who knew nothing about the Bible and dropped him on a deserted island with a Bible he could/would read the book of Acts and figure out that above doctrine is clearly taught there.

I am simply saying the Bible Holy Spirit enabled people in the Book of Acts to speak in tongues, Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6. To present another Spirit that doesn’t do that seems to me to present another Spirit.

I present to you that it is important that we receive the Bible Holy Spirit.

a. It was important to Jesus, Luke 24:49, Acts 14-5. b. It was important to the early church, Acts 6:3, 8:14-15. c. It was important to the Apostle Paul, Acts 19:1-6

I end this series of articles here on the Fresh Bread page by simply quoting the verses we started out with and allowing you to draw you own conclusions.

2 Cor 11:1-4 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

- posted by Sam @ 7:22 PM

Saturday, August 11, 2007

2 Cor 11:1-4

Another Gospel, Another Jesus and Another Spirit

The world sometimes presents him as a fornicating, immoral, joke. Even some groups who claim to be preaching his gospel present Him as weaker than He actually is. But I am here to declare to you there is a Bible Jesus that deserves you uninhibited worship, devotion and attention. According to Hebrews 13:8 Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. That simply means what he once was, He still is. So the Bible Jesus is yet the same today.

(I am starting with number six, the other five were presented in last weeks post as I said above.)

6. The Bible Jesus lived a sinless life,

2 Cor 5:21 “For he . . . knew no sin;. . .”

Heb 4:15 “For we have a high priest that was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

7. The Bible Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease,

Mat 4:23 “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

8. The Bible Jesus died for us,

Rom 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” V.10 “. . . we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, . . .”

Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,. . .”

9. The Bible Jesus rose again on the third day victorious over death, hell and the grave,

Luke 24:1-6 “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen:. . .”

Rev 1:18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

10. The Bible Jesus is alive at the right hand of the father making intercession for us,

Acts 2:33 “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, . . .”

Heb. 7:25 “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.”

11. The Bible Jesus is coming back again,

John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Acts 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” If “anyone” and that word means “any” “one” no matter how famous, popular, charismatic nor how high up in the denominational political system he or she maybe, preaches any other Jesus than this Bible Jesus, will you put up with it? I’m concerned that we may very well put up with it, as Paul was concerned about the Corinthian church. We are so dedicated to our denomination and to certain “buildings” that it really does not matter what the denomination, or lack of denomination for that matter (by that I mean that a lot of people are dedicated to being “independent” and there’s nothing wrong with being “independent” but just because you are “independent" does not make you any more less dedicated to a system of beliefs than someone who is dedicated to a denomination, in other words you can be a dedicated independent and be being shown a different Jesus than the Bible Jesus described above) portrays as long as it’s coming out of “our group” or coming out of the building we’ve attended all our lives, then we just embrace it and do not stop to think, “they are presenting another Jesus from the one described by the Bible.

If your church is presenting a Jesus that did not exist from the beginning, is not virgin born, is not God incarnate, did not fulfill Old Testament prophecy of the coming Messiah, was not anointed by the Holy Spirit as a man, did not live a sinless life, was not and is not a sick man healer, was not the atoning sacrifice for our sins, is not resurrected, is not interceding at the right hand of the Father for us and is not returning the do not put up with it! Find a church that is preaching the Bible Jesus and become apart of it, just as fast as you can. NEXT WEEK WE WILL LOOK AT “ANOTHER SPIRIT.”

- posted by Sam @ 7:01 PM

Saturday, August 04, 2007

2 Cor 11:1-4 Another Gospel, Another Jesus and Another Spirit

I also fear that this modern day church “may well put up with” another gospel, another Jesus and another Spirit.

Last week's “Fresh Bread” dealt with these verses from the aspect that there is quite frequently another gospel being preached in this day. In this his weeks “Fresh Bread” I would like to look at the possibility of “another Jesus” being presented.

The world sometimes presents him as a fornicating, immoral, joke. Even some groups who claim ot be preaching he gospel present Him as weaker than He actually is. But I am here to declare to you there is a Bible Jesus that deserves you uninhibited worship, devotion and attention. According to Hebrews 13:8 Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. That simply means what he once was, He still is. So the Bible Jesus is yet the same today.

1. The Bible Jesus existed with, and is, God from the beginning, John 1:1-4 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

Col. 1:16-17 "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

2. The Bible Jesus was virgin born, Luke 1:26-38, Matt. 1:18-25.

Luke 1:26 "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

3. The Bible Jesus was God with us, Matt. 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.”

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

John 1:14 “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.”

1 Tim 3:16 "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."

4. The Bible Jesus fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming messiah. Acts 3:24 “Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”

Luke 24:27 "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."

5. The Bible Jesus was also man (he was not half man and half God, he was all man and all God) anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure, 1 Tim. 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: . . .”

John 3:34 “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”