HOW YOU CAN ENJOY ETERNAL LIFE

THE HEART OF THE CROSS IS KING JESUS HE DIED UPON THE CROSS THAT WE MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (Photo by Pastor Davis)

The word “eternal” means without beginning and without end, denoting a continual existence including past, present, and future. As applied to human existence, the Bible indicates that the spirit or soul is indestructible and eventually returns to God who gave it (Eccl. 12:7). This thought is expressed by Paul who attests to God’s overall plan whereby God is “all in all” (I Cor. 15:24-28). Thus, one might well say that eternal life includes the present, or “Today is the first day of the rest of your eternal life.”

Just as there are rewards for followers of Christ, there are judgments of the works of both believers and nonbelievers. Jesus said that all authority to judge the living and the dead is his (John 5:22;17:2; Acts 10:42;I Peter 4:5). In a sense, failure to receive blessings because of failure to ask, asking wrongly, or continued anxiety and fear by not heeding the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount are all indicative of a present judgment. As the proverbs say, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1) and “the way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Prov. 4:16). As we have seen, Jesus assured his listeners that a follower of his and a doer of his words is assured of having his or her needs met and eternal life, including the glories of the resurrection-life (Mk. 10:28-30).

The New Testament sets out a concept of a gradation of regard for believers based upon their Christian good works (Matt. 16:27), their works being tested as by fire (I Cor. 3:13-15). In this respect, the epistles frequently warn believers against backsliding and the loss of reward.  [Note the six warnings in the book of Hebrews 3:7-13;4:1-11; 5:11-14; 6:1-9; 10:26-39; 12; also II Peter 2:20-22] A righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward (Matt. 10:41), and one who shows compassion in Jesus’name will not lose his or her reward (Matt. 10:42;Mk. 9:41). Those who reject the Father and the Son will be judged, and punishment will be meted out for the wrongs which they have committed (Col. 3:25). They are as “cast into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13;24:51; 25:30).   Those who seek after the plaudits of men have their reward (Matt. 6:2). One should enter in by the “narrow gate” to life, for “broad is the way which leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13-14). Therefore, one should not lay up for himself or herself material treasures on earth, but should lay up treasures in heaven, for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).

God is merciful, and Jesus stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears his voice and opens the door, he will enter and they shall dine together. But there is a reckoning, and the son of man will separate the “sheep” from the “goats. “Those who have helped the less fortunate and have done it for Jesus shall inherit the kingdom. Those who have not helped others have failed Jesus and will receive punishment (Matt. 25:31-46). The meting out of judgment is portrayed in Revelation depicting God as sitting on a great white throne judging the dead according to their works. The books are opened including the book of life. Anyone whose name is not found in the book of life is subject to punishment. It is decreed that the enemies of God and mankind be cast into the “lake of fire.” These include Satan, the false prophet, and the beast who has opposed God, death, Hades, and “whoever was not found written in the book of life” (Rev. 20:10-15). There is also described a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem in which there reside only those who are over comers and those who are “athirst of the fountain.” These are given the water of life freely (Rev. 21:1-27). “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:12-13).

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Jesus and Nicodemus, Crijn Hendricksz, 1616–1645. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NICODEMUS QUESTION JESUS ON HOW A PERSON CAN BE BORN AGAIN

Nicodemus as a teacher in his own right found himself in an odd position of being taught when he asked Jesus this question: “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “Be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”  By his own lack of knowledge, Nicodemus was now in for a rude awaken, and Jesus was about to teach him and all of us a lesson in how to be born again that neither he nor we would ever soon forget.

Now as we have studied the scriptures and heard many sermons preached that Jesus was known for his skills as a Master Teacher, and of course Nicodemus was a respected teacher of Israel.  Nicodemus was part of a group whose prestige had suffered the most because of Jesus popularity.  The Pharisees were the conservatives in Israel.  They held all the Scriptures in high regard.  They believed in eternal life.  They were the ones most people thought would be able to identify the long-awaited Messiah and announce Him to the people.

Unfortunately, the Pharisees had begun to think of the coming Messiah as one who would elevate and honor them when He came.  But Jesus showed no inclination to do this.  Instead, He called all to repentance, even the Pharisees.  He made it painfully clear to the Pharisees that their devotion to Scripture was undermined by their tendency to apply it wrongly and to exalt themselves over others.  Although they had diligently studied the Scriptures, they had not learned the central truths of Scripture: Justice, mercy, and faith (Matt. 23:23).

In this lesson, we understand that Jesus and Nicodemus had a private conversation late one night.  We do not know whether Nicodemus had an appointment.  We do not know what he wanted to say.  Nicodemus came to Jesus, but Jesus guided the conversation from the start.  In effect, Nicodemus took a step in the right direction, and Jesus met him more than halfway.

Nicodemus said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.”

Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”  If Nicodemus purpose was to find out for himself whether Jesus was really a teacher from God, he did not have to wait long.  Instead of defending His own credentials, Jesus offered Nicodemus an eternal lesson.

How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”

Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. “But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.”

Jesus take no prisoner’s way of teaching had to one of the toughest teachers Nicodemus had ever had to encounter. He allowed Jesus to challenge his understanding.  He did not shrink from revealing his ignorance about the second birth.  He listened.  In spite of the fact that he was a teacher, he was willing to be taught.  Jesus did not disappoint.

Now I ask of you, to join Nicodemus here this night and listen to how a Master Teacher teaches the lesson of our New Birth.  He says, “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”

Nicodemus asked, “What do you mean by this? How does this happen?”

Jesus said, “You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics? Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God?

“No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

When we know the truth, the truth will set us free, and here we can see clearly that Jesus provided Nicodemus with the gospel truth, and Nicodemus was able to see the light that night and experience God’s love from the Master Teacher because Nicodemus character was changed that very night.

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FREE FROM THE ENSLAVING POWER OF SIN

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

The Saving Powers of the Cross (Photo by Pastor Davis)

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who are faithful.  God loved us so that he sent his Son to break the Enslaving Power of Sin on our lives through his redemptive death on the cross. Though we humans are weak and unworthy God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). The fact is that no human being can break the power of sin and stand righteous before a living God. God in his grace choose to reign over those guilty who surrender, and put their trust in him, through Jesus we become innocent, children of the King, the power of sin and death is broken.

The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus fills our hearts with hope, love, joy and peace. When we face the

Forgiven | Redeemed | Restored | Reborn | & Set Free (Photo credit: ashley.adcox)

Powers of Darkness we are encouraged to stand firm in faith, the Enslaving Power of Sin has already been taken care of.  If God is for us, who is against us? In all creation nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

As Jesus prayed for his followers his main concern was that they follow the pattern and to genuinely show love and concern for one another.  He knew that they would face stiff opposition because he himself had. Even so, he didn’t live according to the world standards or his chosen followers; he prayed that God would guard them from the Evil One because he knew the competition for their souls would be fierce.

The ultimate goal was and is for all to become one heart and mind in Christ so that the world might  desire to know him and his teachings, to  encourage others by making known to them Gods’ word, that through Jesus Christ the Enslaving Power of Sin has already been taken care of.

Jesus was faithful to the end (Photo by Pastor Davis)

So, take a good hard look at Christ Jesus, the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in all God gave him to do. The Holy Spirit prompts us to listen and watch our step, make sure we remain faithful so that we are not easily sidetracked by the Evil One.  For as long as it’s still God’s today, stay alert and keep a grip on the sure thing, Jesus, because we are in the race committed to the call, reminded that the Enslaving Power of Sin has already been taken care of and that we are free in Christ Jesus.

Now that we know what we have–Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God–let us not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest that is out of touch with reality. He has been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but sin; so let’s walk right up to him and get what he is ready to give. Take the mercy, and accept the help (Hebrews 4:14-16, MGS).

The Enslaving Power of Sin conquered once and for all to those whose desire is to know who the Savior really is and one’s purpose in life. Let us live life with an attitude of praise, prayer and thanksgiving, a life in which we are able to share love, joy and peace with genuine concern for one another.

Today, I leave you with my peace, that God will bless your life abundantly and provide you with the desires of your heart.  Now live in expectances of the moment, for God is watching over your life and has provided you with unknown powers to grow in His grace and move higher in the providence of this life.

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HOW JESUS DEFEATED SATAN IN OPEN COMBAT

We all will face temptation of some sort in our lives.  How we deal with it will be a test of our faith and determination to always be obedient to the word of God.  In today’s market place with so many people facing poverty, and their faith being tested by the devil daily from lack of the basic necessities of life, such as not enough food to eat, unable to pay their mortgages and car notes, not being able to find a job, the prices of everything continues to rise and the income of so many people remain unchanged.

TEMPTATION (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

In our quest to rise from the jaws of defeat and grow in God’s grace by living a righteous life and not subsuming to Satan’s temptation, we will do well to learn how Jesus took Satin on in open combat and defeated him.  After Jesus baptism, he left the Jordan River to go out into the wilderness.  Jesus then took the offensive against his enemy, the Devil, by going into the wilderness to face temptation.  Now I ask you, would you put yourself in the same situation, knowing today how cunning the Devil is?

Now let us be under no false elusion concerning the Devil.  He is a real being, a created yet rebellious fallen angel, and not a symbol or an idea.  He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God.  Satan is not omnipresent, nor is he all powerful.   Through the evil spirits under his dominion, Satan works everywhere attempting to draw people away from God and into his own darkness.

It was the Holy Spirit that compelled Jesus into the wilderness where God put Jesusto the test not to

THE BEAUTY OF BEING AND EXISTENCE IN THE WILDERNESS (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

see if Jesus was ready, but to show that he was ready for his mission.  Satan, however, had other plans; he hoped to thwart Jesus mission by tempting him to do evil.  Why was it necessary for Jesus to be tempted?  Temptation is part of the human experience.  For Jesus to be fully human, he had to face temptation.  Jesus had to undo Adam’s work.  Adam, though created perfect, gave in to temptation and passed sin on to the whole human race.  Jesus, by contrast, resisted Satan.  His victory offers salvation to Adam’s descendants.

We can assume from our studies that during those forty days, Jesus ate nothing; therefore at the end he was very hungry.  Jesus status as God’s Son did not make this fast any easier; his physical body suffered the severe hunger and pain of going without sustenance.  The three temptations recorded in the scriptures which we will now discuss here was at his most a physically weakened state.

Now let us look at the first temptation, what was said and how Jesus handled it.  The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread. “Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.”  (Luke 4:3-4 AMP)  On the surface, this might seem to be a fairly harmless act, even a compassionate suggestion.  Jesus was very hungry, so why not use the resources at his command and change a stone into a loaf of bread?  In this case, however, the sin was not in the act but in the reason behind it.  The Devil was trying to get Jesus to take a shortcut, to solve his immediate problem at the expense of his long range goals, to seek comfort at the sacrifice of his discipline.  Satan often works that way—persuading people to take action, even right action, for the wrong reason or at the wrong time.  The fact that something is not wrong in itself does not mean that it is good for someone at a given time.  Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God’s will or ahead of his timetable.

As we stated in the beginning of this lesson, “we will all face some sort of temptation at some point in our lives, how we deal with them at the moment we are confronted with it will be the test of whether we fail are if we endure to fight another day.  Jesus understood that obedience to the Father’s mission was more important than food.  Making himself bread would have shown that he had not quite set aside all his powers, had not humbled himself, and had not identified completely with the human race.  But Jesus refuse, showing that he would use his powers only in submission to God’s plan.

GOD’S VAST RESOURCES (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in their entire splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.”  (Luke 4:5-7 AMP).  Now the Devil truly does have his game face on, and by offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, he figures he has him right where he wants him and Jesus seeing that the Devil can offer him the world that was once his, Jesus will more than jump for this grand offer.

The Devil’s grand plan was to succeed in his rebellion against God by diverting Jesus from his mission and winning his worship.  Satan tempted Jesus to take the world as an earthly Kingdom right hen, without carrying out the plan to save the world from sin.  For Jesus, that meant obtaining his promised dominion over the world without experiencing the suffering and death of the cross.  Satan offered a painless shortcut.  But Satan didn’t understand that suffering, and death were a part of God’s plan that Jesus had chosen to obey.

The fact that Jesus could see all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time supports the view that this experience was visionary.  The focus is not on the mountain, but on those kingdoms that were (and are) under Satan’s dominion (John 12:3).  Satan offered to give dominion over the world to Jesus.  This challenged Jesus obedience to God’s timing and will.  Satan’s temptation was, in essence, “Why wait?  I can give this to you now!”  Of course, the offer had a catch:  “If you will bow down and worship me.”

We know Jesus was not about to do this, so what was he to do?  Jesus once again following scripture, backed  his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”  For Jesus to gain rule over the world by worshiping Satan would not only be a contradiction (Satan would still be in control), but it would also break the first commandment, “You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him: (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13).  To accomplish his mission of bringing salvation to the world, Jesus would take the path of submission to God.

Now as we come into the home stretch of Satan trying to out for nest the master, scripture says this,

Upon this Rock Satan commands Jesus to Jump (Photo by Pastor Davis)

“For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?”  (Luke 4:9-11 AMP).

Whether the Devil physically took Jesus to Jerusalem, or whether this occurred in a vision is unclear.  In any case, Satan was setting the stage for his next temptation.  Jesus had quoted Scripture in response to ‘Satan’s other temptations.  Here Satan tried the same tactic with Jesus: he used Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin!  Satan was quoting from Psalm 91:11-12 to support his request.  The psalm describes God’s protection for those who trust him.  Obviously Satan was misinterpreting Scripture, making it sound as though God protests even through sin, removing the natural consequences of sinful acts. Jumping from the roof in order to test God’s protection for those who, while being in his will and serving him, find themselves in danger.  It does not promise protection for artificially created crises in which Christians call to God in order to test his love and care.

An artificially created crisis is what we as the people of America and the world find ourselves in today with our government leaders.  This is causing hardship on many people, providing Satan with powers to set us up for destruction and disobedient of God’s will, but Jesus would have none of this and we as faithful servant’s should study Jesus mode of face to face combat with this powerful enemy, and perhaps we could learn a thing or two in how we can face Satin down when he attacks us.

Remember, the Bible clearly teaches us, to study in order that we may gain the knowledge to activate the powers God has already provided to us in order that we may fight Satin with the same tools as Jesus did.

Wide-margin Study Bible (Photo credit: agent_mikejohnson)

Now this is how Jesus handles Satan’s third and final attach at this time.  He said, “ [The Scripture] says, You shall not tempt (try,test exceedingly) the Lord your God. (Luke 4:12 AMP).  Jesus used the Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning.  The facts were that while God promises to protect his people, he also requires that they not test him.  In the passage in Deuteronomy 6:16, Moses was referring to an incident during Israel’s wilderness wanderings, recorded in Exodus 17:1-7.  The people were thirsty and ready to commit mutiny against Moses and return to Egypt if he did not provide them with water.  Jesus knew that for him to jump from the pinnacle of the Temple, would have been a ridiculous test of God’s power, and it would have been out of God’s will.  Jesus knew that his Father could protect him; he also understood that all his actions were to be focused on fulfilling his Father’s mission.

Jesus remains to this day obedient to his Father’s will and not to Satin’s temptation.  Now my question is to each one of you again, how would you have handled Satin’s attempts to provide you with money, fame and power over the world in light of your present situation?

We encourage you, to be obedient to God, and do not allow Satin to take you out of God’s will.  It is the only will that can provide you with eternal life.  So please stop taking it for granted.  The choice is clearly yours to make.  No one forces you to do wrong.  So chose this day, whom you will serve.  We minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!

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First page of the Gospel of Mark, by Sargis Pitsak, a Medieval Armenian scribe and miniaturist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HOW SIN AND THE LAW WILL TRIP YOU UP

CHILDREN OF GOD, understand this one truth if you never understand anything else in your entire life that we teach you here daily, and that is, “Sin is Sin,” there is no little sin and there is no big sin. “SIN AND THE LAW WILL TRIP YOU UP,” and send you straight to hell, you want be able to pass GO and collect your $200.00 or receive a get out of HELL FREE CARD.

Don’t you remember how it was? I do, perfectly well. The law code started out as an excellent piece of work. What happened, it was that sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of “forbidden fruit” out of it. The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me. Without all the paraphernalia of the law code, sin looked pretty dull and lifeless, and I went along without paying much attention to it. But once sin got its hands on the law code and decked itself out in all that finery, I was fooled, and fell for it. The very command that was supposed to guide me into life was cleverly used to trip me up, throwing me headlong. So sin was plenty alive, and I was stone dead. But the law code itself is God’s good and common sense, each command sane and holy counsel.

I can already hear your next question: “Does that mean I can’t even trust what is good [that is, the law]? Is good just as dangerous as evil?” No again! Sin simply did what sin is so famous for doing: using the good as a cover to tempt me to do what would finally destroy me. By hiding within God’s good commandment, sin did far more mischief than it could ever have accomplished on its own.

I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

THE ANSWER, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Roman 7:10-25 MSG)

CHILDREN OF GOD, now is the time to be obedient to the word of God, understand the truth that is in this message, study to show yourself approved and know without a doubt that, “ SIN AND THE LAW WILL TRIP YOU UP!”

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English: Saint paul arrested (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO BELIEVE

We are living in trouble times, in a world where physical death is certain.  However, for those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will receive the gift of eternal life.  This is a free gift from God, and Jesus told us about this gift in (John 3:16 NKJV) when he spoke these words.  Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  The Apostle Paul further confirms this in (Romans 10:9-13 ESV) when he says this, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

God never makes a promise that He will not fulfill. “GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO BELIEVE!”

Our lesson today finds Apostle Paul locked away in prison for the crime of preaching the gospel. When he is brought before the judge to face trial for his actions, he soon discovers how much alone he stood.  No one at all came to speak in Paul’s defense or to stand by in his support; everyone had abandoned him.  Although sorely disappointed, Paul seemed to understand; for he hoped that this would not be counted against them that he had clearly stood with and preached the gospel too that they might be saved by the word of God.

Now listen to how Paul describes the situation, Paul said, “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever.  (2 Timothy 4:16-18 ESV)!”

Have you ever been in this situation where you were condemned for speaking the truth and at the time, it seemed that the entire world was against you?

Although no human being had come to support Paul at his hearing, the Lord had stood with him, where Jesus promised help to those arrested for preaching the gospel.  Paul had sensed both the presence and the power of Christ giving him strength.  Christ had helped Paul not just for Paul’s benefit alone.  He had supplied Paul with spiritual power, wisdom, and preaching skills in order to preach the Good News in all its fullness for all the Gentiles to hear.  Even at the trial before the Roman authorities who were ready to execute this Christian leader, Paul had proclaimed the gospel!  That Paul was saved from certain death most likely described his deliverance from extreme danger.  Paul knew he wouldn’t get out of prison alive, though he was experiencing a temporary reprieve due to a delay in the Roman judicial system.

We as Christians are persecuted daily for our beliefs in Jesus Christ, and like Paul we will feel at times that everyone has abandoned us, we can find strength and comfort in Jesus words when he tells us that he will never leave us are forsake us. “GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO BELIEVE!”

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OUR SALVATION IS PROVIDED FOR BY GRACE

Salvation (Photo by Pastor Davis)

In our studies today, we want to focus your attention on two words, and those two words are SALVATION and GRACE.  In all of our studies, if we don’t comprehend the importance of these two words, we will fail to achieve the eternal life that God has promised.

QUESTION 1:  WHAT IS SALVATION?

SALVATION IS a personal encounter with Jesus Christ Himself! Even though others may help you and pray for you, it is your personal prayers that must be, to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Ghost. No human being has the ability to absolve you from your sins! Confessing to a PASTOR or some other lay person may help relieve the guilt of one’s transgressions, but only MASTER JESUS can wash away your sinful past.

SALVATION IS true repentance! It is far more than “being forgiven.” In fact true repentance involves at least the following steps:

Admitting that you are a sinner and acknowledging that you need a Savior.

Asking God for Jesus sake to forgive you of all sins that are past!

Faith to believe in Jesus and that you are truly forgiven for your years of living in wickedness.

Thanking the Lord for His marvelous grace that redeems your poor lost soul.

Forsaking all known sin that had, for so long, been a part of your existence.

SALVATION IS a total commitment to Jesus Christ! In the “saved” condition you will continually seek and pray for new ways to live while being “in this world, but not of this world.”

SALVATION IS growth in grace! A brand new saint will find that he or she is saved from sin, and has a deep desire that drives one to grow more like Jesus every day. There will in time come a gradual realization that initial SALVATION rids one of all the “bad” things of life; but there is a need to consecrate everything to Him to the point that we are free of the bondage of the “good” things as well.

QUESTION 2:  WHAT IS GRACE?

Paul says in Romans chapter five, that we are justified by faith (v. 1). Faith means trusting God to love us, because of what he did in Jesus Christ, and entrusting ourselves wholeheartedly to that divine love. Salvation is by grace–we do not deserve God’s favor toward us and we can never earn it. We access this grace by faith, which means that we must always look outside ourselves for our SALVATION (2 Tim. 1:12).

We cannot perform the work which results in our salvation, for Jesus has already done that, once for all time. We cannot add to that finished work, or improve on it. We can only trust God to be gracious to us as he promises in Christ. If we picture grace as the room of God’s favor, we may think of faith as the door into that room (Rom. 5:1-2).

God accepts us because of Christ’s work on our behalf. We enjoy that grace by accepting it as fact, trusting it as sufficient, and throwing ourselves on it in total and eternal abandon, to become servants of righteousness and true holiness in Christ. We do not earn God’s favor. We cannot ever please Him enough to be given His blessings. We certainly could never pay for our own sins and be saved. But in Christ, God has brought together the justice that is his nature and the weakness that is ours: Christ became a man and took our place.

God’s grace deals with the weakness of our flesh because salvation does not depend on our weak flesh — Jesus has earned it for us already! It also takes into account God’s holiness, because sin is punished–by the death of God’s sinless Son! And so Paul can say to the Ephesians Christians For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

Therefore, let us attune our minds to the truth of God’s word, and get understand and know without a shadow of doubt that,  “OUR SALVATION IS PROVIDED FOR BY GRACE!”

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Headgear and boxing gloves are mandatory in Olympic boxing and amateur boxing. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A CHAMPION IN A GIVEN SPORT

As a believer, we must have a champion mindset to compete the Christian life. The race that all Christians need to prepare themselves for is the calling of God. What does it take to be a champion in a given sport? For one, it is necessary to have a dedication to succeed no matter what the cost.  A passion for the game is certainly essential, as is a single-minded determination to accomplish the task.  A willingness to train incessantly is required.  In addition, a burning desire for the trophy or prize awarded to the one who wins is an absolute must.

In (1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul illustrates the “champion” mindset required to faithfully complete the Christian life with this statement, “I run thus; not with uncertainty” and “Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air.”  We understand from studying this verse that Paul was not an aimless competitor.  He had a clearly defined goal.  Like an athlete preparing for a race or a boxing match, Paul knew that he had to discipline his body; he had to force himself to maintain the strenuous, consistent practice needed for success.

The race that Paul prepared himself for, the race that all Christians need to prepare themselves for was the calling of God.  Paul taught, that Christians are rewarded for the calling that God gives them.

One weekend I was watching the sports news and heard something I had never heard before.  A sportscaster was covering a Las Vegas boxing match.  He reported that the match was stopped because one of the fighters had quit fighting in the middle of a round and started crying.  This burly brother just broke down in the middle of the fight.  They later learned that the fighter was physically, mentally, and emotionally unprepared to fight.  The promoter said he had tried several times to convince the fighter’s coach and trainers to cancel the bout because of concerns that the fighter had not completely recovered from a recent struggle with drug abuse.  He told them that the man wasn’t in any shape to box, but his camp insisted the fight go on as planned.  So they put him in the ring, and shortly thereafter, this out-of-shape athlete gave what he had.  When that ran out, he quit.  Moreover, he cried.

Obviously, he lost the fight.  If he had won, it would have been a significant step in his career, putting him on track toward the championship.  If his trainers had postponed the match, he might have won.  But they didn’t, and he lost.  He lost because he was out of shape.

Many of you are losing the fight.  You are losing spiritual battle after spiritual battle, not because you don’t know Jesus, or because you doubt the promises of God, but because you’re not spiritually fit.

In 1 Timothy, Paul painted a picture of an athlete who trained his body for competition.  He counseled Timothy, his rookie minister, to train and prepare himself for spiritual competition.  Paul said to be an effective minister; a true servant of the Lord, Timothy needed to exercise himself on a spiritual level.  Paul said, by comparison, that bodily or physical exercise is good, but its benefits are limited to the body, which is purposed to serve us only temporarily, only in this life.

However, spiritual fitness, or godliness, has lasting value.  Its benefits carry the believer through this life and the life to come.  As believers, we should prepare ourselves spiritually for the challenges and battles of our Christian walk.  Paul urged us to get in shape and stay in shape.  The choice is yours, what will you do, and how will you prepare yourself for Spiritual Fitness?

Now this concludes part one of this two part lesson.  In part two we will discuss with you, your options of training.  I remain as always, your brother in Jesus Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher!

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Jesus and Nicodemus, Crijn Hendricksz, 1616–1645. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NICODEMUS QUESTION JESUS ON HOW A PERSON CAN BE BORN AGAIN

Nicodemus as a teacher in his own right found himself in an odd position of being taught when he asked Jesus this question: “How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “Be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”  By his own lack of knowledge, Nicodemus was now in for a rude awaken, and Jesus was about to teach him and all of us a lesson in how to be born again that neither he nor we would ever soon forget.

Now as we have studied the scriptures and heard many sermons preached that Jesus was known for his skills as a Master Teacher, and of course Nicodemus was a respected teacher of Israel.  Nicodemus was part of a group whose prestige had suffered the most because of Jesus popularity.  The Pharisees were the conservatives in Israel.  They held all the Scriptures in high regard.  They believed in eternal life.  They were the ones most people thought would be able to identify the long-awaited Messiah and announce Him to the people.

Unfortunately, the Pharisees had begun to think of the coming Messiah as one who would elevate and honor them when He came.  But Jesus showed no inclination to do this.  Instead, He called all to repentance, even the Pharisees.  He made it painfully clear to the Pharisees that their devotion to Scripture was undermined by their tendency to apply it wrongly and to exalt themselves over others.  Although they had diligently studied the Scriptures, they had not learned the central truths of Scripture: Justice, mercy, and faith (Matt. 23:23).

In this lesson, we understand that Jesus and Nicodemus had a private conversation late one night.  We do not know whether Nicodemus had an appointment.  We do not know what he wanted to say.  Nicodemus came to Jesus, but Jesus guided the conversation from the start.  In effect, Nicodemus took a step in the right direction, and Jesus met him more than halfway.

Nicodemus said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.”

Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”  If Nicodemus purpose was to find out for himself whether Jesus was really a teacher from God, he did not have to wait long.  Instead of defending His own credentials, Jesus offered Nicodemus an eternal lesson.

How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”

Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. “But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.”

Jesus take no prisoner’s way of teaching had to one of the toughest teachers Nicodemus had ever had to encounter. He allowed Jesus to challenge his understanding.  He did not shrink from revealing his ignorance about the second birth.  He listened.  In spite of the fact that he was a teacher, he was willing to be taught.  Jesus did not disappoint.

Now I ask of you, to join Nicodemus here this night and listen to how a Master Teacher teaches the lesson of our New Birth.  He says, “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”

Nicodemus asked, “What do you mean by this? How does this happen?”

Jesus said, “You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics? Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God?

“No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

When we know the truth, the truth will set us free, and here we can see clearly that Jesus provided Nicodemus with the gospel truth, and Nicodemus was able to see the light that night and experience God’s love from the Master Teacher because Nicodemus character was changed that very night.

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HOW JESUS DEFEATED SATAN IN OPEN COMBAT

We all will face temptation of some sort in our lives.  How we deal with it will be a test of our faith and determination to always be obedient to the word of God.  In today’s market place with so many people facing poverty, and their faith being tested by the devil daily from lack of the basic necessities of life, such as not enough food to eat, unable to pay their mortgages and car notes, not being able to find a job, the prices of everything continues to rise and the income of so many people remain unchanged.

In our quest to rise from the jaws of defeat and grow in God’s grace by living a righteous life and not subsuming to Satan’s temptation, we will do well to learn how Jesus took Satin on in open combat and defeated him.  After Jesus baptism, he left the Jordan River to go out into the wilderness.  Jesus then took the offensive against his enemy, the Devil, by going into the wilderness to face temptation.  Now I ask you, would you put yourself in the same situation, knowing today how cunning the Devil is?

Now let us be under no false elusion concerning the Devil.  He is a real being, a created yet rebellious fallen angel, and not a symbol or an idea.  He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God.  Satan is not omnipresent, nor is he all powerful.   Through the evil spirits under his dominion, Satan works everywhere attempting to draw people away from God and into his own darkness.

It was the Holy Spirit that compelled Jesus into the wilderness where God put Jesus to the test not to see if Jesus was ready, but to show that he was ready for his mission.  Satan, however, had other plans; he hoped to thwart Jesus mission by tempting him to do evil.  Why was it necessary for Jesus to be tempted?  Temptation is part of the human experience.  For Jesus to be fully human, he had to face temptation.  Jesus had to undo Adam’s work.  Adam, though created perfect, gave in to temptation and passed sin on to the whole human race.  Jesus, by contrast, resisted Satan.  His victory offers salvation to Adam’s descendants.

We can assume from our studies that during those forty days, Jesus ate nothing; therefore at the end he was very hungry.  Jesus status as God’s Son did not make this fast any easier; his physical body suffered the severe hunger and pain of going without sustenance.  The three temptations recorded in the scriptures which we will now discuss here was at his most a physically weakened state.

Now let us look at the first temptation, what was said and how Jesus handled it.  The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread. “Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.”  (Luke 4:3-4 AMP)  On the surface, this might seem to be a fairly harmless act, even a compassionate suggestion.  Jesus was very hungry, so why not use the resources at his command and change a stone into a loaf of bread?  In this case, however, the sin was not in the act but in the reason behind it.  The Devil was trying to get Jesus to take a shortcut, to solve his immediate problem at the expense of his long range goals, to seek comfort at the sacrifice of his discipline.  Satan often works that way—persuading people to take action, even right action, for the wrong reason or at the wrong time.  The fact that something is not wrong in itself does not mean that it is good for someone at a given time.  Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God’s will or ahead of his timetable.

As we stated in the beginning of this lesson, “we will all face some sort of temptation at some point in our lives, how we deal with them at the moment we are confronted with it will be the test of whether we fail are if we endure to fight another day.  Jesus understood that obedience to the Father’s mission was more important than food.  Making himself bread would have shown that he had not quite set aside all his powers, had not humbled himself, and had not identified completely with the human race.  But Jesus refuse, showing that he would use his powers only in submission to God’s plan.

For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in their entire splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.”  (Luke 4:5-7 AMP).  Now the Devil truly does have his game face on, and by offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, he figures he has him right where he wants him and Jesus seeing that the Devil can offer him the world that was once his, Jesus will more than jump for this grand offer.

The Devil’s grand plan was to succeed in his rebellion against God by diverting Jesus from his mission and winning his worship.  Satan tempted Jesus to take the world as an earthly Kingdom right hen, without carrying out the plan to save the world from sin.  For Jesus, that meant obtaining his promised dominion over the world without experiencing the suffering and death of the cross.  Satan offered a painless shortcut.  But Satan didn’t understand that suffering, and death were a part of God’s plan that Jesus had chosen to obey.

The fact that Jesus could see all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time supports the view that this experience was visionary.  The focus is not on the mountain, but on those kingdoms that were (and are) under Satan’s dominion (John 12:3).  Satan offered to give dominion over the world to Jesus.  This challenged Jesus obedience to God’s timing and will.  Satan’s temptation was, in essence, “Why wait?  I can give this to you now!”  Of course, the offer had a catch:  “If you will bow down and worship me.”

We know Jesus was not about to do this, so what was he to do?  Jesus once again following scripture, backed  his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”  For Jesus to gain rule over the world by worshiping Satan would not only be a contradiction (Satan would still be in control), but it would also break the first commandment, “You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him: (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13).  To accomplish his mission of bringing salvation to the world, Jesus would take the path of submission to God.

Now as we come into the home stretch of Satan trying to out for nest the master, scripture says this, “For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?”  (Luke 4:9-11 AMP).

Whether the Devil physically took Jesus to Jerusalem, or whether this occurred in a vision is unclear.  In any case, Satan was setting the stage for his next temptation.  Jesus had quoted Scripture in response to ‘Satan’s other temptations.  Here Satan tried the same tactic with Jesus: he used Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin!  Satan was quoting from Psalm 91:11-12 to support his request.  The psalm describes God’s protection for those who trust him.  Obviously Satan was misinterpreting Scripture, making it sound as though God protests even through sin, removing the natural consequences of sinful acts. Jumping from the roof in order to test God’s protection for those who, while being in his will and serving him, find themselves in danger.  It does not promise protection for artificially created crises in which Christians call to God in order to test his love and care.

An artificially created crisis is what we as the people of America and the world find ourselves in today with our government leaders.  This is causing hardship on many people, providing Satan with powers to set us up for destruction and disobedient of God’s will, but Jesus would have none of this and we as faithful servant’s should study Jesus mode of face to face combat with this powerful enemy, and perhaps we could learn a thing or two in how we can face Satin down when he attacks us.

Remember, the Bible clearly teaches us, to study in order that we may gain the knowledge to activate the powers God has already provided to us in order that we may fight Satin with the same tools as Jesus did.

Now this is how Jesus handles Satan’s third and final attach at this time.  He said, “ [The Scripture] says, You shall not tempt (try,test exceedingly) the Lord your God. (Luke 4:12 AMP).  Jesus used the Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning.  The facts were that while God promises to protect his people, he also requires that they not test him.  In the passage in Deuteronomy 6:16, Moses was referring to an incident during Israel’s wilderness wanderings, recorded in Exodus 17:1-7.  The people were thirsty and ready to commit mutiny against Moses and return to Egypt if he did not provide them with water.  Jesus knew that for him to jump from the pinnacle of the Temple, would have been a ridiculous test of God’s power, and it would have been out of God’s will.  Jesus knew that his Father could protect him; he also understood that all his actions were to be focused on fulfilling his Father’s mission.

Jesus remains to this day obedient to his Father’s will and not to Satin’s temptation.  Now my question is to each one of you again, how would you have handled Satin’s attempts to provide you with money, fame and power over the world in light of your present situation?

We encourage you, to be obedient to God, and do not allow Satin to take you out of God’s will.  It is the only will that can provide you with eternal life.  So please stop taking it for granted.  The choice is clearly yours to make.  No one forces you to do wrong.  So chose this day, whom you will serve.  We minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!

HOW IMMORALITY DEFILES THE CHURCH

So many of our churches have become polluted places of worship, and God is not pleased with what is going on.  Sin of all sorts is running rapidly throughout the body.  Our Priest, Bishops, Pastors and other Church officials, are engaging in sexual immorality with young children of both sexes and then doing everything to hide it from their members and the public at large.  Once such immoral activities are uncovered, and the leaders are asked to account for their actions a light is shined on the church and the membership has to pay out millions of dollars for lawsuits that are brought against the church leadership and sometimes the church itself.  This is truly a case to be made how the Priest, Bishops, and Pastors are keeping their members prosperity poor.

These sorts of immoral activities that are committed by our Priest, Bishops, Pastors and other Church officials defile the church and bring condemnation upon the entire body.  The body must learn how to stop condoning what they know is the truth concerning their leaders and start confronting them with the truth of how God intends for His Church to operate.

The one important thing that we all must realize is that these sort of immoral activities are not new within our churches.  For thousands of years our churches have had to deal with these sorts of activities among their regular members.  We all know of someone at some church that is dealing with these issues today.  Therefore, the question becomes how we confront the people that are committing these acts of sexual immorality and at the same time provide comfort to them as well as the victim of these immoral acts.

In Paul’s first letter to the church of Corinth, he wrote, “I also received a report of scandalous sex within your church family, a kind that wouldn’t be tolerated even outside the church: One of your men is sleeping with his stepmother. Moreover, you are so above it all that it does not even faze you! Shouldn’t this break your hearts? Shouldn’t it bring you to your knees in tears? Shouldn’t this person and his conduct be confronted and dealt with? (1 Corinthians 5:1-2 MSG)

A report had been delivered to Paul regarding sexual immorality going on among the believers in Corinth.  The Corinthian church had been unwilling to discipline this man.  Paul prefaced his pronouncement of knowledge of this situation by saying that the problem was so evil that even the pagans did not do it—quite an indictment on these believers.  Most of the believers knew about the sinful relationship already, but apparently they had been unwilling to admit it, so Paul described the sin point-blank:  He said a man in the church was living in sin with his father’s wife” (probably his stepmother).  Whether the man had seduced this woman away from his father, or whether the woman was divorced or widowed is unclear.  In any case, even the pagans would have shuddered at this, but the church members were trying to ignore the situation.

We know from our study of this situation that the problem of arrogance in the Corinthian church had spilled over to the point where they were tolerating flagrant sin.  Instead of being proud of themselves, they should have been mourning in sorrow and shame.  Then, they should have removed the man from the fellowship.  The church must discipline flagrant sin among its members such sins, left unchecked, can divide and paralyze a church.  This “removal” of the person was not meant to be vengeful but to help bring about a cure.

Today in our society, tolerance has become such a battle cry in the media and in political and educational circles that it has affected even the church.  It is very difficult for people to discipline sin in church members because everyone is trying to be accepting of others.  People say, “Who am I to judge?  I have sin in my life.”  So they want all sin excused, including their own.  We must not let modern-day low standards determine what is true and right for the church.

While those in the Corinthian church had failed to do anything about this man sin, Paul himself would tell them what had to be done.  Now listen to what the Bible tells us how Paul dealt with this situation.  It is a critical point, which we all as Church leaders need to think deeply about this matter.  Here is how Paul described what he would do, “I’ll tell you what I would do. Even though I am not there in person, consider me right there with you, because I can fully see what is going on. I am telling you that this is wrong. You must not simply look the other way and hope it goes away on its own. Bring it out in the open and deal with it in the authority of Jesus our Master. Assemble the community I will be present in spirit with you, and our Master Jesus will be present in power. Hold this man’s conduct up to public scrutiny. Let him defend it if he can! However, if he cannot, then out with him! It will be totally devastating to him, of course, and embarrassing to you. But better devastation and embarrassment than damnation. You want him on his feet and forgiven before the Master on the Day of Judgment.  (1 Corinthians 5:3-5 MSG)

Was this punishment to harsh for the church to be handing out to one of their faithful members, or did Paul have it just right?  It is my belief that Paul had weighed the matter and had correctly passed judgment.  As an apostle and the spiritual father of the church of Corinth, Paul had the authority to deal with the matter and he understood the danger to the church if the sin were to remain undisciplined.  Paul told the church, in no uncertain terms to call a meeting of the whole congregation so they would witness and support the action.  As they met, Paul would be there in spirit, because he carried the authority as an apostle, and the power of the Lord Jesus would also be with them as they met.  The entire situation was under the mighty power of the Lord Jesus to deal with the man’s spirit and to bring him to repentance.

Paul explained the discipline that should be carried out.  Cast this man out of the church and into Satan’s hands.  This would mean excluding him from the fellowship of believers.  Without the spiritual support of Christians, this man would be left alone with his sin and Satan, and hopeful this emptiness would drive him to repentance.  The church could not literally give him to Satan, for only God can consign a person to eternal judgment.  It was meant to force him to see the consequences of sin by living in Satan’s sphere of influence, the world apart from Christ and the church.

That his sinful nature will be destroyed meant that the exclusion from the fellowship would help the man to face his sinful, selfish nature (flesh), repent, and return to the church.  Paul wanted this sinner to experience the crucifixion of his sinful nature.  It may take such drastic measures to deal with the sinful nature, but how much more important for the man that he face this and repent in order that he would be saved in the end.  Paul hoped that this harsh disciplinary action might be of eternal benefit to the man.

The one thing that we notice concerning Paul harsh disciplinary action of the man, the woman was not mention as to any disciplinary action taken against her.  Therefore, we must assume that the omission of discipline for the woman implies that she was not a believer.  The church is responsible for disciplining only its members, not unbelievers.

Our Churches today need the spiritual determination to deal with sin such as these that affect the whole Church.  But excommunication as a form of discipline, and moving Priest, Bishops and Pastors from one church to another and not holding them accountable for their actions is a crime as well as a sin in itself again God and all of humanity.  When our spiritual leaders stand before us knowing in their hearts that the life that they are living is immoral and perverted and their teachings are sinful and shameful in nature, they should be condemned just as Paul condemned the man that was sleeping with his father’s wife.

This kind of activity harms the church, the community and all of humanity.  The church is not only spiritually damaged, but it and its members are financially damaged, because the tithes that they had been putting into the store house now has to be paid out for sexual immorality instead of helping to lift its members up out of poverty, and with the poverty rate at an all time high in this country, this is why we call it as it really is, “Pastors must stop keeping their members prosperity poor.”

In our next installment of “Pastors must stop keeping their members prosperity poor,” we will discuss with you, how forgiving the offender of sexual immorality should be dealt with.  I think all of you who wrote and requested additional teachings on this important subject.  There were hundreds of you who commented on (Part 1) of this continuing series.  For those of you who are reading this teaching for the first time, may I suggest to you on the right side of the home page to click on any month, then on the left side of the page under categories, stroll down to Pastors and click there.  In the center of the page look for the title, “Pastors must stop keeping their members prosperity poor.”

May I encourage each one of you to think globally and work locally?  I minister to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

WHERE WOULD WE BE TODAY WITHOUT GOD’S AMAZING GRACE?

As we go through life day by day, trying to understand our amazing lives, our purpose for being here which includes our destination, and how we are able to travel towards that goal we have set for ourselves, although we stumble and fall, we soon discover that we all have a story to tell.

Our stories on the surface may seem to be different, but when we look deeply at where we are and how we got to where we are, the story lines begin to merge and we all begin to repeat the same line we “are saved” by “grace.”  It was nothing but God’s amazing grace that brought me through the darkness of this wilderness and into His marvelous light.  Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It is kindness from God we don’t deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor can ever do to earn this favor. It is a true spiritual gift from God. Grace is divine assistance given to us humans for our regeneration (rebirth) or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor.

I have come to see the doctrine of the God’s Amazing Grace  as one of the dominant themes of the Bible. In musical terms, God’s Amazing Grace is like the melody line of a beautiful song, and the greatest song of all that comes to my mind is, “Amazing Grace.”  As a rule, only one note carries the melody, and all of the other notes serve to compliment that note with a harmony. I believe that grace is the dominant note in God’s dealings with man. His justice, His holiness, His omnipotence, and His omniscience are all an integral part of the music of His character and activities, but grace stands apart and above them all.

Now pause with me for a moment and let us listen to one of my favorite songs that really tell the true story of God’s redeeming quality for all of us who have accepted Jesus, as our Lord and savior, and then we will continue this discussion on the other side of this beautiful melody.

When I look back over my life, I know that it was nothing but God’s amazing grace that brought me through my trials and tribulations, and I am certain you will say the same.  This amazing grace comes only from the Lord and is simply the God-given desire and the power to do God’s will.

In order to help us truly appreciate and understand the value that this one song has done to help transform our lives and the lives of people all over the world, let me share with you the history of this great song.  Now please take note of this next video because it does provide us with a deep understanding of the History of this song Amazing Grace as this part of the lesson is taught by Dr. Wintley Phipps.  We will join you in words once again when Dr. Phipps has concluded.

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn written by English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807), published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God, “Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.

Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences that were often put into motion by his recalcitrant insubordination. He was pressed into the Royal Navy and became a sailor, eventually participating in the slave trade. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. His career in slave trading lasted a few years more until he quit going to sea altogether and began studying theology.

Ordained in the Church of England in 1764, Newton became curate of Olney, Buckinghamshire, where he began to write hymns with poet William Cowper. “Amazing Grace” was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day of 1773. It is unknown if there was any music accompanying the verses, and it may have been chanted by the congregation without music. It debuted in print in 1779 in Newton and Cowper’s Olney Hymns, but settled into relative obscurity in England. In the United States however, “Amazing Grace” was used extensively during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century. It has been associated with more than 20 melodies, but in 1835 it was joined to a tune named “New Britain” to which it is most frequently sung today.

Author Gilbert Chase writes that “Amazing Grace” is “without a doubt the most famous of all the folk hymns,” and Jonathan Aitken, a Newton biographer, estimates that it is performed about 10 million times annually.  It has had particular influence in folk music, and become an emblematic African American spiritual. Its universal message has been a significant factor in its crossover into secular music. “Amazing Grace” saw a resurgence in popularity in the U.S. during the 1960s and has been recorded thousands of times during and since the 20th century, sometimes appearing on popular music charts.  Now let us pause again, and listen to one of the world’s greatest singers, “Mahalia Jackson.”

I know deep in my soul that this song has had an impact on your thought process.  It has made you pause and think for a moment just why God has allowed you to be where you are in your life today.  When we understand and can comprend in our thought process the deep meaning of these words, we know in our hearts that it was only by His grace, we were spared, the wrath we deserve.  Instead, we receive the favor we do not deserve. Why is this true? The answer is found in the two words: through Christ. It is because of Christ’s death in our place that we do not experience the wrath of God, which we so richly deserve. Jesus satisfied God’s justice and turned away God’s wrath from us by bearing it Himself on our behalf. Now God can extend mercy to us without subverting His justice. Mercy and justice meet together at the cross.

Jesus did more, however, than satisfy God’s justice and turn aside His wrath. By His perfect obedience, He earned for us all of God’s favor, all of His blessings. To use my kid’s illustration, they would say, Dad, “He mowed the grass, trimmed the hedges, washed the windows and painted the porch. He did it all. He perfectly obeyed all the law of God, and He did it in our place.”  Just as He died in our place, so He also obeyed in our place. That is why those two words “through Christ” are so critical to the definition of grace. Without Christ’s work for us, there could be no grace.

Therefore, when we speak of God’s grace, we mean all the good gifts we enjoy freely in this life, and there are so many. We could spend a lifetime celebrating them, and there is no need to attempt to list them here.  Your own life is a mirror of them all. A summary approach is to affirm that life itself is the fundamental gift, with all its delights. For us, the gift of life includes the wondrous gift of being human, finding ourselves plopped down in the midst of the larger gift of creation. That is the bedrock of grace—creation, life, and human being. As humans, we are given a unique place in the created order.

Now please allow me to conclude with this thought, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.  Do you believe it was grace and nothing but grace that has brought you through many dangers, tolls and snares.  Do you believe that it was nothing but grace that has brought you safe thus far, and it will be nothing but grace that will lead you home?  Grace, God’s Amazing grace; how sweet the sound that saved a wretch, the likes of me! WHERE WOULD WE BE TODAY WITHOUT GOD’S AMAZING GRACE?  I have ministered to you today from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

Today, we begin this lesson with a video of high praise and joy to celebrate our gift of Eternal Life, and what a joy this really is.  I encourage you to go back and study lesson one which will help you to understand why we are where we are in providing you with this video. Now sit back and enjoy because I know very shortly you are going to be on your feet praising and celebrating what God has blessed you with.

Relationships and Culture

Christianity is often thought of as a “Western” religion. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was a Middle Eastern Jew, and so were all of his followers. Much of the Bible actually takes place in Africa, some in modern Iraq, and some in modern Iran. Christianity is a God religion.

We are all born into a culture of some kind. None of us can help being deeply influenced by the values and priorities of the culture we are born into. When we accept Christ, those values must also be examined by the light of Scripture. That which is out of line with Scripture must be left behind and reformed, even if it causes a rift with those in our culture. The apostles were all dis-fellowshipped and persecuted by their Jewish brothers and sisters. The Greeks and Romans were murdered before cheering crowds of their own culture. Our first identification must no longer be with our culture or heritage, but it must be with the body of Christ. Jesus Himself had to face this dilemma in a very personal way:

They said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And heanswered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:32-35)

Family roots are where we learn and derive our cultural identity yet, Jesus declares that he will identify himself with, and fellowship with “whoever does the will of God.” After Jesus is raised from the dead this idea becomes even clearer:

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven… Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians–we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Act 2:5,9-11).

People from every possible background were coming under a single banner. Instead of identifying first with their heritage, they identified first with the people of God. This does not invalidate our heritage. On the contrary, each of us through our background brings something special to the body of Christ, especially when we have the courage to move outside of our cultural comfort zones. The beauty of people from all walks of life and backgrounds worshiping their creator on equal footing is a unique of the Body of Christ.

For many, this is one of the hardest kinds of separation. Giving God priority over every aspect of your cultural identity and values may cause some to see you as a traitor. In some Islamic cultures it could get you killed. Among immigrants, sometimes simply by not attending the ethnic church one may be considered no longer even a member of that ethnic group! Stand firm; this is a trick of the devil to slow you down. Even if they accuse you of losing your cultural identity, you can know in your heart that you are not losing it, but redeeming it in Christ. As we saw in Acts, Jesus wants and loves a group of worshipers from every kind of background.

Pleasures of this world.

Many people mistakenly believe that God is against pleasure. In fact it was God who created pleasure. The problem is that because of our fallen nature, many of the things that we naturally desire are not good for us and those around us. Since they are destructive, the devil tries everything possible to lure, tempt and supercharge our interest in them.

Sexual activity outside of marriage is one of the biggest temptations. It does not matterif it is cheating on your spouse, or if you have never been married. It does not matter if itis between someone of the same sex or the opposite sex. God has uniquely designed man and woman for one another and for sex to be part of a lifelong bonding relationship.  When we violate this design, all kinds of unintended negative consequences result.

Alcohol and substance abuse is another area of temptation. Because the Bible does not Devote much attention to these areas, people often rationalize it. It is destructive to your Physical body, your emotional health, and it is costly!

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

There are many other ways that people are lured away by the world. Many of them are not innately wrong, but if done in large proportion they have a tendency to lead you away from the things of God and toward the things of the world. This includes things like computer games, television, hobbies, and news reading. We find ourselves with no passion for God because we are full of the interests, and distractions of the world. If something like this keeps you from God or consumes a lot of your time, challenge yourself by laying it down for a season, and seeking God instead. You may find like I did that, you are much happier without it altogether.

We should neither be making long lists of “dos” and “don’ts” that are not in the Bible, nor making excuses for compromise. The soul that is in love with God desires to be as close to Him as possible, and seeks the habits that will promote that.

The ideas of the world

While most people recognize that turning to God will have an impact on relationships and personal purity, coming into the Kingdom of God also addresses the ideologies that we align ourselves with. This is not about political affiliation, but about submission to God’s way of thinking. For some people this is a minor area of concerns, and for others it is a major struggle.

Being a Christian means acknowledging God as the supreme creator. The entire basis of the world’s thinking relies on evolution, which involves chance, mutation and death over incredibly long periods of time. God did not create through chance, mutation or death. He created spontaneously and out of nothing. The modern scientific academy does not accept this, not because of the evidence, but because if one wants to reject God, they need a system to believe in which deletes His influence. In fact, in many areas, there is a stunning lack of evidence for evolution. If evolution is removed people come face to face with a creator, and that means having to face His claims on their life and behavior.

Another area where the God’s values come in direct conflict with the world is the infinitely high value He places on life. Not only did He create us, He sent His son to die to save us. The devaluation and ultimate destruction of life is one of the main agendas of the enemy. He came “only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). This devaluation of life is seen in many areas. Slavery and human trafficking is one of the most horrible.

Killing a baby before it is born, known as “abortion,” is another. Some are more subtle. Killing or “euthanizing” the elderly, or using the stem cells from aborted babies, or working people to death in sweat shops are other ways that the devil devalues human life. Being a Christian means placing the same value for life that God himself places on it from start to finish. Sometimes this leads to hard moral choices, but those choices must begin by placing the same esteem for human life that God does.

There are many other deceptive philosophies which can ensnare us, but the key is that we submit them to the Word of God. The Bible speaks directly to the roots of every philosophical or political system ever created. Being submitted to God means submitting our ideologies too and weighing them against what God teaches us in the Scripture.

We hope that you are now truly experiencing and celebrating your joy of eternity.  God gave this to you and no one can ever take it away from you.  We minister to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE MINISTRY OF THE KINGDOM (MARK 1:14-15)

Now after John was put in prison Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

It is clear to all of us that the early church proclaimed the same message Jesus preached, that is, “the gospel of the kingdom of God.”  Also they experienced the same confirming evidences that were present in His ministry.

Now let us understand this one truth, and that there is only one gospel; Jesus preached it, transmitted it to His disciples, and has committed it to His church.  Paul warned us against ever receiving any other gospel. “Any other” may be either a message of outright error or an argument for a diluted message, devoid of power though nominally Christian.  Jude 3 urges us always to contend for the original, “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”  Hold to the full “gospel of the kingdom,” and expect the Lord to confirm that “word” with the signs He promised.

You truly must know without a doubt that Jesus‘ ministry did not begin until He received His “anointing” as the Messiah, the empowering that came through the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him.  Though conceived and born by the Spirit’s power, He insisted that John baptize Him, not for repentance, but because He knew the Holy Spirit would come upon Him at that time.  From that moment forward, He is led of the Spirit and moves into the ministry declaring the presence of God’s kingdom and manifesting its miracles, signs, and wonders.

This pathway points each believer to the need for power, if kingdom ministry is to be advanced through us, His church. Like Him, we, too, are “born of the Spirit.” Though obviously, our spiritual birth is not as His biological virgin birth, the point remains.  Spiritual rebirth saves, but spiritual enduement is needed for ministering in kingdom power.  Similarly, our justification in Christ-being delcared sinless (2 Cor. 5:21)-does not qualify for kingdom power in ministry.  In His incarnation Jesus’ Person and perfection exceeded ours in every way, yet Jesus still acknowledged the need for His own receiving of the power of the Holy Spirit to pursue His ministry.  What more needs to be said?  Let each of us personally hear His command: “Receive the Holy Spirit!” (John 20:22).

Now let us conclude with this thought, think deeply on the Kingdom of God and it’s meaning in your life. Today I minister to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity. Always think globally and work locally.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

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HOW YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF ETERNAL LIFE (PART 1)

 In the Garden of Eden, it was not only Adam and Eve’s rebellion at work, they were

deceived by the devil who appeared in the form of a serpent.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God

had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in

the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)

He was the one who tempted them to disobey God, and because they obeyed his voice

instead of God’s they came under his authority. When you are born again, you come out

from under Satan’s authority, and are completely under the power of God:

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his

beloved Son (Colossians 1:13)

You are no longer subject to Satan. You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. This is

both an event and a process. Even though we are citizens of God’s Kingdom, we must

walk out of Satan’s Kingdom and fully into God’s.

Separation

Before you were born again, you were separated from God. Being reunited with God

changes your relationship to the world:

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever

wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

The world around us is caught up in the pursuit of material security, success, and

pleasure. For the worldly person, this is the “meaning of life.” This is what

animates their decision making process. However, it is all a big chase after the wind,

because “you can’t take it with you.” At the end of life, you will lose all of your

possessions. You will be separated from all your friends, and your pleasures will not

matter. Honestly, if there is no life after death, it makes perfect sense to live for today,

but the Christian is looking forward to an eternity with God. Even an extraordinarily

long life of 100 years is short when you consider eternity, which goes on forever and

never ends. We have to live our lives in view of eternity, and the things that matter for

eternity. For this reason, we have fundamentally nothing in common with the world.

And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains

forever. (1 John 2:17)

These things do not mean that you need to go live in monastery. It means that you needto separate from the pleasures, pursuits, and alliances of the world. Many Christians are

confused, frustrated, and tempted because they have not understood this basic point.

You need to view your life and the lives of others in the light of eternal destiny.

Telling Others About Your New Identity

Because you have been brought out of the world, and into God’s Kingdom, the

fundamental dynamics of every relationship in your life change when you are born

again. Being a Christian is not a secret, it is a public, and sometimes a difficult fact.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God

raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Go and tell your friends and family about the change that has happened in your life.

When you do this, there will be a change. Some will reject you right out. Do not be

ashamed.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation,

of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father

with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)     

Jesus has done something awesome for you. What he asks in return, is that you tell

others about Him. This is because he loves them too. You now have the keys to their

eternal destiny. Being their “friend” but keeping the truth about Jesus from them is not

being friends at all. You are denying them the only hope of salvation. Even if they reject

it, you have shown them true love. While this can be very painful, it is part of following Christ.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil

against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in

heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

You can be consoled by the fact that even though you are being rejected by friends and

sometimes family that Jesus sees your pain and holds out a great reward for it. This is,

in fact, the exact difficulty that He faced on earth.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the

world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I

chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

You are walking in the footsteps of Jesus when you are rejected or persecuted on account

of your faith. Many try to be Christians but avoid this rejection. It does not work. It’s

pretending to be something you are not. Eventually you will either become compromised

and go back to the world, or you will be exhausted by the act of pretending to be of the

world. If you truly belong to God, according to the Scripture, the world will hate you.

Relationships with the World

Not all of your friends or family will reject you when you tell them the truth. Some will

use every effort to try to convert you back. The devil himself will use every effort. Do

not be surprised if your old girlfriend or boyfriend calls you up right when you get saved

and wants to go out again, or if the person you’ve been chasing for a year suddenly shows

interest. Be prepared to take a stand for God. You will keep being tempted until both

you, all of your friends, and the devil himself know that you are not turning back from

your life with Christ.

Some may watch you, even for years, to see if what has happened to you is real or just

some religious thing. If you have rejected your former life and its pursuits, and are being

open about your walk with God, and they still want to be friends, continue to hold out the

words of eternal life to them, until God brings them into the Kingdom.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness

with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ

with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement

has the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

What is important is that you view them with an eternal perspective. They are lost and

in fellowship with the world, which God hates. God loves them and wants them to repent

just like you did. But until they do, it is dangerous to be “yoked” together with them.

This includes business partnerships, romantic relationships, and intimate friendships.

You are now reaching out to them, not fellowshipping with them.

THE HARVEST IS RIPE BUT THE LABORS ARE FEW (MATTHEW 9:36-38)

We have shared with you a deep and clear path for you to follow if you are truly committed to being that one disciple who will pick up his cross and follow the path that Jesus has laid out for those who truly do love him.  I encourage each of you to go back and study each one of these lessons in its entirety, watch the videos and allow your mind to be taken on a journey as they prepare you to go into the vineyard and retrieve the harvest that has become ripen and ready for you to bring into God’s market place.

Now understand clearly what Jesus is saying to you when he says these words, “I am the Vine, you are the branches.  When you ‘rejoined with me and I with you, the relationship is intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant.  Separate, you can’t produce a thing.  Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.  But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.  This is how my Father shows who he is when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.”  Through the study of this lesson, I am certain that each one of you has matured as one of Jesus Disciples and you are now ready to be obedient to his word because your state of mind is now one of maturity.

Therefore, allow me to conclude this lesson with the following remarks:

1. This state of mind that we have been discussing is as obligatory upon sinners as upon saints. All men ought to feel this compassion for souls. Why not? Can any reason be named why a sinner should not feel as much compassion for souls as a Christian? Or why he ought not to love God and man as ardently?

2. Professors of religion who do not obey the true spirit of these precepts are hypocrites, without one exception. They profess to be truly religious, but are they? Certainly not, unless they are on the altar, devoted to God‘s work and in heart sincerely sympathizing in it. Without this, every one of them is a hypocrite. You profess to have the spirit of Christ; but when you see the multitudes as He saw them, perishing for lack of Gospel light, do you cry out in mighty prayer with compassion for their souls? If you have not this spirit, write yourself down a hypocrite.

3. Many do not pray that God would send forth laborers because they are afraid He will send them. I can recollect when religion was repulsive to me because I feared that if I should be converted, God would send me to preach the Gospel. But I thought further on this subject. God, said I, have a right to dispose of me as He pleases, and I have no right to resist. If I do resist, He will put me in hell. If God wants me to be a minister of His Gospel and I resist and rebel, He surely ought to put me in hell, and doubtless He will.

But there are many young men in religious colleges today who never give themselves to prayer for the conversion of the world, lest God should send them into this work. You would blush to pray, “Lord, send forth laborers, but don’t send me.” If the reason you don’t want to go is that you have no heart for it, you may write yourself down a hypocrite, and that is no mistake.

If you say, “I have a heart for the work, but I am not qualified to go,” then you may consider that God will not call you unless you are, or can be qualified. He does not want unfit men in the service.

4. The ministry for the last quarter of a century has fallen into disgrace for this reason; many young men have entered it that never should have entered. Their hearts are not fixed, and they shrink from making sacrifices for Christ and His cause. Hence, they do not go straight forward, true to the right, firm for the oppressed, and strong for every good word and work. By whole platoons, they back out from the position which they have sworn to maintain. The hearts of multitudes of lay brethren and sisters are in great distress, crying out over this fearful defection. To a minister who was complaining of the public reproach cast on his order, a layman of Boston replied,
“I am sorry there is so many occasions for it; God means to rebuke the ministry, and He ought to rebuke them since they so richly deserve it.” Do not understand me to say that this vacillation of the ministry is universal; no, indeed; I am glad to know there are exceptions; but still the painful fact is that many have relapsed, and, consequently, as a class, they have lost character, and this has discouraged many young men from entering the ministry.

Let this be so no longer. Let the young men now preparing for the ministry come up to the spirit of their Master and rush to the front line of the battle. Let them toil for the good of souls, and love this toil as their great Lord has done before them. Thus by their fidelity let them redeem the character of this class of men from the reproach under which it now lies. Let them rally in their strength and lay themselves with one heart on the altar of God. So doing, not one generation should pass away ere it will be said — Mark the faithful men; note the men whose heart is in and on their work; the ministry is redeemed!

5. With sorrow I am compelled to say — Many don’t care whether the work is done or not. They are all swallowed up with ambitious a springs. Who does not know that they do not sympathize with JesusChrist?

Beloved, let me ask you if you are honestly conscious of sympathizing with your great Leader? I never can read the passage before us without being affected by the manifestation it makes of Christ‘s tenderness and love. There were the thronging multitudes before Him. To the merely external eye, all might have been fair; but to one who thought of their spiritual state, there was enough to move the deep fountains of compassion. Christ saw them scattered abroad as sheep that have no shepherd. They had no teachers or guides in whom they could repose confidence. They were in darkness and moral death.  Christ wept over them, and called on His disciples to sympathize in their case, and unite with Him in mighty prayer to the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth laborers. Such was His spirit. And now, dear young men, do you care whether or not this work is done?

6. Many seem determined to shirk this labor and leave it all for others to do. Indeed, they will hardly entertain the question what part God wants them to take and perform.

Now let me ask you – Will such as they be welcomed and applauded at last by the herald of judgment destiny, crying. Out, “Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord?” Never; no never!

7. Many say — I am not called, but really they are not devoted to this work so as to whether they are called or not. They do not want to be called — not they!

Now the very fact that you have the requisite qualifications, means, and facilities for preparation, indicates God‘s call. These constitute the voice of His providence, saying, Go forth, and prepare for labor in my vineyard! There is your scholarship; use it: there the classes for you to enter; go in and occupy till you are ready to enter the great white fields of the Savior‘s harvest. If providential indications favor, you must strive to keep up with their summons; pray for the baptisms of the Holy Ghost; seek the divine anointing, and give yourself no rest till you are in all things furnished for the work God assigns you.

It is painful to see that many are committing themselves in some way or other against the work. They are putting themselves in a position which of itself forbids their engaging in it. But do let me ask you, young men, can you expect ever to be saved if, when you have the power and the means to engage in this work, you have no heart for it? No, indeed! You knock in vain at the gate of the blessed! You may go there and knock, but what will be the answer? Are ye my faithful servants? Were ye among the few, faithful among the faithless – quick and ready at your Master’s call? O no, no; you studied how you could shun the labor and shirk the self-denial! I know you not! Your portion lies without the city walls!

Let no one excuse himself, as not called, for God calls all too some sort of labor in the great harvest field. You never need, therefore, to excuse yourself as one not called to some service for your Lord and Master. And let no one excuse himself from the ministry unless his heart is on the altar and he himself praying and longing to go, and only held back by an obvious call of God, through His providence, to some other part of the great labor.

Many will be sent to hell at last for treating this subject as they have, with so much selfishness at heart! I know the young man who for a long time struggled between a strong conviction that God called him to the ministry and a great repellency against
engaging in this work. I know what this feeling is, for I felt it a long time myself. A
long time I had a secret conviction that I should be a minister, though my heart repelled it. In fact, my conversion turned very much upon my giving up this contest with God, and subduing this repellency of feeling against God‘s call.

8. You can see what it is to be a Christian, and what God demands of men at conversion. The turning point is — Will you really and honestly serve God? With students especially the question is wont to be — Will you abandon all your ambitious schemes and devote yourself to the humble, un-ambitious toil of preaching Christ‘s Gospel to the poor? Most of this class are ambitious and aspiring; they have schemes of self-elevation, which it were a trial to renounce altogether. Hence with you, your being a Christian and being saved at last will turn much, perhaps altogether, on your giving yourself up to this work in the true self- denial of the Gospel spirit.

9. Many have been called to this work, which afterwards backslide and abandon it. They begin well, but backslide; get into a state of great perplexity about their duty; perhaps, like Balaam, they are so unwilling to see their duty and so anxious to evade it, that God will not struggle with them any longer, but gives them up to their covetousness, or their ambition.

Young man, are you earnestly crying out, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?” Be assured, God wants you in His field somewhere; He has not abandoned His harvest to perish; He wants you in it, but He wants you first to repent and prepare your heart for the Gospel ministry. You need not enter it till you have done this.

Many are waiting for a miraculous call. This is a great mistake. God does not call men in any miraculous way. The finger of His providence points out the path, and the fitness He gives you indicates the work for you to do. You need not fear that God will call you wrong. He will point out the work He would have you do. Therefore, ask Him to guide you to the right spot in the great field. He will surely do it.

Young men, will you deal kindly and truly with my Master in this matter? Do you say, “O my God, I am on hand, ready for any part of the work Thou hast for me to do?’

What say you? Are you prepared to take this ground? Will you consecrate your education to this work? Are you ready and panting to consecrate your all to the work of your Lord? Do you say, “Yes, God shall have all my powers, entirely and forever?”I do beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” The altar of God is before you. A whole sacrifice is the thing required. Are you ready to fore go all your selfish schemes? Ye who have talents fitting you for the ministry, will you devote them with all your soul to this work? Say, will you deal honestly and truly with my Master? Say, do you love His cause, and count it your highest glory to be a laborer together with God, in gathering in the nations of lost men to the fold of your Redeemer?

Now, I ask you to please take note of Jesus final words to you, he says, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.  This is my command:  Love one another the way I loved you.  This is the very best way to love.  Put your life on the line for your friends.  You are my friends when you do the things I command you.  I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning.  No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.  As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

“But remember the root command:  Love one another.

Our hope is that you have received this message in the Spirit that it was meant to be given, and now you are in a unique position to accept the challenges that are provided to you in this very special lesson and grow with us as we will with you and together we can bring about a much needed change in lives of the people of this world.  Working to lift them up out of poverty, to the possibilities of all things that are new in Jesus Christ, because we all are our brother’ keeper.

The VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES is taking the GOSPEL to the world and taking the WORLD one soul at a time.  Pause for a moment, and say, “BLESSED.” Because, you are truly BLESSED, and we minister to you from a position of PEACE, POWER, PURPOSE AND PROSPERITY!!!  Jesus is the true Vine and we are His branches and together we become, “THE VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES.”

OUR MISSION is to reach the world through the Word of God, with truth and power.  Allow the branches of this ministry tree to grow and spread to every corner of the world, and sow a seed of salvation in one soul at a time, in doing so; we will transform the world and the lives of each person into a brand new flower in Jesus Christ and one of us will bear much fruit as Jesus has commanded us to do.  Our purpose in this world is to live fruitful lives and to become fruit-bears.

OUR VISION:  is for every person to encounter the supernatural life changing power of Jesus Christ.  This is the gospel I share with you that you may accept it, grab hold of it and take it into the world and share it with others.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

9/11 WAS THE DAY THE WORLD STOOD STILL

Today let us all pause and reflect upon the grace of God that has brought us through the tragedy of 9/11.  Many of us lost love ones on that day ten years ago, but for those of us who are witness to God’s saving grace, know that God sent His Son Jesus here to purchase salvation for His people and bring renewal to this world.  It was nothing but the enemy of God who tried to destroy those towers and therefore destroy God’s people.  But this was not meant to be, because God will always have the last word.

We are living in very dangerous times.  Ten years ago most of us can remember where we were and what we were doing on 9/11 at the very moment those planes struck the world trade center towers.  Since then the United States, along with other international allies like Great Britain, has entered two wars, there has been a global economic down turn, most of us have lost money on our homes or other private investments or pensions. Millions of people are out of work and unable to find a job.  Just a couple of days ago our President went before congress and presented  The American’s Job Act of 2011.  We have gone from a booming economy to a state of depression. However, on this day we stand together as one nation, under God and by God’s amazing Grace to honor those who lost their lives by no fault of their own.  Now listen to this beautiful song.

Today, as we go about our business let us remember that we all can be a part once again by pausing in prayer wherever we are, and pray we will have peace in this world, and that the people will hear the gospel of grace and salvation, and in doing so they will repent and believe, and be cleansed by the word of truth.  I believe strongly that a change is under way and that this broken world is going to find restoration through the gospel and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  I encourage you to think deeply on the events of 9/11 and in some small way, they may cause you to consider your own destiny, and allow Jesus to lead you near the cross as you receive forgiveness and grace on this day.

I leave you with my peace that you will truly come boldly before the throne of grace and rejoice in the Holy Spirit that is now awaiting you.  Remember, salvation is FREE for the asking.  I minister to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

THE POOR IN THE WORLD ARE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE

We live in the riches country in the world, the most powerful nation on the face of the universe, but here we are in the 21^st century daily awaken to headlines reading; half of our high school seniors are dropping out and not graduating, 28 million people are now receiving food stamps, our soldiers are returning from the war zone and not able to receive proper medical treatment, some are living on the streets, seniors are having to go without their daily doses of medication because of the high cost, 40 million Americans do not have health insurance, and the headlines continue to broadcast more doom and gloom.  Where will it all ends, and is there a way for a new beginning?

I personally believe there is, if we are willing to set aside our own selfish pride and seek the one who can change the condition of this world as well as our own personal circumstances.

Our government seems to be paralyzed when it comes to helping the poor among us. Some of our government leaders are hell bent of cutting the safety net from those who can least afford losing it.  Jesus told us that the poor will always be with us.

When Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount, he spoke these words, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.  Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!  For indeed your reward is great in heaven.

We see here that at face value, it appears that Jesus was making a blanket promise of salvation and blessing to anyone below the poverty line.  In this view, the poor are seen as God’s chosen people.  Though they suffer now, they can expect glorious blessing in the world to come.  And the adherents of this view believe that while in this world the people of God should do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of the poor.  In this way the kingdom of God is extended.

However, when we don’t offer ourselves up as servants of Christ or our brother’s keeper, listen to what Jesus issues out as His Woes in the same sermon.  He says, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.  Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.  Woe to you when all men speak well of you.”

Jesus wanted us to know, that we have the opportunity to change the conditions and circumstance in which we find ourselves living in.  If we don’t step up to the plate now there will be a price to pay latter, this is His warnings in the Woes.

Jesus wants us all to experience the hope and joy that he freely offers to those of us who recognize our spiritual poverty before God.  When a person rejects worldly value and embraces the godly teachings of Jesus, then that individual begins to experience the reign of Christ in his or her life.  This is how we enjoy the kingdom of God now in this fallen world.  One day we will experience the joys of this kingdom in a fuller, more glorious way.

To summarize, anyone, rich or poor (and in a spiritual sense we all are poor), can taste the deep joy of God’s rule and blessing of His kingdom.  But doing so requires that we renounce the ways of the world and humbly submit our ways to God.  This kind of poverty, an emptying of ourselves of our self-centered desires, is what God expects from everyone.

To the Christians dispersed among the nations Peter writes: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9,10).

What a privilege it is to be God’s chosen people. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12). On the last day, only God’s elect will be saved: “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31 // Mark 13:27).

And finally Jesus has the last word on this subject as he says to all of us these most beautiful words, “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5 NASV).

On this day, I say to each of you, think globally and work locally.  I minister to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

THE HARVEST IS RIPE BUT THE LABORS ARE FEW (MATTHEW 9:36-38)

Today’s lesson will conclude with the fourth and final precept as we deal with the state of mind in salvation. We encourage you to return to the three previous lessons for an in-depth study of this subject matter and remember to make it a complete part of your state of mind.

IV. Let us remember that this state of mind is an indispensable condition of salvation.

The Church, are many of them are dreadfully in the dark about the conditions of salvation. I was once preaching on this subject, and urging that holiness is one condition of salvation, “without which no man can see the Lord,” when I was confronted and strenuously opposed by a Doctor of Divinity. He said, The Bible makes faith the sole and only condition of salvation.  Paul, said he, preached that faith is the condition, and plainly meant to exclude every other condition.

But I answered, why did Paul press so earnestly and hold up so prominently the doctrine of salvation by faith? Because he had to oppose the great Jewish error of salvation by works.

Such preaching was greatly and specially needed then, and Paul pressed into the field to meet the emergency. But when Antinomianism developed itself, Tames was called out to uphold with equal decision the doctrine that faith without works is dead, and that good works are the legitimate fruit of living faith, and are essential to evince its life and genuineness. This at once raised a new question about the nature of Gospel faith. James held that all true Gospel faith must work by love. It must be an affectionate filial confidence, such as draws the soul into sympathy with Christ, and leads it forward powerfully to do all His will.

Many professed Christians hold that nothing is needful but simply faith and repentance, and that faith may exist without real benevolence, and consequently without good works. No mistake can be greater than this. The grand requisition which God makes upon man is that he becomes truly benevolent. This is the essence of all true religion, a state of mind that has compassion like God‘s compassion for human souls; that cries out in earnest prayer for their salvation, and that shrinks from no labor to effect this object. If, therefore, true religion be a condition of salvation, then is the state of mind developed in our text also a condition.

This concludes my argument on the four precepts of the Harvest Field.  In the final lesson, I will present you with my final remarks on this subject matter.  May God bless you and keep you close in His present.  I encourage you to think globally and work locally.  I minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

THE HARVEST IS RIPE BUT THE LABORS ARE FEW (MATTHEW 9:36-38)

How can we be in real sympathy with Christ unless we love the work of laboring in this Gospel harvest, and long to be commissioned to go forth and put in our sickle with our own hand? Most certainly, if we were in Christ‘s spirit we should say — I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished? We should cry out, Lord, let me go! let me go — for dying millions are just now perishing in their sins. How can I pray God to send out others if I am in heart unwilling to go myself? I have heard many say — O that I were young; how I should rejoice to go myself. This seems like a state of mind that can honestly pray for God to send forth laborers.

The spirit of this prayer implies that we are willing to make any personal sacrifices in order to go. Are not men always willing to make personal sacrifices in order to gain the great object of their heart‘s desire? Did ever a merchant, seeking goodly pearls, find one of great value but he was quite willing to go and sell all that he had and buy it?

Moreover, an honest heart before God in this prayer implies that you are willing to
do all you can to prepare your selves to accomplish this work. Each young man or young woman should say God requires something of me in this work. It may be God wants you as a servant in some missionary family; if so, you are ready to go. No matter what the work may be no labor done for God or for man is degrading. In the spirit of this prayer, you will say — If I may but wash the feet of my Lord‘s servants, I shall richly enjoy it. All young person’s especially, feeling that life is before them, should say — I must devote myself, in the most effective way possible, to the promotion of my Savior‘s cause. Suppose a man bows his soul in earnest prayer before. God, saying, “O Lord, send out hosts of men into this harvest-field,” does not this imply that he girds himself up for this work with his might? Does it not imply that he is ready to do the utmost he can in any way whatever?

Again, this prayer, made honestly, implies that we do all we can to prepare others to go out. Our prayer, will be, “Lord, give us hearts to prepare others, and get as many ready as possible and as well prepared as possible for the gathering in of this great harvest.”

Of course it is also implied that we abstain from whatever would hinder us, and make no arrangements that would tie our hands. Many young Christians do this, sometimes heedlessly, often in a way which shows that they are by no means fully set to do God‘s work, first of all.

When we honestly pray God to send out laborers, and our own circumstances allow us to go, we are to expect that He will send us. What! does God need laborers of every description, and will He not send us? Depend on it, He will send out the man who prays right, and whose heart is deeply and fully with God. And we need not be suspicious lest God should lack the needful wisdom to manage His matters well. He will put all His men where they should be, into the fields they are best qualified to fill. The good reaper will be put into his post, sickle in hand; and if there are feeble ones who can only glean, He puts them there.

When youth have health and the means for obtaining an education, they must assume that God calls them to this work. They should assume that God expects them to enter the field. They will fix their eyeupon this work as their own. Thinking of the masses of God‘s true children who are lifting up this prayer, “Lord, send forth laborers to gather in the nations to Thy Son,” they will assuredly infer that the Lord will answer these prayers and send out all His faithful, fit, and true men into this field. Most assuredly, if God has given you the mind, the training, the tact, the heart, and the opportunity to get all needful preparation, you may know He will send you forth. What! is it possible that I am prepared, ready, waiting, and the hosts of the Church praying that God would send laborers forth, and yet He will not send me! Impossible!