We just returned from 14 days in Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Romania and while away my mind was often on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It seemed to me the nominal church and the many denominations in general have seem to have put the Holy Spirit up on the shelf so He could just watch. In Corinthians Paul writes (and this verse really scares me), "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Corinthians 9:27) The word "castaway" here means not to throw away, but to be put up on the shelf so that you can watch. It is sad to be put up on the shelf and not be used of God, but having to watch what is going on and not being able to engage with what God is doing could be a fate worse than death to some people. I hope this never happens to anyone I know, but if it does it is because the choice was made to not get involved with what the Holy Spirit is doing. Today it seems to me the Holy Spirit is used for miracles, prosperity, to soften life's hardships, things to feed our flesh and senses, but these are not God's intent in giving us the Holy Spirit. God's intention for the Holy Spirit was to give us power and boldness to stand up against the wiles of this world and to be able to speak the truth in love. It was given not for material and physical things of life, but to be able stand with boldness and stubbornness in direct opposition to the world's way and system of doing things. But "truly" truth today is lost to a world that is full of its self and full of what self wants to do. No one hardly wants to hear or even know the truth, most people would rather hear a good lie it is much more entertaining. Maybe that is why churches today would rather entertain people instead of telling them the truth they do not have the stomach for the truth. Paul told the Church at Ephesus, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:15-16) Sadly today even in the church we cannot speak the truth, even in love without being called a racist, homophobe, or just a hater in general. And why? People do not want to "grow up" into Christ. They want to make up their own truth so they can do, go, and even vote for candidates who resist the Holy Spirit and reject the word of God. We saw this in the election of 2016, many so called Christians voted for candidates like Hillary Clinton who would stand and shake their fist in the face of God and His word so that they could support a social ungodly agenda that is in direct rebellion to God and His word. I for one will mark these so called Christians and keep my distance. At the heart of this rebellion is the rejection of the Holy Spirit Himself. It is not about the ungodly agenda of Hillary Clinton and those who supported her, but about the deception to the truth of God and His word. And to the open deception of the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul told the Church at Corinth (do not you know both churches were really messed up?), "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:13-14) "The natural man (or the carnal, fleshly man) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" that is the Holy Spirit. Why does the "natural man" NOT receive the Spirit of God, because of open and willful deception. It has to be willful and open for God would not intentionally deceive someone from the truth. Growing up as a child in mostly Pentecostal churches I remember the power of God suddenly dropping unannounced and in a holy and sovereign way, people were crying, repenting, asking each other for forgiveness, but it has been a long long times since I have seen such a manifestation of God. I know God changes not so I guess is it man who has changed to be able to receive the things of God. Some time ago I asked the LORD why the manifestation of His power is not seen today as it was in times past and He told me my people have lost the love for the truth. Not that they did not know truth they do truth is something we all know when we hear and see it, but what is lost is a love for the truth, this brings with it a respect and reverence for God and His ways. You know most pastors and Christians are not operating in the intent of the Holy Spirit where they wait to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church or even their family. Most pastors are busy caring for the people (hospital visits, weddings, funerals, etc.) and find little time to wait before the LORD to hear from the Holy Spirit instead they get an old word from someone else online or worse in some Bible commentary or teaching notes. They too have rejected the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us in Acts, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) It is interesting to know the word "witness" here means martyr. God gives us power to lay our life down for His sake. Do not you know we need power to die to our self, our ambitions, even our deception? Well this will happen "after the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Which means we need the power from the Holy Spirit. In John Jesus Himself tells us, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:7-13) This is truth Jesus said. How can we expect to make decisions in our lives, our families, in our world without the power of the Holy Spirit? It is no wonder most churches and this world is so messed up they reject the power and all of the benefits Holy Spirit offers. How can things in America and this world and even individual lives ever get straight? By the injection of the power of the Holy Spirit as we walk in the truth that comes from the power. The depth of the Holy Spirit's power is unlimited it even goes beyond our ability to reason and think. In Luke (Jesus again here) we read, "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." (Luke 12:11-12) Now I know what Jesus was saying here. There has been times in my many travels that I have been at a loss for words when before authorities then suddenly out of nowhere God would speak to my mind what to say. Things I would never have thought of or dared to say. Things that cover the situation and make a way where seemed none. Notice it says, "shall teach you in the same hour" there is a process you go though to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you (and it can be painful at times) to be able to be quiet to hear Him leading and guiding you. I am amazed how the early church was used of God. They did not have the 100s of versions of the Bible, a church on every corner, or 24 seven so called Christian TV telling you what to do in every area of your life. We seem to find comfort in other people when in fact they too suffer from the same problems and issues that plague us. We think because they are on TV they have some special in with God, when this is so far from the truth. The special in is not with people, but with the Holy Spirit. Where did Jason find this ability? "And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;" (Acts 17:6) Only in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Monday, November 21, 2016
WTFMT 38 (TAUGHT ON 22 NOV 16)
WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-38
TEXT: " For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30)
I. TWO IN ONE YOKE
A. The yoke is for two. Truth always has two aspects. The believer must always be tied in to God. It is strange this hookup between God and man.
B. The Amalekites were killing the Israelites. But when Moses held up his hand Israel prevailed; when he dropped his hands Amalek prevailed (Exodus 17:11). It was not just Moses swaying the battle and it was not Just God. It was both yoked together. God is not going to plow the whole field alone.
C. Take His yoke upon you and learn to move together with the Lord. The Lord knows His place in the yoke. The Lord works with man. "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen" (Mark 16:20) Mark didn't say, "they worked with the Lord." The reason why the Lord can work with them and us is that we are in the yoke. The reason why the Lord cannot work with some is that they are not in the yoke. The Lord does not work alone. Jesus and God occupied the same yoke during Christ's earthly ministry. It takes two-- God and you.
D. A covenant is made between two parties. It is to be kept both sides. Both parties are responsible. If either party fails to comply, the covenant will not work. The correctness of one party in the covenant does not insure the correctness of the other party. God is faithful. That does not guarantee the faithfulness of the other party. The very fact that God made a covenant with man and does not guarantee its success.
E. The Apostle Paul speaks of two covenants in Galatians, "Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar." (Galatians 4:24) But when God instituted this covenant in the Wilderness of Sinai, He did not intend it to lead to bondage. Nevertheless the covenant failed. God did not fail. God completed all His responsibilities in this situation. Even though God accomplished His part, the very thing He instituted for life brought death. Why? Because the children of Israel did not keep their part in the covenant.
F. The common theme of every covenant which God made with anyone was life. Outside of God's covenant there is no life. If one chooses to negate his part in the covenant, he has forfeited life, and has gone into bondage.
G. For him there is no fulfillment of the covenant of God. The failure of man's part destroys the full intentions of the covenant of God, resulting in bondage and death. God never fails; upon this foundation man can write his own guarantee.
H. God is sure; "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28) The success of the covenant between you and God does not depend upon what an enemy does. The third party, the enemy, or even your brother or sister in the Lord, has not the power to make your covenant with God succeed, nor does he have the power to make it fail.
I. We are responsible for making God's covenant with you a success or a failure. The fulfillment of our responsibility will be found in a dedication to the Lord. If we remain dedicated to Him, rather than to the world, rather than to our self, our success is assured.
J. The difficulty in maintaining our dedication is in the trials, the difficult situations, the testings, the training, the learning, the becoming conformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
K. There is one thing to keep in mind. The trials, the testings, the training are not permanent. "Joy comes in the morning." We are in constant transitions. All the mechanics of our spiritual training and learning are on the scene for only a short time.
L. They are tools used by God to bring us onward to greater spiritual heights. When the job is done, the tool is put away, but the work the tool did is taken with you. The work is that God worked in you is what He uses to continue to build we into the image of His dear Son.
M. When the children of Israel left Sinai, they left behind their trials and testings, but they took with them all that God had established.
II. PARTING THOUGHTS
A. God may have us under pressure where there is no water, no spiritual blessings. We are there for a special work. When God completed this work in us, we leave behind all the unpleasantries, and take with us God's work of art, which is eternal.
B. Upon completion of a set of fine kitchen cabinets, the cabinet maker installs the finished product in your kitchen. He does not bring his tools to mount them in your kitchen as show pieces, his tools have been put away. The trials and tribulations are not going to last forever. They are simply tools used to build something which will last forever. Paul said it this way, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
I. TWO IN ONE YOKE
A. The yoke is for two. Truth always has two aspects. The believer must always be tied in to God. It is strange this hookup between God and man.
B. The Amalekites were killing the Israelites. But when Moses held up his hand Israel prevailed; when he dropped his hands Amalek prevailed (Exodus 17:11). It was not just Moses swaying the battle and it was not Just God. It was both yoked together. God is not going to plow the whole field alone.
C. Take His yoke upon you and learn to move together with the Lord. The Lord knows His place in the yoke. The Lord works with man. "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen" (Mark 16:20) Mark didn't say, "they worked with the Lord." The reason why the Lord can work with them and us is that we are in the yoke. The reason why the Lord cannot work with some is that they are not in the yoke. The Lord does not work alone. Jesus and God occupied the same yoke during Christ's earthly ministry. It takes two-- God and you.
D. A covenant is made between two parties. It is to be kept both sides. Both parties are responsible. If either party fails to comply, the covenant will not work. The correctness of one party in the covenant does not insure the correctness of the other party. God is faithful. That does not guarantee the faithfulness of the other party. The very fact that God made a covenant with man and does not guarantee its success.
E. The Apostle Paul speaks of two covenants in Galatians, "Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar." (Galatians 4:24) But when God instituted this covenant in the Wilderness of Sinai, He did not intend it to lead to bondage. Nevertheless the covenant failed. God did not fail. God completed all His responsibilities in this situation. Even though God accomplished His part, the very thing He instituted for life brought death. Why? Because the children of Israel did not keep their part in the covenant.
F. The common theme of every covenant which God made with anyone was life. Outside of God's covenant there is no life. If one chooses to negate his part in the covenant, he has forfeited life, and has gone into bondage.
G. For him there is no fulfillment of the covenant of God. The failure of man's part destroys the full intentions of the covenant of God, resulting in bondage and death. God never fails; upon this foundation man can write his own guarantee.
H. God is sure; "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28) The success of the covenant between you and God does not depend upon what an enemy does. The third party, the enemy, or even your brother or sister in the Lord, has not the power to make your covenant with God succeed, nor does he have the power to make it fail.
I. We are responsible for making God's covenant with you a success or a failure. The fulfillment of our responsibility will be found in a dedication to the Lord. If we remain dedicated to Him, rather than to the world, rather than to our self, our success is assured.
J. The difficulty in maintaining our dedication is in the trials, the difficult situations, the testings, the training, the learning, the becoming conformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
K. There is one thing to keep in mind. The trials, the testings, the training are not permanent. "Joy comes in the morning." We are in constant transitions. All the mechanics of our spiritual training and learning are on the scene for only a short time.
L. They are tools used by God to bring us onward to greater spiritual heights. When the job is done, the tool is put away, but the work the tool did is taken with you. The work is that God worked in you is what He uses to continue to build we into the image of His dear Son.
M. When the children of Israel left Sinai, they left behind their trials and testings, but they took with them all that God had established.
II. PARTING THOUGHTS
A. God may have us under pressure where there is no water, no spiritual blessings. We are there for a special work. When God completed this work in us, we leave behind all the unpleasantries, and take with us God's work of art, which is eternal.
B. Upon completion of a set of fine kitchen cabinets, the cabinet maker installs the finished product in your kitchen. He does not bring his tools to mount them in your kitchen as show pieces, his tools have been put away. The trials and tribulations are not going to last forever. They are simply tools used to build something which will last forever. Paul said it this way, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
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