CONFESSION TO REPENTANCE

Our spiritual life is far more than the accumulation of information that we gather, such as understanding doctrine and the written Word. Rather, the “measure” of our spirituality is the result of the accumulation of the decisions that we make during our span of life. When we stand before the LORD at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the level of spiritual life to which we have attained will be compared (measured) against His overcoming life. Paul writes in Ephesians, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (spiritually mature), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Life is never easy; it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do, or which way we will go. Because of the many desires that we have, along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us, at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice. As we choose rightly, we will become one of the overcomers whom the LORD will lift into being seated with Him in His throne, at the appointed time. The accumulation of the choices that we make is all that we will take with us (that which we have spiritually become) when we depart from this life. If our decisions for the LORD outweigh our self-serving choices, then this becomes the level of spiritual growth to which we have attained, and will establish the place of our relationship to the LORD for all eternity. Our being an overcomer means that there is a separation between that which pertains to our self-satisfaction and fulfillment, and that which is according to the will and purpose of our LORD for us. As we go through life, the more decisions that we make toward that which is spiritually edifying, the easier it will become to continue making these decisions, and we become more detached from all those things that could pull us down. In the beginning, it may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we continue to choose rightly. Our lives, in many ways is comparable to walking in a large circular spiral. As we move around the circle and continue to choose that which is spiritually edifying, when we return to our starting place, hopefully, we will be a distance higher than we had been when we first started. If we choose toward self-gratification, we will arrive a distance lower than we had been, when we first started. Life may seem repetitive (as it mostly is), but the accumulation of these seemingly mundane daily choices that we make, will greatly affect our eternal position before the LORD. We may be struggling, and at times, seemingly losing more battles than we are winning. But, as we spend quality time in the presence of our LORD, asking Him for the strength to make the right decisions, we will be enabled to do so and we will begin to move upward. Jesus said that the Kingdom is within us so we cannot build His kingdom on earth. The first aspect of His Kingdom is “righteousness.” Thus, the righteous decisions that we make will draw us upward toward Him. When we choose the LORD and place ourselves under His reign and rule, we place ourselves on a platform called “righteousness.” For us to be able to walk in this righteousness we must get some things straight in our thinking and our doctrine. And one area is the correct process we all must undergo to be saved. Sadly, people have been told if they walking the aisle or repeat some magic words after someone they will be saved, but this is not true. Scripture is crystal clear to what we must do to be saved. We are to have Christ formed in us. This is the goal the purpose of all we do in God my friend, not to become a xerox copy of Jesus, oh no, we are to have Christ formed in us. Paul in Galatians writes, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) This forming begins when we confess or agree what God is saying about us is true and then we repent. How can we become another Jesus? Like His character and nature? Like His abilities and persona? We cannot my friend, but we can become like Him. We are who we are, but with the help of God’s good graces, mercies, and a desire to be changed into His icon, and surely to do and say the things Jesus would do, but not become Jesus. There is a huge difference here my friend. In my humble opinion Christiandom has so many foundational truths wrong. Most Christians and some Believers I know have no concept of what justification or sanctification means and how it works for our benefit. I will be talking on the radio on these topics in the months to come. Most Christians and some Believers I know do not know the process of how we are saved. And why? Well, we have dumbed down the process for expediency in crusades and Sunday services to repeating words (the so called the sinner’s prayer which is not in the Bible) without the sinner coming to grips with what sin has wrought in their lives and destroyed every relationship they have. How can we confess our sin if we have no heart knowledge of what we have done? Sadly, it is all a sham. John writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) Again, the word “confess” here means we agree with God what He is saying about us is true. Not what we say about ourselves, but what God says about us. We agree with God and say, “yes LORD I am that man.” Then and only then can we begin to make a heart change toward God. Until then we resist God and what He says about us. We go in our own direction, like sheep we have gone our own way. Agreeing with God on who and what He says about us is the beginning of salvation. Most Christians have never experienced this revelation. Then we must repent! Jonah has it right, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:9) In Acts Luke shows us another side of repentance, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19) I am so amazed at the number of Christians who have no clue of what repentance is. Most think it is something they have to do with God, like confessing or believing Jesus died for our sin (the old man that resides in our soul that has not been joined with Christ during our new birth) nature. Oh no, repentance is a British military term which means to about face and go in the opposite direction. So, if I am walking north down Sneads’ Ferry Road and I want to go in the opposite direction or repent then I must about face and walk down the same road in a southern direction. Repentance means if I steal then I will repent and steal no more. If I lie then I repent and I will lie no more. So, our salvation is dependent on two concepts, confession (agreeing with God) and repentance (about face and going in the opposite direction from whatsoever sinful behavior we were doing). Now these must be done in this order. Confess then we repent or we will not have the wherewithal to know we need to repent. Most Christians believe confession is more important than repentance, well I would think both have to be done to be saved. Most Christians will confess every Sunday as they tearfully walk the aisle under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, leave the alter, and head to the bar or some other place or person God wishes they not visit. The older I get the more I see confession (even as important as it is) can be cheap, actions speaks louder than words. In our repentance, for it to really work, we must come to a place where we truly hate the behavior that keeps us from the heart of God. I mean if we like something a little, it is still a hook in our jaw. The choices we make are seen best in our confession and repentance. Do we really want what God wants? If so, then we will be serious about our commitment and dedication to God and what He wants for our lives. And this my friend is seen best in our confession to repentance. Written by David Stahl

CONFESSION TO REPENTANCE

Our spiritual life is far more than the accumulation of information that we gather, such as understanding doctrine and the written Word. Rather, the “measure” of our spirituality is the result of the accumulation of the decisions that we make during our span of life. When we stand before the LORD at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the level of spiritual life to which we have attained will be compared (measured) against His overcoming life. Paul writes in Ephesians, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (spiritually mature), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Life is never easy; it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do, or which way we will go. Because of the many desires that we have, along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us, at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice. As we choose rightly, we will become one of the overcomers whom the LORD will lift into being seated with Him in His throne, at the appointed time. The accumulation of the choices that we make is all that we will take with us (that which we have spiritually become) when we depart from this life. If our decisions for the LORD outweigh our self-serving choices, then this becomes the level of spiritual growth to which we have attained, and will establish the place of our relationship to the LORD for all eternity. Our being an overcomer means that there is a separation between that which pertains to our self-satisfaction and fulfillment, and that which is according to the will and purpose of our LORD for us. As we go through life, the more decisions that we make toward that which is spiritually edifying, the easier it will become to continue making these decisions, and we become more detached from all those things that could pull us down. In the beginning, it may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we continue to choose rightly. Our lives, in many ways is comparable to walking in a large circular spiral. As we move around the circle and continue to choose that which is spiritually edifying, when we return to our starting place, hopefully, we will be a distance higher than we had been when we first started. If we choose toward self-gratification, we will arrive a distance lower than we had been, when we first started. Life may seem repetitive (as it mostly is), but the accumulation of these seemingly mundane daily choices that we make, will greatly affect our eternal position before the LORD. We may be struggling, and at times, seemingly losing more battles than we are winning. But, as we spend quality time in the presence of our LORD, asking Him for the strength to make the right decisions, we will be enabled to do so and we will begin to move upward. Jesus said that the Kingdom is within us so we cannot build His kingdom on earth. The first aspect of His Kingdom is “righteousness.” Thus, the righteous decisions that we make will draw us upward toward Him. When we choose the LORD and place ourselves under His reign and rule, we place ourselves on a platform called “righteousness.” For us to be able to walk in this righteousness we must get some things straight in our thinking and our doctrine. And one area is the correct process we all must undergo to be saved. Sadly, people have been told if they walking the aisle or repeat some magic words after someone they will be saved, but this is not true. Scripture is crystal clear to what we must do to be saved. We are to have Christ formed in us. This is the goal the purpose of all we do in God my friend, not to become a xerox copy of Jesus, oh no, we are to have Christ formed in us. Paul in Galatians writes, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) This forming begins when we confess or agree what God is saying about us is true and then we repent. How can we become another Jesus? Like His character and nature? Like His abilities and persona? We cannot my friend, but we can become like Him. We are who we are, but with the help of God’s good graces, mercies, and a desire to be changed into His icon, and surely to do and say the things Jesus would do, but not become Jesus. There is a huge difference here my friend. In my humble opinion Christiandom has so many foundational truths wrong. Most Christians and some Believers I know have no concept of what justification or sanctification means and how it works for our benefit. I will be talking on the radio on these topics in the months to come. Most Christians and some Believers I know do not know the process of how we are saved. And why? Well, we have dumbed down the process for expediency in crusades and Sunday services to repeating words (the so called the sinner’s prayer which is not in the Bible) without the sinner coming to grips with what sin has wrought in their lives and destroyed every relationship they have. How can we confess our sin if we have no heart knowledge of what we have done? Sadly, it is all a sham. John writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) Again, the word “confess” here means we agree with God what He is saying about us is true. Not what we say about ourselves, but what God says about us. We agree with God and say, “yes LORD I am that man.” Then and only then can we begin to make a heart change toward God. Until then we resist God and what He says about us. We go in our own direction, like sheep we have gone our own way. Agreeing with God on who and what He says about us is the beginning of salvation. Most Christians have never experienced this revelation. Then we must repent! Jonah has it right, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:9) In Acts Luke shows us another side of repentance, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19) I am so amazed at the number of Christians who have no clue of what repentance is. Most think it is something they have to do with God, like confessing or believing Jesus died for our sin (the old man that resides in our soul that has not been joined with Christ during our new birth) nature. Oh no, repentance is a British military term which means to about face and go in the opposite direction. So, if I am walking north down Sneads’ Ferry Road and I want to go in the opposite direction or repent then I must about face and walk down the same road in a southern direction. Repentance means if I steal then I will repent and steal no more. If I lie then I repent and I will lie no more. So, our salvation is dependent on two concepts, confession (agreeing with God) and repentance (about face and going in the opposite direction from whatsoever sinful behavior we were doing). Now these must be done in this order. Confess then we repent or we will not have the wherewithal to know we need to repent. Most Christians believe confession is more important than repentance, well I would think both have to be done to be saved. Most Christians will confess every Sunday as they tearfully walk the aisle under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, leave the alter, and head to the bar or some other place or person God wishes they not visit. The older I get the more I see confession (even as important as it is) can be cheap, actions speaks louder than words. In our repentance, for it to really work, we must come to a place where we truly hate the behavior that keeps us from the heart of God. I mean if we like something a little, it is still a hook in our jaw. The choices we make are seen best in our confession and repentance. Do we really want what God wants? If so, then we will be serious about our commitment and dedication to God and what He wants for our lives. And this my friend is seen best in our confession to repentance. Written by David Stahl

GRACE TO JUDGMENT

Karen was talking to a very misguided lady recently about suicide who said, “thank God for forgiveness,” well Karen was mortified at her words, but knowing the lady who get offended at the drop of a hat and is a know it all Karen moved on in the conversation. Later we discussed it and I felt the LORD say, here is a topic that needs to be addressed. I really love it when the LORD gives me an article this way. Wel, the lady was right “thank God for forgiveness,“ but once our life is over, once we close our eyes in death God’s grace and forgiveness is no more applied to our life, next for ALL dead (as some time or period) is judgment. I guess there is more confusion out there in Christiandom about judgment after death. I mean the Catholic religion believes in purgatory where you can pray or pay (indulgences) sins away from the dead to get into heaven and there are many other mainstream religions who pray for and pray to the dead to get the dead into heaven. But that is not what the Bible says happens in death, Paul in Hebrews (I believe Paul wrote Hebrews) writes “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27) This sounds vividly clear to me, we die and then we are judged. It does not sound like there is time for God’s grace to be extended to the dead. Now at the time of our death there are two types of people: those who accepted the finished work of the cross in their lives and Christ dwells within them and the second type those who did not accept the finished work of the cross in their lives and Christ does not dwell in them. Simple. God made it simple for us. Depending on whether or not Christ dwells in us will determine where we shall appear before God to be judged. If Christ dwells in us then we shall appear at the “judgment seat of Christ.” “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Here, Paul is talking to Christians in a letter to the Church in Corinth. That would be “ALL” Christians will appear before the “judgment seat of Christ” to receive the things done in the body (while on earth) have they be good or bad. So, some Christians will receive some bad things from the LORD for their actions on earth and some Christians will receive some good things from the LORD. I wonder why we think (oh I know, because we are taught that) when we stand before God at the “judgment seat of Christ,” He will pour out His blessing on us? Well, no it says, “whether it be good or bad.” We as Christians are NOT going to get away with things that are not sin that would keep us out of heaven, but need to be cleared in our lives before we can “enter in to the joys of the LORD.” Things like, bad attitudes and character flaws that are not sin, but displeasing to the LORD. Now, I know this is correct because John writes, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4) But, what are the people doing crying in heaven? That is right, they are at the “judgment seat of Christ” and God has dealt with the many things that Paul talks about in Romans, coming short. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) Now there is an “and” a conjunction which means two thoughts, things that are a sin and things that cause to “come short” of God’s expectation and “the glory of God” that are not sin. God has dealt with these “coming short” issues and our sin has been dealt with by our acceptance of Christ in our lives and now we can enter in to where, “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” I do not know about you my friend, but I am not looking forward to this time at all. And there is the second type of people. Here John writes not about Christians, but people from all of the ages who has not accepted Christ. Notice there was no time here for God’s grace and mercy, no time for God to forgive them. Their life was over and now it was time to receive from God what they have done in their body. And of course, the one thing they did not do in their body (while on earth) was accept Jesus Christ as their savior. John writes, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books (God is keeping track) were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:11-14) For them it was too late, no time for forgiveness they squandered their time on earth (in their body) they were judged by God and received their reward, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) It was too late, no grace, no mercy, no forgiveness. I will be honest I am puzzled to why people, like the misguided lady Karen was talking too, believed things not written in the word of God? Again, salvation is simple. God has given us a Book, the Bible, to study so that we may come to know Him and His ways. God has asked us to spend some time with Him so we can learn how much He loves us. Well, I guess this lady does not study the Book, the Bible, God has given us to know Him and does not spend time with Him to learn how much He loves us. Maybe that is why this lady gets offended at the drop of a hat. In Galatians Paul was dealing with some folks like this lady who first believed in what he taught, but others (Paul called them Judaizers) came in and taught another message that contradicted what Paul taught so Paul had to write a letter, what we call the Book of Galatians, to get the Church back on track. In Chapter 5, Paul writes, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.” (Galatians 5:9-11) Or a little bit of sin will cause the entire body to sin. But in verse 10 Paul uses these words, “otherwise minded.” I think this is the problem with this misguided lady and most Christians who get off track from the Word of God, the Bible, because they get otherwise or of another mind. Others are able to put another mind, a thought, or a line of thinking in their mind that is contrary to the Word, the Bible, of God. This is what the Judaizers were doing telling the Christians in Galatia they need to add circumcision and keeping of the feast to grace to be saved. Paul said, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3:1) They were “otherwise minded.” When we get “otherwise minded” we make the offense of the cross not popular, not acceptable, we go after messages of a hip Jesus, the shadow and not the substance, and when this happens we have no desire to identify with the death and shame of the cross in our lives. We do not want to hear the truths in the Word of God, the Bible, or even read them, but we go after the latest fad, the latest thinking, the latest concept which always ends in confusion, frustration, and isolation as with this misguided lady. The opposite of “otherwise minded” is single minded where we have a heart and mind for the Word of God, the Bible, and for Him and Him alone. Single in purpose and focus, single vision. Singleness of heart towards God. I received an email one day telling me why I should leave the ministry. It went on and on telling me how wrong I am and ended like this “and you never change your message.” Well, I thought what a compliment. So, I wrote only this back. “Truth never changes no need to change!” Written by David Stahl

HOME GROUP MEETING 21 NOV 23 JOHN 4:27-37

37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. Commentary: In the kingdom of God the members of the body of Christ are the same kind. They all are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. To these members different tasks are given, yet of the same Spirit. Each believer receives of the Father a portion never the whole. Each is to operate in the confines of ability that has been given to them by the grace of God. When one moves away from the portion they do much harm and damage to themselves and others in the body of Christ. We need to stay were God has put us. If not when we step into another area to attempt to minister or relate to others in we will not have the wherewithal to successfully accomplish what we are improperly attempting. 

38I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. Commentary: The disciples had a chance to see far beyond the physical farmland. Some laborers will harvest without having to sow because before their time others sowed and did not harvest. And some believers will never make the effort for harvesting we are can be strenuous work. Wind in the House of Islam. 

39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. Commentary: The Samaritan woman harvested out from her testimony. Remember she left her water pot maybe she too was willing to forgo natural thirst for the spiritual. She just told it the way she saw and experienced it. God needs no help from us making up things to make Him seem bigger, braver, smarter, just tell the truth and the hearer will receive faith. 40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. Commentary: The more the town folks talked with Jesus and listened the more they discovered about Him. They were thrilled with Jesus and asked Him to take up permanent residency. Jesus will always stay where He is desired. The people Jesus visited again and again were people who desired His presence in their home. If we build Jesus a home He will dwell there. 

41And many more believed because of his own word; Commentary: Jesus had a ability to communicate the woman did not have. He spoke only those words that the Father told Him to and had the Spirit without measure. So too in our lives if we speak and are filled like Jesus. 

42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Commentary: The wealth of truth the woman did not have to give the people was discovered in Jesus. They were convinced by the word not by tricks or gimmicks. Personal conviction must not be based on another's conviction. A believer can stand more firmly upon what they know than upon what another believer knows. 

43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. Commentary: The harvest was based on witnessing and not signs and wonders as the Jewish people want. Therefore, it is written "after two days" two being the number of witness. It was the will of the Father for Jesus to go to Sychar, but not to spend a lot of time there. One would think He would take up permanent quarters, but no. God usually moves one when things are going great. If we live to get we have failed. If we live to give grace characterizes our life and we are endeared to many. 

44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Commentary: When Jesus started His ministry, He left for Galilee because He was not welcomed in Nazareth. A minister must have a place where their message is received. A pastor must have a receptive congregation or he will be ousted. Nazareth treated Him like Jerusalem there was no room for Him. 

45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. Commentary: The perception of the Galileans had at the feast became the foundation for the acceptance of Jesus in their own country. Unlike the Samaritans the Galileans accepted Jesus based on what he did rather than what He said. For the fulfillment of the word Jesus had to go to Galilee. 

46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. A certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. Commentary: Remember the first trip Jesus promised to bring joy (new wine) back to the Jewish people and not Israel. The servants (not the rich folks) remembered what He had done so His message would be well received. Maybe He would do twice as much this trip. Opportunity knocked twice. 

47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Commentary: The talk of the town was what Jesus did in Jerusalem instead of His last trip to Cana. But a successful ministry inspires hope. We are not sure if the servant was a Jew or Gentile, it did not matter, (black, white brown, green) it does not matter, Jesus did not hesitate to meet the need (just like the first miracle) if the man was a Gentile. Jesus was sent to the Jews.

THE BODY OF CHRIST (PART FOUR)

COMMUNION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST 

 “I speak as to wisemen; judge ye what say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body ofChrist?17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (1 Corinthians 10:15-18) 

 I really like what we call the communion table or the last supper. Did you know the setting of the communion table is always set in strife, confusion, and ambition? The day before Jesus entered Jerusalem (for His crowning moments, His death and resurrection of His ministry) to observe the Passover feast with the disciples a dispute over who would be the greatest (also in Matthew 18:1 and Mark 9:34) in the kingdom and who would sit on Jesus’ right hand arose, “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. 46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.” (Luke 9:43-46) We have already discussed the spiritual heart condition of the Body of Christ at Corinth, but in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Paul uses the communion table to bring peace, correction, and reconciliation. Paul kept talking about doing this in the remembrance of Christ or the re-membering. Now I was not there but, but I think Paul selected His words particularly, because we must remember he was not at the original Lord’s supper with the other disciples. Now I do believe Paul was talking about remembering the precious work Christ did on the cross for us and for us not to treat as not sacred, but at the same time the Holy Spirit was doing a work in hearts and lives of the people, a “re-membering” of the Body of Christ gathered. A bringing together again from the strife and division that was painfully present, as Jesus used the Passover feast to bring correction and peace to the disciples. I do not believe Jesus was instituting a tradition, custom, or ordinance (what we call the Communion Table) to observe every time we gather, weekly, monthly or whenever. But, He was doing something greater. As the disciples (and us) partook of His flesh (bread) and blood (wine) they were taking into themselves the life of God and as they partook they were remembered back to Christ and His Body. The communion table and remembering of the Body is spread for three reasons: to endure persecution, undergo correction, and be reconciled to God and man. Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna (today known as Izmir), a city on the west coast of Turkey. The letters to the “seven Churches in Asia” at the beginning of the Book of Revelation include a letter to the Church in Smyrna, identifying it as a Church undergoing persecution. Polycarp is said to have known the Apostle John, and to have been instructed by him personally in the Christian faith. Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a Christian. When the proconsul urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, he replied: “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” The magistrate was reluctant to kill a gentle old man, but he had no choice. Polycarp was sentenced to be burned to death. As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed: “Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.” Suddenly, a voice from heaven rang out, “Polycarp be strong..” The fire was then lit, but as the flames reached Polycarp they swirled around him, nary a flame touching him. Shortly thereafter a soldier stabbed him, by order of the magistrate, but as his blood ran out of his body it extinguished the flames, and he died. His friends gave his remains an honorable burial, and wrote an account of his death to other churches. Make no mistake my friend the communion table is set in sacrifice. The greater the communion the greater the sacrifice required of us and please know God gets to pick the sacrifice. Like persecution, communion and correction goes hand in hand. As the Lord was saying, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) the disciples did not understand what He was saying to them about communion. They were not feeding upon Him, they were feeding upon their own ambition and desires. During this solemn feast they debated among themselves who would be the greatest. They went out, not for the better but for the worse. They were weak and sick and that weakness was reflected in many ways. It was seen in Peter and others when they boasted they would die for the Lord. We too, like the Corinthians and disciples before them can miss the life God has for us to share with others by our neglecting communion with times of correction. We too come through the doors of the building bringing attitudes and sin that would have been corrected if we truly would have supped with the Lord. Our lack of feeding on Him causes the feast to be contaminated with the leaven of malice and wickedness. We must realize and not be the one person who brings such into the communion service because of our waywardness, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9) instead,  "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:8) Personal correction by the Lord and communion with the Lord is to be the basis of the communion of the saints. Each individual must examine themselves to see if there are ungodly things present in their heart. Each individual must feed on the Lord so that they can be filled with sincerity and truth. Correction is the beginning of communion with God and the saints. True communion is a feast of the life of God passing from one saint to another resulting in the increase of the Body. The Spirit of God then can flow from one to the other blessing, enriching, and strengthening the Body collectively. Then we can go out from the meetings we have come together for the better. Some give, others receive, some feed, others eat, some bless, others are blessed, but all are increased in God. Written by David Stahl

HOME GROUP MEETING NOTES 24 OCT 23

26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. Commentary: Sign seekers can neither be satisfied with truth or signs. There was a foundation of hunger and expectation in the woman that could hold such revelation. This foundation was not in the Jewish people as a whole therefore they (Jewish people) could not receive what the Samaritans could hold. Jesus tells her He is the Messiah the only person He told. 

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? Commentary: The disciple arrive and find their Teacher out of order. God at times will give us encounters with people who think we are out of order. Those who are not led by the Holy Spirit will never understand why. 

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Commentary: Even though Jesus wanted a drink the woman left her water pot. Now she has something new and fresh, something deep a new revelation to share with her neighbours. Her heart must have been pounding after all the Samaritans have been waiting for centuries for the Messiah and she was the one to discover Him. 

29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Commentary: Her faith enables her to believe Jesus is the Anointed One and to tell her neighbours in her town. Our faith is to overflow and affect others. Great faith is established and will endure unto perfect faith which is the completion of faith and is the bringing into reality or action that which was the object of faith. 

30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. Commentary: The town's people respond to a woman of ill repute. When the light of the Gospel is turned on one's past is overshadowed by the brightness of Jesus. The town folk leave with a great expectation to see the Messiah and a favorable response from Jesus. 

31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. Commentary: The natural urgency was offered by the disciples, but it could not compare to the spiritual urgency of the people. Man's attempt to find satisfaction in the natural is pitiful in comparison. 

32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Commentary: Jesus explained why He was refusing the food, but the disciples did not understand this mysterious statement. Jesus was so occupied with the will of the Father He had no desire for physical food. The greater the spiritual filling and satisfaction the less the desire and hunger for other things. 

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Commentary: The disciples tried to figure things out, but their lack of spiritual discernment caused them to fall short of understanding. They could not know the source and substance of Jesus' fulness. The disciples again and again insisted in the natural realm, like most of us unless they have been brought into the spiritual realm. The disciples inquired among themselves in vain. 

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Commentary: When a believer fulfills the will of the Father they are so full there is no appetite for anything else. Even valued fellowship with a friend disappears into oblivion. Doing the will of the Father is one thing but finishing the task He has given you is quite another. Running the race is one aspect of faith, but finishing the race is something else. The successful end far outweighs doing the will of the Father. Only those believers who endure to the end will be saved. 

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Commentary: There is something far more important than a physical harvest and that is the spiritual harvest. Jesus tells his disciples to look around at the surrounding field, He was not talking about the physical hills. They were to look beyond the Jewish hills and look to the countries of the Gentiles into the spiritual realm. The disciples and the Jewish believers were looking at Jerusalem so a great persecution arose and scattered them to other lands. God has His way of getting His way. Sadly the disciples never got Jesus' words maybe the persecution could have been avoided. 

36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. Commentary: The one who reaps gathers rewards into eternal life as so with the sower, thus they both can rejoice at the harvest. Oddly enough the disciples sowed nothing, but had the privilege to harvest. In persecution and distresses for the Gospel we are often caught up in distresses and self-pity because we cannot see beyond the well.

THE BODY OF CHRIST PART THREE

                                       THE BUILDING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:27-31) Jesus said, He will build His Church, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) What a wonderful thought to know we do not have to do anything here. Now Jesus did not say He was going to build His Church on Peter, but “upon this rock I will build my Church.” What rock was Jesus talking about? Was it Psalms 118:22, Jesus “the chief Cornerstone that the builder rejected?” Yes, but not really. It was the revelation Peter had of Christ. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16-17) The Body of Christ is always built on revelation and not physical things. Revelation is the measure of how much of God is in us. The Church is not built on flesh and blood, nor can the strong arm of ability and intellect build spiritual growth and development within us. John drives this point home in His Gospel, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) God has given “The Body of Christ, and members in particular” His goods to build His Body so that He can show us a more excellent way. What way is this? What way are we going now? “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) We are going our own way and not God’s way. We have turned from God’s “excellent way” to our own selfishness and ungodly desires. Thus, God set some of His spiritual goods in the church. Now please know these spiritual goods of God have been placed within the Body of Christ before time eternal. Here in Corinthians Paul was re-teaching the Body of Christ at Corinth these truths again because they (like sheep) have gotten off track. “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.” (1 Corinthians 11:17-18) These spiritual goods of God has been given to us not so that we can see who can get the most power or ability in God, but to minister (be a servant to, a slave) to the Body of Christ. And so that we will have the ability in God to recognize the “more excellent way” of God’s eternal everlasting way we must walk with Him. Now for God to build there must be a building program we must willfully enter into. It is like the word discipleship. For disciples to be made there must a dedication and commitment by people to the discipleship process to be made a disciple. So too for us to be built by God through His spiritual goods, we must willfully enter into God’s building program. Please know God does not build on another’s foundation. God begins His building by first tearing down. What a strange way to build. God will tear down in us everything that is not of Him in our lives. He will pull down all of those strongholds (something we lean on for strength) in our lives that we have allowed into our lives. All of the unstable thinking, unstable attitudes, unstable dreams and visions, unstable plans, all that is unstable in us He cannot build His character and nature in us. God will put down all of our religious thinking and pious approaches to God. All of our religious customs and traditions that keep us from making a Godly heart-felt approach to God. All of our emotional and mental ascent that leaves us falling short of the glory of God. Our glory has been touched and built up, but God’s glory has not been touched nor His heart. Make no mistake my friend coming into God’s building program will help bring God’s greatest objective into our lives. It is painful when God begins to put His finger on things, that are not of Him, in our lives. It is painful when God begins to expose us for what and who we really are. It is painful when we discover who we really are, not who we want to be or think we are, or even what we tell people we are, but who we really are. My friend it will kill us. But that is okay again this is another objective of God. This revelation of our self as compared to Christ happens as God is able to build His character into our lives as we enter into His building program. As we allow God’s work in our lives (our choice not God’s) and use the spiritual goods he has given us, we will begin to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) Paul talks about two Bodies of Christ; one in Corinth and the other in Antioch where the name “Christian” was first spoken. The question is which church do you want to be built like? In Corinth we have learned, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” (1 Corinthians 11:17) In other words Paul was saying it would have been better if they would not have come together to worship God in spite of every work of the Spirit in operation. And the other church was Antioch, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” (2 Timothy 3:11) Which church would you want to be? Most would say, Antioch until God begins to take them through His building program. Look at what happened to Paul at Antioch, “long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, and afflictions” who would want this when we can have our flesh and emotions satisfied like at the Church of Corinth? The one’s who desire to be developed and not delivered. We read the word “delivered” at the end of 2 Timothy 3:11 and think God has removed Paul out from all of these bad things in His life, but not so. Oh no my friend the contrary is true. Nowhere in the Bible did God deliver anyone from “persecutions and afflictions.” Daniel went into the lion's den. The three Hebrew Children went into the fiery furnace. Jesus had to go to the cross, in spite of Him praying if it be the will of the Father for this to cup to pass from Him so be it. We are built by God as He is allowed to develop us through tough and fearful areas and situations sin our lives. All of God’s spiritual goods (listed in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31) are for the perfecting and establishing of His Body so that we will be able to discover the more excellent way God has for us to go. Written by David Stahl