Keys to the Kingdom for Believers

Keys to the Kingdom for BELIEVERS

When learning how a car operates, we learn that a key turns the ignition, oil must be at an adequate level in the motor and gas is required to turn over the engine so that it may run, then one must release the break and/or put it in drive and press on the gas pedal.  These instructions may not necessarily be together or presented in that precise order within your car's manual, yet we know these things must come together for the car to work properly and get you from point A to B.

Likewise, the Bible has instructions for the whole of human history divided into 'dispensations' where there were varying requirements for salvation.
 

So many well-meaning Christians stop too soon in the message of salvation - stopping at a prayer or a simple verbal confession.  Ever hear that your profession of faith was all you need to be saved?  The justification of this statement is that no one can profess Jesus as Lord unless he is born from above - meaning that you have already had your spiritual rebirth.  

 

But this was not how the early Christians birthed believers into the church.  No, this was changed later on - centuries later and has progressed down this road ever since and pervades all modern 'Christian' churches today, and not just evangelical ones.  This teaching comes from, among other places, Romans 10, an epistle to the church at Rome.  It is important to know that this is a letter and that it was to a church because the church are the born-again believers in Christ.  This portion of the letter discusses the belief of Israel who would not accept Christ as the Messiah.  If they would but confess, they would receive salvation because it would indicate that the hardness of their hearts had changed and turned toward God.  That is true repentance!  And 'be saved' or 'unto salvation' is a future event that would then follow their belief and repentance.  No one is saved prior to repentance, but there is the possibility to believe, repent and then receive the Holy Spirit followed lastly by water baptism where we take on the name of Jesus and die in Christ (Romans 6:6-9 - which comes before Romans 10...).  Romans 10 also continues regarding the need for belief first, but in order to believe, one must hear the gospel and in order to hear the gospel, one must have a preacher... this is the teaching.  It always works in this order:  instruction, then correction - all in gentleness and in love.

Here are some encyclopedic references for your consideration:

Britannica Encyclopedia, 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365 – Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to words Father, Son & Holy Ghost in 2nd Century. Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53 – The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 2 – Christian baptism was administered using the words, "in the name of Jesus." page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until time of Justin Martyr, page 389.
Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, page 263 – Here the authors acknowledged that the baptismal formula was changed by their church.
Schaff – Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Volume 1, page 435 – The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.
Hastings Dictionary of Bible, page 88 – It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus. 
http://www.upcbaypoint.com/Articles2/early_church_baptism.html (a GREAT link which includes Biblical references as well to Baptisms in the Bible - not a single one performed in titles, all in Jesus' name!)

Or how many stop at water baptism stating it's an outward sign of what's happened already inside?  If that were true then was the Ethiopian Eunuch sufficiently baptized?  The Scriptures do not indicate there were any witnesses - maybe there was an entourage with this Eunuch since he was in the Queen's service, but his presence was not of any official nature, he had come to worship when Philip found him.  Philip confirmed the man's belief first and then, thanks to his belief, agreed to baptize him.  Baptism is for believers - but belief alone is not sufficient for the Scriptures tell us that if we believe that's good, but even devils believe (James 2:19 - and this one goes so far as to say they believe in ONE God).  But what did you do with your belief?  Ready to put it into action? Remember, faith without works is dead.  (James 2:14-26)

Still not convinced?  How about the preaching and obedience of the Apostle Peter who had already had a revelation of Christ when Jesus asked the Disciples who do you say I am?  And yet his journey into salvation was not complete and he preached the first sermon of the Church age (after the 120 received the indwelling Holy Spirit in the upper room - that power and fire baptism promised to them):  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NKJV

Or other Disciples who were not in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost?  They were specifically asked - have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?  They answered no and were both baptized and received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+19%3A1-10&version=NKJV

 

Notice, too, their urgency and immediacy with obedience to the fullness of the instructions they received - there was no time gap from their belief/acceptance of the gospel message and their obedience to the instructions being made into disciples - receiving the fullness of salvation receiving both authority and power through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

Folks, this is the full message of the Gospel concerning salvation.  Less is simply less.  Now, who wants more of God?

#Salvation, #WholeGospel , #Acts2:38

Four Principles of Victory - 4/1/2014

Live in Victory!  Or your children will wander from the faith...

What a great message today from Adrian Rogers to encourage us that if we aren't living in the victory purchased for us, we are failing not only to live out a worthy testimony, but we are failing the next generation most assuredly!  It is a choice - turn to Him and live according to his design for your life by getting the Word in you and obeying it's teachings!

Four Principles of Victory - 4/1/2014

You
have an enemy, the biggest troublemaker in the church. In this message
Dr. Rogers describes him and even calls his name. Find out who your
enemy is (it's not who you think) and learn four ways you must use to
defeat him.



Find that recording on this link:



http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/player/four-principles-of-victory-399495.html

How Do You Recognize God's Voice?

His Word - Our Relationship

 I've been asked twice over the past week - how do you know it's God speaking to you?  Well, let's think about that from a practical experience to which everyone can relate.  Think about the people you know.  When you call them, do you recognize their voice?  When you were a child, did you recognize the voice of a parent or guardian?  Of course you did!  Why?  Because you knew them.  You had a relationship with them.

It's the same with Jesus.  When we spend time with him (reading his Word #1, prayer and worship), we, too, will recognize his voice.  The more we obey that voice, the more he will trust us and we him.

Folks, it's a relationship!

John 10:27-30
New King James Version (NKJV)
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

Know the Word, Know God, Control your Thought Life

2 Cor 10:3-5 (NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

"At this point of maturity, those practiced at knowing God's voice need not pretend or merely hope. They can speak with authority, conviction, and results (Rom. 12:2). They need not be double-minded or resort to psychological gymnastics (James 1:5-8). They can pray in real faith (James 5:15). For "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17)." ~ Acts 17:11 Bible Study:  Hearing God

He will guide you and direct you, Trust in Him

Isa 30:20-21 (NIV) Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

John 10:2-5 (NIV) "The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

The Works of the Lord are not necessarily earth-shaking

1 Kings 19:11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Spend time with Him and eventually you will know his voice for yourself!

Born With Strengths

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

Were you born with weaknesses?

Once there was a man who was not very handy around the house. He couldn't build things, paint rooms or walls, or make any home repairs. 

For years, this was a major issue for him.  He said it made him feel stupid.  "As a man, I felt I needed to know how to do things like this.  I mean, shouldn't I?  I should be able to take care of my family doing simple things like fixing up my home!"  

For years, these kinds of thoughts plagued his conscience either from negative self-speak or from the enemy reminding him of this area of 'weakness.' Thoughts like these were crippling, both emotionally and spiritually.  It was a 'thorn' of frustration that was oftentimes vented in anger.  He was far from being any kind of handyman - it was his weakness.  But over time, he learned to accept his weakness until it bothered him less and less.  

As he began to grow in spiritual strength and maturity, the Lord gave him a ministry.  Using the extraordinary gift of teaching he'd been given, the Lord called him to marriage counseling which he accomplished by becoming a life coach.  What fulfillment he found from serving in this ministry!  But he was always careful to remain humble and give God the glory.  He tells everyone: 

"I cannot do this without the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.  It is through the Holy Spirit that I receive direction and insight on people's problems.  When I reveal what the Lord has to say, they are profoundly moved and transformed by the instruction as they apply the teaching in their everyday lives. I cannot do it without Him!"  

Then a few weeks ago, a water pipe burst during a cold snap which caused a major leak in the bathroom of his home.  Water was gushing behind the wall!  Quickly, he tried to turn off the water but couldn't open the access door to shut off the water main.  Then he tried to thread the pipes back together to contain the leak, but it caused the water to spray everywhere.  So, without getting frustrated, he sent for his neighbor across the street as he thought: "Surely, he can fix this!"  

This neighbor was very talented with manual labor tasks.  He could do just about anything, from auto repair to landscaping.  The summer before, the man had hired the neighbor to restore the exterior of his home.  It was in desperate need of work - the paint was peeling badly and there was significant water damage.  After three weeks, the task was complete and the home looked as good as new!  He was talented at handiwork. 

At the same time, the neighbor became aware of this man's ministry and began to confide in him to get advice for his own family.  

Sure enough, on the day the water pipe burst, the neighbor responded right away to assist the man and together they repaired the pipe.  The man reflected on how fortunate he was to have such a neighbor!  He thanked God for having a resource like this so close by!  And he thought to himself "Perhaps it is no coincidence..."

It was then that the Lord gave him the following revelation:  I did not make you with any weaknesses.  I made you with strengths.  But look, what you think is your weakness, I have given as a strength to your neighbor.  And where he needs strengthening, you serve him with your ministry.

He began to look at himself in a whole new light! (John 1:1-14, 8:12, 12:46; Mt 5:14-16)  We are not given weaknesses, we were given strengths!

At this, the man worshiped the Lord for his goodness and shared this revelation with others.  No more need he dwell on weaknesses!  The revelation gave him great joy!  Joy gives him the strength to overcome negative thinking thanks to these loving words of the Father.  

You were made with Strengths

That's right, you were made with strengths!  That is to say that you were made with good qualities, not deficient ones.  And for everything else, the Lord has made provision.  [This does not contradict the doctrine that we were born in sin, however, and stand in need of salvation.  Many need to overcome the temptation of falling into self-loathing when they are taught or they realize the truth about our sinful nature.  This is self-pity, a well-hidden form of pride.]

1.  You are His Workmanship

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14 NLT).

Ephesians 2:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." You're God's handcrafted work of art. You're not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You're a custom designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece.  ~ Rick Warren, author of  The Purpose-Driven Life

2.  Belong to Him

Psalms 34:8 

"...taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

 He will do all things according to his will.  He does all this for his children.  So, I ask you, are you his child?  Do you belong to Him?  The first step is to trust (have faith) and believe.  If you have faith to believe, then I invite you to know what you must do next by reading here in Acts 2 which describes the birth of the church, the age in which we live today.

If you do not know Jesus and therefore don't know whether or not you can trust him in anything, much less for your salvation, then I suggest you read the book of John from the New Testament.

3.  Jesus is God Revealed

Jesus' teachings 'astonish' the people because he spoke with authority.  By contrast, the Pharisees and scribes did not speak in this manner.    He tells them about the narrow way, and that he is God in the flesh.

John 14:5-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The Father Revealed

⁷ “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

 Dear reader, if you have need of anything today, Jesus is your answer.  It may seem trite or you may feel you've come to a dead-end in this conclusion, but when we see and understand that he is the manifestation of God the Father, the Creator God, author and finisher of our faith, the I AM, the Alpha and Omega.... we can be assured that in Him is all-sufficiency and power to meet that need.

4.  Ask in Jesus' Name

        Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. 

Colossians 3:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

5.  Great Faith has Great Authority

If, then, the church is lacking in something - we may boldly come before the Lord and ask it in Jesus' name!   Look at this lesson from Matthew 21:

The Fig Tree Withered

¹⁸ Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. ¹⁹ And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree

²⁰ And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
²¹ So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. ²² And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

 Or this from Matthew 7:

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

6.  Turn to your Church when you have Need

The Church is where elders, pastors, and teachers 'feed the sheep' (John 21:17)  The Word is preached for the maturing of the saints (Eph 4:11-13).  It is by the Word that our faith comes to life (Ro. 10:17).  And it is the place where God's people come together to worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).  The ultimate character trait of a mature Christian is measured in the love they have for both God and one another (Mt 5:1-12).  Look how the early church demonstrated their faith and their charity (aka love) for one another:

Acts 2:44-46

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

The idea is that we need one another and Jesus in his wisdom has given us the Church, His bride.  It is the place where we come together in true fellowship (which is sharing, teaching and worshiping the Lord together) to minister to one another (John 13:1-17).   For the Christian, we have access to an abundant life!  (John 10:10)  

Summary

In summation, you were made for a purpose.  If you are a believer, become His according to His Word.  Jesus is God in the flesh which means in His name is authority and with our faith, we can achieve great things!  It is important to become part of an active church family (Heb 10:25).  It is one's church family which provides the framework and resources for growing and developing one's maturity.  It is also the place where one may develop a ministry under the guidance and covering of its elders, teachers, and Pastor.  There have been times in this author's life when I faced immense struggles and hardships.  It was thanks to the backing of my church family, that I received encouragement, guidance in the Word, and intercessory prayer which strengthened me so I could better face these situations with peace and grace.  In short, I was blessed by their love and support!

Finally, while it is proper to have a sober self-assessment that keeps one humble, dwelling in negativity is definitely self-destructive.  Instead

Philippians 4:8(NKJV)

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

When we focus the light on our strengths and the strengths of others, all else fades in the shadows.  

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