The Cross In My Life

The following message from Derek Prince is entitled, "The Cross in My Life."  It is a great message for those desiring the pure milk and meat of the Gospel.

The Organic Gospel

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

I had mentioned previously that my pastor and I were writing a book entitled, "The Organic Gospel".   Praise be to God, the book has been printed and is now available.

It is our hope that this book will be a resource for those looking beyond mere religion to find once again the simplicity that is in Christ.  Too many people - including professing Christians - claim to be saved, but have no knowledge of what salvation really is.

• Why must man be saved?
• What are we being saved from?
• How is salvation wrought in the life of man?
• What does it mean to be "saved"?

The story of man's salvation is manifested in the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, to be a supernatural, organic work of God as He transforms man into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Five Covenants of God

The following sermons are from Min. David Pawson as he address the five biblical covenants.

The God of the Bible is a covenant-making and a covenant-keeping God.

But what is a covenant and how does it differ from a contract?

How many covenants has God made with humans? How many of these apply to Christians today?

These are crucial questions for the interpretation and application of Scripture. The Bible is divided into two testaments, another word for covenants. Does this mean the Old Testament is only of historical interest to disciples of Jesus ? What about the Ten Commandments? – and the other six hundred and three given to Moses?

Some of the major differences in the Church go back to the different answers given to these questions. For example, whether baptism should be of babies or believers, whether priests, altars, vestments and incense should be used in worship, whether re-marriage is permissable after divorce and whether we should work a six day week.

By His covenants of grace, the Lord has bound Himself to us and bound us to Himself. That is the heart of Biblical revelation and Godly living.

Don't Let the Bible Become a Stumbling Block

Yoked to the Letter

Years ago when I was on Facebook, a professing believer in Christ Jesus started a thread arguing how the phrase "When praises go up, blessings come down" is not in the Bible.  There were dozens of people engaged in this conversation, talking about how foolish "church folks" were when they repeat/believe this.

"God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." Psalm 67

Confused by the fervor this post was garnering, I stated that perhaps it is a reference to Psalm 67, echoing the sentiment that there is a relationship between pure praise to God and being blessed by Him. At this, the original poster responded and said, "You know that this is not in the Bible so stop trying to make excuses for these false preachers."

Then I understood.  These were not people seeking after truth.  These were individuals desiring to use the Bible to mock others.  Indeed, as such, they were no better - in terms of motive - than the so-called false preachers they criticized.  The issue is so much bigger than that one phrase.  A true search for truth needs to go beyond just what the Bible says, but seeking wisdom to understand what God means.

The Ol' Switcheroo

A few years ago, a young lady we knew got saved and went off to college.  In her college town, there was a woman who led a church with whom she got involved.  Before you know it, the young girl had moved out of her dorm and into a house owned by this church, where she committed herself to doing whatsoever it was this church requested.

When asked what she was doing, she would say that she had given her life to the Lord.  In reality, she had given her life over to a witch who through enchantments and seducing spirits had perverted her away from the Lord.  Because of the amount of religious activity in which the young girl was engaged, she convinced herself that she was pleasing and in fellowship with the Lord.  However, she was drifting further away from Jesus every day because she was drifting further away from the Truths of Christ.  She fell for the ol' switcheroo, believing that outward works meant one was holy.

I warn you.  Do not ever think that a bunch of activity means you are close to the Lord.  Oftentimes, a bunch of fervor in religious circles is a cover for those who are actually running away from Christ. A lot of good - but dead - works at best will make you the equivalent of a Catholic nun. You become Mother Theresa, a woman who gave her life over to good works for the poor in India, yet died doubting there even was a God.  Why did she die in unbelief?  Because she never grabbed hold of the truth of God's word and let that word impart new life to and change her by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is looking to mold you from the inside out, and external works will never be an acceptable replacement for this required inward cleansing (Romans 8:29).  No amount of good works alone will ever keep you when the times get rough, but only the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

Summary of the Sabbath and the Christian

"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." Galatians 3:19

We have spoken many times about the law and the Sabbath, breaking down the Scriptures to disprove many common errors such as:

• The fulfilling of the law in Christ only included the moral and ceremonial law and not the Ten Commandments
• Jesus said the law would be in place until Heaven and Earth passed away 
•  Sunday worship is the mark of the beast
• The law has no purpose today
• The purpose of Jesus' sacrifice was to get us to obey the Ten Commandments
•  The law is not fulfilled in Christ
• Christians are still under the law
• Without the old covenant law, Christians would be lawless
• The admonition to keep God's commandments in the New Testament is a reference to keeping the law.
• The Sabbath law has been in place and binding for man since the beginning in the Garden of Eden

The Law of Attraction

I stated in the previous article that legalism will become more & more prevalent as we draw closer to the return of Jesus Christ.  The law holds certain attractions to the natural man, for it has all the outward appearance of being righteous.  Even those who deny Jesus Christ gather themselves under a law: "Do what thou wilt".  So when we first turn from the world to God, it can feel normal to place ourselves under the law.

However, if we do not recognize the deceptions of legalism, then we may walk blindly in religious bondage - thinking that we are serving the Lord - yet never coming into the fullness of the salvation of the Lord Jesus.

So I asked the Lord, "What is the attraction of the law, leading people to turn to it instead of to Christ?"

The Challenge of Islam

My husband is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it has been interesting to note a trend in that city over the years: a sharp increase in the acceptance of Islam.  I have joked with him that it must be in the water, for it is apparent even to an occasional visitor such as myself that more and more men are converting.  It is not uncommon to drive down the street and see women covered from head to toe in Muslim burqas.

In large part, I believe the attraction to Islam is the same basis upon which we see a rise of legalism within the Church.  The only option left to one who rejects our sole hope of salvation in Jesus Christ is law.  If a man rejects the righteousness of God, then he must by nature resort to self-righteousness (Romans 10:2-4; Philippians 3:9).  Instead of being made righteous by the blood of Jesus, I become righteous based on what I do (or don't do); I go to temple/church on a specific day, I don't eat certain meats, I wear certain clothes, I observe particular holy days...  As long as we resist being made clean on the inside, we will always run to the actions of a whited sepulcher as justification of our own 'goodness' (Matthew 23:25-28).  This is something which every Christian should take note, for we too must be sure that we don't fall into this snare.  Unless Christ in us is our hope of glory, then our glory is our shame (Colossians 1:27; Philippians 3:19).

Yet, I also think the rise in Islam has to do with God's unfolding end time judgments.  The types of persecutions which will be coming against the church are commensurate with what is called for in Sharia Islamic law and what some refer to as "radical Islam".  One only needs to look around the world to see a foreshadowing of this.  Having an American President who is sympathetic towards Muslim interests (and who is perhaps more aligned with Islam than many think) only serves to further these gains.

Ishmael Shall Be Cast Out

While in high school (many years ago, LOL), I was assigned to do a paper on the Middle East crisis.  As an ardent researcher, I enjoyed examining the history of the region and was intrigued.  Why was the whole world in an uproar about this little piece of land?  I even visited a few embassies in order to interview Middle East officials and get their perspective.

As a result of my studies, I concluded that Israel had no legitimate claim to that land.  The Palestinians had every much a right as the Jewish people to reside there.  After all, the Jewish justification that God gave them that land was absurd.  Did God favor one people over another?  Of course not!  Further, Arabs also pointed to their own religious beliefs as a justification for the land and claimed an inheritance from the same patriarch as the Jewish people (Abraham).  Should we favor the beliefs of one religious system over another?  Even if accepted as fact, that promise of land to the Jewish people was made thousands of years ago.  Surely such was no longer relevant.

To that extent, I found the very existence of the nation of Israel to be nothing short of amazing. Although Israel had been an ancient homeland for the Jewish people as early as 1300 BC, it had ceased to be around 636 AD when Arabs took over the land.  Then in 1948, the United Nations determined to once again set aside that land as a Jewish state.  My question was, "Why?"

Surely the world - which had just sat quietly by as millions of Jews were killed in the Holocaust - wasn't motivated by a new found compassion for the Jewish people?  Was it that the nations of the world recognized the supremacy of this God above all others?  Indeed, at the time of my school report, the U.S. was giving more monies annually in support of Israel than it gave to all other nations combined.  What was so special about this one section of land and this one people which would warrant such extraordinary support?  It just didn't make any sense...to the natural man.

What I did not understand was that what God decrees is not up for human debate or input.  This was not simply some world event, but the fulfillment of biblical prophecy (Exodus 32:13; Matthew 24:32-34).  God is not concerned with humanistic perspectives of "fairness".  He does exactly what He wants to do, for He is sovereign.  Further, even His enemies can only do what He allows and likewise serve to fulfill His purposes.

I did not understand the historical reality of what had created this "crisis"; a rivalry between two brothers: Ishmael (the son of disbelief) and Isaac (the son of promise).

Act Like Men

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." I Corinthians 16:13

The phrase "quit you like men"  or "Act Like Men" is the Greek word andrizomai which means "to make a man of, to show one's self to be a man, to be brave."   This phrase was part of the theme of the men's conference Pastor Zac Poonen held in Loveland, Colorado this past weekend.  This other portion of the conference addressed Satan's Tactics.

Links to the list of various discussions, as well as a summary of the lessons, are listed below.  While this message was delivered primarily for men, there are many nuggets of wisdom which could benefit all.

The Dogs, The Evil Workers, The Concision

ALL Flesh is Grass

"BEWARE of dogs, BEWARE of evil workers, BEWARE of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Philippians 3:2-11

In the text above, Paul identifies "dogs", "evil workers", and those of the "concision" of whom the Body of Christ needs to be aware.  Paul doesn't use flowery terms to describe these individuals, nor is he mincing words.  His language indicates that he finds such persons to be a real threat to God's people in terms of their spiritual development and to their ultimately "winning Christ".  Yet, we find those of the concision on virtually every street corner in every city in the nation.

concision: a cutting up or off; mutilation.

circumcision: The surgical removal of part or all of the foreskin.

"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked." Deuteronomy 10:16

Instead of cutting around the heart to remove that which defiles, the concision mutilates you, cutting you off from the very life of God.

Seeking After Righteousness

Self-righteousness, The Righteousness of the Law, or The Righteousness of Christ

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness..." Matthew 6:33a

There are all types of righteousness to which we can aspire, but there is only one kind that God desires in His children: the righteousness of Christ.

Do you want to live according to what is right in your own eyes or in the eyes of other people?  That is self-righteousness.

Do you want your outward works to appear righteous while you indulge your inner thoughts, appetites, and emotions without restraint?  That is the righteousness of the Law.

Do you want to truly be holy as God is holy?  That takes the righteousness of Christ.

Which do we really desire in our hearts?  With which are we satisfied?

What is Your Christianity Worth?

Finding and ABIDING in the Rest of God

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:29-30

The following message from Pastor Zac Poonen is very encouraging, at least it was for me.  In this sermon, He is teaching on what it means to rest in God:  In part, this addresses:

• Being Ambassadors for Christ means that we are not citizens of this world.  
• Most Christians are just playing the fool with Christianity.  The evidence is that there is no growth.
• Growing in grace only happens as we perceive our lowliness before the Lord.
• When people give you honor, don't forget that if they knew you as intimately as you know yourself, they would not give you that honor, but would give it to somebody else.
• You become a true worshiper when God's opinion is the only one that matters.  Then you will always be at rest.
• The Scriptures describing the true rest of God (Matthew 11:28-30) are followed up directly by Jesus being questioned by the religious leaders about breaking the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14).  This contrast is to show that they did not understand what the Sabbath really was. 
• It is when things are not going well that you know whether you are at rest or not.  So thank God for the little shakings, for such gives us the opportunity to check our foundations.  Is it on the rock or on the sand? 

The Letter to the Hebrews

The following 4-part sermon is a great study on the Book of Hebrews by Pastor Zac Poonen.

Although there are notes below each link to provide an overview of what is discussed, please do not take those notes as a substitute for listening to the message.

Hearing the message for yourself is sure to amplify your own personal study of this book.

Thy Word IS Truth - Part 2

Not All of Scripture is All Scripture

Many claim to hold God's word in high regard, yet are very selective as to what they will adhere to or acknowledge. They either esteem parts of God's words over others or try to completely discount certain texts altogether.

The Torah

One way this is done is via the elevation of the Torah. The amazing thing is that ones who do this often charge other Christians with neglecting God's words, yet very few embrace the New Testament texts with the same vigor. Instead, they often do the exact opposite by denigrating the significance of the NT text or changing its meaning in order to justify elevation of the Torah.

One assertion made is that the word "Scriptures" in the Bible is speaking only of the Old Testament texts because these were the "Scriptures" as they knew them at the time. Some go even further and will discredit the majority of the NT text by labeling Paul a false apostle and asserting that his writings are not inspired by God.

How is the Law to be Used Lawfully?

"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having SWERVED have TURNED ASIDE aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.  

But we know that the law is good, IF a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is NOT made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." I Timothy 1:3-11

The Great Commandment in the Law

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:36-40

"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with allthy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31

"He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou?  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thyheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." Luke 10:26-27

People often speak of how love is the fulfillment of the law.  But what does that really mean? What are these texts really telling us?

The Ministration of Death

The Letter KILLETH

We have previously done a series on the law and its place in the life of a believer. Some, however, assert that references to "the law" in the New Testament is only about the 613 ceremonial and sacrificial laws, not the Ten Commandments.  However, what does Scripture say?

To examine this, we will examine what God calls the "ministration of death".

"But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart." II Corinthians 3:7-15

In the above text, God references an event in the Old Testament when Moses' face was so glorious and shone with such brightness, that the people could not even look upon him (Exodus 34:29-33).  This occurred when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the "two tables of testimony", otherwise called the Ten Commandments.

Yet, in II Corinthians Chapter 3, God calls these tables "written and engraven in stone" the "ministration of death" and goes on to contrast them with the "ministration of the spirit". 

License, Legalism, or Liberty? Part 2

We previously looked at the topic of license, legalism, and liberty in the Christian walk.  The following video from Minister David Pawson provides some quick distinguishing characteristics between the three.

Legalism says you are not free to sin.
License says we are free to sin.
Liberty says we are free not to sin.

Legalism says we are saved by works.
License says we are saved without works.
But Liberty says we are saved for works.

License, Legalism, or Liberty?

As I listened to a sermon from David Pawson this morning on the Book of Romans, I was struck by how perfectly the issues in Rome describe the errors which are permeating the churchworld in our day.

One of the purposes of Min. Pawson's sermon was to address the context for why the Book of Romans was written. He reviews how the church in Rome started with a fellowship of Jewish believers. However, when faith in Christ began to cause a conflict within the Jewish community, the Roman Emperor Claudius expelled the Jewish believers from Rome.

By the time the Jewish community was again welcomed back to Rome, the church at Rome had become largely comprised of, and run by, Gentile believers. It is this disparity between the Jewish and Gentile believers that Min. Pawson suggests is being addressed in Paul's letter to Rome.