UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH
IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 5
Brother James, OIC
Eph 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Growing up in Christ in its ultimate process is in Gods Hands, who of us can understand how He does it? But to keep the process in active awareness in our lives we must give ourselves to seeking Him to give us Understanding of the Truth in His Word.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
The key element to hearing and understanding the Word is that we pray and ask God to place us before those who teach Truth. This today is a rare find so we need God to lead us. One set back to this is (especially in the USA) we are Name Brand oriented and Name Brand loyal. Jesus here in the U.S. is marketed under many name brands; Baptist, Free Will Baptist, Ana Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Catholic, Methodist, United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Anglican, Orthodox and the list goes on and on. While He is being marketed in the most part on two extremes either watered down ear tickling powerlessness false or baby doctrines to graceless & legalistic condemnation doctrines. And then we have the nerve to ignore our own backyard and take tithe money to go into other countries and make sure they get these same corrupt messages the majority preach here. As a Body we must unite get the log out of our own eyes and individually and corporately seek God to give us Understanding of Truth and speak this Truth in Love to one another, work on cleaning up our own back yards, while He grows us into the image of His Son.
The need for Unity in Truth is written:
Rom 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Joh 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Joh 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
In Part 6 we will look at roadblocks that hinder us from entering the Power Truth grows in us.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 4 Brother James, OIC
UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH
IN CHRIST (The Series) Part4
Brother James, OIC
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
In order to satisfy their own powerless lives in Christ many today no longer believe that God still performs Miracles. Many believe their answer to an Altar Call: saved, in-filled and sealed their lives for the of redemption. What it did do was perform a Miracle. And that miracle gave them some spiritual rights to an inheritance of eternal life if they continued to exercise those rights to become a son and daughter of God.
Joh 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Greek word for that was translated Power in this verse is not the word used for the explosive Power (dunamis) of the Holy Spirit that is evidenced in His performance of Miracles either through you in Gifts or by you once you are transformed and have reached Spiritual Maturity. It is the power of Choice, a right is given to choose and its freedom entered your life. You now have the privilege to work out your salvation and by the free gift of Grace become a son or daughter of God. It gives you the right to seek God for His Spiritual Understanding of His Truth written in His Living Word.
exousia
ex-oo-see'-ah
From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Many will say to this that they have always had a choice; they did but not Spiritual. The choices were only between Good & Evil both fallen states of mankind, both hell bound. The best choices before Christ were as “Filthy Rags” before God. But now God has given us True Righteousness through Faith in Jesus Christ.
It is True Faith that separates the Children of the World from The Children of God. Now comes the hard part many today say they have Faith but do they?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
True Faith doesn’t just say it Trusts God then turns to man for its solutions, no True Faith has absolute reliance on Gods Promises which then makes that human vessel a partaker of Gods Divine Nature.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
In our opening scriptures we see one must be born of the Water and of the Spirit in order to enter Christ’s Kingdom. The Word of God, Truth Rightly Divided and applied to your life in Faith Filled Obedience performs the manifold operations by the Holy Spirit to born you again by Water and of the Spirit.
The Word is Water: Ephesians 5:26
The Word is Spirit: John 6:63
The Word Cleanses: John 15:3
The Word Sanctifies: John 17:17
The Word Transforms You: Romans 12:2
The Word Births You: 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18
But only if it is Rightly Divided in Spiritual Understanding:
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Many are satisfied with just the Social Gathering of Americanized Organized Religion and the non challenging watered down teachings. But to be fully recovered you must:
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
IN CHRIST (The Series) Part4
Brother James, OIC
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
In order to satisfy their own powerless lives in Christ many today no longer believe that God still performs Miracles. Many believe their answer to an Altar Call: saved, in-filled and sealed their lives for the of redemption. What it did do was perform a Miracle. And that miracle gave them some spiritual rights to an inheritance of eternal life if they continued to exercise those rights to become a son and daughter of God.
Joh 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Greek word for that was translated Power in this verse is not the word used for the explosive Power (dunamis) of the Holy Spirit that is evidenced in His performance of Miracles either through you in Gifts or by you once you are transformed and have reached Spiritual Maturity. It is the power of Choice, a right is given to choose and its freedom entered your life. You now have the privilege to work out your salvation and by the free gift of Grace become a son or daughter of God. It gives you the right to seek God for His Spiritual Understanding of His Truth written in His Living Word.
exousia
ex-oo-see'-ah
From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Many will say to this that they have always had a choice; they did but not Spiritual. The choices were only between Good & Evil both fallen states of mankind, both hell bound. The best choices before Christ were as “Filthy Rags” before God. But now God has given us True Righteousness through Faith in Jesus Christ.
It is True Faith that separates the Children of the World from The Children of God. Now comes the hard part many today say they have Faith but do they?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
True Faith doesn’t just say it Trusts God then turns to man for its solutions, no True Faith has absolute reliance on Gods Promises which then makes that human vessel a partaker of Gods Divine Nature.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
In our opening scriptures we see one must be born of the Water and of the Spirit in order to enter Christ’s Kingdom. The Word of God, Truth Rightly Divided and applied to your life in Faith Filled Obedience performs the manifold operations by the Holy Spirit to born you again by Water and of the Spirit.
The Word is Water: Ephesians 5:26
The Word is Spirit: John 6:63
The Word Cleanses: John 15:3
The Word Sanctifies: John 17:17
The Word Transforms You: Romans 12:2
The Word Births You: 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18
But only if it is Rightly Divided in Spiritual Understanding:
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Many are satisfied with just the Social Gathering of Americanized Organized Religion and the non challenging watered down teachings. But to be fully recovered you must:
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Pt3 Brother James, OIC
UNDERSTANDING
TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Pt3
Brother James, OIC
Joh 3:2 -7 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
True Growth in Christ for those Christ created for this victory has nothing to do with societal goodness, church attendance, monetary success or social status. It has everything to do with Gods Power being formed in a Spiritually Mature New Creation.
Nicodemus saw the Power in Jesus. It was so evident in the miracles Jesus performed that Nicodemus knew Jesus was a teacher come from God. So Nicodemus sought Him out and Jesus, in a few words revealed to him the journey we all must make to secure our election to this High Call of God in Christ.
Many have accepted Jesus into their lives. Yet they remain like a small weak children to little to open the door to the Candy Store, they can see in, they want in, but not yet strong enough to open the door. So at the time we accepted Jesus our eyes were opened, we could see he Kingdom of God
Joh 3:2 -3 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Rom 10:8-11 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Thou shalt be saved in the above scripture is a future tense promise that is predicated on a continual Growth in Truth in Gods Word..
In the opening scripture Nicodemus was as confused about this as many are today:
Joh 3:2 -4 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Herein lies the problem that has stunted the growth to true power in that many only see things from a carnal understanding. So Jesus explained further:
Joh 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden was from a Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. This tree contained Carnal Fruit a Fruit when eaten opened the eyes to the world and its god Satan. The wombs of Lust and Pride entered man through this Tree and after these wombs birthed sin unimaginable before the fall. When we heard Christ again our eyes were open to be developed to know what is truly good and truly evil and therefore Overcome Satan through the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimonies.
Rev 12:11 And they Overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Looking deeper into Understanding True Growth In Christ in Part 4 we will begin breaking down all that Jesus revealed in John 3:5 in order for us to become Overcomers:
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Pt3
Brother James, OIC
Joh 3:2 -7 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
True Growth in Christ for those Christ created for this victory has nothing to do with societal goodness, church attendance, monetary success or social status. It has everything to do with Gods Power being formed in a Spiritually Mature New Creation.
Nicodemus saw the Power in Jesus. It was so evident in the miracles Jesus performed that Nicodemus knew Jesus was a teacher come from God. So Nicodemus sought Him out and Jesus, in a few words revealed to him the journey we all must make to secure our election to this High Call of God in Christ.
Many have accepted Jesus into their lives. Yet they remain like a small weak children to little to open the door to the Candy Store, they can see in, they want in, but not yet strong enough to open the door. So at the time we accepted Jesus our eyes were opened, we could see he Kingdom of God
Joh 3:2 -3 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Rom 10:8-11 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Thou shalt be saved in the above scripture is a future tense promise that is predicated on a continual Growth in Truth in Gods Word..
In the opening scripture Nicodemus was as confused about this as many are today:
Joh 3:2 -4 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Herein lies the problem that has stunted the growth to true power in that many only see things from a carnal understanding. So Jesus explained further:
Joh 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden was from a Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. This tree contained Carnal Fruit a Fruit when eaten opened the eyes to the world and its god Satan. The wombs of Lust and Pride entered man through this Tree and after these wombs birthed sin unimaginable before the fall. When we heard Christ again our eyes were open to be developed to know what is truly good and truly evil and therefore Overcome Satan through the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimonies.
Rev 12:11 And they Overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Looking deeper into Understanding True Growth In Christ in Part 4 we will begin breaking down all that Jesus revealed in John 3:5 in order for us to become Overcomers:
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Monday, March 7, 2011
UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 2, Brother James, OIC
UNDERSTANDING TRUE
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 2
Brother James, OIC
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In our journey to understand True Growth In Christ it is imperative to start from the beginning of Our Lords earthly ministry and build each revealing of who we are and who we are to become. In the command above Jesus tells us to REPENT. It is not enough to simply say that is to turn away from your sin. If that was all there was to it then the Ten Commandments would have sufficed and there would have been no need for Jesus. Repent in the Greek means a To Think Differently:
Greek: met-an-o-eh'-o: To think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
And what causes us to think differently is not the embryonic calling of God to Christ but is a new birth wherein we can become New Creations. Birth in the Spirit requires many stages of Growth. And birth and growth requires seed , milk and meat. If you read the Parable of the Sower Mt 13:1-9;18-23 then you know the Seed is Gods Word. Gods Word will after the New Birth be fed to you as Milk then Meat if you continue in the Word of Truth. There are three scriptures that come to mind that explain what repent is and then what it does and what it is for:
2Ti 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Secondly in the opening scripture Jesus tells us of a place: the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is a Spiritual Place, Eternal Place and it has its countries and Governments. One Government is ruled on this earth by Satan, it is a Government of Lies, a Government of Lawlessness toward God and appeals to our lusts and self esteem. The Word of God when rightly divided begins opening our eyes to this and the spiritual battle going on around us and against us.
Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
The next Government is the Kingdom of God, also called the Kingdom of Christ and it is the Government that we see when we first are called to Christ by God and ask Him into our lives, the battle with Satan begins to escalate at this point:
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Before we are Born Again we go through a period of being called.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
We are like an embryo yet unformed still not sure of what’s going on except we are existing in the world. Satan is trying to keep us imprisoned in the world false solutions, and if you are foreknown of God, He will call you to Christ.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
And like a physical embryo is still fully reliant on its mothers womb, much like our being reliant on the world before we heard Christ yet after the New Birth God Himself takes over our raising by His Holy Spirit. He does this supernaturally inside of us through His Word of Truth. So then after being Born Again we are like a Baby, still self oriented and worldly minded but we see the beauty of the Kingdom of God. And what we see is this:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
When we are called and accept the calling we see the Kingdom of God and we also see that many are called but few are chosen.
2Pe 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In Part Three we will begin looking at the next phase of Growth in the birthing of the New Creation as we delve deeper into how we are to make our call and election sure. And we will discover that this growth into entering the Kingdom of God is not about talking nor social gathering but is a New Creation Full Of Gods Power:
1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 2
Brother James, OIC
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In our journey to understand True Growth In Christ it is imperative to start from the beginning of Our Lords earthly ministry and build each revealing of who we are and who we are to become. In the command above Jesus tells us to REPENT. It is not enough to simply say that is to turn away from your sin. If that was all there was to it then the Ten Commandments would have sufficed and there would have been no need for Jesus. Repent in the Greek means a To Think Differently:
Greek: met-an-o-eh'-o: To think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
And what causes us to think differently is not the embryonic calling of God to Christ but is a new birth wherein we can become New Creations. Birth in the Spirit requires many stages of Growth. And birth and growth requires seed , milk and meat. If you read the Parable of the Sower Mt 13:1-9;18-23 then you know the Seed is Gods Word. Gods Word will after the New Birth be fed to you as Milk then Meat if you continue in the Word of Truth. There are three scriptures that come to mind that explain what repent is and then what it does and what it is for:
2Ti 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Secondly in the opening scripture Jesus tells us of a place: the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is a Spiritual Place, Eternal Place and it has its countries and Governments. One Government is ruled on this earth by Satan, it is a Government of Lies, a Government of Lawlessness toward God and appeals to our lusts and self esteem. The Word of God when rightly divided begins opening our eyes to this and the spiritual battle going on around us and against us.
Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
The next Government is the Kingdom of God, also called the Kingdom of Christ and it is the Government that we see when we first are called to Christ by God and ask Him into our lives, the battle with Satan begins to escalate at this point:
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Before we are Born Again we go through a period of being called.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
We are like an embryo yet unformed still not sure of what’s going on except we are existing in the world. Satan is trying to keep us imprisoned in the world false solutions, and if you are foreknown of God, He will call you to Christ.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
And like a physical embryo is still fully reliant on its mothers womb, much like our being reliant on the world before we heard Christ yet after the New Birth God Himself takes over our raising by His Holy Spirit. He does this supernaturally inside of us through His Word of Truth. So then after being Born Again we are like a Baby, still self oriented and worldly minded but we see the beauty of the Kingdom of God. And what we see is this:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
When we are called and accept the calling we see the Kingdom of God and we also see that many are called but few are chosen.
2Pe 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In Part Three we will begin looking at the next phase of Growth in the birthing of the New Creation as we delve deeper into how we are to make our call and election sure. And we will discover that this growth into entering the Kingdom of God is not about talking nor social gathering but is a New Creation Full Of Gods Power:
1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Friday, March 4, 2011
UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 1 Brother James, OIC
UNDERSTANDING TRUE
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 1
Brother James, OIC
Heb 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Having a need to be fed the milk of Gods Word signifies that forward progress, growth in Christ never happened after you called on the Name of Jesus. Most likely is the fact you were being fed watered down or false doctrine which stunted your growth. The Truth has to be taught, if whoever is teaching you doesn’t have it they cannot teach it. And that doesn’t exclude those who learned the Bible through academic higher education. No matter their degree of learning many have approached the Living Word from the intellect and not from the heart. And Satan loves to produce his false ministers of righteousness from what’s acceptable in the world, that fit’s the worlds educational standards but is of no true value in, to and for Christ.
First thing to rid yourself of is the fable that Christianity is an instantaneous event. God already knows who is and will be His but from our finite perspective we must work out our salvation:
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This working out of our salvation is coupled, in the scripture above, with a true reverential fear of God. The Fear of God it is written is the beginning of knowledge. Knowledge is the area where the true spiritual battle begins as you will develop this either in the intellect or in spiritual understanding where faith increases. God wants to and has freely given us all things pertaining to this working out of our salvations. But this work has nothing to do with what we do, Church attendance, good works, penance or the Ten Commandments. It has everything to do with looking only to Jesus and what He wants to deliver to us through the Cross.
The first disciples questioned Jesus about this very thing:
Joh 6:27-29 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Believing on Jesus Whom God sent does not stop at the work of the cross but is the spiritual embryonic stage where by all hell now has you targeted for spiritual abortion in order to stop your growth to salvation.
To have gotten to the starting line of salvation at the Cross was not an effort of your on doing, nor did you find Jesus, it is solely the Work of God by His Grace:
Joh 6:43-44 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
But that supernatural event only brings you to the Starting Line AS JESUS AND ALL HIS BENEFITS MUST BE PLANTED, NURTURED AND GIVEN INCREASE WITHIN YOU IN TRUE SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LIGHT, LIFE , POWER AND LOVE OF CHRIST TO BE FORMED WITHIN, in other words for you to become the New Creation acceptable and pleasing to God:
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
NOW FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT READ THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER:
(MATTHEW 13:1-9;18-23) Then in Part 2 we will look deeper into the New Birth.
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Part 1
Brother James, OIC
Heb 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Having a need to be fed the milk of Gods Word signifies that forward progress, growth in Christ never happened after you called on the Name of Jesus. Most likely is the fact you were being fed watered down or false doctrine which stunted your growth. The Truth has to be taught, if whoever is teaching you doesn’t have it they cannot teach it. And that doesn’t exclude those who learned the Bible through academic higher education. No matter their degree of learning many have approached the Living Word from the intellect and not from the heart. And Satan loves to produce his false ministers of righteousness from what’s acceptable in the world, that fit’s the worlds educational standards but is of no true value in, to and for Christ.
First thing to rid yourself of is the fable that Christianity is an instantaneous event. God already knows who is and will be His but from our finite perspective we must work out our salvation:
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This working out of our salvation is coupled, in the scripture above, with a true reverential fear of God. The Fear of God it is written is the beginning of knowledge. Knowledge is the area where the true spiritual battle begins as you will develop this either in the intellect or in spiritual understanding where faith increases. God wants to and has freely given us all things pertaining to this working out of our salvations. But this work has nothing to do with what we do, Church attendance, good works, penance or the Ten Commandments. It has everything to do with looking only to Jesus and what He wants to deliver to us through the Cross.
The first disciples questioned Jesus about this very thing:
Joh 6:27-29 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Believing on Jesus Whom God sent does not stop at the work of the cross but is the spiritual embryonic stage where by all hell now has you targeted for spiritual abortion in order to stop your growth to salvation.
To have gotten to the starting line of salvation at the Cross was not an effort of your on doing, nor did you find Jesus, it is solely the Work of God by His Grace:
Joh 6:43-44 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
But that supernatural event only brings you to the Starting Line AS JESUS AND ALL HIS BENEFITS MUST BE PLANTED, NURTURED AND GIVEN INCREASE WITHIN YOU IN TRUE SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LIGHT, LIFE , POWER AND LOVE OF CHRIST TO BE FORMED WITHIN, in other words for you to become the New Creation acceptable and pleasing to God:
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
NOW FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT READ THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER:
(MATTHEW 13:1-9;18-23) Then in Part 2 we will look deeper into the New Birth.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
UNDERSTANDING TRUE GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series) Brother James, OIC
INTRODUCTION
UNDERSTANDING TRUE
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series)
Brother James, OIC
Eph 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Today more than ever we are closer to that time when tribulation of the Saints of God will escalate to where worldwide it will be a crime to believe and profess Jesus Christ. And the sentence for this crime will be death…will you be ready?
In many countries this is already the case. Here in the USA Christianity is allowed and more so if it looks, speaks and behaves as the American Dream. BUT Christianity isn’t a dream it’s the only reality and to enter its Kingdom requires much more than the false belief you answer an altar call and say a sinners prayer and “poof” instant new creation. Not that some that have answered the altar haven’t pressed forward into Christ yet many more then join a Church and its social events to stagnate and never give birth to the New Life within.
First it is important to know Christianity is not about feeling good emotionally. It is not about things you possess or how many people like you, how much education you have or the level of success and wealth you’ve accomplished career wise. Christianity is about YOU coming to the Knowledge of Truth in Gods Word and TRUSTING IT and this will, as you awake from the sleep of spiritual death, challenge you in every area you accepted as GOOD and EVIL in this world.
Many today have stagnated, stunted or even aborted their spiritual growth by following doctrines that are not true:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
This happens because of a desire to live and succeed in the flesh:
2Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
In this Series we will look into Understanding True Growth in Christ.
UNDERSTANDING TRUE
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series)
Brother James, OIC
Eph 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Today more than ever we are closer to that time when tribulation of the Saints of God will escalate to where worldwide it will be a crime to believe and profess Jesus Christ. And the sentence for this crime will be death…will you be ready?
In many countries this is already the case. Here in the USA Christianity is allowed and more so if it looks, speaks and behaves as the American Dream. BUT Christianity isn’t a dream it’s the only reality and to enter its Kingdom requires much more than the false belief you answer an altar call and say a sinners prayer and “poof” instant new creation. Not that some that have answered the altar haven’t pressed forward into Christ yet many more then join a Church and its social events to stagnate and never give birth to the New Life within.
First it is important to know Christianity is not about feeling good emotionally. It is not about things you possess or how many people like you, how much education you have or the level of success and wealth you’ve accomplished career wise. Christianity is about YOU coming to the Knowledge of Truth in Gods Word and TRUSTING IT and this will, as you awake from the sleep of spiritual death, challenge you in every area you accepted as GOOD and EVIL in this world.
Many today have stagnated, stunted or even aborted their spiritual growth by following doctrines that are not true:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
This happens because of a desire to live and succeed in the flesh:
2Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
In this Series we will look into Understanding True Growth in Christ.
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