(Hebrews 11:5-6) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

He pleased God. Can this testimony be said of us? When this is all said and done, will the Lord say unto us, (Matthew 25:21) Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things… In Luke, Jesus says (Luke 19:17) Thou hast been faithful in a very little… God, truly expects few things from us; very little is required of him.

When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast the devil out of that man’s son, he said (Matthew 17:20) Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. What God requires of us is not impossible. What seems like us to be a mountain of difficulty, we need only faith to overcome.

We want to please God and do the work of God. We need only faith to please him. The disciples inquired of Jesus, (John 6:28-29) What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? ²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The bible says that Abraham (Romans 4:20) Staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Every time I heard that, I got this mental picture of Abraham praising God, saying “Glory to God!” But I realize now that is not right. No doubt he did that. However, it was his faith that glorified God. And his strong faith was demonstrated and exercised through his obedience. When God said (Genesis 12:1-2) Get thee out of thy country… And I will make of thee a great nation… Abraham believed God and got out! Why? Because he was strong in faith. And that pleased God. Faith pleases God.

I believe we see that same formula in Enoch. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death… because God had translated him. Why did God translate him? Was it because he had this testimony, that he pleased God? God was pleased by Enoch’s faith. There is coming a day that, in the twinkling of an eye, we also shall be translated. The trump of God shall sound. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) The dead in Christ shall rise… Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Praise the Lord. But is this because we please God in the same respect that Enoch pleased God?

Nay, I’ll tell you why; because (Romans 6:17) Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you; because (Ephesians 1:13) After that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, And the Holy Spirit is the earnest that God has given us; a promise that he will one day come and possess that which he has bought with his own blood. (Ephesians 1:14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession… Now, God is pleased in that respect.

But I’m going to venture to say that the pleasure of God in our salvation is primarily about his Son, not us. (Isaiah 53:10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him… It goes on to say, when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed… and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. The pleasure of the LORD is in the hand of Christ, not ours. (Isaiah 53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied… I know that many of us had gone through travail of soul before getting saved, but it was not our travail that satisfied God, but it was His travail that pleased Him.

Enoch pleased God in another respect. (Genesis 5:22) And Enoch walked with God… I’ll say this: If Enoch didn’t get translated then, he would would have eventually been translated. He would just have had to rise first. His early translation is what his faith had wrought. His walk of faith was so pleasing to God that he took him home earlier. His early translation was a reward for his faith. If you have put your faith in Christ, you will be translated one way or another. The faith you demonstrated when you got saved secures your translation. You will be translated whether you live a life pleasing to God or if you don’t live a life pleasing to God.

But what does it mean to walk with God? What does it mean to please God, beyond salvation as Enoch? What does it mean to live by faith? What reward is there for us? Our text states He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. That word cometh means come and keep on coming. We must believe that he is a rewarder. If we truly believe that he is a rewarder, then we must needs be seekers. (Matthew 7:8) He that seeketh findeth… Finders keepers. Losers weepers.

A Poem of Joshua Chapter One

by

Phillip Alegria

The Lord God of Israel,
Spoke to Joshua, and He said,
Arise, cross over Jordan,
Since Moses, my servant, is dead.

I’ve given to you every place,
Your foot shall tread upon,
From the wilderness, the Euphrates river,
Even to Lebanon.

All throughout your life,
No man shall stand to thee,
As I was with Moses,
With you I will also be.

For an inheritance to this people,
The land thou shalt divide.
So that when you have taken it,
You may therein abide.

But be strong and of a good courage,
Be not afraid, neither dismay.
For the Lord God is with thee,
And will be near thee all the way.

In this book of the Law,
Thou shalt meditate night and day,
And if thou obey the commands therein,
Thou will have a prosperous way.

Then Joshua told the officers,
Of the people to command,
“Prepare yourselves to enter,
Into the Promised Land.”

And the mighty men of valour,
From Ruben, Manasseh, and Gad,
Would fight along side their brethren,
Until victory they had.

And they answered Joshua, saying,
“What thou sayest, we will do.
As we hearkened unto Moses,
We will hearken unto you.”

“He who rebels against thy word,
Whoever he may be.
That man shall be put to death,
To this we will see.”

(Romans 9:1-5) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, ² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; ⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Paul goes on through Chapter 9 about the nation of Israel and the Jews. How that not all Israel is Israel. He explains again as he did in Chapter 4 how that the seed of Abraham are not necessarily the children of the flesh, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. He says in verse 33 (Romans 9:33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. And in Chapter 11 he says (Romans 11:11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles. I want to say this: Praise God! Salvation is come unto the Gentiles! The Jews, they stumbled at the stumblingstone; the rock of offence.

Of course, Jesus came and they didn’t know who he was. (Matthew 16:13-18) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? ¹⁴ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. ¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. ¹⁸ 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.

Peter said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said, That’s right. You got that right, Peter. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it, but my Father which is in heaven. And this is the rock that I’m gonna build my church upon. Jesus is the rock. And the Jews stumbled at the rock; the stumblingstone; the rock of offence. They didn’t see what Peter saw. They were blind, walking in darkness, and when the rock came into their path, they stumbled. Peter said to the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-23) Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: ²³ Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: They stumbled at the stumblingstone. God sent them a King and they crucified their King. (Romans 9:33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: And boy did they stumble, but the bible goes on to say and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 11:11) Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.

The same rock they stumbled at, the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the same rock that Jesus said I will build my church. (Matthew 21:42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? I want to preach a little while this morning on the marvellous church of Christ. I want to preach on the greatest thing on earth since (Genesis 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. I’m preaching on the greatest thing on earth since this world began. I’m preaching on the church.

What is this the church? What is this the most glorious, beautiful, and wonderful thing on earth. It’s holy, protected, loved, and blessed! It’s the church! What is this the strongest, most powerful and exalted thing on earth? It’s the church! What is this that will endure to the end? It’s the church! What is this that the flames of hell cannot touch? It’s the church! What is this that is saved from the wrath to come? What is this that can touch the throne of heaven? What is this that even God walks in the midst? I’m preaching on the greatest thing on earth since the foundation of the world. I’m preaching on the marvellous church of Christ!

I’m glad I’m part of the church! I’m part of the most amazing group of people that have ever walked this good earth. I’m glad I’m in the church. The wonderful Lord Jesus Christ is the captain. The sweet Holy Spirit is our guide. The Heavenly Father is our provider. We are on the greatest journey ever to be trod. We’ve got the greatest book that man could read. We’re going to the greatest place ever made. We’ve got the greatest news to ever come across mortal ear; the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve got the greatest doctrine to learn and to teach. We’re loved with an everlasting love. We get to sing the greatest songs; The Old Rugged Cross, There is a Fountain Filled With Blood, My Jesus I Love Thee, He Leadeth Me. I’m glad I’m part of the church.

You say, How did you get in this church? Let me go back to the text. Paul was in great sorrow He said (Romans 9:1-5) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, ² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: If you read on to Chapter 10, he explains it real good (Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. How did you get in this church? I got saved. I got marvellously gloriously saved! I’m preaching this morning on the marvellous church of Christ.

I know Romans Chapter 9 is not really about the church. But what I want us to see is that Paul is so completely and utterly removed from his kinsmen according to the flesh, the Israelites. Paul had undergone such a dramatic change in his life since his experience on the Damascus Road where he met the Lord Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:13-16) For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: ¹⁴ And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, ¹⁶ To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.. If you have been saved by the grace of God, you have been called out of this world. You have been separated from the lost, hell-bound, ungodly mass of sinners that you were once part of. When God opens your eyes to the truth of your condition, it’s only natural to feel as Paul feels: (Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. His desire was for his kinsmen to know what he now knows, to see what he now sees, to be part of what he is now part of, the marvellous church of Christ. So what is in my heart at the present time is to cover some of the doctrine of the church.

I had five points, but it became clear that I was only going to cover one because that one had four sub-points. Any lecture or message or study in the bible concerning the church will take you to Peter’s confession in Matthew 16, so let’s start there. So my first and only point:

#1 The Building

(Matthew 16:18-19) 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. ¹⁹ And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The Petra (Rock) of the Church

What is the church? What is this that Christ so ardently promised that he would build? He said I will build my church. Listen, we’re part of something that man did not build. Man did not conceive it. Man did not design it. No, in fact, man has done everything it can to destroy it and to persecute it and to waste it. But despite all of man’s efforts, Jesus said I will build my church. (John 1:11-13) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ¹² 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: ¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

I think it’s good to cover these things. That is really what is in my heart. I’ve come to the hard conclusion that basic church doctrine will get the job done. (Matthew 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He said all power is given unto me. If we want the power of God on us, we’re gonna have to teach, and learn, and observe some things. And I don’t know of any other thing that will give you peace and joy and contentment than to line up with the Word of God; learn something about the things of God. And basic church doctrine will get the job done.

And the church is not built by man, not built by blood, no built by the will of the flesh. No, not by the will of man, but of God. The church is comprised of born-again believers. Amen? You’ve got to be birthed into the family of God. This past Thursday Carina Grace got born into the family of God. She got saved at the Spring Meeting over there at Concord. This is what she said, and I can’t get over this. I can read it over and over. I don’t know if I could explain getting saved any better than this: She said this: “I thought I’d slip between his fingers, And when I let go, I got saved!” Amen! Patty told me she kept saying that she was afraid, she was afraid. Countless people came by and prayed with her and for her and encouraged her. And finally after about an hour, she lifted up her head and cried, “I’m letting go! I’m letting go!” Praise God. She cast herself on the mercy of God and got born again. She found out that Jesus was serious when he said (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 1:12) 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: I’ll tell you what Carina did. She believed on his name, Amen? The bible says (Romans 9:33) Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Acts 16:31) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..

The Lord Jesus Christ is the rock; the stumblingstone of Sion; the rock of offence; but He’s the rock of our salvation. He is the Rock, the Petra of the church! (Ephesians 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (1 Corinthians 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. The marvellous church of God is built upon the Rock. And God the Son is working overtime to build His church; saving sinners one by one, Convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus through the Word, Creating faith in him! He said I will build my church. Bless the Lord! What is this that Christ is building? Jesus is the petra (the rock) of the church.

I’m glad I’m part of what Jesus is building. The Petra of the Church. This building has got the surest foundation. (Luke 6:47-48) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. The bible says that Abraham (Hebrews 11:9-10) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: ¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Jesus is the builder and maker of this, the church; the craftsman, the workman.

(Ephesians 2:8-10) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus… Christ is building his church one soul at a time. Each one that is added is a sinner saved by grace. (Acts 2:47) And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. The church is comprised of a saved membership; regenerated, born-again, blood-washed believers, those that have put their faith in trust in the rock; the Petra of the church, Jesus Christ.

The Perseverance of the Church

I want us to also see in Matthew 16, Peter’s confession the Perseverance of the church. (Colossians 1:16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Jesus, God the Son, is the creator (John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Jesus is the creator. (John 1:10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Jesus created the heavens and the earth. (Psalm 19:1) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Amen. Jesus, God the Son, is the creator of heaven and earth.

But then we read in Revelation (Revelation 21:1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. I want you to understand this: The first heaven and the first earth were for the first creation. But the new heaven and the new earth are for the new creation. Do you remember in Romans Chapter 8 when Paul was talking about the creature?

(Romans 8:19-22) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Three times, he refers to the individual creature, but then he lumps them all together as a whole and says the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The creature is the individual, but you put them together and you have creation. Can I say this: The new heaven and the new earth are for the new creation. And the new creation is the church. It’s the church! (I’m going backwards in my logic now) And the new creation is comprised of new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Amen! You put all these new creatures together and what do you have? The new creation. The church. The new heaven and the new earth and the new Jerusalem are for the new creation. It’s for the church! Eternity belongs to the church! (Galatians 6:15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew. It doesn’t matter if you are not a Jew. The only thing that matters is a new creature. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Have you been made a new creature in Christ?

Jesus said I will build my church. The church is the most marvellous thing that Christ has created since (Genesis 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. The old heaven and the old earth and the old creation will pass away. Hell has got a hold on all of it.

(2 Peter 3:10-12) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, ¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

There’s only thing that will not be touched by hell fire and will make it to the other side of the lake of fire into Revelation Chapter 21 where John saw the new heaven and the new earth… Only one thing. And that’s the new creation, the church of God. He said upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. What is this that Jesus Christ is building? What is this that the gates of hell shall not prevail against? It’s the church; the persevering marvellous church of Christ!

Now don’t get too excited. You’re only going to live as long as Jesus lives. Oh No! Revelation Chapter 20 is not the end of the road for us. Our story doesn’t end at the lake of fire. It goes on and on and on and on. While the ages roll, I’ll keep on praising him! Hey, that’s our reality. This old body and this old world? It’s only temporary. Don’t get too comfortable down here. We’re moving on. This church is on the move. The old gospel ship of Zion is sailing on. It’s pulling out of this place. I’m glad I got on board. We are sailing right over Revelation Chapter 20:11-15 into Chapter 21. Bless the Lord! The church shall persevere!

The Possession of the Church

The perseverance of the church. The petra of the church. I want us to see also the possession of the church. Now if you go to Revelation Chapter 21. That’s the last two chapters of your bible. Verse 1 reads (Revelation 21:1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. And like I said, there’s only one thing that’s going to make it past that verse and that’s the church. Verse 2 says this: Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Then John said that one of those angels came up to him and talked with him and said (Revelation 21:9) Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Jesus said to Peter that upon this rock I will build my church. Jesus is the Lamb, and the church is the bride; the Lamb’s wife. The church belongs to the Lamb. That is the possession of the church. It’s his church. John said (Revelation 21:10-11) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, ¹¹ Having the glory of God… Jesus said (John 14:2-3) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The holy city, new Jerusalem, is going to be that prepared place. John got a glimpse of that place. What did you see John? He said (Revelation 21:22-24) I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. ²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. ²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it… He said I saw the nations of them which are saved. He said I saw the Christ and his church; the husbandman and his bride; the Lamb and his wife.

John the Baptist said (John 1:29) Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Jesus said (Revelation 1:18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen… The Lamb is alive, amen? And so is his wife. Paul said this (Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Bless the Lord! We are married to Christ! But before Paul said that, he said this (Romans 7:1-2) Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? ² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. We are bound to Christ as long as Christ liveth. Christ has conquered death, so we will never, no never, no never be loosed from the Jesus Christ, the love of our life.

(Song of Solomon 2:16) My beloved is mine, and I am his… (Song of Solomon 7:10) I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. You better believe it. Jesus loves his bride. (Ephesians 5:25-27) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Song of Solomon 4:7) Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

We are his bride! We are his wife! We are his possession! He said I am going to build my church. I belong to Christ. I don’t belong to the devil. I don’t belong to this world. This world is not my home. I’m just passing through. My affections are elsewhere. I tell you. John said (1 John 4:19) We love him, because he first loved us. (Revelation 1:5) Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He gave himself for the church. He loved the church. He washed the church from our sins in his own blood. Christ loves his bride. Christ loves the church. (1 Peter 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

You think about this. This is in the word of God for us to understand how Jesus, our husbandman, loves the church, his bride. He said (Song of Solomon 4:9) Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. Thou hast ravished my heart! I don’t understand the love of God. Why and how he would love a sinner? I tell you, I’ll never deserve the love of Christ. God owes me nothing. But he gives me everything. I’ll never forget the day Christ visited me. I never knew the darkness and blackness of my heart. I never knew how much I needed God. I was a filthy vile wretched sinner. I was lost. I was guilty before God. I was condemned and I had no hope. But somehow through all that darkness, the glorious love of Christ shone through. He loves his bride. He loves the church.

Oh glorious love of Christ my Lord Divine,
That made Him stoop to save a soul like mine;
Through all my days and then in Heaven above,
My song will silence never, I’ll worship him forever,
And praise Him for His glorious love.

Ephesians goes on to say (Ephesians 5:28-32) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: ³⁰ For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. ³¹ For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. ³² This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Even as the Lord the church is what Paul says to the Ephesians. Even as Christ nourisheth and cherisheth the church. I’m telling you, I’m glad I’m part of the church. I’m glad I’m bound to the Lord Jesus Christ, or as Paul says I’m joined unto Christ. I’m glad I’m part of his body. He says we’re members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. He said that they two shall be one flesh. What two? He said This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Christ and the church shall be one flesh. We are his bride; his body. Christ and the church. Christ and the church. It’s Christ and the church. The husband and his bride. The Lamb and his wife.

You just cannot separate us. (Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ loves his church. He nourisheth and cherishith his church. I am glad I am Christ’s possession. I’m glad I’m in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Power of the Church

We’ve seen the petra, the perseverance, and the possession of the church. Now I want us to see the power of the church. Matthew 16 goes on to say And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. What is this that has the keys of heaven, and has power to bind and loose things in heaven and earth? The church. This is some serious stuff here. The keys to heaven, and the power to bind and loose things in heaven and earth. The marvellous church of God.

Jesus says this again in Matthew 18 (Matthew 18:18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Notice this time it’s plural. In 16 it’s whatsoever thou shalt bind and thou shalt loose. He was talking to Peter. Well, now in Chapter 18, it’s ye. That’s plural. He’s talking to his disciples, the charter members of the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem, Amen? Jesus said in Matthew 18 to teach them all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Amen? So this is church doctrine. (John 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jesus said this twice unto them: Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The church has got the keys to do that. I want to give you some of my own testimony here to show you how I understand this. I trust the Holy Ghost that what is said is what needs to be said. I trust that God would open our understanding to this matter of the church.

Do you know why I’m uprooting my family to go back to Georgia? Why I quit my great paying job? Why I relinquished my claim on the business? I was content to be part owner of the shop, but I let it go and gave it to my brother Danny. I told him It’s all yours! Why I’m selling my home and my 15 acres? Why I’m selling what other properties I got? I’m counting it all loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. But do you know that the reason why is this verse. Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The Holy Ghost, the teacher that God has put me under, would not let me get around this verse. When we went up there 11 years ago to go to school, we joined the Concord Baptist Church. We went up before the church and asked for membership. It was brought before the church, Preacher said It’s been moved and seconded that we receive these under the watchcare of the church. (Or something to that effect) And he said All in favor, say Aye. And all the church said Aye. I tell you that I’m still learning about all this, but I found out 11 years later that Whatsoever (the church) shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. God did not let me get around this verse. We’re going back up there because God hadn’t loosed us from there yet. The church hadn’t loosed us. We loosed ourselves.

Preacher Allen is always saying Stay tied up until God looses you. And he always talks about that little colt that carried Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus told the disciples to go into a village and there, you’ll find that colt tied up and they went and sure enough, there it was tied up. And the preacher says If that colt wouldn’t have stayed tied up, he would have missed the greatest blessing of carrying the Jesus the King into Jerusalem. Stay tied up until God looses you. I heard him say that many times, and heard other preachers quote him, and it went in one ear and out the other. But when Brother Stinnett Ballew began preaching Monday morning at the Thanksgiving Campmeeting on The Importance of the Church, the Holy Ghost made this verse abundantly clear to me.

That verse in Matthew 18 goes on to say (Matthew 18:19-20) That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. When Christ’s church assembles and agrees on earth with the Lord Jesus Christ there in the midst of them, the key is turned in heaven. His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s a serious thing. God help us to take serious the assembling of ourselves, the marvellous church of God.

You know, the bible is clear that the individual believer is the temple of God. The Spirit of God dwells in you. We’ve covered all that numerous times. But the bible also teached that the church, the called out assembly, is also the dwelling place of God. (Ephesians 2:19-22) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. He says it’s all the building that fitly framed together and groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. He says you are builded together that you might be an habitation of God. The church is not a habitat for humanity; it’s a habitat for deity. It’s a serious thing when God’s people meet and assemble and worship and pray. (Psalm 22:3) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

I’ve been trying to study that tabernacle in the wilderness. That tabernacle was the dwelling place of God. That’s were God would show up and meet with his people. It says in (Exodus 25:8) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. All around that holy place, where the ark of the covenant was and the candlestick and the shewbread and all those things… All around there, the structure that held up the tent were 46 wooden boards covered in gold. These boards were fit together, side by side, all around that holy place to form the tabernacle of God. And it was there between the boards that God would make his habitation. (Ephesians 2:21-22) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Power of the Church resides in the presence of God. (Ephesians 3:20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Conclusion

He said I will build my church. I’m glad I’m part of the church.

We’ve got the surest foundation ever laid. The Petra of the Church.
We’ve got the brightest future in all eternity. The Perseverance of the Church.
We’ve got the closest friend in heaven and earth. We’re his bride, his wife. The Possession of the Church.
We’ve got the most glorious privilege and responsibility. The Power of the Church.

It’s a wonderful thing to be part of the church! No one can lay anything to the charge of the church. Nothing can compete with us for the affections of our beloved Christ. There’s no other organization, or group, or status, or privilege that can compare with the marvellous church of Christ. Only the church can do all things through Christ. Only the church can save others with fear pulling them from the fire. Only the church has a high priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Only the church does the Holy Spirit intercede for. Only the church is Jesus at the right hand of God interceding for. Death has lost it’s sting on the church. The grave has no victory over the church. Sin has no dominion over the church. Only the church will tread the street of gold. Only the church will eat from the tree of life. Only the church will gather and drink by the pure river of water of life.

What is this that Christ is building but the church? The glorious, beautiful, spotless, marvellous church of Christ. I’m glad I’m part of the church. If you want to glorify God in your life… I mean if you really want your life to count for Christ, there’s only one way to do it. And that’s in the church. (Ephesians 3:21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages… In the church!

Paul said this. (Romans 9:1-5) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, ² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Romans 10:1) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Paul is saying I wish and pray that my kinsmen according to the flesh… I wish they were part of this marvellous church that God has made me part. Are you part of the church? Are you saved? There is one way to know. I’ve heard it the preacher say I can tell you in two seconds if you’re saved or lost. Do you love the brethren? (1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Do you love the brethren; the marvellous church of Christ? Don’t stumble at the stumblingstone. Whosoever believeth on his shall not be ashamed.

And if you are saved… If you are part of Christ’s church, then have you sold out to it. I’m gonna give everything I’ve got to Christ and his church. Come hell or high water, I’m gonna go to church and worship God and serve God and the people of God with all that is within me. I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got. David said (Psalm 27:4) One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

I thought I was going to preach this back on 03/11/18 but never did.

The original outline had 5 points. Here are the last 4. #2 is redundant. Maybe we’ll get into those later. However, Romans 9 is pulling me elsewhere.

#1 The Building

#2 The Bride

#3 The Body

#4 The Baptized

#5 The Blessed

Preached at Calvary Baptist Church in Portland, Texas on 4/8/18

Exodus 26:19-21 And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. ²⁰ And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards: ²¹ And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

So I’ve waited for a revelation that would uphold the tabernacle as a type of the individual believer like we have in the other devotionals, but to no avail. They always told me that types just never hold up so you can’t get carried away with them. My heart right now really is on the church and the doctrine of the church. Ecclesiology. I can’t get away from (Ephesians 2:19-22) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. So let’s just go with it.

It’s two sockets under one board. And that’s perfect because Ephesians says that the saint sets upon the foundation of two sets of individuals: the apostles and the prophets. One tenon in one socket and the other tenon in the other socket. We stand with one foot in the apostles and one foot in the prophets. And I still think that this gives us the reality of worshiping God, and the presence of God.

When I consider the disciples, I think of how they gathered around Jesus feet and listened intently to every word that fell from his lips; his doctrine, his parables, his prayers. They followed him wherever he would go; in the sea, up the mount, in the desert place. They did whatever he said; cast the nets, fetch the colt, prepare the Passover. They were the closet people on earth to walk with Jesus and witness him firsthand; they were exceedingly amazed, they marvelled, they were astonished. They feared, they worshipped, they rejoiced. They called him Rabbi, Master, Lord. O Lord, that we might walk in the ways of your precious and loved disciples. (John 6:68) Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. This one thing is needful, that we might sit at the master’s feet. (Luke 24:32) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

One foot in the disciples’ socket and the other in the prophets’. The bible says (Revelation 19:10) The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. It was right after that in which John wrote the most anticipated words in the Holy Bible.

(Revelation 19:11-16) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ¹² His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. ¹³ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The second coming of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! To plug one tenon into the socket of the holy prophets is to tap in to (Titus 2:13) that blessed hope. To walk the path of prophets is to (Luke 21:28) lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh; to (1 Thessalonians 5:6) watch and be sober. Like Rebekah, may we from atop God’s providential camels, lift up our eyes and look across the fields of this quickly fleeting life, and catch the eye of our Isaac! (Genesis 24:65) What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? O Glory to God it won’t be long! (Philippians 3:20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

May we lay them down and stand upon these, the foundation of the apostles and prophets, in our worship and service to God, and be not ashamed. This is the habitation of God; the holy temple in the Lord. And may God fill his temple. This is no wood, hay, and stubble. These silver sockets will endure. They most assuredly (1 Corinthians 3:13) shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire… What an amazing thought of our reality in Christ; to walk in the footsteps of the apostles and prophets; to walk the path that they once trod. What a comfort to know that this path is not obscure and uncertain, but others have gone before. And then also, that there’s more boards in this tabernacle, standing side by side, in the same silver sockets that you stand. And that God dwells in the midst of these. Praise the Lord for the His glorious marvelous church!

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

This miracle is when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand; restored it whole. It happened on the sabbath in a synagogue. Below is the account found in Matthew. You can also find it in Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11. I encourage you to read all the accounts. There are so many questions that these passages bring up it’s not even funny. So I have to hone in and concentrate on a single aspect if we are to get anywhere. So I may not go down the route that you anticipate. But I do have to go down a route.

(Matthew 12:9-14) And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: ¹⁰ And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. ¹¹ And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? ¹² How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. ¹³ Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. ¹⁴ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

This whole encounter in the synagogue with this man with the withered hand, I must admit, seems to have little to do with the man. Jesus deals mostly with the Pharisees in this miracle. If you read around the text, you’ll see that these Pharisees are following Jesus around questioning everything about him. And this passage is the end of all this questioning. Apparently, the Pharisees were done asking questions and had made their mind up; for the bible says that (Matthew 12:14) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. The bible says (Luke 6:11) And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Everything about Jesus, the Pharisees questioned. Jesus forgave the sins of that who was sick of the palsy. And they asked (Mark 2:7) Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? And Jesus proves he has power on earth to forgive sins by healing the sick man. Then Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to follow him and he dines with him and other publicans and sinners. And the Pharisees ask (Mark 2:16) How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? Not only did they have a problem with who Jesus ate with, they didn’t even like that he was eating. (Mark 2:18) Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? Jesus just couldn’t eat in peace. Then on the sabbath, Jesus and disciples plucked some corn and ate, and Jesus was questioned again. (Mark 2:24) Why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? Jesus then questions them about David and when he ate the shewbread of the temple. And he says this: (Mark 2:27-28) The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: ²⁸ Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. In Matthew he says (Matthew 12:6-8) That in this place is one greater than the temple. ⁷ But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

So it’s in the context of this sabbath issue that Jesus goes into the synagogue on the sabbath and heals this man with the withered hand, apparently in response to these questions regarding the sabbath. They were watching him. They were ready to accuse him. Jesus knew it. He deliberately performed this miracle for them to witness. I like the way Luke puts it (Luke 6:6) He entered into the synagogue and taught. Jesus sure could teach a lesson. He wasn’t afraid to answer his accusers. He could turn the tables around and accuse the accusers; question the questioners. Amen!

Now, when they first started asking questions, when Jesus forgave the sins of the man sick of the palsy, we saw compassion on Jesus’ part, even for the Pharisees. We saw reasonableness, patience, and effort in that Jesus worked with them and tried to prove to them who he was. But this time, being the straw that broke the camel’s back, it was different. In Mark’s account we find that (Mark 3:5) When he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. It seems Jesus had enough.

Okay, here’s the lesson for today. There some people out there that will never be satisfied with your answer concerning the things of God. They’ll ask question after question after question, not because they’re curious, but because they’re trying to accuse you. Or they’ll doubt and question everything about your manner of life, what the man of God does, or what the church does. And did you notice in Mark, when they questioned Jesus’ company, they didn’t ask Jesus? They asked his disciples. Instead of questioning Jesus directly, they tried to spread their poison to his disciples. Now I understand genuine curiosity and and an eagerness to learn. But there is a difference.

So like Jesus our captain, we ought to have some wit about us when answering questions. The bible says, (1 Peter 3:15) Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Paul speaks about the qualifications of a bishop, but I think this is good advice for any child of God. (Titus 1:9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. We ought to (1 Timothy 5:17) Labour in the word and doctrine.

But at the same time, we ought to know when enough is enough. Jesus also said (Matthew 7:6) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. So appropriately, there is (Ecclesiastes 3:7) a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. The bible says (Proverbs 9:7) He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. There are better things to do that arguing with fools. (Proverbs 14:7) Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

So when Jesus had enough, what did he do? (Mark 3:5) And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. In Matthew he declares (Matthew 12:12) Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. This reminds me of Roger Williams (who by all means gave us separation of church and state). He was questioned and accused all his life and even banished, and what did he do? He went and preached the gospel to the Indians. He got away from that crowd and did well.

The bible has much to say about doing well. Paul admonished us (Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. And again in (2 Thesselonians 3:13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. I’m ashamed to say and I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve got a long way until I’m in danger of that. I was reading through 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus and was taken at how much Paul had to say about good works. So let me just list some of this.

(Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

(Acts 9:36) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

(Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(1 Timothy 2:9-10) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ¹⁰ But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

(1 Timothy 5:9-10) Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

(1 Timothy 5:25) Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

(1 Timothy 6:18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(Titus 2:7-8) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, ⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

(Titus 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(Titus 3:8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

(Titus 3:14) And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

(Hebrews 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

(James 3:13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

(1 Peter 2:12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Let’s get to work! Amen? This goes really well with what I was looking at in (Proverbs 10:19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. We need a little less talk and a lot more action!

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

I just wanted to see if I could get your attention. Ha! I guess it worked.

Proverbs 10 is a compilation of 32 verses that compare wisdom to foolishness. It gives examples in finances, farming, speaking, age, etc. With the exception of a few verses, the first half of the verse cover wisdom and the other half gives the opposite effect (antithetical) in foolishness. I didn’t study this long enough to develop or see an order in these 32 verses. Maybe someone has.

But what did stand out of all this was this one verse: (Proverbs 10:19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. This what I’ve been thinking of lately: People say one thing and then go do another. That’s the truth. And I know nobody wants to be called a hypocrite. But let’s face the truth. James said (James 2:17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Who of us, has works 100% of the time that shows our faith. Saying one thing and doing another is the same as believing one thing and behaving differently; when our practice doesn’t match our principles; our testimony doesn’t match the truths; we don’t walk the talk. Yes, that is hypocricy, but let us be honest with ourselves and admit that it’s also normal. (Romans 3:4) Let God be true, but every man a liar… What Jesus said about the Pharisees is true of every man. (Matthew 23:1-3) But do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

So when I came to this verse, In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin… I thought about the individuals in the ministry or the church that have shipwrecked, so to speak. (And I throw no stones. Believe me. I understand what it is to drift and forsake what you’ve learned or professed) But I think of the many words that they once spoke. They used to say they believed this or believed that, and now by their actions, they apparently don’t. They’ve gone off the deep end. So, our words may sound good on the outside. But alas, what is on the inside eventually comes through.

Talk is cheap. And I mean that not as an accusation but as a warning to ourselves. Talk can be much like feelings. You just can’t trust them. You just can’t live your life by them. For some of us, talk is a result of feelings. We talk when we feel like it. So if you can’t trust feelings, why in the world would we trust our talk? In fact, I kinda want to just stop typing! He he he!

Anyhow, hypocrisy is something I believe all of us have to deal with. I don’t know about you, but I seem to wake up every morning in Romans Chapter 7. (Romans 7:19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Any enlightenment on this subject is a help to me. If I can offer any insight into the causes of going shipwreck or prevent someone or myself from doing so then I want to do that. So I went back and counted at least 12 out of the 32 verses dealt with speaking, the mouth, the lips, or the tongue. So I want to look at some of that.

A prating fool…

I saw this expression come up twice, and was genuinely curious as to what prating meant. Mr. Webster has this word as meaning Talking much on a trifling subject; talking idly.

(Proverbs 10:8) The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

(Proverbs 10:10) He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Now that I think about it, prattling on is a very common use nowadays of that word. I used to think that people who talk much had the gift of gab. I’m not so sure it’s a gift now; could possibly be a curse. A fool that prattles on shall fall.

A well of life…

(Proverbs 10:11) The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life… This reminds me of the verse (James 5:16) The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Much words can also be good, but it depends on who and where they are directed. Much words to God in the secret place is a well of life. But much prattling on to man is death. What is good and beneficial is to talk to God. What is bad and detrimental is to talk to man. The bible says (Luke 18:1) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Preacher Allen is always telling us that the secret to a victorious Spirit-filled life is to spend more time with Him than you do anybody else.

(Proverbs 10:21) The lips of the righteous feed many. Put this verse back into the context of (Proverbs 10:19) But he that refraineth his lips is wise. I’m reminded of that song Little is Much When God is In It. The wise will speak less; but when they do speak, it’s a well of life and many are fed.

Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked…

And the rest of that verse reads (Proverbs 10:11) …but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Verse 6 reads the same way: (Proverbs 10:6) But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. It seems that the most common interpretation of this is that the expression covereth the mouth is indicative of judgment; to silence in judgment; to cause guilt or put to shame. (Romans 3:19) That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. But if you read the commentaries you’ll see disparaging views as to how to apply the violence part of that verse. How exactly does violence cover the mouth? So you know what that means, right? I get to make up whatever I want! Just kidding.

This is what I thought of when I ran across this verse. During one of our pit-stops on the way back from Georgia, as I walked through the convenience store, I passed by a man; a big man. He was speaking to the person walking in front of him. And in the few seconds that I passed him by I heard such vile, filthy, disgusting, hateful words. My son was right behind me, so he got to hear that too. And I thought that little kids ought not to hear stuff life that. Anyhow in keeping with the mainstream interpretation, this violent speech is a badge of judgment. It’s a badge of shame and guilt. You need not go to trial to determine what is in your heart. It’s all over your mouth.

I know we’re all guilty of thinking things we ought not; but to let them come all the way out of your mouth is the seed coming to fruition. We don’t have to let things take root. We don’t have to fill up with it; that it spills over at any bump. The passage goes on to say (Proverbs 10:18) He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. A fool because he knows not the judgment that his lies and slander bring upon him. (Proverbs 10:14) The mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Lay up knowledge…

The passage says that (Proverbs 10:14) Wise men lay up knowledge. And this is evident in their speech (when they do speak). (Proverbs 10:13) In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found. And (Proverbs 10:31) The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom. It’s in the lips and the mouth can bring it forth. But before that, there’s going to have to be some laying up. Now, James said that God gives it out liberally. (James 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But when I see that term lay up, I picture the hard-working farmer! Plowing, cultivating, sowing, harrowing, hoeing, watering, thinning, pruning, harvesting, plucking, threshing, and lots of sweating! It takes real work to lay up a crop. It takes time. It takes a lot of grace from the heavens too. Laying up a crop takes work and effort; maybe some blood, sweat, and tears. So which is it? If God gives liberally, does that mean it’s free for the taking? No effort involved? Hold on a sec. James also says in the next verse (James 1:6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. Take that verse and couple it with James’ teaching on faith (James 2:17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Ahhh! Not so free as we would like, is it? (James 2:14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?

(Proverbs 10:20) The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The tongue of the just is as choice silver because much has been layed up to back the value of that silver. The heart of the wicked is little worth because little or nothing has been layed up to give it any value. In order for the tongue to have the value of choice silver, much must be invested. (2 Corinthians 9:6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

What is acceptable…

(Proverbs 10:32) The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. So who can’t help but think of (Psalm 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. What is acceptable is not necessarily what is acceptable to man. What counts is what is acceptable to the Lord. Several commentaries say that the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable to God and to men. I think it would better to say that the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable to God and for men. That covers things better; for man usually doesn’t know what is acceptable to God; and what is acceptable to God is acceptable for man. And it’s not to man unless man accepts it. And to plus to equals for! See, it all makes sense.

Seriously, this is what is comes down to. It’s nice when all men are pleased, but the reality is that never happens. What is most important is that God is pleased. That word acceptable is translated in other places as the desire, favour, with good-will. That’s why I don’t go along with the God and man thing. I care not for the desires of man and I need not the favour of man. But the desires of God I am very much interested in. To be in his favour is very important to me.

I’ve got to move on…

(Proverbs 10:19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. I know what you’re thinking. Why doesn’t this guy practice what he preaches and just shut-up? This verse demands that we examine ourselves. So if you find yourself in Romans Chapter 7 all the time, or perhaps you’re drifting from the things of God, prayerfully consider that maybe our words, our mouths, our lips can be examined.

A prating fool… Examine your conversation; how much you talk; what you talk about. Perhaps it’s time to practice (1 Thessalonians 4:11) And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. Seriously, I have a child that gives absolutely no thought to what is going to come out of that mouth. It just shoots out. This child is always getting into trouble and 100% of the time it’s what is proceeding from the mouth. If the child would just zip it, O what peace we’d all have! Remember, a prating fool shall fall.
A well of life… Maybe something to consider is others. Does what you say encourage others in the things of God? Does it edify? Or does it bring people down? Are your words poison? Complaining? Criticizing? Do we build people up or tear them down? Now this doesn’t mean you have to teach everybody a lesson (See #1). But do examine the effect you may be having on others. It may tell you much about yourself and the direction you are going.
Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked… I don’t know who’s reading this. But I’ll speak directly. If your words indicate that you get pleasure out of other people’s pain, there is something seriously wrong with you. No amount of God-talk can hide that. You may not be in Romans Chapter 7, but maybe in Romans Chapter 1.
Lay up knowledge… We get discouraged, I know. But we have to be honest. How can we reap if we haven’t sown? I’ll never forget the words of Lester Roloff, when preaching to a preacher at an ordination service, he said, “Brother Al, you’re going to have to give him some time…” How much have you invested in laying up knowledge? How much bible do you read? How much preaching do you listen to? Do you read books? Have you asked God for wisdom?
What is acceptable… Check your desire to fulfill God’s desires. Who’s are more important? Yours or His? Does the acceptance of man thrill you more than pleasing God? Does the will of God mean anything to you? How important is it really to you? Now I’ve only been saved 13 years. But I can honestly say the will of God is much more precious to me now than it was years prior. These things take time.

Like I said earlier, there’s nothing abnormal about hypocrisy. There’s no shame in admitting that. The shame lies in doing nothing about it. The shame is in lying to yourself and God that everything is okay, when it’s not. We need not wonder why Christians fall away or get discouraged. There are signs and warnings. And there is help. (Luke 11:10) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

One last thing. There is no substitute for faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the finished work of Calvary. There is power in the blood. And there is no help but that which comes from the Holy Ghost. We may never fully understand our troubles, but we can have faith in God to fix them.

And don’t forget: Make your dad glad. And don’t make your mama fat.

¹⁵ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. ¹⁶ Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

These boards were the solid hard structure in which the curtains were to cover. I find it curious that the curtains were covered first. If I were instructing someone on how to build the tabernacle, I probably would have started with the boards and sockets, since these probably went down first; kind of like a foundation. But instead, God gave instruction first on what was inside the structure, then what was outside the structure, and then finally the structure. Am I the only one that thinks this odd? I can’t help but think of Ezekiel. First it was bones, then skin outside, and finally the breathe inside.

(Ezekiel 37:7-10) So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. ⁸ And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. ⁹ Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

So I wonder if there is any significance in all that. Maybe that first things should be first. What is the skeleton and the flesh without the breath? Is it possible that the instructions of the tabernacle may also layout an order of importance? Or an order of reality? Make sure the inside is in order first. Then worry about the rest. Maybe?

The boards are ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. If a cubit is 18 inches (as most believe), then that makes the board 27 inches wide. That’s a wide board! You can’t find solid wood at Home Depot that wide. You’d have to buy plywood. So that makes me wonder if these were solid boards, or were they pieced together, maybe like a butcher block? Also, the bible doesn’t say how thick they were. Or maybe they were framed to that size with lighter wood around it? They did have to carry these things. Or maybe something similar to how a door is constructed; a frame with panels. Some people think that they were only frames and not solid; in order to see the beautiful tapestries on the sides. There has got to be some explanation because a 27 inch solid board by 15 feet long is a serious problem. It’s like trying to get 6 foot wide 20 gauge stainless. Good luck!

If it was indeed solid, then they would have had to find 46 of the biggest, oldest, straightest trees in all the land. So God is definitely not a tree-hugger. Even pictures of the largest shittim trees just aren’t big enough. It may be possible that larger ones existed in abundance 4000 years ago, but the sheer weight would just be nuts. So I’m not trying to change badger to sea-cow. I just think that most likely, the boards were not solid boards. They were some kind of fabricated structure that was formed to the given size. I think also the word board back in 1600’s could be used to describe a table; which no doubt could be made of several boards.

Anyhow, the scripture that comes to mind is this: (Ephesians 2:19-22) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Now to use this verse will begin to push us away from our type of the tabernacle that we’ve been exploring of late; a picture of the individual believer and the indwelling state of the Holy Ghost. Perhaps, it reveals another glorious picture in that of the church. The individual believer is the temple of the Holy Ghost; an holy temple in the Lord; an habitation of God through the Spirit. But this verse deals not with just the individual, but the entire church. In fact, this area of Ephesians is really dealing with the merging of both Jews and Gentiles into one body. We see in this verse, and cannot deny, that the Holy Ghost dwells also in the body of Christ as a conglomeration; or a congregation; or an assembly.

Now is this to be viewed as an abiding presence as the indwelling of the Spirit? Can the body be filled with the Spirit as an individual can be filled with the Spirit? I most assuredly believe so; Pentecost being our primary example. (Acts 2:4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. And after Peter and John were released from custody and prayed with the disicples, the bible says (Acts 4:31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. There’s individual worship and corporate worship. And in Acts 4:31, we see there’s individual service and corporate service for it says that they spake the word of God with boldness.

Let me say this and I’ll quit. I enjoy when the Spirit of God moves through the congregation; when the wind blows across the tabernacle, and each board begins to shake, the embroidered angel’s wings begin to flap, and the smell of incense is spread all around. Each board, each saint, 27 inches wide and 15 feet tall, cannot help but move as the wind passes by. Those angels tells us that all heaven takes notice at the worship of Jesus. All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall. The incense, of course, is the prayers of the saints going up into the nostrils of God. There ain’t nothing like it. May our church meetings be an holy temple in the Lord; an habitation of God through the Spirit. Grant it Lord, that there may always be your abiding presence in our sacred assembly.

We’ll definitely come back and look at more details regarding the boards. I’m not ready anyhow to leave the application to the individual. So I’m still studying.

**Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins…**

The miracle where Jesus heals a paralytic who was let down from the roof. This can be found in Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26, and the following from Mark:

(Mark 2:1-12) And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. ² And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. ³ And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. ⁴ And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. ⁶ But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷ Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? ⁸ And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? ⁹ Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? ¹⁰ But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) ¹¹ I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. ¹² And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

I love the ending of this passage; the manner in which the people were left. Mark says (2:12) that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. Matthew says (9:8) They marvelled, and glorified God. And I enjoy most of all Luke’s account (5:26) And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

The scribes looked upon Jesus with contempt and disbelief as Jesus said Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Now, they did have somewhat of a point. For how could they know truly that this man’s sins were forgiven. If they had some view at the record that God keeps and could see the sins wiped away at the word of Jesus, maybe they might not have thought these things. So how were they to know? Other than to just take Jesus word at it. There was nothing there to see that Jesus had truly forgiven this man’s sins. But Jesus, to prove his power to forgive, he did something that they could see.

So don’t to be too hard on these scribes. They were only professing what they’ve been taught for 2000 years and what they saw. If someone came into your church and started forgiving sins, I doubt seriously that many would believe him (or her). But in this, we see the mercy and patience and understanding of Christ. He didn’t say You don’t believe? Fine. I’m out of here! No, he performed a miracle before their eyes to show them that he truly had power on earth.

The scribes were men of reason. They reasoned in their hearts. And Jesus, like he did with others, he met them at their level and dealt with them in where they understood. He perceived their reasoning, and asked them to continue in their reasoning. Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? I don’t believe this was done with disdain or contempt toward the scribes. Jesus did not ask this and heal the man with his nose stuck up in the air. He did it in love. Jesus is truly the evangelist. He did this for one reason: to prove himself to them. He did this to convince them of who he was.

Jesus cared for the scribes. The miracle he performed was primarily for the scribes; not the man that was sick of the palsy; nor the faithful four. He had already dealt with them when he forgave the man’s sins. The healing was done for the sake of the scribes. He was trying to win them, not condemn them. He was trying convince them, not show them up. He was tempting them to trust him. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins…

I don’t see any thing wrong with using your mind and your ability to reason. Jesus will meet you there. (Isaiah 1:18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD. People of reason and thought, that have dismissed the claims of Christ, have done so not because of their reasoning was misguided. They’ve done so because they’ve simply stopped short. They’re not as reasonable as they think they are. Grant it, some people get there faster than others. It doesn’t mean that they didn’t reason things out. The woman at the well progressed rather quickly in her reasoning. First, Jesus was a Jew. (John 4:9) How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me? Then, Jesus Jesus was a prophet. (John 4:19) Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. And finally, Jesus was Christ. (John 4:29) Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Sometimes, we may associate reasoning with the workings of the mind, (Luke 5:22) But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Our thoughts and reasoning may go deeper than our heads. Don’t cut yourself short and take for granted the thoughts you ponder. There is always a danger of dead, dry, empty head-knowledge. But some have dug through much of that and found precious gold. Look at Jacob. (Genesis 32:24) And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. But he didn’t give up. (Genesis 32:26) And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And in the end Jacob said (Genesis 32:30) I have seen God face to face.

The bible says, After the miracle, (Luke 5:26) They were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. I wonder if at that any of those scribes reasoned within themselves I have seen God face to face. Jesus Christ and the gospel suffer nothing against reason and thoughtfulness. They win every time.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Love of God is In Christ Jesus

When Hurricane Harvey came this past year, when it ramped up to a Category 3 and threatened to get stronger, the worst of it was headed straight toward Sinton. We were at first going to try to shelter in place at a Category 1, but when the news came of it’s strengthening, plan changed. We figured that there’s no way that the house would stand through that. So we gathered what we thought was valuable and put it in the metal container outside, and basically kissed the house goodbye. I remember as we left, we prayed together, and told God that we were thankful for the house while we had it. It was then, that I remembered this verse. There’s nothing that shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s love is not in houses and lands. No. It’s in Jesus Christ. Houses, lands, and things of this world can slip from you grasp, through your finger. Or hurricanes can take them away. But not the love of God because it’s in Jesus Christ.

This chapter began with (8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. And it ends with the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Maybe, if we get anything out of this entire chapter, we can understand that in Christ is God’s love, not condemnation. This may be the last message I ever preach here at Primera. This may be the last word I ever get to speak to you all. So if this was my last opportunity, my last chance, what would I say? If you knew that you had only one day left with your loved ones, what would you do? What would you say? That’s how I kinda see this. If this was my last chance to speak to you, what would I say? What would I use these last few minutes together with you to say?

#1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus

Make sure that you are in Christ Jesus; because the love of God is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The love of God is in Christ Jesus. That is where you’ll find God’s love. Nowhere else. And that is where I want to find myself; in Christ Jesus. Jesus told us, even of himself, (John 3:16-17) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. God does not want you to die in your sin. He’s not willing that anyone should perish. No. He but he loves you and wants you to be saved in his Son. That the world through him might be saved! The love of God is in Christ Jesus! Make sure that you are in Christ Jesus.

It is the most important matter of your life. The bible says (Matthew 16:26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? How valuable is your soul to you? It’s valuable to God. He said that not even the whole world could pay for just one soul. You look at Matthew Chapter 7, on that last day: (Matthew 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? These people are trying to find something to give in exchange for their soul. But God said no, if you add up everything in this whole world, it will not pay to redeem one soul. No. (1 Peter 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: The blood of Christ. It came from the same place you’ll find the love of God. The love of God is in Christ Jesus.

When they nailed Jesus to the cross and when they pierced his side, (Can I say this?) it was liquid love that flowed from the fountain. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains. (1 John 3:1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. (Revelation 1:5) Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Make sure that you can say yes to this question: Are you washed in the blood? In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? The love of God is in Jesus Christ. Make sure you are in Christ Jesus.

I beg and I plead with you. Don’t take this thing lightly. (Matthew 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Make sure that your way is the right way. I trust that the way I found is the right way. Your way may be different. I’ll admit that it is possible that we may both be wrong. But you’d have to admit that we both can’t be right. Make sure that your way is the right way. The bible says (Proverbs 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Psalm 1:6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Make sure you’ve gone through the strait gate and are on the narrow way. Jesus said (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.

Make sure you’re saved. I’m not trying to make anybody doubt. I’m just glad a man of God came by my way and preached the gospel. He didn’t just assume that everybody between the four walls of that church was okay. I’m glad he preached Jesus one more time. I’m glad he preached John Chapter 3 (John 3:3) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:6-7) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Ye must be born again! Ye must! Ye must! Yet must! (John 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. Make sure that you’re saved. Make sure you are born again. Make sure that you are in Christ Jesus.

Few there be that find it. (Hebrews 11:7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house. Noah, being warned of God… John the Baptist, he stopped those Pharisees and Sadducees coming down to the river to be baptized. (Matthew 3:7) O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Let me ask you this: Have you been warned of God? When Noah found out that judgment was coming, the bible says that he moved with fear. And we all know that the ark is type of Christ and of salvation in Christ. Well, out of all those people that were living on the earth, small and great, young and old, rich and poor, only eight people got in that ark. (1 Peter 3:20) When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved. Only eight. Not eight-thousand. Not eight-hundred. Not eighty. Only eight.

We’re not Jehovah’s witness and believe that there’s this set number going to heaven; that only 144,000 are going to make it. The door of the ark is wide open. The veil of the temple has been rent. The work has been finished. The price has been paid. Jesus said (Luke 14:16-17) A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: ¹⁷ And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. Everything is ready, and the invitation still stands. The bride says Come. The Spirit says Come. And Jesus said (Luke 14:23) Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. God has placed no limit to his love, no boundaries to his grace. But the truth of the matter is that (Matthew 22:14) Many are called, but few are chosen. It’s few there be that find it.

In the days of Noah, only the ones that got in that ark were saved. But you had to get in the ark. In the days of Egypt, the houses with the doorposts and the lintels struck with blood were the only place safe for the firstborn. If you were in that house, the Destroyer would passover you. But you had to get in the house. In the days of Jericho, the house with the scarlet cord hanging from the window was the safe house. Everybody in that house survived. But you had to get in the house. At the pool of Bethesda, it was whosoever got first in that pool was healed of whatsoever disease they had. But you had to get in the pool. You’ve got to get in Christ Jesus. There is where you’ll find it.

Find what, preacher? The love of God which is in Christ Jesus. I’m asking you today have you found the love of God? #1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus.

#2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus

And this really the context of the passage we are in today. I do want to stay in context. Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. Now you realize that this is somewhat of an oxy-moron. The verse says that Paul is persuaded that nothing can seperate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. And there is nothing that can do that. Death cannot separate us from the love of God. Life cannot separate us from the love of God. Angels, fallen angels, devils, cannot separate us from the love of God. Principalities can’t. Powers can’t. And so forth… If you ever do find the love of God then there is nothing that can separate you from it. So if you ever get in Christ, there’s no getting out.

That is the biblical principle. But that is not what we practice. That is what we believe. But that is not how we behave. So when I say Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus, what I’m really trying to convey is to practice the principle; behave like what we believe; or walk the talk. Talk is cheap. I’m saying what Paul said to the Galatians (5:25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. I think, in a certain sense, Paul is saying, if the Holy Spirit lives in you, (I mean if God lives in you) then we ought to act like it. Look, I believe that Paul is really preaching down where the rubber meets the road. You just look at this list!

Death? There probably isn’t anything in this world that is feared most than death. I think most people, for the most part, like to live. I don’t particularly want to die. When someone wants to die, it’s a testament to how much they desire to live. Life has gone bad and they want it better. They want to live; and have a better life. But somehow they don’t believe it possible, so then they want death. It’s just in us to want to live; to want to survive. The fear of death can paralyze someone, but it can also mobilize someone. Death of our loved ones? It causes pain, sorrow, and tears. It causes hardships. It brings us troubles. Death can create voids and emptiness deep in the soul of man. Death has got real power on this earth!

But Paul, (He knew a few things about death!) who was left dead outside of Listra, who had experienced deaths oft (Go figure that! That is what the bible says), he said (1 Corinthians 15:51-58) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Now he said that when this happens. This is the reality of death for the Christian ⁵⁴ …then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And that’s the key word there: Victory! There’s victory in Christ Jesus. That’s why I’m saying Make sure you stay in! That’s why I saying that Paul is preaching where the rubber meets the road. Because death defeats us. And everything on Paul’s list defeats us. It causes us to live in defeat. We’re walk around living defeated lives. Why? Because we’re not practicing the principles. We’re not behaving like what we say we believe. James said (James 2:17-18) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. If death has truly lost it’s power over us, if death has lost it’s sting, and the grave has lost it”s victory, if that is our faith, then our works ought to show that. It ought to proclaim that.

Paul said I’m persuaded that death shall not separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. I think Paul is saying I’m gonna stay in Christ Jesus. I’m gonna stay in the love of God. Jude said (Jude 21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. That’s what it means to be persuaded. I’m just gonna stay here. I’m just gonna stay in the love of God. I’m gonna stay in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is the love of God. There is the victory.

After Paul says ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. he says this: ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord… Do you see what he’s saying here church? He’s saying don’t give up! Don’t throw in the towel! Stay with the stuff! Lester Roloff used to say Stick with the stuff, and the stuff will stick with you. Stay the course!

And this goes for all of it; all of Paul’s list. We talked about death? What about life? Oh my! All the cares and troubles of this life. And there are many. And O How they defeat us? Life will whip you down and wear you out. I’m not sure which is worst? The up and down roller coaster life, or the day in day out tedious monotony of life. The bills always have to be paid. The clock never stops. The problems never stop coming. You get over one hill, here comes another. You solve one problem, three more on on the horizon. It never ends. Life can defeat us. But Paul said I’m persuaded that none of that is able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Listen, when we were lost all those things did separate us from the love of God, but now that we’re saved, they shouldn’t any longer do that. Remember the parable of the seed and the sower that Jesus told? (Luke 8:5-8) A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. ⁶ And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. ⁸ And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. Jesus then gave the interpretation of the parable. And I don’t want to preach the whole parable, but look at what he said about them thorns. (Luke 8:14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The cares and riches and pleasures of this life have dominion over the lost. The saved, is free from those things. See, that’s what we believe, but is that what we practice?

Let me share something with you that’s helped me recently. I was reading back in Romans (Romans 5:20-21) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: ²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. This passage talks about Adam, and sin entering into the world, and Moses and the law, and the free gift coming upon all men. It’s written with a third-person ring to it. And because of that, I’ve always had a very external understanding of this. In other words, I see sin abounding in the world and grace abounding in Jesus Christ. I see how sin has reigned in that everybody and everything dies. But the other day, I internalized it. And it’s really helped me. I don’t just see it out there. I see it here in me. Listen he goes on to say in the next chapter: (Romans 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Listen, the reason why sin and all these things get the best of you and defeat you is because you let them.

Let me explain something. (Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. When you got saved you changed masters. (Romans 6:18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. We’re not under the law, we’re under grace. Sin does not have dominion over us. Grace does. Paul said, (Romans 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly… That means when we were lost, we didn’t have a choice in the matter. We were made subject to vanity, subject to corruption. And to understand this let me say this: We were made the subjects of corruption. That means corruption was the king. Corruption reigned. And we were brought under subjection to this king. We were under the law and sin reigned in our mortal body, not willingly. That means we didn’t have a choice but to yield to the sin. It had dominion. We were under subjection.

But now that we’re saved. We’re not under the law. Sin and corruption and vanity no longer have dominion over us. That’s what we believe. That’s the principle. But if that is not how we behave, if that is not what we practice, if we live defeated and under the power of sin, then Romans 6:12 it’s only because we let it. Before (lost) we were defeated not willingly. We had no choice. But now, if you are saved, and you still live in defeat, it’s by your own choice. You are letting sin reign in your mortal body. And Paul said Don’t do that. (Romans 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Grace is now the king. Where sin used to abound, grace doth much more abound. When we let sin or anything keep us from living a victorious life in Christ, you realize we are letting something that has absolutely no dominion over us, no power over us, no authority over us… We’re letting it be in charge. We’re letting it. Why? Why are we doing this? Paul said (Ephesians 5:22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands. And I’ve heard alot of preachers add and not to someone elses. That is essentially what we’re doing. Remember this doctrine of the bride of Christ that Paul had introduced? (Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. The law and sin is not our husband any more; Christ is. When we let sin or anything keep us from living a victorious life in Christ, we are letting something that has absolutely no dominion over us, no power over us, no authority over us… We’re letting it be in charge. And this is why: It’s because we not fully persuaded. Paul said I am persuaded.

Now, let me try to explain why I know that this is so. We might be somewhat persuaded. Somewhat persuaded is when we got the principles down. But fully persuaded is when we got the practice down. Let me explain how we I believe we go wrong on this. Once we figure out that sin has no dominion and we are needlessly letting it reign in our life… Once we got the principles down, we think that to fix things we can just let grace reign instead. We tell God I’m not going to let sin reign anymore Lord, I’m gonna let grace reign now. Well, I’m not trying to burst anybody’s bubble here, but it doesn’t work like that. Listen, you can’t let grace reign in this life in Christ any more than you could let sin reign while you were lost.

You see this has nothing to do in regards to the choice we made when the Spirit of God convicted us of our lost condition. This is not about getting saved. This is about being saved, and living the saved life. (Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Things changed when you get saved. (Romans 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly. When we were lost we were under subjection to vanity, which is corruption, to sin… When we get saved things have changed. We become servants of God; servants of righteousness, we are placed under subjection, but in hope. (Romans 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. We are servants of righteousness. We are placed under subjection to righteousness, to hope, to grace, to faith, to love. We have to understand that a servant has no rights and no choice and no will. A servant is a slave. We cannot let or allow because we don’t have the power to do so.

So let me back track a little bit. Sin and the law and death no longer reign. The only way they can hurt us is when we let it. And the only reason why we are capable of letting it is because we’re not under it; we’re not under subjection to it. If we were under the law, we’d have no choice in the matter.. But we’re not under the law, we’re under grace. And grace reigns in the life of the Christian. We are under subjection to grace; to hope as the bible says. We are under them, not them under us. Let me repeat that because this sums it all for us. We are under grace, not grace under us. That is why we don’t have the authority to let grace or not let grace reign. It’s just not how it works. So you see, it’s not a matter of you letting one or the other reign. If we think Well I’m just gonna let grace reign now instead of sin, do you see how you’re essentially declaring that grace truly has no dominion over you, because you think you have the power to somehow let it reign. No. we contradict ourselves when we think like that. Is it possible that just maybe this is why we don’t get the victory in this Christian life?

So when we hear this verse (Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It’s an easy verse to say Amen! Glory to God! We all love to hear this verse. We hear that verse on Sunday and we think Yeah! That’s right! Nothing is going to separate us! Wooooooo! But then we wake up Monday morning and reality sets in, and all these things (and I only covered two of them) seem to have dominion over us. Am I the only one that has this problem? They defeat us. They bring us down. They discourage us. You know what they’re doing? They’re separating us from the love of God. They’re driving a wedge between what we believe and how we behave; between our principles and our practice, between what we say Amen to on Sunday morning, and what live throughout the week.

And we go to church next Sunday and do it all over again. Is it possible that maybe, just maybe we’ve got something wrong. (Galatians 2:21) I do not frustrate the grace of God. Look, if you are in charge, there’s nothing more frustrating than when those who you are in charge of think that they’re in charge. Paul said I am not going to frustrate the grace of God. See, we do not let grace reign in this Christian life; grace let’s us reign. (Romans 5:17) Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. If the riches of God’s graces were limited to what our finite minds would allow (or let), what a shallow salvation we would have?

Now let me try to tie this together. I know we’re kind of out there now. But let me try to tie this back together for us. Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God. That is the truth. That is what we believe. That is our principle. But in practice, there is a necessity, as Jude says, to (Jude 21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And the love of God is in Christ Jesus. That’s why I say Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. I’m saying stay with the love of God.

I’ll say this and move on. #1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus. How did you get in Christ Jesus? (Romans 6:3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Paul said (Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: It was At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, And the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day. That’s how you got in. But #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. I’m not saying that you can lose your salvation. What I’m saying is what Jude was saying, Keep yourselves in the love God. Now how are you gonna do that? The blood that flowed down the cross that saved you is the same blood that keeps you. Stay near that cross. Putting your faith in the blood will save you. Putting your faith in the blood will keep you. Best advice I can give is to do like Fanny Crosby wrote Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me. If you want to live the victory in Jesus Christ, and have grace reign in your life, understand that its not in your power, authority, or even in your responsibility to let happen. There is no substitute for faith in the blood of Jesus Christ; the finished work of Calvary. There is a marked difference between letting and just trusting. Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus.

#3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus

I want to read to you Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:14-21) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (I remember one of my teachers, Brother Kyle Miller, had once said that this was like us getting to listen in on Paul the Apostle praying. This is what his prayer would sound like.) ¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. ²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Now, I want to say this: This is a prayer for the saints. (3:16) This is according to the riches of his glory. That’s for saints, not sinners. He prays that they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. The Spirit’s abode is the inner man of the saint. (3:17) Now here he says That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Some preachers might say that he’s praying for their salvation in this verse. And I think that has a lot to do with how people say that Jesus came into their heart or that is how people are instructed to pray to be saved: Jesus, come into my heart. I really think we’re kinda pre-programmed to associate Jesus in the heart with getting saved. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that we just finished reading about the riches of his glory and the Spirit in the inner man. So they’re saved in verse sixteen, and lost in verse seventeen. I think not. Plus, this is the only verse in your bible you’ll read about Christ in the heart. Go figure. Search the scriptures… So… this prayer is for the saved.

Anyhow, the verse goes on to read being rooted and grounded in love. I think that this is the same thing that Jude really was saying when he said to Keep yourselves in the love of God. That’s #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. But #3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus, I believe, is covered in verse 18 and 19 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Remember my initial question and thought? If this was my last opportunity to speak to you, what would I say to you? #1 Make sure you’re in Christ Jesus. Make sure you’re saved; you’ve been born again; you’re washed in the blood of the Lamb. #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. Don’t be discouraged by all the things that are trying to separate you from the love of God. Don’t let them have dominion. Instead, stay near the cross. Keep yourself in the love of Christ. Trust in the finished work of Christ. Don’t give up. Don’t let go of that! Now #3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus.

Purpose in your heart that by the grace of God, you are not going to stay a babe in Christ all your Christian life. God never intended for us to be stagnant. He wants us to grow and learn. He sent the Holy Ghost for that very reason, to teach us all things, to guide us into all truth. (Jude 20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, He gave us pastors, teachers, that we might learn some things. (Ephesians 4:11-16) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ 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: 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; ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The love of God is in Christ Jesus. God doesn’t want us to just be in it, but to know it; to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. So you see, we need to develop our comprehension skills, Amen? And that comes with growth. The perfecting of the saints? That’s maturing. The edifying of the body of Christ? That’s growing in strength. He said that we henceforth be no more children. Children are at a disadvantage is some things because they’re not mature; because the lack strength. But as they grow, mature, strengthen, they become alot more useful, amen? I remember when the boys couldn’t use the weed-eater. They were too young. I couldn’t trust them, and they could carry the thing. But now they’ve grown; matured and strengthened. God wants us to grow up, amen? Spiritually. That’s what he said, isn’t it? But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. The love of God is in Christ Jesus. And it’s in love that we grow. Love is fertile ground where fruit is brought forth unto God. And trees don’t bring alot of fruit until they’ve grown some. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. If there is something I wanted to tell you, if this was my last day with you. This is one. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. And the more we comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of God’s love, the more we grow. If this list that Paul has given us (death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, depth, height, creatures) defeats us and has us under subjection. (I’m don’t feel right saying if they defeat us. I know they do. Paul knew they did. That’s why he wrote what he wrote.) If we live defeated lives, that is a testament to how well we comprehend the love of God.

Now the bible says that we ought to comprehend it, but it also says that it passeth knowledge. This means that it’s not an education, it’s a revelation; revealed by his Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Paul said, in what we just read (Ephesians 4), that God has given us pastors and teachers that we might mature and grow in strength (4:12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. He said we ought to grow for this reason: (Ephesians 4:13) 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: And what did he say back in chapter 3? And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. The fulness of Christ and the fulness of God.

I’ll tell you what my pastor and teachers told me. (Ephesians 5:17-18) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; The love of God is revealed in the will of God. That is how we come to comprehend, as the bible says, the love of God, by finding and doing the will of God. And it’s the Holy Spirit of God that knows the will of God. (Romans 8:27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. We must be filled with the Spirit know the will of God; to comprehend the love of God; to grow in Christ Jesus.

Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus. This means that we should not be satisfied with our comprehension of the love of God. We shouldn’t be satisfied until we know and do the will of God. It means that if the bible says to be filled with the Holy Ghost, then we ought to say with all our hearts That’s what I want. That’s what I want for me and my family. That’s what I want for my church. Paul was never satisfied with himself. (Philippians 3:8-14) That I may win Christ, ⁹ 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: ¹⁰ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. ¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

And there it is again! It’s in Christ Jesus! It’s all in Christ Jesus. That’s the same place you’ll find the love of God. It’s in Christ Jesus. Paul said, that I may be found in him. To be in Christ is to be in love! Don’t ever be satisfied with your comprehension of God’s love. Go back to Ephesians (4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things. You grow up in love. (4:16) Maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. You’re strengthened in love; established in love.

Dont’ be satisfied with your comprehension of the love of God. If God can open your understanding when you were lost and dead in trespasses and sin, and reveal to you the love of Christ, how much more, now that you’re saved, now that the Spirit of God dwells in you, now that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made you free from the law of sin and death. How much can God reveal his love for you? How much more now that he’s renewed your spirit? How much more now that he’s given you a new heart? How much more? Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!

(2 Peter 3:18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. Make sure that you are rooted and grounded and tapped into God’s fertile fields of love. (Psalm 1:3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Get a hunger and desire for fruit. Fruit is growth.

(Romans 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. Get a hunger and a desire to know and do the will of God. (Hebrews 10:7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Preacher Allen always says Get on the ‘possom trail for God’s perfect will for you life and don’t let anything get in your way. (Hebrews 12:1) Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Purpose in your heart that you are gonna go with God no matter what the cost. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

Get off the bleachers and run the race! Get off the sidelines and run the race! Get off the bench and run! Don’t ever be satisfied where you are at until you reach the finish line. Don’t ever think that God can’t use you, or bless you, or grow you. Don’t live in the defeat of death, life, angels, and all those things. But live in the love of God. Stay in the love of God. And grow in the love of God. The love of God is in Christ Jesus. In him we’ll find everything we need. And God’s love covers just about everything. In Christ we’re saved. In Christ we’re safe. In Christ we’ll sprout.

If this was my last opportunity to speak to you, what would I say to you? #1 Make sure you’re in Christ Jesus. Make sure you’re saved; you’ve been born again; you’re washed in the blood of the Lamb. #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. Don’t be discouraged by all the things that are trying to separate you from the love of God. Don’t let them have dominion. Instead, stay near the cross. Keep yourself in the love of Christ. Trust in the finished work of Christ. Don’t give up. Don’t let go of faith. Now #3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus. Purpose in your heart that by the grace of God, you are not going to stay a babe in Christ all your Christian life.

I’ll go ahead and put the whole of Proverbs 8 on here.

¹ Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: ² She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. ³ She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, ⁴ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁵ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶ Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷ He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁸ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹¹ For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. ¹² If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. ¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

There are two women here. There are two offers; two invitations; two outcomes. There are two paths; two options; two doors. Both have prepared a table. Both have called. But by wisdom is eternal life (9:11) For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. And by foolishness is eternal death (9:18) But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Both calls are the same. They’re both made to the simple. Wisdom calls out. (9:4) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him. But so does the foolish woman. (9:16) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him. They say the exact same thing to the exact same people. This is a testament that all shall come to this fork in the road. All are called to both paths. All are allured to both wisdom and foolishness. All are given the choice of eternal life or eternal death. And most of all, all are simple. Or at least they start out that way. You may start in such a state, but you don’t have to stay that way.

All are simple. All are lacking of understanding; of knowledge and wisdom. Education thinks that twelve years or more in an institution of learning will give you what you are lacking. Religion thinks that you can get it sitting in a pew year after year. Government thinks they can give it to you. And I even dare say that the world thinks they can get it through experience. But the bible says (9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. So we must ask ourselves when did we begin to fear the Lord? When did we obtain knowledge of the holy? When did we realize our simplicity and turn in? (9:4) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither.

I’m glad for that glorious day that I turned aside from the broad way. (9:5) Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Thank God for the invitation to come and dine. Jesus said, (Luke 14:21,23) Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind… Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. I found this portion of a hymn this morning by Isaac Watts (III.12)

We are the poor, the blind, the lame,
And help was far, and death was nigh;
But at the gospel-call we came,
And every want recieved supply.

From the highway that leads to hell,
From paths of darkness and despair,
Lord, we are come with thee to dwell,
Glad to enjoy they presence here.

Forsake the foolish and live! (1 Corinthians 1:18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (Proverbs 1:22) How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? Forsake the foolish. Get off that road. Turn in hither, to the cross and gain knowledge of the holy.

A Poem of Joshua Chapter One

by

Phillip Alegria

#1 The Building

The Petra (Rock) of the Church

The Perseverance of the Church

The Possession of the Church

The Power of the Church

Conclusion

#1 The Building

#2 The Bride

#3 The Body

#4 The Baptized

#5 The Blessed

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

A prating fool…

A well of life…

Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked…

Lay up knowledge…

What is acceptable…

I’ve got to move on…

15 And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins…

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Love of God is In Christ Jesus

#1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus

#2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus

#3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus

Conclusion

¹⁵ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. ¹⁶ Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

**Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins…**