And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone—Ephesians 2:20
The church of Jesus Christ as of September 23, 2009 is one and the same with the church birthed on the day of Pentecost: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore their can only be one foundation which has already been laid.
This foundation has its roots in the Old Covenant starting with Moses and ending with Malachi, true prophets who faithfully proclaimed the coming of Christ. You must remember that at the time Paul wrote this , the scriptures that he referred to was the Old Covenant—the New Covenant was still being written. Make no mistake about it: The prophet’s Ephesians 2:20 is referring to is Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others. These are prophets that passed the test of Deuteronomy 18:20-22:
“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
How is it that most of the “modern prophets” of our time have failed this test miserably and yet are still proclaimed as true prophets? They readily admit that they have spoken lies from time to time but it is now under “grace.” Isn’t it amazing that they want the authority of a prophet but not the accountability.
“Oh, but you don’t understand, there are signs and wonders done by these men, this proves that they are of God!” Listen to what Deuteronomy 13:1-3 says, “ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, AND THE SIGN OR THE WONDER COME TO PASS, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The Word is not ignorant of the fact that signs and wonders can occur but warns that you had better discern between “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
That which is of the Holy Ghost is and always will be Christ centered; it decreases man and increases Jesus. There is nothing innocent about false doctrine and false prophets! At the very root of what they are and teach is an exaltation of man. It is man centered and it is not of the Lord—truly a non-profit organization!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
NO OTHER FOUNDATION!
Without sound of hammer, unperceived by the world and without any self promoting press release; the greatest move of God known to man is taking place: “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building” (1Kings 6:7).
To understand the greatest move of God, you must see that it is not something the Lord is beginning; it is something he is finishing: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it”(Zechariah 4:9). The greatest move of God is simply the house of God —the church which is inhabited by the Spirit of God. Jesus, the chief cornerstone of this house, began building this house some two thousand years ago and it is nearing completion: He will soon bring forth the capstone!
Some two thousand years ago Jesus Christ the Son of David, the lowly Carpenter from Nazareth, began building the church with three nails and a cross: “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13). He laid the foundation with his own spotless Blood which He shed in our stead. This church is in “no way a human institution” as A.B. Simpson has said. Therefore it is as Eternal as his Almighty Blood and therefore it can not be altered from the blueprint clearly revealed in his Word.
This house of God that is being built is the greatest move of God known to man: “The house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” ( 1 Chronicles 22:5). Solomon asked, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built thee?” The house that Solomon built was a
type and could never fulfill the reality or even comprehend the greatness of the actual truth that God himself would dwell in his Church: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16)?
Nothing could possibly be greater than this. Who alone could build such a glorious house that is full of the very Presence of God? Jesus. Who laid the foundation? Jesus. Who is going to finish it? Jesus.How is he going to finish it? By his all powerful hands according to the Heavenly blueprint revealed in his Word.
Here is another question of utmost importance: Can there be, or is there a need for another foundation to be laid? NO, NO, AND A Thousand times NO: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). This being true, how is it that we have a major movement in the United States built on the erroneous teaching that the church is built on the foundation of present-day apostles and prophets? Anyone claiming to be such is in heresy and of the spirit of error!!!
To understand the greatest move of God, you must see that it is not something the Lord is beginning; it is something he is finishing: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it”(Zechariah 4:9). The greatest move of God is simply the house of God —the church which is inhabited by the Spirit of God. Jesus, the chief cornerstone of this house, began building this house some two thousand years ago and it is nearing completion: He will soon bring forth the capstone!
Some two thousand years ago Jesus Christ the Son of David, the lowly Carpenter from Nazareth, began building the church with three nails and a cross: “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13). He laid the foundation with his own spotless Blood which He shed in our stead. This church is in “no way a human institution” as A.B. Simpson has said. Therefore it is as Eternal as his Almighty Blood and therefore it can not be altered from the blueprint clearly revealed in his Word.
This house of God that is being built is the greatest move of God known to man: “The house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” ( 1 Chronicles 22:5). Solomon asked, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built thee?” The house that Solomon built was a
type and could never fulfill the reality or even comprehend the greatness of the actual truth that God himself would dwell in his Church: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16)?
Nothing could possibly be greater than this. Who alone could build such a glorious house that is full of the very Presence of God? Jesus. Who laid the foundation? Jesus. Who is going to finish it? Jesus.How is he going to finish it? By his all powerful hands according to the Heavenly blueprint revealed in his Word.
Here is another question of utmost importance: Can there be, or is there a need for another foundation to be laid? NO, NO, AND A Thousand times NO: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). This being true, how is it that we have a major movement in the United States built on the erroneous teaching that the church is built on the foundation of present-day apostles and prophets? Anyone claiming to be such is in heresy and of the spirit of error!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Something more exalted than His Name!
The Apostle Paul had an amazing conversion: “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven” ( Acts 9:3). This Light was nothing less than the Lord Jesus Christ who revealed himself to Paul as the God of all mercy. Later we read of Paul receiving a direct visitation: “ And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11).
These experiences along with Paul being taken up to the third heaven were irrefutable proof of the resurrection of Jesus given to the Apostle. However, when Paul made his defense of the gospel in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, he does not offer these TRUE spiritual experiences as the foundation of what he believed. He referred to something even greater and more exalted than the Name of the Lord— the written Word of God!!!
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. —Psalms 138:2
This is absolutely amazing! Paul does not say, “Jesus is alive because I saw a Light!” As true as that was,he refers to something even more sure: “ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The scriptures are the true revelation of the Living God. All direction individually and corporately must find there origin rooted and grounded in the eternal truths found within its pages, are else shipwreck is unavoidable! Do you want a word from God? Go to the Rock! Go to the scriptures !!
These experiences along with Paul being taken up to the third heaven were irrefutable proof of the resurrection of Jesus given to the Apostle. However, when Paul made his defense of the gospel in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, he does not offer these TRUE spiritual experiences as the foundation of what he believed. He referred to something even greater and more exalted than the Name of the Lord— the written Word of God!!!
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. —Psalms 138:2
This is absolutely amazing! Paul does not say, “Jesus is alive because I saw a Light!” As true as that was,he refers to something even more sure: “ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The scriptures are the true revelation of the Living God. All direction individually and corporately must find there origin rooted and grounded in the eternal truths found within its pages, are else shipwreck is unavoidable! Do you want a word from God? Go to the Rock! Go to the scriptures !!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Take heed that no man deceive you
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. —Psalms 119:89
One of my absolute convictions is this: The Bible has already been written and published by the Holy Ghost and no man can alter the truth found within its pages. It says what it means and means what it says. 2 Peter 1:20 says that “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” In simple terms this means that we had better find out what the Word really teaches because it is a done deal. A trillion “modern day” prophets could agree and teach that the scriptures are saying a certain thing, but unless what they are saying is in harmony with the teaching of ALL the scripture they are wrong! Take heed that no man deceive you.
Someone has well said that in the beginning God made man in his own image and now man has returned the favor! We have made a God that fits the image we feel best suits him. Sad to say, all of this man made interpretation has left us reflecting the very world that we were commanded to forsake. May God have mercy and open our eyes to see that we “art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Truly He is calling the church ONE LAST TIME to “hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”---Revelation3:20
One of my absolute convictions is this: The Bible has already been written and published by the Holy Ghost and no man can alter the truth found within its pages. It says what it means and means what it says. 2 Peter 1:20 says that “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” In simple terms this means that we had better find out what the Word really teaches because it is a done deal. A trillion “modern day” prophets could agree and teach that the scriptures are saying a certain thing, but unless what they are saying is in harmony with the teaching of ALL the scripture they are wrong! Take heed that no man deceive you.
Someone has well said that in the beginning God made man in his own image and now man has returned the favor! We have made a God that fits the image we feel best suits him. Sad to say, all of this man made interpretation has left us reflecting the very world that we were commanded to forsake. May God have mercy and open our eyes to see that we “art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Truly He is calling the church ONE LAST TIME to “hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”---Revelation3:20
Monday, August 10, 2009
NOTHING
The scriptures tell us that if any man thinks he is something when he is nothing he deceives himself. Do we really believe this estimation of the non-existence of our strength? Or do we have a preference for our own ability to get things done—just try hard enough and we can make something happen.
To be nothing means that we add no weight of character to the mix. It means that if Jesus on his way to raise up Jairus’ daughter from the dead had invited you to step on a pair of scales with him, you would add nothing to the weight registered. If Jesus weighed two hundred pounds, you and him together would weigh exactly two hundred pounds—not one ounce more!
This absolute nothingness that we are can be attributed to the greatness of the fall of man suffered in the Garden of Eden. It was there that man became totally bankrupt because it was there that we were separated from God. In and of ourselves it is not in us to bring about one plan and purpose of God. If it took only one straw to break the devil’s back, as a group we do not have the strength to lift that straw!
Jesus is truly the only way, the only truth, and the only life! He must be made manifest in our lives or all we will have is a manifest mess! Lord give us this attitude:
Here I am, send me
Though there’s really not that much I can do
What I have seems so small
But I want to give it all to you—Kieth Green
To be nothing means that we add no weight of character to the mix. It means that if Jesus on his way to raise up Jairus’ daughter from the dead had invited you to step on a pair of scales with him, you would add nothing to the weight registered. If Jesus weighed two hundred pounds, you and him together would weigh exactly two hundred pounds—not one ounce more!
This absolute nothingness that we are can be attributed to the greatness of the fall of man suffered in the Garden of Eden. It was there that man became totally bankrupt because it was there that we were separated from God. In and of ourselves it is not in us to bring about one plan and purpose of God. If it took only one straw to break the devil’s back, as a group we do not have the strength to lift that straw!
Jesus is truly the only way, the only truth, and the only life! He must be made manifest in our lives or all we will have is a manifest mess! Lord give us this attitude:
Here I am, send me
Though there’s really not that much I can do
What I have seems so small
But I want to give it all to you—Kieth Green
Monday, July 27, 2009
DENY YOURSELF
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
What does Jesus mean when he says, “You must deny yourself?” Does he mean that we are to reach way down and run the extra mile when we do not feel it is possible, or perhaps deny ourselves an extra trip to the buffet bar? Maybe he is talking about rising early in the morning to pray, thus denying that extra hour of sleep we need. I believe all of these may be the end result of the interpretation of what it means to deny ourselves, but the truth is, men have done all of these things and never once done it with anything but natural strength.
If you really look at what is meant by taking up your cross, you will see that the invitation is to do the impossible. The cross meant absolute death—how is a dead man going to follow anyone? The answer is only by faith in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ: Jesus did not die alone, neither was he resurrected alone—He included us.
To deny ourselves therefore must mean that we have an attitude of complete dependency on the person of Jesus Christ; we must not lean on any supposed strength of our own. It means to recognize what we can and can not do. If I was to ask you to read Matthew 16:24, you would have no trouble doing so. However, if I was to ask you to tell and interpret the dream President Obama will have two years from now, you would “deny yourself” and claim it is impossible. If I was to ask you to float down a raging river, you could do that; if I asked you to make the raging river to flow UP a mountain, you would “deny yourself.”
When it comes to living a life pleasing to God, we must once and for all realize that it is ONLY in Christ living in us that this is possible! We must deny any self righteous attitude that allows us to think we can defy the scriptures that teach, that apart from him, we can do nothing. After all, it is much more possible to turn a raging river upstream than it is to live a spiritual life leaning on mere human strength. Jesus come live in me!!
Matthew 16:24
What does Jesus mean when he says, “You must deny yourself?” Does he mean that we are to reach way down and run the extra mile when we do not feel it is possible, or perhaps deny ourselves an extra trip to the buffet bar? Maybe he is talking about rising early in the morning to pray, thus denying that extra hour of sleep we need. I believe all of these may be the end result of the interpretation of what it means to deny ourselves, but the truth is, men have done all of these things and never once done it with anything but natural strength.
If you really look at what is meant by taking up your cross, you will see that the invitation is to do the impossible. The cross meant absolute death—how is a dead man going to follow anyone? The answer is only by faith in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ: Jesus did not die alone, neither was he resurrected alone—He included us.
To deny ourselves therefore must mean that we have an attitude of complete dependency on the person of Jesus Christ; we must not lean on any supposed strength of our own. It means to recognize what we can and can not do. If I was to ask you to read Matthew 16:24, you would have no trouble doing so. However, if I was to ask you to tell and interpret the dream President Obama will have two years from now, you would “deny yourself” and claim it is impossible. If I was to ask you to float down a raging river, you could do that; if I asked you to make the raging river to flow UP a mountain, you would “deny yourself.”
When it comes to living a life pleasing to God, we must once and for all realize that it is ONLY in Christ living in us that this is possible! We must deny any self righteous attitude that allows us to think we can defy the scriptures that teach, that apart from him, we can do nothing. After all, it is much more possible to turn a raging river upstream than it is to live a spiritual life leaning on mere human strength. Jesus come live in me!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
MESSAGE OF THE CROSS
1 Corinthians 1:18 in the Amplified says, “ For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.
One of the messages of the cross is that an empty cross—He is no longer there—and an empty tomb, means that there can be no empty heart in a believer—He must be there in reality or it was all in vain.
The message of the cross is that the FATHER of Glory so loved the world—me—that he sent his ONLY begotten Son that I might truly experience his presence on a day to day, and hour by hour basis. I must experience the fact that God loves me greater than Jacob loved Benjamin, of which it is written, “His life is bound up in the lad’s life.” I must know that IN CHRIST, He loves me as He loved Jesus!!
The message of the cross is that of saving grace: God took things into his own hand. From its inception to its completion to its glorious outworking of resurrection life, it is all about God taking the first step toward man. After Jesus had risen from the dead, who approached whom? Did the disciples seek the Lord in great faith, or did the Lord seek the disciples knowing they had no faith?
He sought them. It must be the same with us or else, we to will demonstrate to the world that our God is dead. We must experience the same grace the apostles experienced if we are to walk in the power of the gospel. Jesus having made a way for us, must reveal himself to us by taking our hand and leading us every step of the way. This is how Peter, James, and Paul made it; it is the only way that we will make it.
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