How can it be Easter again?

Apart from all the interesting discussions about the Jewish Passover feast and the Easter holiday that Pontius Pilate was talking about, about which Sabbath day was mentioned as Jesus died on the cross. I mean it was it the normal Saturday night Sabbath or was it the special Passover lamb Sabbath? What time of the day did the Sabbath start from? All these sorts of questions are constantly arising but the most wonderful thing about Easter is to remember the Passover lamb, indeed our Passover lamb.

[KJV] [1 Corinthians 5:7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

I’m always so grateful when I consider that the Lord Jesus Christ came and became my Passover lamb and was sacrificed for me so that I could escape entirely justified judgement of the wrath of God that lay in store for me.

Look at verse eight:

[KJV] [1 Corinthians 5:8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I want to keep this feast that is highlighted in this Easter with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I want to be sincere in my love of God in my love of the brethren and I want to walk in faith in obedience to the truth as I know it to be.

I want to be as holy as it is possible to be. I want to be the type of person who has a soft conscience towards God. If I sin, I want to know about it in no uncertain terms. I want to truly repent and in simple faith ask my heavenly Father for forgiveness in the name of his son the Lord Jesus Christ.

I want a practical experience of this wonderful King James Bible word “charity.” I want to love my fellow Christians and particularly those that I remember the table of the Lord with. I want to love my enemies and those that have deliberately hurt me. I want to be an experimental Christian. I want to live the life and experience the presence of the Lord with me and in me 24/7/360.

To me the Bible is the word of God, no question. I read the King James Bible I believe that it is the word of God in English. I still remember the dismay that I felt when I brought my first modern translation of the Bible and started to read all footnotes. As soon as I learnt about all missing verses I reverted back to reading the King James Bible.

I enjoy wonderful spiritual experiences but all those experiences are subject to the written word of God. I’m looking forward to this Easter in this year. We need the presence of God in our lives more than ever. We need to know his presence, to know the one who has redeemed us, to know that we are forgiven and purified by the blood of the Lamb. The broken bread that we eat at the LORD’S TABLE speaks to me of two things:

1. The bread is broken and was once whole and so we are all members one of another and members indeed of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The bread is an emblem representing the body of Christ. Christ, our Jesus, lived a life that totally pleased our Father. Because our conscience has been cleaned we are able to serve our Father in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter will be a time for me to meditate and worship the Lord and to make certain that I have no bitterness or unforgiveness towards anybody. I will come through this time and be wonderfully blessed and refreshed in the Lord Jesus.

Let’s see this Lamb of God:

[KJV] [John 1:36] And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

I hope that you will be stirred to worship, bow down and fully follow in the footsteps of our great Master and that you will see Jesus, himself for Christ, crowned with glory and honour, sitting on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

God bless you all and use this time for a spiritual checkup using the living word of God has your rule and measure.

 I was preparing a message about rejoicing using the book of Philippians for my references. The apostle Paul had a lot to say to the Philippian church about the subject of rejoicing. One of the reasons that he gives for his rejoicing in Jesus Christ is a fact that he was happy that the gospel of Christ was preached regardless of whether the preacher’s agreed with Paul, received his ministry as an apostle or even liked him.

In the early church the Ministry that Paul had was quite controversial. Some of the believers received him as spiritual oversight and some did not. Many believers disagreed with his teachings and many believers didn’t understand what he had to teach. Even the apostle Peter says that Paul’s writings can easily be misunderstood. In my own experience I’ve had many believers tell me that they don’t like reading the writings of the apostle Paul because, frankly, they say, “there is too much use of the word  “I” in his writing”.

 Many believers criticised Paul and seemed quite happy that he was now in prison. Paul notes that some are preaching Christ through contention. Paul is rejoicing that no matter what, the fact was that,  Christ is preached.

I’m so glad that there are so many people who are spreading God’s news near and far. The people who may not be united in every doctrine and organisational affairs are sending out in faith the power of the gospel the newws of God that is the Paris salvation. We can pray for a general revival in this country of ours. By that I mean that people get burdened with a consciousness of sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation enjoying forgiveness and the power to serve  the Lord Jesus Christ.

People need to be saved and if they are hungry for God God will save them and he will use any means available. I have a friend who, in the 70s, was in a picture theatre . He was coming down from a heroin  high and was enjoyingthe cool darkness while watching the movie   BeHur. As a Roman soldier looks up at the cross in that movie and says “surely this man is the son of God” my friend said to himself ” yes he is” and immediately he received the forgiveness of sins in the power of salvation.

Am I concerned about doctrinal issues? Of course I am. But I also know that if someone is hungry for salvation even if they don’t know what they are looking for in Bible language terms, they will find the Lord Jesus Christ.  On becoming a Christian in the true sense of the word, if they hunger and thirst after righteousness and the things of God, they will be filled. The spirit of God will lead them to find out the  truths that they will need to live a righteous, godly and happy life in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We need to see people escaping from the wrath to come by hearing God’s news about the sacrifice of his son the Lord Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the son of God. There is no greater aim all vision in life than to spread God’s news about his salvation that is only available through believing and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is for those of you who would like to read the Christmas Scriptures in one place.

The Christmas Stories

 The Saviour Comes As a Baby
[KJV] ISA 7:14-16
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

The Angle Speaks To Mary & Elizabeth
[KJV] LUK 1:26-56
~Jesus’ Birth Foretold
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

The Holy Family in Bethlehem
[KJV] LUK 2:1-7
~Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

This is how Jesus Christ was born
[KJV] MAT 1:18-24
~Conception and Birth of Jesus
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Shepherds hear of the Birth of Christ
[KJV] LUK 2:8-20
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The Visit of the Wise Men
[KJV] MAT 2:1-12
~The Visit of the Magi
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Jesus Presented at the Temple
[KJV] LUK 2:21 – 38
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Have this testimony that “YOU HAVE WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE Lord JESUS”
The Power of a Righteous Testimony
This time we are going to look at the phrase “The Power of a Righteous Testimony”.
RIGHTEOUS TODAY HAS 2 MEANING S

In this message The Term Righteous will have a double meaning.
1. The biblical sense of righteousness and Holiness as unto the Lord Jesus.
2. The modern day use of the word righteous as in true “he was a righteous Brother – he was a righteous friend.
The power of a righteous testimony comes to light as we look at the King James Bible phrase “wholly followed the Lord”
We need to turn to the Numbers 32:13.
[KJV] Numbers 32:11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
We pick up the story when the children of Rueben and Gad decide that they would like to take their inheritance on the other side of the river Jordan and not wait for an inheritance in the land of Canaan.
They’d been in a couple of battles they had found that the whole district was fantastic cattle raising country and they felt that this would be a great and wonderful inheritance.
They approach Moses and ask if they can have their inheritance on the side of Jordan that they were on before they all cross over into Canaan.
Moses immediately hits the roof. It had been the reluctance of them 40 years earlier to go over Jordan into Canaan that had caused the death of everyone in the camp who was over the age of 20, except for Caleb and Joshua.
It took 40 years of wandering about and people dying off for everyone over the age of 20, from the time of the spies came back with a bad report, to die.
The Bible says that they are carcasses fail in the wilderness.
Moses is very agitated and annoyed.
He reminds them of this and he also reminds them of the two men who survived.
Moses also understands that he will not be crossing over Jordan.
Moses says that these two men, the only 2 people over 20 at the time, have a testimony and that testimony is that “for they have wholly followed the Lord”.
Moses says that evryone else di not have the testominy that they had wholly followed to LORD.
In the following scriptures we see this phrase repeated whenever the names of these 2 men come up.
This is the word of God speaks to reminds us of these two men.
The tribes who want to stay on the other side of Jordan have to agree to arm men in the army and march and fight with the rest of the Israelites until all the tribes have got their inheritance and have conquered the promised land.
They agreed to do this so they build shelters for their families and their livestock and then their armed men, their fighting men, will crossover Jordan with the rest of the children of Israel.
[KJV] Numbers 32:20
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
There is no doubt that we are in a spiritual war.
It is time for us to have the testimony that we have wholly followed the Lord and that we will go armed before the Lord to war.
The forces of darkness have people chained in the imprisonment of unbelief and we are sent to make disciples of them and bring them out of darkness into light.
[KJV] Numbers 32:12
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
[KJV] Deuteronomy 1:36
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.
[KJV] Joshua 14:8
Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
[KJV] Joshua 14:9
And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
[KJV] Joshua 14:14
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

So let us wholly follow the Lord
Let us equip ourselves for this warfare and get our names written in the book of the wars Lord new testament style.
[KJV] Numbers 21:14
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,
Let us get to the point where we can look back on the end of the day and say “I have wholly followed the Lord today”.
Even better yet to end up in a week to be able to say I have wholly followed the Lord.
This is not an empty dream it is entirely possible.
So let’s stir ourselves.
Now whatever you do don’t draw back and don’t be like the children of Israel.
Don’t let your heart get discouraged and don’t let your brethren or indeed any brother, preacher or anybody else discourage you from this in any way
[KJV] Deuteronomy 1:28
Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
FAITH & BELIEF
Whatever you do, don’t have unbelief. Don’t be like them.
[KJV] Deuteronomy 1:32
Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
NO BE LIKE J & C
Have this testimony that YOU HAVE WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE Lord JESUS

Earlier this week one of the young people, my daughter, came to me wanting to do something special for some of the children who came to our main services. These children are between upper primary level and first year in high school. Halloween was coming up and she wanted to do something with them concerning dressing up for Halloween.

To me Halloween is an American festival. I have never had much experience with it but I was not overenthusiastic about a theme of evil spirits and dead ghosts. I had read somewhere that Halloween had been superimposed upon a special day in history for us Christians. I’m the sort of person who remembers Christmas and Easter. These are the two main times in which we use the church and its settings to celebrate our remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. These are also an opportunity to reach out into our community with the message of the gospel.

I soon found out that 31 October is the day when Martin Luther pinned up his 39 articles that brought public attention to the need for change substantiated by the truth of the Word of God and produced the movement among church is that we now call The Reformation.

In an older church calendar this was called All Saints Day and the evening to this day was called All Hallows Day. These were organised in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church and later the Church of England.

The 489th Reformation Day (October 31st) is upon us! This was the date when Luther nailed the 95 Thesis to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany. The symbol of Luther is the Luther Rose.

So this is a very important day for us to remember. It marks the beginning of the end of the dark ages for the church. The organised Christian churches had lost their way and had forgotten the teachings of the Word of God. This was the start of a wake-up call that is called The Reformation. People were alerted to 3 major teachings from the Word of God.

1. Justification by faith alone

2. The priesthood of all believers and not just a selected few

3. That there was no single pontiff over all of the Church of God before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

These important doctrines changed the Christian Church and I hope that they changed the church for ever. It is not my intention in this blog to expand upon these three great Christian doctrines but to alert you to the fact that the church once lost its way and we should pray that it never does again.

Should churches teach separation from the world?

This question stirs up a host of answers and often great feeling. To what extent should a church teach doctrine? And if the Church should teach doctrine what should that doctrine consist of? And if the Church does teach doctrine to what extent should it be concerned about the application in the lives of the people who attended that church?

Today, many church is don’t teach or preach a great deal of doctrine. The people who attend the church are left to interpret the broad strokes of the Bible for themselves and their lifestyle is in accordance with their own beliefs and culture. Many churches concentrate on building faith with a positive mental attitude. The interpretation into individual lifestyles is left to the people themselves.

How much interference and doctrine is allowed into the individual lives of people before that church is classed as legalistic? Is it anybody’s business how people who worship together interpret the instructions of the Bible? Indeed the question could be asked does the Bible contain instructions for Godly living?

The Bible instructs us right from the beginning that God calls his people to be separate from other people and the Bible continually challenges us to be separate from other people.

Here are a few Scripture references:

[KJV] [Leviticus 20:24] But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.

2CO 6:14 – 18 [KJV]

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

ROM 12:1 – 2 [KJV]

Romans 12:1 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.

What does the term “be not conformed to this world” actually mean? How are we going to interpret this in our everyday lives? To what extent or what level does this nonconformist attitude go to?

Preachers are ordained to preach the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This is why the Bible is used as a standard of truth within our Court systems. Whether people like the truth or not is immaterial. If people do not accept the truth and so vote with their feet then that is their decision. People, especially those who confess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, should hear what the Bible has to say about our standard of living.

The Bible clearly tells us that we are to be separate and to have a standard of living that complies with the truth of the word of God. Separation from the ways of the world is called for throughout the word of God for all people who will follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Suggesting that “Christians” adopt a lifestyle that is not separate from the ways of the world in order to attract people towards Christianity is definitely not supported in the word of God.

The way that people are to be drawn towards following the Lord Jesus Christ is to have their conscience and faith stirred. The way that our conscience and faith are stirred is by hearing the truth of the word of God. This is the truth about who Jesus is, what he has done and what he is doing. The gospel is not so much good news rather it is God’s news. Unless people turn from sin and, in faith, ask God for forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ then they will be separated from the life that God has for them.

Christians are called to live a life that is separate from the ways of the world. We are left to decide to what degree our separation should be? This is the vital question. Should people in the world be able to clearly see our separation? Should we are clearly no to what degree our separation takes us? Should we hear from the pulpit a clear definition of our separation? Should our separation be a matter of church doctrine? To what level or degree does the word of God mark our separation boundaries?

We need to develop our conscience. Our conscience is developed by the word of God. Should we be left to discern the word of God for ourselves or should we be able to hear the word of God clearly ministered over our pulpits?

We really need to understand what the ways of the world are and how the ways of the world affect our behaviour.

What are the ways of the world? The ways of the world affect our 1 motivation, 2 guiding principles and 3 our common acts and activities.

How do we present ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ? Does the Bible have a clear definition of what worldliness is?

Surely we should be getting direction from the pulpits of our churches today. The living Church needs to know how to live. Surely this is more than just learning about “self-esteem” and material prosperity. The church needs direction. Christians need to know the boundaries that determine their behaviour. Gospel preachers need to clearly set out what is not accepted as Christian behaviour.

It is interesting that are legal system of laws follows the biblical principles. We live in a society of the rule of law. The law is famous for establishing the boundaries of what is not allowed in our society and culture rather than what is allowed. Are we going to say that the new Testament is all about establishing what is allowed and the rewards for what is called a living faith? If the State is going to establish laws that restrict our behaviour rather than laws that reward our behaviour, then shouldn’t our pulpits give us the same general guidance.

The Lord Jesus clearly said over and over that his interpretation of disallowed behaviour was tighter than the old Testament law. For instance the old Testament law condemns murder but the Lord Jesus condemns hate. Unfortunately freedom today is seen as freedom from behaviour all restraints rather than freedom to follow the Lord Jesus Christ with all of our heart, with all of our mind and with all of our soul.

It is my hope that you will seek and desire biblical direction that is founded on the word of God and that will lead you to be separate from the people of the world. It is interesting to me that while the church, as a whole, seems to be encouraging unrestrained behaviour, the world is condemning any form of separation, difference or discrimination and is happy to call this “vilification”.

We are called to come out of the ways of the world be separate. We are expected and to separate ourselves and not to be conformed to the ways of the world. The Lord God is holy and he wants his people to be holy. This is absolutely clear from all parts of the word of God. 1PE 1:15 – 16 [KJV]

1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

So then how do you interpret “holy in all manner of conversation”? Do you think that you need to hear guidance and instruction on this subject from the material that is ministered as the word of God from the pulpits of our churches?

the just shall live by his faith

Today we are going to look at the very heart of the Christian faith.

Don’t forget to visit us on the web: http://crosslifechurches.org/
 

This is a historical verse that brought light to a dark age and started what is now called the Reformation. This verse and the references to it in the New Testament form the foundation of our experience with God.

[KJV] [Habakkuk 2:4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

This verse is taken into The New Testament and used in three different places:

[KJV] [Romans 1:17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

[KJV] [Galatians 3:11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

[KJV] [Hebrews 10:38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

The long and short of it is that it is impossible to please God without faith. This is plainly stated in the Word of God.

[KJV] [Hebrews 11:6] 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.

In fact the only way to walk in righteousness or to live a righteous life is to have faith. There is no other way. This is not an impossible because the Scripture clearly says that every single one of us has the measure of faith.

[KJV] [Romans 12:3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

This verse is often quoted as “a measure of faith” but the Word of God actually says ” THE measure of faith”. Jesus Christ is the light of every man who comes into the world.

[KJV] [John 1:9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

So deep within us all is the capacity to have the faith needed to believe that we can walk in righteousness. Our experience with God is based upon faith. Most people somehow think that righteousness starts off with us trying to obey but in actual fact it starts off with us having faith. Faith produces righteousness because the just shall live by faith. The just shall live by faith and not by any other means or methods.

We all have faith and faith must stir and arise.

[KJV] [Romans 10:17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith is enhanced from hearing the word of God. We all have the measure of faith within us and it rises up and becomes alive when watered by the Word of God.

It is a mistake to try to walk in righteousness by trying to obey God. Obedience becomes natural and easy as we flow in faith because without faith it is impossible to please God and without faith we cannot walk or live in righteousness.

I hope this small exhortation about the origins and the power of faith will bless you.

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THE ROMAN ROAD

Winning Souls – The Roman Way
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PREACH.  JOHN 8:26

SPEAK — MEANS TALKING.
John 8:26 KJV
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

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GOSPEL IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION
[KJV] ROM 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

GET UP IN MORNING EXPECTING THAT TODAY WILL BE THE DAY OF SALVATION FOR SOMEONE – THAT YOU WILL BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME – READY TO TALK TO THEM AND EXPLAIN THE WAY OF SALVATION. THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT WILL DO THE WORK IN THEIR HUNGRY SEEKING HEART – THAT SEEKER WILL SAY “YES” TO JESUS.

TWO THINGS NEEDED:-
1. UNDERSTANDING -
You are going to explain the way of salvation so that anyone can see it  UNDERSTAND IT [the Spirit will be helping you]
[KJV]  MAT 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

2.  HEART FAITH
Faith stirs in the heart like “magic” when some listens to and reads the word – it is not called “words of life” for nothing.
[KJV] ROM 10 17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
EXPLAIN STEP BY STEP – THE ROMAN WAY :-
1. MAN’S NEED      ROM 3:23
2. SIN’S PENALTY     ROM 6:23A
3. JESUS CHRIST’S REMEDY    ROM 5:8
4. GOD’S GIFT TO MAN     ROM 6:23B
5. HOW TO RECEIVE CHRIST JESUS   ROM 10:9,10,13

These 5 Simple Steps – Just show & tell – explain what they mean!
1. MAN’S NEED     [KJV]  [Romans 3:23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. SIN’S PENALTY    [KJV]  [Romans 6:23A] For the wages of sin is death;
3. JESUS CHRIST’S REMEDY  [KJV]  [Romans 5:8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
4. GOD’S GIFT TO MAN    [KJV]  [Romans 6:23B] but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
5. HOW TO RECEIVE CHRIST JESUS   [KJV]   ROM 10:9 – 10, 13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

ASK QUESTIONS -
ALWAYS ASK IF SOMEONE WANTS
TO KNOW THE LORD; 
GET A NEW START IN LIFE
GIVE ANSWERS
BE BOLD – YOU ARE BORN TO DO IT  TO SHOW THE WAY – OPEN THE BOOK.
THE LAW SHOWS THAT WE ALL HAVE SINNED
REPENTANCE FROM WRONG DOING
FAITH (BELIEF) IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
OFFER TO PRAY SINNERS PRAYER. LET THEM WETHER Old Testament PRAY ON THEIR OWN OR AFTER YOU – GO FOR IT.
What new converts need
BABIES NEED MILK – Use Hospitality -Your Time & Prayers To Give It To Them
Become a Presenter of “CHRISTIANITY EXPLAINED”
1. What “BEING SAVED” means:
2. We know that we were NOT at peace with our conscience. We knew that we had done wrong. Our own inner self told us that we were NOT RIGHT with God.
3. We cannot Rely on our old church or cultural background.
4. We know that we have all done wrong or have sinned. We have failed to do what is right even when we have made up our minds not to do what we know is wrong. We have failed ourselves, our fellow human beings and more importantly God.
[KJV]  [Romans 3:10]
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
5.  Doing wrong has its own payment BUT God the Father will give the gift of eternal life.
[KJV]  [Romans 6:23]
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SALVATION = BEING SAVED = BEING BORN AGAIN
How did you become saved?
1.  Salvation is God’s gift to you.
2. You get this GIFT [conditions apply] by:
3. Accepting that Jesus had to be punished instead of you & ask His forgiveness.
4. Be sorry & turn away from wrong to God.
[KJV]  [Acts 20:21]
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. You have the Right, Power to do this:
6. ACCEPT = RECEIVE
7. TRUST IN = BELIEVE
[KJV]  [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:
This is Gods great gift to you
[KJV]  [John 3:16]
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.

He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross and rise again from the dead. He wants to save you. When you come to Him with faith wanting to be forgiven for the wrongs you have done, He can do this. He does more than just forgive – he gives you a new start a new life.
CAN YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED ? YES

LOOK AT
[KJV]  [John 5:24]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

CONDEMNATION – JUDGMENT – THIS IS WAGES OF SIN – ETERNAL DEATH OR HELL.
CONDEMNATION = JUDGMENT  WITH A SENTENCE PASSED.

YOU HAVE:- – HEARD HIS WORD
   – BELIEVED ON JESUS
 NOW:
   – HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE
   – WILL NOT BE JUDGED
   – INSTEAD OF DEATH – HAVE LIFE

YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS:

1. YOU NEED TO BE TRULY SORRY AND WANT TO CHANGE
2.  YOU ARE ASHAMED OF THE WRONG THINGS YOU HAVE DONE
3. CONFESS YOUR SINS TO JESUS
[KJV]  [1 John 1:9]
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
4.  JESUS WILL FORGIVE YOU – IT WILL BE FORGOTTEN FOREVER
5.  YOU WILL HAVE A NEW START YOU HAVE TURNED TO GOD AND ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
6.  HE GIVES YOU THE POWER – THE RIGHT TO BECOME HIS CHILDREN – YOU BELIEVE AND RELY ON HIS NAME. 
[KJV]  [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:
7.  WILL YOU KNOW AND FEEL SAVED ? — YES
8. YOU WILL FEEL AT PEACE & AT HOME WITH GOD
9.  THIS FEELING COMES FROM THE WORD – THE WORD IS YOUR LIFELINE – READ IT
10. THE WAY YOU ACT CHANGES – YOU NOW ARE PART OF THE KINGDOM OF God
[KJV]  [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.
HOW WILL YOU LIVE NOW ?
YOU WILL CHANGE BECAUSE YOU ARE DIFFERENT. 
[KJV]  [Romans 6:22]
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
WHAT NOW?
READ YOUR BIBLE FOR YOURSELF
[KJV]  [1 Peter 2:2]
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
PRAY -
TALK TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS; 
THANK HIM; 
ASK HIM WHAT TO DO.
[KJV]  [Ephesians 6:18]
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
GO TO MEETINGS TO WORSHIP AND LEARN ABOUT THE LORD.
[KJV]  [Hebrews 10:25]
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
FIND OUT ABOUT BEING BAPTIZED IN WATER
[KJV]  [Acts 2:41]
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
FIND ABOUT BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TALKING IN TONGUES

[KJV]  [1 Corinthians 14:4]
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH A 6 PART SIMPLE COURSE CALLED “CHRISTIANITY EXPLAINED”
DO THESE:
REJOICE EVERY DAY THAT YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
PRAY & TALK TO JESUS EVERYDAY
READ YOUR BIBLE CONSTANTLY
GET BAPTISED IN WATER
SPEAK IN TONGUES EVERY DAY
MAKE PLANS SO THAT YOU CAN YOU CAN GO TO CHURCH
PUT THE KINGDOM GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE
FIND OUT ABOUT “TITHING”
STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR NEW CHRISTIAN FRIENDS
BE READY TO SPREAD YOUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS WITH ALL YOU MEET.

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IMPORTANT

It’s important to know that we can learn “How to Think” This mind that I’m speaking about is NOT the spiritual mind OR the natural mind

The spiritual & natural mind are special King James Bible terms. They are part of us. The mind I’m speaking of here is the data processing mind that we have. It absorbs data day and night.

We use this mind to process all the data that our senses send us. It is the raw data before our emotion or logic or ego has had time to influence it.

For instance take a sinful thought – it pops into our head – where did that come from? Well it’s not a product of our sinful nature as such, it’s such a thought – much like a radio signal. Our mind scans away all day. It’s what happens to the thought that matters do we dwell on it? Do we caste it out? Etc

We are a 3 part being – body, soul & spirit our soul is made up of our mind, emotion and will. (I don’t want to into a doctrinal tussle here – let’s say this is a way of describing it) Actually its our perceptions that tends to focus our will. You’re driving along a road the sunlight is coming through the tree branches. Suddenly you see a dark patch near the side of the road. Your brain will process this as a pot hole you move to miss it. It was actually a stain on the road surface. That’s perception working.

Some of the best things that I’ve read about these sorts of matters from a Christian perspective are Major Ian Thomas (English) and John Hercus (Australian) both with the Lord Jesus now. Both of them are so simple yet profound. Thomas wrote 3 famous books all about the nature of man. Hercus a doctor (Macquarie Street – like Mayo Clinic or Harly Street) wrote about God’s way of drawing men to himself story after story. They both wrote absolutely the sort of material that send me to the Lord Jesus in wonder and tears. They have the same effect on me as Andrew Murray does. You know the Lord Jesus perfectly understood the spirit of God and the spirit of man

If we could only see how the things that make us great so easily destroy us. Our minds are wonderful in creation and the King James Bible is designed to fit them. Or we could say that our minds are designed to fit the King James Bible

We need to learn how to think. The part that makes learning easy is so often sort of corrupted and to unlearn is hard because the ego and emotions tell the mind what it is receiving is the truth when in fact sometimes it is not the truth. I wish I had time to expand this. When the scripture tells us to renew our minds by the Word of God it means both the spiritual realm (the spiritual mind and the natural mind) but also our learning processing data mind that is niether good or bad but has this wonderful capacity to self pattern that helps us so much as we learn BUT if it is self- patterned incorrectly bedded in then this becomes such a problem.

Am I making sense? The King James Bible is perfectly designed to program our minds if we get to it without being influenced by the words and concepts of man rather than God himself

Sometimes I ask myself how do I know this stuff? It is fair question. We are a mix of our heart and times. I mean look at all the strange scriptures. The unsaved are often wiser than the chiolf=dren of light etc.

Anyway we need to program our data prosessing mind with the words, thoughts, syntax and concepts that the LORD God uses in the King James Bible this is deliberately done and we need it these days more than ever.

This statement often comes up. We ought to rid the Bible of its archaic words!  Firstly we should ask “What is an archaic word?” Apparently an archaic word is one that has fallen out of use. So how long must a word be out of use before it becomes archaic? Do crossword puzzles count? What about media advertising. For instance in the last few months McDonald’s restaurants used a so called archaic word in an advertising campiang. It was for the Shrek Kids meals. A large poster declared that Shrek “trecketh” around. I have a large volume that tracks most of the archaic words so called to prove that they are still in use and gives the references to the editions of where the words are used. 

now we need to see how the KING JAMES BIBLE uses archaic words within itself to see if it drops a word that is out of use and substitutes a more modern word.  In 

1 Samuel chapter 9:1-11 we  find the bible use an archaic word as far as the bible is concerned “SEER”. in verse 9 the bible exxplains itself  9 (Beforetime in Israel ,when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

BUT the bible does not replace the old word. the bible leaves it there.

if God is happy to leave old words in his Word then we should be. the King James Bible does define all its words old or not if you know how to look for the definition. God wants us to know what He is saying & what He has said. He guards His words of life. we should not change His word.