The House of The LORD And What I Have Need Of

         The House of The LORD And It’s Strength        

Ps 20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;    KJV

·        Help… David is making reference of what David has found in the past… He has found help from the HOUSE OF THE LORD…

 

WHAT WAS IT THAT DAVID WITH SUCH CONFIDENCE COULD SAY WITH SUCH SURETY THAT THE HOUSE OF GOD HOLDS??? NOT ONLY WHAT HE HAD NEED OF, BUT WHAT I NEED???

NOTE THE PAST…

 

HOW COULD DAVID KNOW???

 

1 Sam 21:8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.

9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.     KJV

DAVID CAME TO NOB… HE’S RUNNING FROM SAUL… HE AND HIS PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY AND THEY ARE WITHOUT A SWORD…

 

·        DAVID DISCOVERED ON THAT DAY THAT THE HOUSE OF THE LORD PROVIDED BOTH NOURISHMENT AND A WEAPON… A SWORD OF VICTORY AND THE DEFEAT OF HIS ENEMY…

 

JUST ONE SWORD… THAT WAS ALL THE HOUSE OF THE LORD HAD THAT DAY… BUT IT WAS ENOUGH… LET ME INTERJECT HERE… (THE HOUSE OF THE LORD IN WHAT IT HAS WILL ALWAYS BE ENOUGH, EVEN MORE THAN ENOUGH…)

 

DAVID LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON THAT DAY THAT I SEE REASON AS TO THE WHY HE PUT THIS IN THIS PSALM…

Ps 20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;    KJV

OUT OF GOD’S SANCTUARY HE PROVIDED THE HELP THAT DAVID SO DESPARATELY NEEDED…

 

The focus is often on the sword, it’s the sword of Goliath; not so much where it was found…

 

·        But look at where it was at…

·        And notice who knew the location of it…

 

1)     Ahimelech… the priest; who knew…

2)     And it was in the house of the LORD…

 

THE BACK DROP OF THE STORY IS…

David is hungry along with his men… He is running… They have had to hide, and they are filled with thirst… They are weary… There has been no rest; they have been in much haste… There was no time for preparation… There are no weapons… There is no food…

 

There is ability, but there is nothing in their hand to show or reveal that ability…

·        DAVID DISCOVERED IT WAS THAT DAY THAT THE HOUSE OF THE LORD PROVIDED BOTH NOURISHMENT AND A WEAPON… A SWORD…

DAVID GAINED UNDERSTANDING THAT DAY THAT I SEE HE PUT IN THIS PSALM… OUT OF GOD’S SANCTUARY HE PROVIDED THE HELP THAT HE NEEDED…

DAVID DIDN’T STOP THERE… I NEEDED A SWORD THAT DAY AND GOD PROVIDED ME WHAT I NEEDED OUT OF HIS HOUSE…

·        IT WAS ENOUGH…

·        GOD’S HOUSE IS SUFFICIENT…

·        MY GOD SHALL SATISFY… MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY…

·        HE IS SUFFICIENT…

·        HE KNOWS WHAT I NEED AND WHEN I NEED IT…

WHAT DOES DAVID DO???

 

THERE CAME A DAY MUCH LATER THAT REVEALS THIS LEARNED LESSON…

DAVID IS DEAD NOW… THIS IS BLEAK DAY… ISRAEL’S SIN HAS BROUGHT THEM TO THIS PLACE OF LOSS… THERE WAS NO KING ON THE THRONE BUT A WICKED QUEEN BY THE NAME OF ATHALIAH… SHE GOES IN AND AFTER HER SON WHO WAS KING IS DEAD SHE THEN KILLS ALL THE KINGS SONS EVEN HER GRANDSONS EXCEPT…

 

ALL BUT ONE… JOASH IS HIDDEN AWAY… WHERE IS HE HIDDEN???

 

2 Kings 11:3 And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.    KJV

JOASH IS HIDDEN BY A NURSE… WHERE??? IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD…

·        GOD’S HOUSE HAS WHAT YOU NEED…

·        IT WILL PROTECT YOU…

 

HIS HOUSE DAVID SAID, PS 27:5 HIDE ME IN THY PAVILION… THY TABERNACLE…

LOOK AT DAVID AGAIN, HE KNOWS WHAT GOD’S HOUSE IS…

HIS HOUSE IS YOUR PROTECTION…

THEN WE SEE WHAT DAVID LEAVES YEARS AFTER HE IS DEAD AND GONE…

·        DAVID DID SOMETHING THAT HE LEARNED…

·        HE MAY NEVER NEED IT AGAIN… BUT JUST IN CASE SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS WHAT I NEEDED…

·        JUST IN CASE SOMEONE COMES TO BE IN MY SHOES…

·        JUST IN CASE THERE IS SOMEONE WHO CAME TO THE PLACE OF NO SWORD, NO PROTECTION, AND NO SUSTAINMENT…

·        THERE IS GOING TO BE A LESSON I AM GOING TO PASS DOWN…

Jehoiada he is now the priest… David is long gone… David is dead…

Athaliah the wicked woman goes into the house of the LORD… NOT ONLY WAS IT A PLACE OF PROTECTION FOR LITTLE JOASH BUT NOW…

 

·        ITS TIME FOR JOASH TO BE SHOWN…

·        ITS TIME FOR THE KING TO STEP FORWARD…

·        BUT HE CAN’T STEP FORWARD EMPTY HANDED… HE CAN’T BE INTRODUCED WITHOUT AN ARMY… WITHOUT WEAPONS…

THERES AN ENEMY ON THE THRONE OF DAVID… BUT Jehoiada the priest…

2 Kings 11:10 And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.    KJV

2 Chron 23:9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.   KJV

GOD PROVIDED A MEANS… TO DEFEND HIS ANOINTED… AND GOD PROVIDED A MEANS TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY…

BUT IT ALL CAME FROM HIS HOUSE…

DAVID SAID, ((SEND HELP FROM YOUR SANCTUARY… NOW I KNOW I THAT THE LORD SAVETH HIS ANOINTED…))

·        It’s a prophecy for you…

·        You’re his anointed…

·        You’re his people…

HIS HOUSE IS WHERE ITS AT… STAY WITH HIS HOUSE… ITS YOUR PROTECTION… ITS YOUR NOURSHMENT… IT’S THE DEFEAT OF YOUR ENEMIES… HIS HOUSE HAS JUST WHAT WE NEED…

NOW I KNOW… EVERYTHING NEEDED---ITS IN THE HOUSE…

John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.     KJV

THE ONLY WAY HIS HOUSE CANNOT SHOW THAT WHICH GOD WANTS TO SEE THERE… AND THE REASONS WE OFTEN CANNOT HEAR IS, WHAT IS IN THE HOUSE…

·        WHAT HAVE YOU PUT THERE???

WHEN THE HOUSE BECOMES SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT HE INTENDED HIS HOUSE TO BE…

·        (A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL PEOPLE…)

·        (THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST…)

·        (WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS…)

WE HAVE REMOVED OR WE HAVE REPLACED WHAT GOD INTENDED TO BE THERE…

WHEN ALL THE WHILE GOD HAS JUST AS HE SUPPLIED HELP FOR DAVID… WE TOO SHOULD BE ABLE FIND HELP FROM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD…

THE HOUSE OF THE LORD SHOULD BE THE FIRST PLACE AND FIRST CHOICE THAT WE GO TO…

THE PREACHED WORD… HIS PRESENCE… HIS PURPOSE CAN BE FOUND THERE…

 

FOLLOW ME

“FOLLOW ME…”

This seems like a statement that means what it says… However, one can follow and yet be following at the desired distance they determine… Their definition of following, is determined by the follower not the one doing the leading… Surely the speed of the leader can determine the rapid or slow rate of the follower… However, the follower to follow and not be lost in the way has to agree to follow the leader at the speed with which the leader leads…

The proximity of the follower is determined by the ability and commitment to follow the one who leads…

To those who play the game of follow me, are made up of 2 types of people… The one who volunteers and says, “I will follow you…” The second one says, “I will not be shaken, I will not be denied, I will follow…”

·        If you walk through the fire, so can I…

·        If you walk through the water so will I…

·        If you go through the bramble bush, count on me… I’m right behind you…

Reminds me of the story of the chicken and the pig… The chicken she’s a volunteer… She will follow for the breakfast… She will give you her eggs… In contrast to the pig he’s in it… He’s committed because no matter what you have whether it’s his bacon, his chops, his sausage, or his ham… He’s committed for life… He’s not volunteered to follow, the pig is committed…

FOLLOW ME, JESUS SAID… THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS THE CHURCH IS FULL OF VOLUNTEERS… BUT GOD WANTS TO KNOW WILL YOU FOLLOW HIM WITH YOUR LIFE??? HOW MUCH ARE WE IN???

Matt 7:13 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.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.      KJV

The ability to enter at the strait gate is determined on but one thing… (HOW YOU FOLLOW…)

I ask this question…

·        Isn’t it amazing that immediately after Jesus gives us his strait talk of a strait and narrow to gain entrance; HE gives us an immediate warning of (BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS???)

Now us following Christ and our proximity of following Christ can be effected by many things but Jesus seems to focus on false prophets…

I don’t have to say the number of places in scripture that we see the warnings of not just Jesus but the apostles… The warning is everywhere from the pen and voice of just about all… Even with the words of the OT prophets… They too had their warnings about the coming of the voices of false prophets and deceivers of the day…

The most damage that satan can do is but one thing and that is (LIE TO YOU; AND YOU BELIEVE THE LIE…)

Everything that satan does is built and or based on a lie… (TRUTH AINT IN HIM…) Jesus called him, (THE FATHER OF LIES…) The bible warns us; “to believe a lie is to be damned…”

This in part…

2 Thess 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,     KJV

To not believe the TRUTH and even do nothing and say that you believe nothing is to embrace the lie… Just because you don’t believe doesn’t let you off the hook… (YOU DIDN’T BELIEVE THE TRUTH…)

By one choosing not to follow, simply says… I will believe the lie…

In David Platt’s book… The book is entitled, “Follow Me…” Page 187,188

I quote from him such a lie, “a sinners prayer that is often quoted today is not found in Scripture or even in much of church history we never see anyone in Scripture saying, “bow your head, close your eyes, and repeat after me,” followed by a specific, “sinners prayer…”

David Platt went on to say, “I talk with people all the time who are looking for a box to check off in order to be right with God and safe for eternity. But there is no box.”

Mr. Platt also went on to say and I quote, “I have seen the “sinners prayer” used across the contemporary Christian landscape as people pray the prayer without ever counting the cost of following Christ.”

He went on to say that he “experienced this abuse in his own life…” “I can remember lying in my bed at night as a child and later as a teenager, wondering about whether I was really saved, and then thinking, well I just need to pray that prayer again… And really mean it this time, and then I’ll know I’m saved…”

David Platt finished this statement here… Men, women, teenagers, children are often told, “if you prayed that prayer,” you can always know that you are saved for all eternity.”

I finish the statement that he made in regard to this lie that is permeating the world.

“A prayer someone prayed is not the best or even a biblical basis for assurance of salvation, according to Scripture…”

The point is following Christ…

·        Point is there is a cross to bear…

·        There is a way of suffering with Christ…

·        There is a place in the heart of the follower of Christ cannot be satisfied at a distance…

·        There is a place of separation…

·        That is the church, the called-out ones… Romans 12:1 Paul calls it a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God for this is your reasonable service...  One translation says, this is your spiritual response of worship…

In David Michael Bennett’s book, The Sinners Prayer: Its Origins And Dangers

Page 26… David Michael Bennett calls out a certain group which I will leave unnamed, that goes on to say, “that in 1978 this certain group had “registered hundreds of thousands of decisions, but only 3% of the persons responding were ever incorporated into a local congregation…” Their conclusion was “that it seems highly probable that most of the remaining 97% were not truly converted…”

He goes on to say, “in the mid-1980s a booklet produced by one denomination reported that 50% or more dropout of the church in Christian community after making decisions… Again, both groups use what would be called “a sinners prayer…”

Ray Comfort reported on number of evangelistic campaigns held in the closing years of the 20^th century by “different agencies” which only small percentage of those who had made decisions seem to have become Christians. He says, “that in one case in 1991, out of the 600 that made decisions remained faithful…”

A man by the name of Jim Elliff, again noted by the book of David Michael Bennett, a critic of “sinners prayer evangelism” notes “one denomination in the 1990s showed a net gain of only five new attenders for every 100 recorded professions…  In addition he argues that many of those that are supposedly been saved, do not even get as far as baptism, so the situation is even worse than at first glance…”

David Michael Bennett also quotes a man by the name of Lewis Drummond… “It is he who has suggested that about half the members of American churches, showed no real sign of conversion. He also blames superficial evangelism for this disturbing situation.”

In addition, the subtitle of a book on evangelism by Patrick McIntyre in 2005 was the startling statement… “Why most decisions for Christ are in-effective.” He points out that a Gallup poll in 1990 74% of Americans profess to have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, but the moral decline in the following years indicated that things were not what they seemed. The “sinners prayer” was on his list of the causes of this disturbing situation; in fact on the cover of his book says, “over half of American adults believe they are going to heaven because they repeated a salvation prayer.”

David Michael Bennett page 28 of the same book states and I quote… “It is deeply disturbing that there are probably millions of people in this world who have been assured by well-meaning evangelist that they are saved when, in fact, they are not.” “In other words, there are many who have been told they are going to heaven, when they may still be going to hell. He went on to say and I quote this is the bad fruit of the sinners prayer.”

The lies of humanity that we are seeing… The smoke and mirrors concept… It’s the light show, the programs, philosophy of men, lies and deception on a grand scale… And the explanation is “men love darkness rather than light…” Much of what we are seeing is the failure of being able to duplicate the “book of Acts church,” And the reason is, we haven’t duplicated their commitment, to GOD and each other… We haven’t duplicated their ability to follow after Christ… Some are failing to duplicate not only prayer, but time in prayer, not only in this, but also effectual fervent prayer…

So, what else is there if we cannot duplicate the results of the power of the Holy Ghost falling in our services, the supernatural presence of GOD showing up??? The “what else,” is exactly what we are seeing, the smoke and mirrors, programs, coffee bars, noise without reason and purpose of glorifying the LORD… It’s not worship, it’s not even praise not when it’s for our sake and not for the sake of the one who matters…

If you wonder where it went, I quote Pastor Jeff Arnold, “it went out with the wonder…”

Were more in awe of self and each other, than we are of GOD… See the “reality” in the mainstream today… It’s in any direction you look… Just look or miss the strait gate and the narrow way and be sucked in by the false prophets with their false ways…

The power of GOD is not hard to have in any given generation and in any given time; what is hard to have is the passion and commitment as Christ commands… “FOLLOW ME…”

THANK YOU FOR READING...

THE NEED OF HUMILITY 6-2-17

     THE NEED OF HUMILITY         6-2-17

HUMILITY---

HUMILITY--- (WHAT IS IT???)

 

How is (HUMILITY) described or defined???

What does (humility) do???

HUMILITY, where does it rate in its importance, in its significance???

How does one get humility???

Is (HUMILITY) recognizable???

Do you know when you get it???

Do others know you got it???

This much we do know (HUMILITY IS NOT EMPHASIZED IN TODAYS WORLD…) In the world we live in today it would look like the (THE MEEK DOESN’T INHERIT THE EARTH BUT GETS BURIED IN THE EARTH AFTER THEY ARE RAN OVER…)

HUMILITY is vague today… It’s a shadow of what it was and what it meant in years gone by...

·        It’s not in style…

·        It’s not in…

·        It was for those of the past…

Not so much needed in today’s world it would seem… 

Maybe it’s because it’s not edible, drivable or attractive… HUMILITY simply put there is no pleasure found in it…

Humility--- a modest or low view of one’s own importance; humbleness…

Humility--- freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble…

JESUS’ sermon on the mount HE gives us this as number one…  

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.    KJV

The poor in spirit… This is how we are to see ourselves… This means a (FRAME OF MIND) we are to possess…  

This is the order of the BEATTITUDES… The emphasis is on the first one… It’s in order… This is not in the middle nor is it at the end, because the order only works when you get this one first…

We see Jesus as Paul describes HIM…

Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.     KJV

HUMBLED---HIMSELF… TO SEE JESUS IS TO SEE HIS HUMILITY…  

Andrew Murray said, HUMILITY---means the giving up of self and becoming perfect nothingness before GOD.  

In death He gave the highest, the perfect proof having given up HIS will to the will of HIS Father… In death HE gave up HIS self, with its natural reluctance to drink the cup.

We see Jesus for what HE was and for what HE had come to do… HE came to serve… HE was a servant… Matt 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.   KJV 

We live in a world that there are religious fakes on every corner… They all come across with a message of self helps…

·        The means to be BLESSED without SACRIFICE, without HUMILITY… Without SUFFERING…

No one seems to be asking, or praying for more (HUMILITY…)

We pray for an awakening and a return to revival… Oh, for another (GREAT AWAKENING…) Could it be that what we need to see and experience is (HUMILITY???)

You can’t divide Christ and HIS work from HIS HUMILITY… Think of what we want from Jesus…  

·        YOU SEE WE WANT JESUS WHEN HE IS WALKING ON THE WATER…

·        WE WANT JESUS WHEN HE IS FEEDING THE MULTITUDES…

·        WE WANT JESUS WHEN HE IS TURNING WATER INTO WINE…

·        WE WANT JESUS WHEN HE IS IN POWER OVER SICKNESS, DISEASE…

·        WE WANT JESUS WHEN HE IS STEPPING ON SATANS HEAD…

WE DON’T WANT JESUS IN HIS DEATH; WE WANT HIM IN HIS RESURRECTION…

BUT THIS IS THE EXACT PLACE WHEN WE DO NEED HIM---IN HIS HUMILITY…

BEFORE YOU EVER EXPIRIENCE CHRIST IN HIS RESURRECTION YOU WILL FIRST HAVE TO EXPIRIENCE HIM IN HIS DEATH…

Paul went on to say verse 9…

Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.     KJV

You see before (HE WAS HIGHLY EXALTED… BEFORE EVERY KNEE BOWS… BEFORE EVERY TONGUE CONFESSESS…) HE HUMBLED HIMSELF… 

So, how do we die to self… How do we (MORTIFY) this body??? (MORTIFY TO KILL…) This would seem to be the question…

SHOW ME WITH THE SCRIPTURE WHERE THEY THAT WERE USED OF GOD IF THERE WASN’T FIRST HUMILITY…

MOSES… MEEKEST OF MEN… DAVID… DANIEL… JOSEPH… MORDECAI AND ESTHER… DEBORAH… NAOMI AND RUTH… RAHAB… GIDEON… SAMUEL… CORNELIUS…

SHOW ME THE ONES WHEN EGO AND PRIDE GOT IN THE WAY…

SATAN/ LUCIFER… KING SAUL… ABSALOM… NEBUCHEDNEZZAR… BELSHAZZAR… DEMAS… JUDAS… (THESE ALL FELL: NO HUMILITY… AND WHAT THEY ENDED WITH WAS THEIR FALL…)

Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction , and an haughty spirit before a fall.   KJV

Prov 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.   KJV

JOHN THE BAPTIST---THE GREATEST OF PROPHETS; THIS IS WHAT JESUS SAID OF HIM… I ASK WHY???

·        WE SEE JOHN WITHOUT ONE NOTED MIRACLE…

·        NOT ONE MOMENT OF DELIVERANCE…

·        NOT ONE PLACE OF WEALTH AND RICHES AND JOHN IS CALLED BY THE LORD, THE GREATEST OF PROPHETS… WE ASK WHAT WAS IT HE POSSESSED???

LET JOHN ANSWER…

Mark 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.    KJV

JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID,

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.    KJV

IS IT ANY WONDER WE SEE JOHN AS THE GREATEST OF PROPHETS NOT BECAUSE OF MIRACLES BUT BECAUSE OF HIS HUMILITY???

IN SCRIPTURE THE MOST EXALTED ARE THE MOST HUMBLED…

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

THERE’S A LESSON TO BE APPLIED TO OUR LIVES… NEXT VERSE…

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:     KJV

PROMOTION COMES FROM GOING DOWN NOT GOING UP…

Look at Stephen’s promotion… Stoned to HIS death and we hear his prayer… Lord, lay not this sin to their charge…

Prov 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.    KJV

Is this not what Stephen received???

 

THE DISCIPLES ARE BUCKING FOR PROMOTION AND RANK IN THE KINGDOM… LOOK WHAT FOLLOWS…

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.    KJV

WHO CAN DO IT BUT HE THAT CAN SAY NO TO RICHES, NAME AND REPUTATION, FAME AND FORTUNE??? ONLY THEY THAT HAVE THE INNOCENCY OF A CHILD… NO AGENDAS… NOT POWER HUNGRY, NOT THE ONE THAT HAS WORLDLY AMBITION…

One such writer said, humility is the only soil in which the graces take root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much the grace of virtue along with others it is the root of all, because it alone assumes the right attitude before God and allows him as God to do all…

Look at what is around us today… Have you ever seen a more divided America than today??? Can we ask that of the so called church today as well???  

Humility is not so much the grace of virtue along with others it is the root of all…

·        We want UNITY in the body… Can’t happen without HUMILITY…

·        We want PEACE in the body… Can’t happen without HUMILITY…

·        LOVE and FORGIVENESS in the body… Can’t happen without HUMILITY…

·        We want to rid ourselves of JELAOUSY, STRIFE, DIVISION… Can’t happen without HUMILITY…

·        Some talk of our HOLINESS… But even HOLINESS is REVEALED by HUMILITY…

Jesus listed it first of all the BEATTITUDES… BLESSED ARE THE (POOR IN SPIRIT…) THE HUMBLE…

See what Paul in his day was dealing with… Nothing but the lack of (HUMILITY…)

Phil 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.    KJV

Look if it was so bad in the day of Paul how much worse are we today???

It’s sickening; and GOD isn’t pleased with it… And the writer said, by HUMILITY it all works…

The power of GOD that is bragged about but no one can see… The blessings of GOD but can only be counted in worldly possessions…

Paul couldn’t find one that wasn’t out for his own… Save the lone Timothy that he sent… At least he had Timothy… I can’t help wonder; are there any more Timothy’s around???

TO CLOSE… HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD…

2 Chron 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.      KJV

 

 

 

 

 

 

THAT WHICH BRINGS DISTINCTION---SEPARATES…

 

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.    KJV

What was it in Noah’s world to cause GOD to make such a statement???

It is answered…

·        They had become selfish…

·        They had become to the point that they enjoyed their unrighteousness…

·        They operated solely on what their flesh wanted… 

·        They were as described by the bible; filled with violence and hate…

·        They were not submitted to GOD…

·        Man had become so unlike their creator in every way to the point of their every thought the bible says was on evil continually…

Gen 6:3   (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

[My spirit shall not always strive] It is only by the influence of the Spirit of God that the carnal mind can be subdued and destroyed, but those who wilfully resist and grieve that Spirit must be ultimately left to the hardness and blindness of their own hearts, if they do not repent and turn to God. God delights in mercy, and therefore a gracious warning is given. Even at this time the earth was ripe for destruction, but God promised them one hundred and twenty years' respite: if they repented in that interim, well; if not, they should be destroyed by a flood...       (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

What draws the distinction from Noah to the evil in his world??? (RIGHTEOUSNESS) and (FAITH)

·        It is what GOD respects…

·        It is what GOD wants…

·        It is what GOD expects…

·        It is what GOD will have…

Yet, the significance as to result of why is, is seen in Gen 6:3…

The one thing that makes the difference; God said, (MY SPIRIT SHALL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH MAN…)

For the years that Noah was in the building of the Ark is called (GRACE…) Noah had favor to receive that grace; which he was warned of the coming flood... This is GOD’S (GRACE…)

Noah’s responding to the GRACE given is called FAITH… On GOD’S response (GRACE…) Noah responds back with (FAITH…) Noah moved with FEAR, prepared an ark whose plans was already drawn, stamped and delivered to Noah to bring his escape… This was his (FAITH…)

Heb 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; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.    KJV

THE ONLY MEANS THAT NOAH RECEIVED WAS THE WARNING… WAS THE PLAN TO BUILD WHAT HE HAD TO; FOR HIS ESCAPE, BUT THIS CAME BECAUSE OF (GOD’S SPIRIT THAT WAS AT WORK IN NOAH’S LIFE…)

The Spirit speaking and giving revelation by way of the pattern in how to build, and with what materials to build… This came because it was the (SPIRIT) that gave him knowledge to how to build and with what to build…

GOD SEE’S RIGHTEOUSNESS OF NOAH… GOD REPONDS TO NOAH’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND GIVES GRACE… NOAH REPONDS TO GOD’S GRACE WITH FAITH (BUILDS ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLAN…)

YET, HERE IS THE CONCLUSION… NONE OF THESE ARE SEEN EXCEPT THE PRESENCE OF ONE THING GOD’S SPIRIT…

Gen 6:9 …Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.      KJV

Remember what happened to the last man that walked with GOD??? Enoch… and he was not because GOD took him…

How can this be??? ONLY BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD… ENOCH AND NOAH WALKED WITH GOD… WE NEED HIS SPIRIT…

 

 

 

 

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE???

PS. 51

What we do know is this is King David’s prayer of repentance… He has been found in sin… He is exposed to all… His sin is ever before him… But David says something in this prayer that has always stood out to me… To me this defines David as to who he really was… This one thing only… This one small passage among many… And I must say, I believe that where this is in every one of our lives defines us as to who we are and who we become and where we end…

That one verse…

 Ps 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.    KJV

Surely, I understand that without the previous verses of repentance its certain that we don’t see the result of eleven… However, the 11th verse gives me reason as to why we see David repent in the first place… The 11th verse is the motivating factor of David’s desire, his prayer, and everything that David is, and was and what David becomes…

David was king… David of course was rich… David had it all… He was increased with silver, gold, every precious jewel… David had respect to his throne… He had name and reputation… By David’s position as king even the surrounding Kings gave tribute through monies, resources, and vast amount of treasure was given to King David…

David had family… David had those he loved… David here in this setting has wives and children… Yet, in David’s sin the one request that David asked of his God is found in this verse eleven… Don’t take thy spirit from me…

I see David really saying, God I have sinned against you and whatever means of punishment, whatever means of reaping that must come to my life… The one thing that David requested that he may have, that he may keep was, don’t take away your Holy Spirit from me…

The question that all will answer with their life is how important is HIS SPIRIT to me??? How important is his spirit to you??? In your house of worship if you have one, how often is this preached??? How often is this heard??? How often is this stressed to the congregation… Answer??? Only as often as we see the importance of the SPIRIT OF GOD… 

How important is the SPIRIT OF GOD TO David??? David in his choosing said, it was the most important… And let us not forget, David had much to lose… Yet, look at what was most important to him…

In the place of David, what or who; do you choose???

Liberties That Are Not Mine

LIBERTIES—We get independence… Yet, in the Christian life what does that mean??? Liberty to do as I please… Liberty without rules; without regulation, without oversight; without accountability???

Marriage; we all know this comes with demands, vows, commitments… Where is liberty, independence within a marriage??? We all know there is no going outside of marriage as GOD has so wonderfully defined…

In the Christian life… Paul said this…

1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.    KJV

1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?     KJV

I place them intentionally out of order for the sake of ending with the question that Paul answered in verse 20…

But the question; know ye not that your body is not your own??? This is the born again… This is GOD’S… He has given you HIS Holy Ghost… Meaning you have been bought with a price…

Where then is your so called religious liberties???

Jesus said… If you love me keep my commandments…

• Where again is your liberty???

• Where again is your independence???

• Where is the room for selfish agendas???

Paul said; 1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.     KJV

What does this mean??? Several translations read… (BE YE IMITATORS OF ME; AS I)… ETC…

To follow Paul is more than I often think than we know… To walk as he walked… Go as he did… Believe as, practice as, to do as he did…

Again to follow Paul as he commanded I ask, where is my liberty or liberties??? Where is my independence??? Where was Paul’s??? If Timothy were here to answer for him, I think that he would answer (I HAVE NONE)…

1 Tim 4:11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.    KJV

Pretty good set of rules there… Paul gave at this discourse; Notice that each one is a command…

I wonder if Timothy ever thought; hey Brother Paul how about a little leeway???
How about a little room to breathe here???
Hey Brother Paul, what about my religious liberty???
Don’t you think that you may be infringing on my rights there???
Or here’s a good one; I think Brother Paul we ought a do it this way; my way…
Paul I hear; “if your gonna follow Christ you must follow me…”

I just wonder today in 2017 if we ever stop to think if we are indeed following Christ… Following Timothy??? Following the elders that came before us??? Following and walking in their anointing… Enjoying what they prayed down to us… What they incurred to get us where we are… Like the command given to each tribe of Israel to make a memorial of stones… I hear the question of the next generation… What meaneth these stones???

I believe what I hear by way too many is… (WHAT ABOUT MY LIBERTYS??? WHAT ABOUT MY INDEPENDENCE??? WHAT ABOUT DOING IT HOW I THINK THAT IT OUGHTA BE DONE??? THOSE THINGS ARE IN THE PAST; GET WITH THE FUTURE… YOU’LL NEVER WIN THE WORLD WITH RIGIDITY…)

Its recorded of Moses to those who were to follow him; Joshua and the children of GOD…

Deut 29:12 That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:

13 That he may establish thee today for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

• I just wonder if they ever considered that what they had was due to a covenant that was made with them in mind… Yet, made without them being present… No input… No vote… No consideration of religious liberties or their agendas or independence in mind…

14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
15 But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:     KJV

Hmmmm… I cant help but ask, who could that be that wasn’t with them that day??? Oh, yea the future… The generations to come…

• Would someone just tell me as the some of you go off to embrace your new found hope/ your new found liberty/ and independence that with an honest heart can truly say (Paul, I am following you as you followed Christ)…

What does the writer of Hebrews tell us??? (MUCH THE SAME)…

Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.   KJV

Heb 13:7 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all.     THE MESSAGE:

This is past tense in verse 7… What this means is if you listen for the quiet voices… The voices of the past you can hear them… Voices from the graves of the elders… What are you doing with what we gave you???

Note what the writer of Hebrews follows up with verse 8…

8 For Jesus doesn't change — yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.    

• If He doesn’t change; why are you???

I ask who are you and why are you so special that you can take the blood, the sweat, the tears and the sleepless nights of them who prayed more than you ever thought about praying… Preached more than you preached… Loved more than you loved… Cared more than you care… Who walked, who rode horses, and in covered wagons… Who braved the cold and lonely nights… Who left father and mother and many who buried their loved ones on a foreign land… Who went on mission fields without the comforts of what you are now enjoying because of what they have bought and paid for… Some are pastoring churches they didn’t carve out… Entering into labors not their own…

All because of what??? You to say I’m free, I have freedoms, I have liberties… (like the spirit of the age; “it’s my rights…”

Wake up and smell the coffee friend… You not free; you’re in bondage… You’re in bondage to them that have walked before you… You’re in bondage to those voices of the past… The voices of the elders… Those from the grave are speaking; are you hearing???

One would do well to remember; It’s not your church; it’s GOD’S… (Acts 20:28)